Deciphering Vintage Gitzo Terms like Reporter, Gilux, Performance, etc.

[Frank Petronio]

Nowadays Gitzo calls their #2-leg diameter Gitzo a 2xxx model number. Before that the same model was called a 12xx. And before that they were called 2xx.

But way back, oh ten years ago in the stone age, they called their tripods by names, not numbers.

And I've never been able to figure their code words out. So when I look at older Gitzos on eBay I can never tell if it's the Reporter Performance Gilux De Gaulle Stridex that is the #2-diameter or #3-diameter.... I can sometimes tell from the photos but they are kind of similar when you are looking at a 200-pixel wide cell phone picture.

And if they could ever indicate how tall and short the darn things go... but considerate and intelligent sellers are capable of using a ruler.

Is there some translation somewhere?

Thanks

[Jeff Conrad]

Her name was McGill, she called herself Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy ...

Series 00 (16 mm): Loisir (later, Table)
Series 0 (20 mm): Weekend
Series 1 (24 mm): Total/Sport (later, Sport)
Series 2 (28 mm): Reporter
Series 3 (32 mm): Studex
Series 4 (37 mm): Super Studex/Pro Studex
Series 5 (41 mm): Tele Studex

Standard = no leg spreading
Performance = leg spreading
Rapid = non-geared column
Cremaillere = geared column

For the older tripods, only the Series 4 and 5 were "systematic," i.e., interchangeable column/top plate.

[Frank Petronio]

You are the Man Jess, thanks!