You should always consider alternatives. At this point the problem is known and others have borne the brunt. Really crank down that POS and you should be fine, at least for the lighter gear. I won't be using my 3 series again this year, so I'll let others buy the NSN plate before going that route. I'd use that safety plate for longer lenses/Wimberley.

EBH

oysterboy wrote:
I was just going to order a 3541LS and found out about all this?

Should I consider other tripods?

would this be enough of a possible problem for you to consider buying other tripod?

I have the 3541LS, and consider it a non-issue. Just pay attention to your equipment. If you use a super-tele on a gimbal, you might consider a supplemental plate or a loop of wire around the bolt if you're not the type to double-check it before using.

Ok, I'm now even more curious. How many of the individuals have had their top plate fall out since the unfortunate users have warned others about the problem. Once you tighten the clamp bolt, shouldn't it solve the problem? I'd like to know as I'm a new user of a 3541LS with a Wimberley gimbal and a 400 f2.8L IS.

Jim

Dear SJM:

I agree with you that most of these unhappy experiences are attributable to user error, not a design error. Greg Downing of naturescapes.net has made the same observation. Unfortunately, in America these days, it is more common to blame others than to accept responsibility for one's own mistakes.

Clearly, checking one's equipment is a prudent thing to do. Although I do not know you, the tenor of your comments suggests to me that you periodically check out your camera gear, including the bolts, screws etc. on your tripod; and I know that I check out my equipment every time before I use it. Further, although you raised a gratuitous question about my "mechanical ability," I would point out to you that I have fairly good "mechanical skills," at least good enough, among other things, to set the valves on a solid lifter Porsche 930 turbo. Nonetheless,, as I believe that you will agree, little if any "mechanical skills" are necessary for the subject that is being discussed in this thread, only reasonable care or prudence.

Dear SJM:

I agree with you that most of these unhappy experiences are attributable to user error, not a design error. Greg Downing of naturescapes.net has made the same observation. Unfortunately, in America these days, it is more common to blame others than to accept responsibility for one's own mistakes.

Clearly, checking one's equipment is a prudent thing to do. Although I do not know you, the tenor of your comments suggests to me that you periodically check out your camera gear, including the bolts, screws etc. on your tripod; and I know that I check out my equipment every time before I use it. Further, although you raised a gratuitous question about my "mechanical ability," I would point out to you that I have fairly good "mechanical skills," at least good enough, among other things, to set the valves on a solid lifter Porsche 930 turbo. Nonetheless, as I believe that you will agree, little if any "mechanical skills" are necessary for the subject that is being discussed in this thread, only reasonable care or prudence.

Dear SJM:

I agree with you that most of these unhappy experiences are attributable to user error, not a design error. Greg Downing of naturescapes.net has made the same observation. Unfortunately, in America these days, it is more common to blame others than to accept responsibility for one's own mistakes.

Clearly, checking one's equipment is a prudent thing to do. Although I do not know you, the tenor of your comments suggests to me that you periodically check out your camera gear, including the bolts, screws etc. on your tripod; and I know that I check out my equipment every time before I use it. Further, although you raised a gratuitous question about my "mechanical ability," I would point out to you that I have fairly good "mechanical skills," at least good enough, among other things, to set the valves on a solid lifter Porsche 930 turbo. Nonetheless, as I believe that you will agree, little if any "mechanical skills" are necessary for the subject that is being discussed in this thread, only reasonable care or prudence.

jhom wrote:
Ok, I'm now even more curious. How many of the individuals have had their top plate fall out since the unfortunate users have warned others about the problem. Once you tighten the clamp bolt, shouldn't it solve the problem? I'd like to know as I'm a new user of a 3541LS with a Wimberley gimbal and a 400 f2.8L IS.

Jim

Yes, just tighten the clamp bolt and it's solved

I just had to return a new car - it's no wonder that Detroit is going out of business! Why, 'cause after the first 300 miles it refused to run at all. 100,000 mile warranty my foot! Somebody at the dealership had the audacity to suggest routine maintainence - something about a gas tank - but I was so freaked out at it just stopping on me that I ignored him and asked for my money back.

Peace,

Todd

I feel the same about cars. After having a final POS US make decades ago and the dealers lying to me, messing it up worse and charging for work not done, I got off that trainwreck.

Back to the subject, what are the alternatives to the 3530LS in other brands? Are there any tripods of very similar rigidity and weight that do not have any issues? Probably not.

EBH

jhom wrote:
Ok, I'm now even more curious. How many of the individuals have had their top plate fall out since the unfortunate users have warned others about the problem. Once you tighten the clamp bolt, shouldn't it solve the problem? I'd like to know as I'm a new user of a 3541LS with a Wimberley gimbal and a 400 f2.8L IS.

Jim

Jim, I tested it pretty thoroughly after tightening and it seems to be secure. Now I'd like to find a replacement bolt that does not have the T25 head.

EBH

Dear Jim:

EB-1 and Lars are entirely correct. I agree with their advisement.

Best regards,

Roman

EB-1 wrote:
jhom wrote:
Ok, I'm now even more curious. How many of the individuals have had their top plate fall out since the unfortunate users have warned others about the problem. Once you tighten the clamp bolt, shouldn't it solve the problem? I'd like to know as I'm a new user of a 3541LS with a Wimberley gimbal and a 400 f2.8L IS.

Jim

Jim, I tested it pretty thoroughly after tightening and it seems to be secure. Now I'd like to find a replacement bolt that does not have the T25 head.

EBH

Then, am I assuming correctly that you had not tightened the bolt before the plate fell off?

Jim