GITZO DEVELOPS FIRST EVER TRIPOD CREATED FROM VOLCANIC LAVAMar, 21 2005 - 12:53  Basalt-Fiber Forms Basis of Space-Age Material, Advancing Tripod Performance
Breaking through the earth’s surface is a new generation of tripods only Mother Nature can provide. Gitzo, makers of the original carbon fiber tripods and magnesium alloy photographic heads, has developed an environmentally friendly way to advance the performance of a new line of tripods built from volcanic rock.
Gitzo is the first and only manufacturer in the world to create basalt fiber tripods. The volcanic-based basalt materials used to develop them from the ground up provide photographers advanced performance and durability at affordable prices. The new tripods are recyclable, providing stability and easy-to-use features that are environmentally safe.
Suited for all camera types, ranging from compact digital to medium format film, the new tripods are more durable and better at absorbing vibrations, than aluminum models with similar dimensions. Basalt fiber legs are tougher than aluminum, yet they are 20% lighter.
Basalt fiber tube fabrication capabilities were developed for the space program due to the material’s lightweight and fire-proof properties. Gitzo utilized these while creating a new way of producing tripods. The basalt, a black lightweight rock, is pulverized, then melted at extreme temperature (27320F) and combined with other materials and spun into a strong fiber which is used to create multi-layer composite tubing. The result is a non-rotating tube of exceptional performance that meets the demands of today’s professional photographers. The legs are assembled using Gitzo’s "H.I.S.," a dual "screw thread and glue" jointing technology that provides greater durability and reliability than alternative methods.
It only takes seconds to open and secure the tripod with the new Anti-Leg-Rotation (ALR) system. Just loosen all twist locks at the same time and pull down the leg before tightening the twist locks, making setup a mere 15 seconds. Employing waterproof bushings with humidity resistant basalt makes it safer to use the tripod near and in water. As an added plus, basalt tubes won’t get hot and cold to your touch like aluminum does.
As usual, Gitzo left no detail overlooked. A newly redesigned built-in, spring-loaded, retractable accessory hook saves space and eliminates snags while providing a place to hang equipment, such as camera, sand or water bags, on the bottom of the center column.
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