Description

Extremely Rare Find!!! Gitzo Systematic Series-5 Ocean Tripod model GT5542LOS Masterpiece and Collector item! * * * * * Forget about taking pictures, this tripod belongs in the Smithsonian or some private collection! This is not just a piece of photography gear. This is a one of a kind collectible. For taking photos, the regular Gitzo Series-5 Systematic tripods are readily available and much cheaper. Gitzo introduced the Ocean tripods in 2012 and made them for just a couple of years before discontinuing the series, because the exotic materials, "Ocean Lock" and dust pump construction, and manufacturing process made it prohibitively expensive. They made a fair number of Series 1 Ocean tripods with a less expensive process. These routinely appear on eBay and sell for around $800-850, plus or minus a little depending on condition. But it is virtually impossible to find the Ocean version of Gitzo's flagship Systematic Series-5 tripod, the GT5542LOS. Gitzo put everything into this tripod, and it is really a work of art. While you can certainly use it as an exceptionally fine tripod, its value is probably much more as an investment. In 40+ years of being a serious photographer, I know exactly one other individual who owns one of these, and he actually does use it locally for the sheer pleasure of using this exotic piece of equipment. But he coddles it like a baby. Most others, including myself, would buy it as a collectible and just keep it. I have had this tripod for some time, but as I am getting old, I am downsizing and simplifying my life, and I have decided to sell this beauty. I bought it used from another collector, and I have kept it in a closet since then. It has not even had a ball head mounted on it. This is a lightly used tripod, and shows some minor signs of handling and light surface scuffs. Apart from those, it is in a very newish condition. The legs still offer the "fresh Gitzo tripod" resistance that show the tripod has not even been broken in. Included are the original box, papers, cloth bag, spare set of rubber feet, set of spikes, snow shoes, a set of replacement plastic shims for the leg segments (it will take years of use to ever need them!), and a couple of items the purpose of which I do not understand. Please see the images. This tripod carried a hefty $2500 in 2012, and Gitzo gave up on it because they could not make a profit on it. Today if it were sold, it would likely have to be priced at least $5000, which is what I am listing it at. Considering they are not making any more of these, its value as a collectible is likely a lot more. Free insured, ground shipping within the Continental USA. I can ship to other addresses if the buyer pays the actual shipping and insurance costs. * * * * * PLEASE READ THE FINE PRINT Please ask any questions before bidding, I am happy to respond promptly. Payment by either the eBay payment gateway or PayPal must be made immediately after purchase. I describe my items accurately, and I do not accept returns. My default domestic shipping is within the contiguous United States, by either FedEx ground or the U.S. Postal Service, with no insurance. FOB ORIGIN, upon handing over item to the carrier at origin. The cost of shipping by any other means, or to any other destination, or shipping with insurance will vary - please check with me first. Please note that the eBay checkout system will automatically add the applicable sale tax based on the shipping address. I have no control over with this, and I do not see this money - eBay collects the tax and sends it to the government. eBay also frequently adds information to listings that are not always accurate or even relevant. I am not responsible for this. Kindly go only based my description above, and if there's any doubt, please clarify with me before buying. Attention international buyers: I use the eBay International Shipping service, which will automatically add additional shipping costs, and will also declare the value of the product for Customs purposes. You are responsible for paying any import duties and taxes. I have no control over this - in fact, eBay does not even share your address with me. I simply ship the product to eBay in the USA, then eBay takes over. This process will take about 7-10 extra days of time also. If you prefer that I ship it directly to you, please let me know before you buy, so I can give you an estimate for the shipping costs. For direct shipments, I can declare the Customs value at whatever you ask me to - once you pay for the item, it is yours, and you tell me how you want me to handle it. The maximum value I can declare or insure an item for is USD 2,500.