Tripod Question

[Lorant Voros]

My car got stolen with my tripod and head in it. I need to replace them for my 500mm lens that I use most of the time. Since I travel with it as well I was thinking of the Gitzo GT3541LS for it's compact size. Any recommendations for this or other models? Thank you.

Lorant

[Jeff Cashdollar]

You might find this thread of interest:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=62610

[Lorant Voros]

You might find this thread of interest:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=62610

Thanks Jeff. Very good thread.

Lorant

[Chris Klapheke]

Lorant--

I own an older GT1325 which is a 3 section but if I had to buy a new one it would definitely be the GT3541LS. The compact folding size really makes a difference in packing, and the stability is the same.

[Ravi Hirekatur]

I ended up buying GT3541LS and RRS BH-55 ball head. I like them both. The tripod is very sturdy. I haven't used the 500 mm lens yet. I recently rented and used 300/2.8 lens and the tripod handles it great. The only time I miss a center column is when I do macro. It takes a lot of repeated adjustments to get the camera position right. Neverthelss, I love it! The ball head is a pleasure to use. They are both worth the money I paid. Both fit nicely into my suitcase. I plan to get a Wimberley sidekick when I am ready for a 500 mm lens. Thanks Jeff and everyone else for your feedback. I very much appreciate the help I got from everyone in this forum. Thanks everyone again. :)
Ravi

[Roman Kurywczak]

Lorant,
Before you buy a Gitzo....consider this thread especially if you take it into salt water: http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=64125
ther are now other manufacturers out there that sell CF tripods for $100's less. Look at the Induro tripod and also the Giotto. The Induro has sand resistant locks. Let's just say that Gitzo's Customer service was at best arrogant and at worst didn't really care. Many people....including Artie have had well documented issues/failure with their Gitzo CF tripods when used in salt water....at least you can save yourself some money with the Induro or Giotto.....don't rely on Gitzo's reputation anymore!
Artie actually made me laugh on Sunday when he said that the Gitzo warranty is only good when you leave it in the box in your living room!
BTW.....Gary at Hunt's does give great customer service as does the rest of his staff....they have both the other models!

[Lorant Voros]

Lorant,
Before you buy a Gitzo....consider this thread especially if you take it into salt water: http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=64125
ther are now other manufacturers out there that sell CF tripods for $100's less. Look at the Induro tripod and also the Giotto. The Induro has sand resistant locks. Let's just say that Gitzo's Customer service was at best arrogant and at worst didn't really care. Many people....including Artie have had well documented issues/failure with their Gitzo CF tripods when used in salt water....at least you can save yourself some money with the Induro or Giotto.....don't rely on Gitzo's reputation anymore!
Artie actually made me laugh on Sunday when he said that the Gitzo warranty is only good when you leave it in the box in your living room!
BTW.....Gary at Hunt's does give great customer service as does the rest of his staff....they have both the other models!

Hello Roman,

Thanks for the heads up. Can you recommend me any specific models from other brands? I have been shopping from Artie's shop and I was going to buy the tripod there as well. I get a very good service there and good personal contact from BAA. And I need someone who ships to Mexico...like BAA.

I had a Gitzo before..the one that got stolen. I cleaned it after every use in salt water. Never had any problem with it.

Cheers,

Lorant

[Jeff Cashdollar]

I have two Gitzo's, no problem with here - All types of water and weather - I see no harm in additional research for a large investment. Competitors might have gained a step?

[Chris Klapheke]

Lorant--

The Induro model that is similar to the GT3541LS is the Induro CT314.

That model does come with a center column. If you prefer not to use the column and want to get lower to the ground, a short column is available.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

[quote]Artie actually made me laugh on Sunday when he said that the Gitzo warranty is only good when you leave it in the box in your living room!/QUOTE]

I find that very surprising as I purchased my Gitzo on his recommendations.

Are we playing games here?

I have always stood by Artie's advice on equipment.

I am very disappointed to read this as I had always relied on honest recommendations from very professional and competent photographers.

Have I once again fallen foul of folk who change their opinions to suit their suppliers.

This will certainly be the last time. :(

I find it difficult to believe this of Artie

[Lorant Voros]

Lorant--

The Induro model that is similar to the GT3541LS is the Induro CT314.

That model does come with a center column. If you prefer not to use the column and want to get lower to the ground, a short column is available.

