Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

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Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

milmoejoe
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p.2 #1 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

FYI- I do have the current model. I got it as soon as it was available. Thanks for your projections

Regardless of which plate you're using (upgraded or not) the risk of it falling out from the base remains the same.

There are also several ways to remedy the problem yourself (e.g. drill and insert pin). This is an obvious fix but 1. the material is magnesium (flammable) and 2. reportedly reduces the structural integrity.

Mar 19, 2009 at 10:21 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.2 #2 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

So why carry those big super-tele lenses over your shoulder still attached to your tripod if you are so worried

I can't see or imagine the plate falling out from the base. Only if you unscrew it before.
Mine have never even been loose or anything else in all those years I have had mine over the shoulder. And I have lenses like the 500 and 800mm. Not any of my friends that use big teles have had any problems either.

It's not like you are supposed or gitzo have promised that you can carry 5-10 kg attached to the tripod and head over your shoulder

Mar 19, 2009 at 10:36 PM

nctemper
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p.2 #3 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Gitzo is aware if the problem...but

But Bogen Production Manager Mr. David Fisher is hiding under his desk and won't acknowledge the problem.. or at least warn people to carry lenses attached to the tripod..

I have tried to call him but only talk to the receptionist...she gave me his email address and I sent him a link with lots of complains about that very problem..

For a $800 tripod we can expect service..that's what their Headquarter promised..

I am waiting... that promise has been "empty" for 3 weeks now.

Mar 19, 2009 at 11:41 PM

milmoejoe
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p.2 #4 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Lars, I get that you and your friends have big white lenses...thats fantastic.

You are missing my point.

Mar 19, 2009 at 11:56 PM

Samureye
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p.2 #5 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Thanks for rising this concern, Joe, although I usually try not to carry my equipment that way. I was not aware of the problem and I'm planning on buying a Gitzo this year.
For the money these tripods cost, I think it's rather ridiculous if we have to resort to Loctite or other options. Heck, for that amount of money, they should even have a built-in GPS

Just my 2 cents...

Mar 19, 2009 at 11:57 PM

JFB318
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p.2 #6 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Thanks for sharing your concern Joe. Geez, why shoot the messenger that is trying to save you from losing an expensive lens. If you don't like what he has to say, go ahead and sling it over your shoulder

Mar 20, 2009 at 12:21 AM

EB-1
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p.2 #7 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Obviously I don't understand the problem. Is the 3530LS afflicted?

EBH

Mar 20, 2009 at 12:40 AM

gearhead5
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p.2 #8 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Thanks to the OP for the heads up on this problem. I always carry my tripod over the shoulder and now I am concerned; guess it's time to break out the Loctite!

Mar 20, 2009 at 02:01 AM

Jim Victory
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p.2 #9 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Thanks for the headsup Joe!

I have always carried my tripod over my shoulder but I have always been concerned about the mounting bolt or head coming loose rather than the plate. Therefore I always attached a sling to my "Big Whites" and put it around my neck when carrying it over my shoulder. I figure that way if whatever comes loose it will still be around my neck and not plummet to the ground.

It is a shame that such a design flaw couldn't be remedied with an alternative attachment process with fail safes in place.

Jim

Mar 20, 2009 at 05:09 AM

Sven Jeppesen
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p.2 #10 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

milmoejoe wrote:
Please forgive me for this (slight off topic) rant!

I (and many others) have a very serious concern with the newer Gitzo tripods.

This year's "Systematic" tripod systems feature an interchangeable "bowl" or "base plate" which has been completely falling out for a number of photographers!

These tripods are shipped to you fully assembled with the tightening nut still loosened. Furthermore, the new design lacks the strength to keep this nut tightened with regular use! (Imagine having 1 lug nut attached to your wheel hub to keep your wheels attached!)

As you can imagine, this is a serious concern for nature and other photographers who carry their setup over their shoulder. There are a number of other discussion threads on other forums where photographers are experiencing complete losses of $10,000+ of equipment

I myself experienced this with a recent "upgrade" from the GT1325 to the newer GT3530LS. Fortunately, my bowl became dislodged indoors with no harm done. Others haven't been so lucky!

Meanwhile, Gitzo refuses to acknowledge the issue. Responses to affected photographers are along the lines of "This shouldn't be a problem...Simply tighten the torx screw...Why would you ever carry your expensive equipment over your shoulder? Yikes!?!"

At a minimum, I think gitzo needs to acknowledge the issue and educate their customers. Better yet, I think they need to stand behind their product and offer a "fix" (simple stop screw) or a refund. This is pathetic!

