Gitzo Base Plate Fell Off

A few months ago I made the move up the quality scale and bought a Gitzo GT3530LS tripod. It's been a nice investment, except for near disaster last weekend. I had just taken off my sidekick and 500mm lens. When I picked up the tripod to put it in the car, the base plate and head fell right off the legs and onto the ground!! I couldn't believe how fortunate I had been that everything stayed together when the tripod was loaded. I see a torx screw that tightens the ring around the base plate on the tripod. It doesn't seem loose (I can't fit the ring back in yet)...but is this something that routinely loosens on Gitzo tripods? What special precautions do I need to take to ensure that it NEVER loosens unintentionally again? I'm a bit scared of my fancy new tripod now...and back to my old beat up aluminum Bogen that has served me well. Guess I have to go out and find a the proper sized torx screwdriver.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Judd,

I have the 3540LS and the baseplate is secured using a bolt and hex head cap nut.


"A three-section carbon fiber tripod with a new flat plate with safe-lock and hook" is one description so it seems that the locking screw is different then on my 3540LS

Parts diagram at http://www.jinyingco.com.cn/2008/part/gt/GT3530LS.pdf but I don't see this screw you are talking about.

My best suggestion is get the necessary screw driver and check it a lot. You could use lok-tite but be sure to get the one that allows disassembly.

There have been several reports of Gitzo base plates coming off. I'll try to dig up some links later on.

Thanks for the diagram Robert...I'll agree that it doesn't show the problem torx screw very well at all. I am intrigued by Jim's comment and hope that he can dig up some links. I am going to report this to Gitzo...very disappointing for a tripod that cost so much money.

Well, my disater occurred yesterday when the base plate fell off. New 50 D, a battery grip and a flash unit are on their way to Canon. Fortunatly my 500 seems ok.

Rather upsetting, to say the least. Gitzo will be hearing from me.

Thanks Jim. That is great information...I am contacting Gitzo.

Same happened to me this week with a brand new Gitzo GT3541XLS. Luckily noticed it in time as I wanted to change from a ball head to the Mongoose and hence had no equipment mounted.

I had left the tripod in the car overnight at up to -15 C. So, I attributed it to the base plate contracting a bit more than the ring holder and getting loose due to differences in thermal expansion. Reassembled and tightened the screw a bit and had no further problem.

Nonetheless, this is disconcerting.

JR

Thanks for your reports Grace and John...glad that John was able to notice in time to avoid equipment damage. I think it's more than just thermal expansion. My tripod had only seen temperatures in the 55-80F range and the plate popped out after less than a dozen uses. This seems like a very serious design flaw on several models.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Judd Patterson

I think it's more than just thermal expansion. ... This seems like a very serious design flaw on several models.

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Agreed realizing that my experience was more than an isolated incident. JR

I don't think it is a design flaw as this design has been in use for quite a number of years with several models of the 3, 4, 5 hundred series, the 13, 14, and 15 hundred series and now with the new 6X models as well. Gitzo noted at one point that some of the latest models had been released with plate retaining nuts not fully tightened. The latest round have been fitted with set screws. I would urge you to contact the Gitzo product manager at Bogen, David Fisher. He is a good guy and very fair to deal with.

Jim

Judd exactly the same thing happened to me, luckily it was as I was putting the camera and tripod in the car boot, the head just came away from the legs, I tightened it up again with the hex key and I check every time I go out

Jon

I'm trying to find David Fisher's phone number at Bogen. Any help?

I purchased a GT3530LS a year ago and from day one I was not impressed with this clamping arrangement as I am a machinist and could see the potential for a disaster. I replaced the 3/8th X 16thd brass bolt with a longer one that I inserted through a backing plate that I cut from 1/8th thick 6061 T6 high tensile aluminum, that prevents the top plate from parting from the legs. A 500mm lens with camera body has to much leverage for this clamping arrangement that Gitzo is using. The leverage created, by a locked down camera/500mm on the tripod top plate slung over your shoulder is tremendous.

I've enjoyed using my Gitzo 3541LS (Systematic) since Aug 2008 with no problem, but these stories are a good heads up! My unit came with keys for all the various screws, including two torx keys that fit the platform clamp. I have taken the platform off and reinstalled it a couple of times without subsequent problems. This is another good reason to always balance your rig when you set up. Carrying over the shoulder is another story -- that's scary.

Gitzo supposedly developed the systematic platform to accommodate other components like their new systematic ball head, panning base and leveling base -- if you have money to burn. I tried their systematic ball head GH5380QR ($450!) -- an engineering marvel -- but quickly sent it back when I found that the clamp was incompatible with my Wimberley Arca-Swiss plates. It also only tilts to +- 28 degrees, meaning you need an L-bracket on the camera for verticals unless you are on a rotating lens collar. Gitzo sells an Arca-Swiss adapter for their clamp, but they don't say what it fits. I wasn't going to mess with that.

At minimum, keep that Torx key handy (I keep a basic set of wrenches in my field pack) and check the security of the platform periodically -- like just before each field trip! The screw should be tightened firmly, but don't overdo it. Don't lubricate the inside of the clamp ring.

BTW, when I'm traveling by air, two pairs of rolled-up field pants or shirts fit perfectly between the 3541LS's legs for economy of space in the suitcase. And this 4-section pod fits in my 25" roll-on bag with room to spare.

