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.
Jul 03, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
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.
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.
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.
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.
EB-1 wrote:
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?
