Series 3 short center column allows me to position my camera as close to the ground as possible with a C314 tripod. The bottom of the column is just barely off the ground when the tripod legs are splayed out to the last position. Just what I wanted. I'm 6'-6" and the 3 Series tripod is still plenty tall enough with the short column. I now have to extend the tripod legs full length instead of extending the column which is good because extending the legs makes the camera more stable than extending the long column.