I have received the Gitzo 2541. Beautiful legs! However, the instruction is not too clear (may be to me...).
I have a question about the platform on which the ball head is supposed to be mounted on: There are two small screws and the flat form and a marking "safety lock" with the arrow pointing clockwise, what are they for?
Also, one of the legs is very tight when opening or closing, I tried to use the supplied key to open it, but the screws on both sides of that leg is so tight that I'm afraid to strip the heads.
I tried to look up Gitzo supports to call but just provided email communication. If I'd need the tripod serviced in the future, what is the best way to contact them?
My GT3541LS has a similar screw. I presume they are just set-screws that you can tighten up against the bottom of your head to provide additional security and assurance that the head wont loosen-up from the legs. I don't know if the 'safe lock' is referring to the set screws or the newly added rubber pad which also helps keep the head from loosening up. FWIW, I don't use the set-screws and haven't had any problem with my head rotating loose.
Regarding the stiff leg: mine were rather stiff when the tripod was new. However, they were all about the same stiffness and have begun loosening up slightly with use.
The small set screws are to lock a ball head or other head on to the plate after you have screwed it on. You tighten the ball head on firmly, and then secure one or both set screws to keep the head in place.
Gitzo supplies the two Torx key wrenches with their tripods to allow you to adjust the screws at the top of the legs. It sounds like one of your legs is too tight. If you use both of the key wrenches, one on each side, you should be able to loosen the screws of the leg that is too tight. Try it on one of the other legs first if you want. As long as you push in on the wrench to hold it in place while you are using it, you should have no problem with stripping a Torx fastner.
Once you get it loose, tighten it again with less force and see if you can get the leg adjusted the way you want it. If you can not, or if the stiffness does not stay set, you may need to have Gitzo look at it.
The "SafeLock" label refers to the thin non metalic surface that is on the plate. It is designed to increase the friction to keep the head on better, and also they claim it will dampen vibration slightly better than a metal to metal connection.
Roland W wrote:
The small set screws are to lock a ball head or other head on to the plate after you have screwed it on. You tighten the ball head on firmly, and then secure one or both set screws to keep the head in place.
Gitzo supplies the two Torx key wrenches with their tripods to allow you to adjust the screws at the top of the legs. It sounds like one of your legs is too tight. If you use both of the key wrenches, one on each side, you should be able to loosen the screws of the leg that is too tight. Try it on one of the other legs first if you want. As long as you push in on the wrench to hold it in place while you are using it, you should have no problem with stripping a Torx fastner.
Once you get it loose, tighten it again with less force and see if you can get the leg adjusted the way you want it. If you can not, or if the stiffness does not stay set, you may need to have Gitzo look at it.
The "SafeLock" label refers to the thin non metalic surface that is on the plate. It is designed to increase the friction to keep the head on better, and also they claim it will dampen vibration slightly better than a metal to metal connection. ...Show more →
Don't have the safelock on mine, must be a new feature. Sounds like a good one and good explanation!
Very good answers and they clarifies what I wanted to know.
Also when I removed the center column and just mount the ball head mounting platform back on, to make it tight against the rotation cup, I have to rotate the cup against the mounting platform, is this the right way of doing it, or is there another way?
The other question is I looked at Gitzo.com and the only way to communicate with them is through email. Is there any Gitzo distributor phone number in the US that I can call if I have issues or questions?
Thanks again for all your input and help. This site is the best among other photography related sites!
bpham wrote:
Very good answers and they clarifies what I wanted to know.
Also when I removed the center column and just mount the ball head mounting platform back on, to make it tight against the rotation cup, I have to rotate the cup against the mounting platform, is this the right way of doing it, or is there another way?
The other question is I looked at Gitzo.com and the only way to communicate with them is through email. Is there any Gitzo distributor phone number in the US that I can call if I have issues or questions?
Thanks again for all your input and help. This site is the best among other photography related sites! ...Show more →
I have the 2530. I don't use the center column and have replaced it with a Markins tripod base. A major reason I bought the tripod base was that I did not like the coupling of the center wing nut with the Gitzo platform base as you described. The Markins tripod base provides a more solid coupling of my ballhead with the Gitzo.
Anyway, anyone knows the best way to contact Gitzo just in case I need it in the future for questions or issues? Currently the only way I know of is thru email.
bpham wrote:
Anyway, anyone knows the best way to contact Gitzo just in case I need it in the future for questions or issues? Currently the only way I know of is thru email.
Bogenimaging.com. Bogen is the US distributor of Gitzo.
Just had a chance to use both the 2541 and the Arca-swiss Z1 in 3 day trip to Death Valley. Put both my 1ds Mk3, lenses, gitzo/Z1 through sands and dusts...
I'll post my experiences and questions with the 2541 and Z1 later...
Overall, it was a good trip and got some good pictures too!
