DustinLevine
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 p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Anyone have a Gitzo Ballhead, preferably a Gitzo Traveler ballhead, and check something for me? | |
sjms wrote:
the newer clamp brings a few things to the setup:
- for those who have plates from different makers who are somewhat less careful about tolerance you have a higher level of adjustability for clamping force.
- the lever has a reduced size and has added a mechanical lock that prevents accidental lever throw that has been claimed by some too.
- R lock (open source item) which is a floating pin that prevents side movement with their newer plates. it is an optional use item as it is spring loaded and stays out of the way on rails not designed to use it.
- a slight reduction in overall clamp size
- an increase in versatility
https://kb.reallyrightstuff.com/knowledge/arc-lr-manual
in the end you pick your priorities. I i never felt the 180 leg flip was a high or an any priority thing because it limited potential ballhead type use to more a pretty specific few. i don't let marketing get in the way of my tools.
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Thanks so much for the explanation, I understand the differences in the new clamp clearly now.
Nothing I would upgrade the clamp on my BH55 to, but if buying a new ballhead, it is definitely something I would consider.
Well for anyone interested, good news and bad news about my original post......
Good news, I fixed my Gitzo Ballhead myself for 0.30 cents. I went to the hardware store, bought a rubber washer, cut a chunk off it, and put that inside the whole behind the panning knob. It now works perfectly 100%. I knew it just needed something to fill the space between the screw and base. If someone did this to my ballhead without telling me, I would never notice a difference. Rotates smoothly and locks down super tight with no give.
Bad news, I was out today shooting with it, and the damn legs broke now. I can't win!
One of the hinges on one of the legs that locks it at various angles broke. So while each leg section opens and closes, the one leg swings freely at the apex now.
When it rains it pours as they say.
I'm taking it as a sign to now replace the whole thing. I just wasn't expecting to so soon. It was good 5 years Gitzo.
Sending the head and tripod into Gitzo now will probably run me around $400 more or less with the shipping and handling. (they told me would probably be around $200 just for the ballhead alone, refusing to just ship me the piece of plastic I needed, now would be plus the legs on top of that)
B&H still has the exact head and legs on sale currently for $500. Yes $500 is more than $400, but why put $400 into a 5 year old plus tripod, when you can buy a brand new one for $500........but I won't be buying a Gitzo ever again anyway.
So thats the end of this thread, just leave this here incase anyone comes across the same problem in the future and finds this thread. If your panning knob falls off and the piece behind it gets lost, just buy a 0.30 cent neoprene washer at the hardware store instead of paying Gitzo $200.
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