This year's "Systematic" tripod systems feature an interchangeable "bowl" or "base plate" you wrote.
It's not the truth. I belive only one of all the systematic tripods has that. 95% of the tripods only have the plate for photo. And of course Gitzo don't tighten the screw very hard before you have picked the plate that you will use together with the tripod. Just tighten the screw and the problem is solved. Can't understand the whining about Gitzo refuse to acknowledge the issue

Of course that when you buy 2 different top plates, you have to tighten the screw yourself after putting the plate you like on the tripod

Mar 20, 2009 at 05:42 AM

milmoejoe
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p.2 #11 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Sven- I don't mean to disagree, but your statement is inaccurate. The systematic series tripods all have interchangeable base plates. Which one you choose is up to you (flat, video, leveling, etc). Maybe only 5% of them ship with video bowls. Who cares?

"And of course Gitzo don't tighten the screw very hard before you have picked the plate that you will use together with the tripod."

I'm sorry but this is not implicit knowledge. Do you bring a torque wrench and double check the lug nuts on a new car before you drive off the lot? I don't think so.

The tripods only come with one base. There is no "choice" to be made, not a "some assembly required" ordeal. It ships fully assembled and connections are seemingly tightened. For whatever reason, folks seem to think I was lackadaisical about checking the connection. Let me be clear: I DID! I set everything up with care and followed the general rule of thumb to pick the setup up by the lens, check for insecure connections, etc.

It's easy to sit back and laugh at folks who experience this misfortune. Unless you shoot with a heavyweight tripod with a long lens stowed over your shoulder, you likely won't comprehend the issue. I assure you the tables turn when it is you looking down at a pile of $10,000 in broken glass.

Regardless, I got off lucky and experienced no such misfortune. Google the issue and you'll find several examples. I've seen it happen to unsuspecting folks in the field. No need to school me on how to carry or check my tripod- I'm fully aware of the issue.

This first step of recognition was posted yesterday

Mar 20, 2009 at 11:53 AM

kshea
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p.2 #12 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Ugh, looks like no Gitzo upgrade for me this year.

~K

Mar 20, 2009 at 12:16 PM

Carmen Miranda
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p.2 #13 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

milmoejoe wrote:
It's easy to sit back and laugh at folks who experience this misfortune. Unless you shoot with a heavyweight tripod with a long lens stowed over your shoulder, you likely won't comprehend the issue. I assure you the tables turn when it is you looking down at a pile of $10,000 in broken glass.

It's not that anybody is laughing, it's more like utter astonishment at people who insist that products be engineered to protect them from their own stupidity or that someone else is liable for their own risk taking.

Not in a hundred million years would the systematic plate fail if the your tripod was used in the manner in which it was designed. Even Canon or Nikon would not approve of transporting their long glass in the manner. The fact that you can get away with it for the most part is a testament to the strength of the system. The fact that it may fail from time to time should come as no surprise to all but the most foolhardy and irresponsible.

If some woman got $10 mill for spilling her $1 worth of McD's coffee, maybe you should get $10 trillion for dropping $10K worth of glass?

Now that the rally cry has been "acknowleged" by management, I'm sure it won't be too long before new Gitzo's will be sporting big yellow warning labels saying, "Do not carry tripod over the shoulder with camera attached." LIke that will make any difference.

No joe, you won't hear me laughing, but you won't get my sympathy either.

Good luck.

Mar 20, 2009 at 02:20 PM

RikWriter
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p.2 #14 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Carmen Miranda wrote:
milmoejoe wrote:
As you can imagine, this is a serious concern for nature and other photographers who carry their setup over their shoulder. There are a number of other discussion threads on other forums where photographers are experiencing complete losses of $10,000+ of equipment

Meanwhile, Gitzo refuses to acknowledge the issue.

Why should they?

You may want to carry a 400mm f4 by the stix, but I challenge you to name one tripod or head manufacturer that would encourage or condone such a risky and inappropriate use of their product.

Sorry, but that's bull. MOST nature photographers carry their long lenses that way.

Mar 20, 2009 at 02:40 PM

Carmen Miranda
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p.2 #15 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Sorry, but that's bull. MOST nature photographers carry their long lenses that way.

I still drink coffee in my car too. But at my own risk.

Mar 20, 2009 at 02:44 PM

RikWriter
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p.2 #16 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Carmen Miranda wrote:

Sorry, but that's bull. MOST nature photographers carry their long lenses that way.

I still drink coffee in my car too. But at my own risk.

I didn't say Gitzo should be liable for anything. If the equipment doesn't break, then they did their job. However I do think that, since it is well known that their equipment IS used like this, they might for the sake of customer relations, want to include a warning that you should tighten the nuts before using.

Mar 20, 2009 at 02:47 PM

Sven Jeppesen
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p.2 #17 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

milmoejoe wrote:
Sven- I don't mean to disagree, but your statement is inaccurate. The systematic series tripods all have interchangeable base plates. Which one you choose is up to you (flat, video, leveling, etc). Maybe only 5% of them ship with video bowls. Who cares?

"And of course Gitzo don't tighten the screw very hard before you have picked the plate that you will use together with the tripod."

I'm sorry but this is not implicit knowledge. Do you bring a torque wrench and double check the lug nuts on a new car before you drive off the lot? I don't think so.

