Oh, I never could figure out why the manufacturers put it on there. It's just a bad way of extending the tripod's height. When you raise the center column it makes your whole setup pretty unstable. Not saying it's useless, if you really need an extra few inches and you're using a light body and lens then go for it. But I really don't see the point of putting it there.
the Giotto's center column is (was) sorta unique in that not only does it extend straight up but can go horizintal and at several other angles for hard to get to subjects...it is true wonder for shooting close ups.....used to be the only option was a clamp on extra leg made by manfrotto then you had to carry the clamps and special extender leg.....Giotto's and Benbo (not Benro) were actually made for nature type photographers or studio work that needed tripods that could "bend" to special angles for the shot...by adding a touch of weight (bean bag or sand bag) the angled center column become surprisingly stable.......even in gale force Ks winds...............
You do not have to use the center column if you do not want to...remove the supplied camera mount head reattach to legs where center column was and voila' you now have a simple 2 way head, attached directly to legs for optimum stability.............
the Giotto's center column is (was) sorta unique in that not only does it extend straight up but can go horizintal and at several other angles for hard to get to subjects...it is true wonder for shooting close ups.....used to be the only option was a clamp on extra leg made by manfrotto then you had to carry the clamps and special extender leg.....Giotto's and Benbo (not Benro) were actually made for nature type photographers or studio work that needed tripods that could "bend" to special angles for the shot...by adding a touch of weight (bean bag or sand bag) the angled center column become surprisingly stable.......even in gale force Ks winds...............
that multi-angle center column is what attracted me to the giottos tripod. it looks great. art, do you own one of those? vanguard has one with the same system. i have seen a couple videos featuring the vanguard tripod, it seems very easily manipulated. however, the giottos seem more sturdy just from the pictures, and so somehow it has me leaning towards it. i'd love to see a video of its functionality. but maybe you can describe it in words.
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the Giotto's center column is (was) sorta unique in that not only does it extend straight up but can go horizintal and at several other angles for hard to get to subjects...it is true wonder for shooting close ups.....used to be the only option was a clamp on extra leg made by manfrotto then you had to carry the clamps and special extender leg.....Giotto's and Benbo (not Benro) were actually made for nature type photographers or studio work that needed tripods that could "bend" to special angles for the shot...by adding a touch of weight (bean bag or sand bag) the angled center column become surprisingly stable.......even in gale force Ks winds...............
You do not have to use the center column if you do not want to...remove the supplied camera mount head reattach to legs where center column was and voila' you now have a simple 2 way head, attached directly to legs for optimum stability.............
that multi-angle center column is what attracted me to the giottos tripod. it looks great. art, do you own one of those? vanguard has one with the same system. i have seen a couple videos featuring the vanguard tripod, it seems very easily manipulated. however, the giottos seem more sturdy just from the pictures, and so somehow it has me leaning towards it. i'd love to see a video of its functionality. but maybe you can describe it in words.