Does anyone have any experience with Gitzo tripod repairs or part replacement?
I have a GT2540 of which one of the legs broke at the metal bracket. The top CF section snapped. I have e mailed Bogen about getting the replacement leg section (with bracket) as this would hopefully be much cheaper than replacing the tripod.
Has anyone had to do a similar replacement or have had Bogen repair the leg? Looks like it would be fairly easy to replace the leg section.
How did it break? Did you but it from a USA dealer? If bought in the US I thought it came with a lifetime warranty (which presumably would not apply if abused)...
Bad tripod technique. I use the tripod with a 400 f2.8 i purchased used together in December. I shoot in a lagoon often and keep the legs spread for a low viewpoint. Well I had ACL knee surgery in Dec (too) and I guess i had got into a habit of using the tripod to help brace me as I stood up from a kneeling, sitting or lying position as the knee was still weak. This obviously put more pressure on the tripod leg joint at what I'd think was its weakest point (spread the most) and the cf section splintered at the joint. It did not snap totally but the splintering caused the leg to work loose from the joint later. Lucky that it only splintered and did not break completely as the 400 would have been a goner.
The good news is that Bogen have the leg section and to replace it will cost about $130 instead of $700 to replace the whole tripod.
I'll make sure my tripod technique doesn't cause this to happen again.
Hi Gavin I have sent several for fixing and they should go to Bogen in NY..... they will send you an estimate which you need to pay in full before they start fixing. All came back looking like new.
From one several sent two were not fixed, one they refused and the other was so expensive might as well by a new one (it was a 1325). btw rinsing with water will go a long ways to reduce corrosion but if you go into salt water enough they will fail. I have two and keep one out of the water to preserve the smooth operation.