The tripods only come with one base. There is no "choice" to be made, not a "some assembly required" ordeal. It ships fully assembled and connections are seemingly tightened. For whatever reason, folks seem to think I was lackadaisical about checking the connection. Let me be clear: I DID! I set everything up with care and followed the general rule of thumb to pick the setup up by the lens, check for insecure connections, etc.

It's easy to sit back and laugh at folks who experience this misfortune. Unless you shoot with a heavyweight tripod with a long lens stowed over your shoulder, you likely won't comprehend the issue. I assure you the tables turn when it is you looking down at a pile of $10,000 in broken glass.

Regardless, I got off lucky and experienced no such misfortune. Google the issue and you'll find several examples. I've seen it happen to unsuspecting folks in the field. No need to school me on how to carry or check my tripod- I'm fully aware of the issue.

This first step of recognition was posted yesterday

This "issue" has come up more in the past 3 months than in my previous 5 years working with Gitzo. That does concern me greatly. And those concerns are shared with the engineers, customer service personnel, and brand manager working in Italy.

David Fisher
Product Manager, Gitzo Brand
Bogen Imaging USA

You don't have to bring any torque wrech and double check before you use it. Just read the manual and use the wrech that comes with your tripod if you need that.
And if you like to carry a body and lens that's worth $ 10k and weight 10kg, it's not to much trouble to spend 5 seconds and check the screw

Mar 20, 2009 at 03:04 PM

milmoejoe
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p.2 #18 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Carmen, I don't want your sympathy

And, I think you are making reference to a case where a lady sued for coffee that was too hot...cute, but irrelevant.

Gitzo's products formerly met the needs of nature and wildlife shooters. Folks upgrade to the newer systems because they are lighter and offer better stability. Unnecessary risk of your equipment falling to the ground trumps the added convenience IMO

If it worked, why change it?

Mar 20, 2009 at 03:22 PM

milmoejoe
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p.2 #19 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Sven- you don't "have" to tighten the lugnuts because you assume they are tightened for you (for safety reasons). Now I know why there's a "hide me" button on here.

Mar 20, 2009 at 03:25 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.2 #20 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

milmoejoe wrote:
Sven- you don't "have" to tighten the lugnuts because you assume they are tightened for you (for safety reasons). Now I know why there's a "hide me" button on here.

You don't assume anything if you gonna carry very heavy tele-lenses that cost $ 10,000 on your shoulder when they are attached to the tripod. You check that the screw are tight (it takes about 2 seconds)

Funny that everybody must have exactly the same opinion as you about the Gitzo tripods

Otherwise they don't understand anything about it

Mar 20, 2009 at 04:40 PM

molson
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p.2 #21 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

I think the title of your post is a little too hysterical. A user forgetting to check that a screw is tight does not constitute a "failure" of the equipment.

Mar 20, 2009 at 04:57 PM

Gravitytoy
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p.2 #22 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Tripod heads and plates shouldn't be falling off. Period. If you need to re-tighten a factory installed bolt more than once, it's too much. With the precedent of years of drama-free use with older Gitzo tripods, I can understand the OP being a little peeved at Gitzo for this design flaw. Regardless of opinion on the safety of carrying your kit while still attached to the tripod, the fact remains that the plate on newer tripods is prone to come loose and this shouldn't be the case. We all expect good design from the products that we purchase, and this is especially true with premium products like Gitzo.

-Rich

Mar 20, 2009 at 05:04 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.2 #23 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Gravitytoy wrote:
Tripod heads and plates shouldn't be falling off. Period. If you need to re-tighten a factory installed bolt more than once, it's too much. With the precedent of years of drama-free use with older Gitzo tripods, I can understand the OP being a little peeved at Gitzo for this design flaw. Regardless of opinion on the safety of carrying your kit while still attached to the tripod, the fact remains that the plate on newer tripods is prone to come loose and this shouldn't be the case. We all expect good design from the products that we purchase, and this is especially true with premium products like Gitzo.

-Rich

The plate is not prone to come loose on newer Gitzo tripods. And you don't need to re-tighten the screw/bolt more than once. The newer plates are better than the older, I have both new and old Gitzo Systematic.

Mar 20, 2009 at 05:09 PM

milmoejoe
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p.2 #24 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

Just for grins, I gave the setup a quick test.

I backed out the torx screw and re-tightened to normal tension. With the Wh-200 attached, I am able to dislodge the plate from the base by prying the head upwards with my hands.

Granted, this is abnormal pressure and not in alignment with those "recommended uses" from gitzo, but I think it is pretty telling.

And, FYI-

-fail·ure, \ˈfāl-yər\,noun - omission of occurrence or performance ; specifically : a failing to perform a duty or expected action

Mar 20, 2009 at 05:24 PM

milmoejoe
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p.2 #25 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!!

In actuality, it is probably best (for your shoulder & camera both) to remove the lens & carry the tripod with your other hand.

However, a safe system (e.g. a simple pin or safety stop) isn't asking much IMO.

Mar 20, 2009 at 05:37 PM


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