dcains
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Buy and Sell: On
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jhom wrote:
Despite the piss poor customer service (it seems to have improved some recently), I would not trade my Gitzos for another brand (at least for now). Each time I use them (now more then before with other tripods brands) I am impressed with their quality. I don't leave home without them.
Jim
Me, too, and I've got friends with Feisol (I had one, too) and Benro/Induro tripods to compare. My Gitzo G1257LVL is simply so much more stable, and so much better made, that side-by-side, there isn't much to really compare. Not saying the others aren't usable, but I expect my Gitzo's to last me a lifetime, and looking at the others, I just can't see that happening. Last weekend I had one of mine (a G1228) completely broken down for a cleaning and lubrication, and a friend brought over his Induro. The real differences are visible when you've got them both in pieces and you can handle the spiders separately, see how the internal leg bushings and hinges are made, feel the threads on the leg locks, etc. They're similar in outward appearance only. Anyone thinking that these build quality differences don't equate to image quality differences is kidding himself/herself, and this can be taken to an even higher level by using large-mass wooden tripods like the Berlebach's. But everything's a compromise, and we've each got to choose what best fits our needs/desires and budget. My only issue is with the marketing of the Chinese imitators being "as good as" or in some cases "better than" the originals they compare themselves to, but I guess that's the task of a marketing department.
I've had decent service from Gitzo, too, but I'd recommend a phone call to Bogen Imaging rather than any emails. I've ordered replacement leg bushings and lost the level and hook off my center column, and the parts were sent promptly and at reasonable cost. No warranty claims, though, so that may be a different matter altogether.
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