darknite
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 p.4 #11 · Beware- Gitzo tripod failures !!! | |
You might not have read through the entire thread or any of the relevant links. The problem is with the very newest systematic tripods, not models that are 9, 7, 4, 3, or even 2 years old.
Many have suggested just tighten it before use. Someone said it was like riding a horse, check the saddle and tackle before you go. Thats all well and fine, but the problem has been both with people who haven't checked the screw at all, based on previous experience with older models never failing, and with people who are anal and check it before, several times during, and even after the shoot.
Even the anal tighteners have reported cranking down the screw, and having the plate loose by the end of the day, or even within a few hours while carrying with their expensive big white glass attached. How would those horseback riders feel if just after checking and tightening the saddle it slipped and they went under the horse anyway?
Someone on the NatureScapes.net site has a rocket scientist friend (No, really, he is an independent contractor for NASA) that took a few minutes and designed an awesome fix to keep the baseplate mounted and secure even if the screw were to fall out.
The big fuss is multithousand dollar lens dropping from a tripod and meeting an untimely/ undeserved death. People do not expect to be spoonfed everything, but rather to have the new equipment work as dependably as your tighten once and never worry about it again for 9 years design, something the current design seems to have a few problems with.
Gitzo has know for a long, long time that photographers carry big lenses over the shoulder with their tripods. They should continue to say its not a recommended procedure, but they also should recognize and step up to at least make their system better. They didn't, the Naturescape guys did.
wlachan wrote:
What's the big fuss? It isn't like something was broken, just tighten it for god sake. Is it so hard to do? I tighten my G1349 when I bought it new 9 years ago, never had to do it again since and still super tight. People are expected to be spoonfeeded everything these days.
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The base plate loosened itself completely and easily could have fallen out. I pulled it off with one hand. I was using only a 1 series body and 70-200/4 IS, so no excessive force was applied to the legs/plate. Gitzo quality control of final assembly is rubbish. They should tighten the locking screw much more. If you must use a 3 series, carry the special tool at all times and check for tightness!
