A Markins TB-20 plate is used as anti-vibration device while eliminating the central column for low to the ground shots, nevertheless keeping the hook if you want to. The TB-20 tripod plate and TS-227 titanium spikes turn this excellent tripod into a "Super Gitzo". I personally find the spikes excellent to work on soft ground, but the plastic stoppers too hard for floors. If they only were of soft rubber ... So I have rubber covers for them.

TB-30 plates and TS-327 titanium spikes are available for use on the G1327, another popular tripod for "bigger guns" (200-400mm and 500mm lenses).