Thanks Chris.
Looks like Hunt's doesn't sell it and the CT313 is backorder. They are both cheaper than the Gitzo 3541 LS and they are heavier and larger when closed.

[David Stephens]

I'm using the Induro C414 (predecessor to the CT414) with my 500mm f/4 lens and couldn't be happier. It's very sturdy and folds to fit in my suitcase. If I didn't need to travel with it I'd get the CT314. I use the Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead and the Wimberley Sidekick.

When I bought the Induro I was able to compare to the Gitzos at Denver Pro Photo. The Induro is a more complete package, with spiked feet include (for ice here in Colorado, but I'm not sure you'll need them in Mexico), a tool kit and a real carrying bag.

Few tripods are going to withstand salt water usage without disassembly and cleaning after every salt water usage.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Chris How is the warranty as related to salt water damage? Could you buy the tripod with a short column ?

Just about ready for a new one and might just give the CT 314 a try !! ... if I need an incentive will look a the two emails from Gitzo :)

[Lorant Voros]

Induro tripods look really good after checking the net. They have tool kit and a bag, spikes for snow and so on. However, they are heavier than Gitzo and larger when closed. Price is very attractive though. Roman. Hunt's has the CT313 on the page, but it is backorder. And the folded length is 28.1"! Gigantic.

I really want to find a tripod that I will use. I need one that is lightweight and strong. I bought a cheep tripod for the first time and ended up leaving it home for the weight. Eventually I broke a part while using it with the 500mm. I was happy with my Gitzo before. It was the GT2530..not recommended for 500mm, but it was rock solid without extending the center column and great for travelling. I expect even better performance from the GT3541LS.

[David Stephens]

The Induro CT414 is 25.8" long. The four-sections fold smaller than the three-section Induros. I went with the four-section precisely so that I could pack it for trips. It's a perfect match for my EF 500mm f/4L IS.

[Chris Klapheke]

Lorant--

We do have both the CT314 and the CT313 in stock and do ship to Mexico.

If you are looking for a smaller tripod, you might consider the CT214. It has a capacity of 26.4 lbs.

I've made each model # a link.

Alfred--

The short center columns are available but the tripods do not come with them--they are an add-on. (about $50).

I have emailed our rep about the salt water and will report back.


Sold a CT414 to a local customer who came in Friday. That tripod is a monster!

[Lorant Voros]

Lorant--

We do have both the CT314 and the CT313 in stock and do ship to Mexico.

If you are looking for a smaller tripod, you might consider the CT214. It has a capacity of 26.4 lbs.

I've made each model # a link.

Alfred--

The short center columns are available but the tripods do not come with them--they are an add-on. (about $50).

I have emailed our rep about the salt water and will report back.


Sold a CT414 to a local customer who came in Friday. That tripod is a monster!

Chris,

I sent you a mail. You can write me back there.

Cheers.

[James Shadle]

[quote=Christopher C.M. Cooke;509927]

Artie actually made me laugh on Sunday when he said that the Gitzo warranty is only good when you leave it in the box in your living room!/QUOTE]

I find that very surprising as I purchased my Gitzo on his recommendations.

Are we playing games here?

I have always stood by Artie's advice on equipment.

I am very disappointed to read this as I had always relied on honest recommendations from very professional and competent photographers.

Have I once again fallen foul of folk who change their opinions to suit their suppliers.

This will certainly be the last time. :(

I find it difficult to believe this of Artie

The fact is, Artie uses and sells Gitzo tripods because he believes they are the best tripods for the job. He is dogmatic about only selling products he trusts and uses.

Just because Gitzo's warranty may be quirky does not mean it isn't the best tripod available.

I have used Gitzo and Induro. IMO Gitzo is a stronger, better made tripod, the "spider" is much more rigid. That being said, the Induro is not a bad product and will work for many photographers. Horses for courses, cost benefit, added value etc. should be your buying criteria.

James

[David Stephens]

I didn't buy my Induro from Outdoor Photo Gear, but I would say that I've been 100% satisfied with my other dealings with them. I bought my C414 from a local dealer because he had it in stock and I could compare directly to Gitzo.

As for the 414 being a "monster", it's nothing compared to the monster-ness of my 500mm f/4L IS. I don't think it's overkill for that lens AND it fits in luggage. If the 500mm lens being contemplated is smaller and lighter, then maybe a smaller, lighter tripod makes sense.