Thanks for the warning!

I suggest to all call & email

Mr. David Fisher's Phone 201-818-9500 ext. 240

david.fisher@bogenimaging.com

here a Gitzo website with there company promise of quality to the customer maybe Mr. David Fisher should be reminded of that..if he does not respond to this design flaw!

under

"customers"

http://www.gitzo.com/Jahia/site/gitz...7576/cache/off


if Bogen can NOT warranty that the plate will hold...IT should have a warning since they seem to be aware of it the problem!

The plate fell off mine also. I had just taken the 500mm lens off.

I also had a close all with a catastrophe.

Yesterday, out in the field, while preparing to switch TC's, I noticed my brand new Gitzo 5541LS wouldn't lock horizontally when I twisted the knob on my Wimberley II.

I removed the D3 and 600 VR, and the Wimberley head lifted right out of the Gitzo with the tripod base plate attached !

Sure enough, the Torx bolt was loose ... and this was right out of the box from the factory!

When I purchased the Gitzo the day before, the camera shop owner attached the Wimberley II to the Gitzo in what appeared to be a secure manner. I didn't even think to question it.

When I returned to the store, carrying the disassembled unit a salesman remarked that this was a "known issue".

I only wish I'd "known" before wandering blissfully toward oblivion!

As stated in the beginning, it was only dumb luck that saved my gear.

Where is Gitzo on all this? Have they acknowledged the defect and offered solutions?

http://joemilmoe.com/gitzo/gitzo.jpg

This seems to be the fix for the problem....see for yourself..

http://www.jimtrunck.com/Gear/G3541LS/index.html

So, if I am reading this right it sounds like my thousands of dollars worth of gear is held in place on a Gitzo tripod with one screw? I thought this was top-line pro gear and and I was looking forward to buying a 3541LS but this seems unacceptable to me.

Renate, what is the fix? I only see pictures of the tripod parts.

I've been using a Gitzo G1327 for the last six years with no problems. Yesterday I noticed the center column had a crack near the top. I ordered a new center column from Bogen for $150. I then decided to just buy a new tripod and have decided on the GT3530LS. After reading this thread and other reviews online about the center plate coming loose I'm not certain which way to turn. I thought this thread was heading toward a solution but has since died.
Is there is fix for this problem?

Peter
After posting here I found the thread you referred to and more on the subject about the fix. The fix is a great idea. The fix should be in production by Bogen and sent out as a recall. Also, I certainly don't believe for one minute that we should have to check a screw every time we use our tripod. Like one boy stated, "I don't check my lug nuts every time I get in the car." I don't agree with David Fisher tell long lens shooters how to carry our equipment. We shouldn't have to change our style to fit their product short comings. They should be altering their product to accommodate us. After all, I can't think of any other reason to purchase such a tripod other than to use with long heavy lenses.<O:p</O:p

Jim

It happened to me again yesterday. The second time. Did anyone receive an official word?

Edit: did anyone see these newly developed "bottom base plates" to secure the base plate on the naturescapes website for sale?

JR

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John Rain

It happened to me again yesterday. The second time. Did anyone receive an official word?

Edit: did anyone see these newly developed "bottom base plates" to secure the base plate on the naturescapes website for sale?

JR

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John

Do you have a link please?

Thanks
Bill

Hi Bill,
Here is the link. Follow this thread to page 4. Greg Downing is selling these fix plates on NatureScapes.net
http://naturescapes.net/phpBB3/viewt...54592&start=20

Jim

Thanks Jim for providing the link. But I think they are not yet officially released. At least I couldn't find them at naturescapes. JR

Judd, I have the same tripod as you and believe it or not the same thing happened to me, thankfully the lens wasn't on at the time.
Watch your rubber feet as well, I had one unscrew itself and found it again down the path, luckily enough.

I had something else unfortunate happen to my tripod that I'll share here.
One of the legs got loose and eventually fell off.
It seems the adhesive they use to bond the carbon leg to alloy base failed.
I also noticed small cracks along the top edge of the carbon leg, it's quite thin at the ends.
I travel with my tripod in main luggage and wonder if the 2 trips taken had something to do with the adhesive failing, could it have been too cold in the storage area of the plane?
I fixed it by using a strong 2 part epoxy on it, still holding up..so far.

Anyways, good tripod otherwise.

Sounds like Gitzo tripods are over-priced if not over-rated :)

Peter,
I had to buy a GIGT3541XL. I used a 3 1/4" washer to secure the top plate. Where did you get the 70mm stainless steel ring plate?

Jim

I signed up here just so I could add a cheap fix that hasn't been talked about.

first see here

the cheap and simple fix is loctite. I have not done this myself, i am in the process of researching before making a purchase ( Gitzo GT3541LS ).

There are a number of products that will do the job. The will also secure your feet.

Loctite is available world wide (even here in Japan).

The products are:

http://www.henkelna.com/cps/rde/xchg...UID=0000000HX2

http://www.henkelna.com/cps/rde/xchg...UID=0000000HWW


just google them, they are easy to get. a small tube is very cheap.

control f search loctite on the following pages for more info

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetc...&msg_id=001NGW
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=129491
http://www.birdsasart.com/bn233.htm
http://reallyrightstuff.com/search.h...&q=loctite#751