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Archive 2009 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

sjms
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p.2 #1 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

i disagree. safelock is more show then go.

Nov 18, 2009 at 06:00 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.2 #2 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

sjms wrote:
i disagree. safelock is more show then go.

I don't even know what you disagree about. Are you saying that it's not safe to use the Safelock without loctite or

Nov 18, 2009 at 06:22 PM

sjms
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p.2 #3 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

let me explain it to you. safelock is not as effective as advertised. its looks good on paper but it is not a reliable locking surface. i can do as well with a bare aluminum surface as i have for the past 20+ years.

Nov 18, 2009 at 06:42 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.2 #4 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

I have not been writing about if the safelock is as effective as advertised

Or if a bare aluminum surface is better or worse

The question was if you can use the safelock without loctite and still be safe

Nov 18, 2009 at 07:43 PM

cbrandt
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p.2 #5 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

For sure I'd of sent it back before jury riggin' it .. but, there are other sites selling safety plates for GITZO rigs also.

NSN SAFETY PLATE FOR GITZO TRIPODS

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/product.php?productid=453&cat=0&page=1&featured

Nov 18, 2009 at 08:14 PM

jhom
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p.2 #6 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

cbrandt wrote:
For sure I'd of sent it back before jury riggin' it .. but, there are other sites selling safety plates for GITZO rigs also.

NSN SAFETY PLATE FOR GITZO TRIPODS

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/product.php?productid=453&cat=0&page=1&featured

The NSN plate is for Systematic Gitzo tripods, not for Gitzo monopods.

Nov 18, 2009 at 08:40 PM

Roland Jenkins
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p.2 #7 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

OK Guys

I've had a closer look ... see these pics...

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

As you can see from the pic.. nothing is broken.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

1) Notice the 486 has a recessed Bottom Plate. This means the contact patch with the SL Ring is reduced to a mere 3mm doughnut! So that certainly contributes to the problem.

2) The 234 has a relatively uneven Base due to it being cast alloy. Furthermore, it has the webs together with the hollows. Again... not very good contact with the SL Ring.

3) the 484's Base is slightly smaller than the diameter of the SL Ring .. however not by much... and it's fairly flat. This is the best suited to attach securely.

BUT!

NO.... IT DOESN't!! Both the 'Pod> SL Ring contact AND the SL Ring>Head contact are relatively poor & definitely not as tight as with NO SL Ring & using my plastic washer between bare 'Pod & any of the 3 Heads.

I conclude that for me, Gitzo have a downright cheek advertising the Safelock as a beneficial feature!

Nevertheless with the aid of a cut-up credit-card Washer or a tube of Loctite, the Gitzo 'Pod is an awesome bit of kit!

This image is copyrighted by the owner

I might keep the SL Ring to use as a load spreader ... placing it under the 'Pod leg when on soggy ground

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Nov 18, 2009 at 11:37 PM · View previous versions

Nov 18, 2009 at 10:45 PM

MSC
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p.2 #8 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

You don't need the safety thing do you? Looks optional to me. My QR clamps just go right on top of the monopod. I never use the hand strap, useless and just takes up space...YMMV on that.

I use Wimberley C-10 and it has a set screw...no way anything is coming off with that...and that is just metal to metal with no locktite...been using this way with nary a problem for 6 years, literally it has never some loose with various 1D bodies with at 400 2.8 IS over the shoulder constantly.

Also looks like you can flip that washer thing safety thing...does that help with the fit?

Nov 18, 2009 at 11:03 PM

Roland Jenkins
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p.2 #9 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

MSC wrote:
You don't need the safety thing do you? Looks optional to me. ....
.........................
....Also looks like you can flip that washer thing safety thing...does that help with the fit?

MSC ... No, As I pointed out... I'm OK without the Safelock... & no... it doesn't work flipped either.

MSC wrote:
... I never use the hand strap, useless and just takes up space...

The Strap is pretty crap in it's original form ..... I've already modified mine. But hey! ...surely that deserves it's own Thread!

Nov 18, 2009 at 11:47 PM

sjms
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p.2 #10 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Ref:

"POWER DISC The new tripod upper disc is called "Power Disc". It is made of machined solid aluminum and it now features two locking screws, one to lock the head, the other to safely lock the disc onto the column. The“"Power Disc" gives a rock solid connection of the whole system for additional safety and stability"

taken fom the Bogen website

note the word "now" in the second sentence. the original "safe lock" lacked the second retaining screw for the head as it to is missing on my GT2540ex. which of course is now the GT2541ex. now of course you can order up the "updated" part for an additional contribution to gitzo

it seems even they realized the "safe lock" was a little less then its name implied

Nov 20, 2009 at 01:33 PM

Chris_Platt
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p.2 #11 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

cbrandt wrote:
For sure I'd of sent it back before jury riggin' it .. but, there are other sites selling safety plates for GITZO rigs also.

NSN SAFETY PLATE FOR GITZO TRIPODS

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/product.php?productid=453&cat=0&page=1&featured

Looks like they are designed to solve the Gitzo plate from falling off problem as opposed to the loosening tripod head problem (if either one is really a problem).

Guess I have been on the moon - first I've heard about the safelock innovation, but now that I've seen it, I'm wondering why I shouldn't just use some contact cement to glue a thin layer of some soft higher friction material to the plate - like gasket material or cork?

Nov 20, 2009 at 06:52 PM

sjms
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p.2 #12 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

thats exactly what its for. not even related to the issue being battled about here

Nov 20, 2009 at 07:02 PM

dcains
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p.2 #13 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

I've been making cork washers for the interface between my ballheads and tripods for a few years. One can buy a roll of cork gasket material at an auto parts store for just several $, and you'd have enough material to make 100's of them. As a skilled, yet amateur mechanic, it just pains me to see two bare metal surfaces contact one another, but the benefit of the cork is that it does provide a nice high-friction surface for keeping the ballhead snug on the tripod platform. I think the stuff I have is 3/32" thick, but I may be mistaken.

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:02 PM

sjms
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p.2 #14 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

i think the attempted point of this material not including cork is to have a rigid yet high friction surface. cork is rather mushy and will allow movement. it then will permanently compress until things tend to loosen. the material RRS is using on their stage/platform of thir tripod has a higher "connectivity" then the product on my 2540ex

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:16 PM

Roland Jenkins
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p.2 #15 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

sjms wrote:
.... cork is rather mushy and will allow movement. it then will permanently compress until things tend to loosen. . .

Which is why I thouroughly recommend an old credit-card....
Hey! Gitzo 'Pods! ... perhaps I should cut-up & use the current credit-card

Roland

hmm.... how much is that 500mm Lens I always wanted? Perhaps they'll let me go "platinum"

Nov 20, 2009 at 10:27 PM

sjms
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p.2 #16 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

i think you are going to find RRS is going to mix it up a little with gitzo now. they have intentions of bringing out an MP shortly too.

Nov 21, 2009 at 06:41 AM

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