[James Shadle]

Other thoughts.
If you thoroughly clean your Gitzo after saltwater use and lubricate the threads properly(less is better) it is unlikely you will ever have an issue with it.

If you are going to buy a Induro for a 500mm or more get the CT414 (I have one). IMO if you want to get close to Gitzo's support capacity, buy the Induro with at least a one size larger diameter tube.

[Roman Kurywczak]

[quote=Christopher C.M. Cooke;509927]

Artie actually made me laugh on Sunday when he said that the Gitzo warranty is only good when you leave it in the box in your living room!/QUOTE]

I find that very surprising as I purchased my Gitzo on his recommendations.

Are we playing games here?

I have always stood by Artie's advice on equipment.

I am very disappointed to read this as I had always relied on honest recommendations from very professional and competent photographers.

Have I once again fallen foul of folk who change their opinions to suit their suppliers.

This will certainly be the last time. :(

I find it difficult to believe this of Artie

Hey Chris, I believe James is correct....as a matter of fact, Artie had his Gizo tripod with him that day!!!....in the sand....not sure if he went into the water. I think he is not a happy camper on the warranty end only.....everything else he is very happy with!
My response to this thread it is only to give people options.....many people in these hard times would like ot save a few bucks and the Induro recommendations seem to point to just that. I hope in the near future Gitzo puts it's new leg locks it has on the ocean explorer....on all their models......since I have an aluminum tripod.....was my backup....will wait to see if that happens.

[Alfred Forns]

Thanks Chris Let me know about the salt water warranty !!!

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Thank you James and Roman, I have the utmost trust in Artie and I am not at all concerned about the warranty (I have yet to use one)

I firmly believe in trying to use the best euipment and LOOKING AFTER IT, over the years in all matter of things I believe that the owner's responsibility surpasses any warranty.:)

[Lorant Voros]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I will order the Gitzo 3541LS from Artie's store. I have been very pleased with dealing with BAA and I think this model will serve me for a lifetime if I take care of it and if it doesn't get stolen like my old one.
Cheers,
Lorant

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Lorant I have used one with my 500D f/4 for some months now and it is a superb bit of equipment as is the Wimberley (SOOOOOO SMOOTH)

I clean it after every shoot and have every belief that my Son will one day use it as well.

[Lorant Voros]

I clean it after every shoot and have every belief that my Son will one day use it as well.

It is exactly how I shop for gear. To be honest I am sick of companies making garbage out of the planet's resources. I don't mind paying a higher price...if it lasts for many years or for a lifetime. I am not talking about tripods right now, but as a general thing.

I am sure I will be happy with it. It is on the way to me. Thanks everyone for the comments. It was a great discussion.

Lorant

[Arthur Morris]

[quote=Christopher C.M. Cooke;509927]

Artie actually made me laugh on Sunday when he said that the Gitzo warranty is only good when you leave it in the box in your living room!/QUOTE]. I find that very surprising as I purchased my Gitzo on his recommendations. Are we playing games here? I have always stood by Artie's advice on equipment. I am very disappointed to read this as I had always relied on honest recommendations from very professional and competent photographers. Have I once again fallen foul of folk who change their opinions to suit their suppliers. This will certainly be the last time. :( I find it difficult to believe this of Artie

Hi Christopher. Don't be sad. :) I own and use only Gitzo tripods (as I have been doing for more than two decades. Why do I use them and them only? Because they are the very best product for what I do.

At times their warranty policies do seem a bit absurd but if you press them you can usually get some satisfaction. And as far as salt water, the great news is that I have not had a single problem since they came out with the 6X tripods with the plastic rather than fiber bushings. I do make sure to dis-assemble the unit and rinse it in fresh water right after it has been immersed in fresh water. I am pretty sure that Roman's problem is with a relatively ancient model :)

My business has thrived on my honest evaluation of the products that I use every day. I would never carry an item that I have not tested and I use 95% of the stuff that we sell. The other 5% is for the convenience of some customers. As I have written elsewhere, we will not sell you junk. And that includes Induro tripods.

So no, my opinions are not designed to please suppliers.... Do be careful about jumping to conclusions :)

Do see more below. :)

[Arthur Morris]

It is exactly how I shop for gear. To be honest I am sick of companies making garbage out of the planet's resources. I don't mind paying a higher price...if it lasts for many years or for a lifetime. I am not talking about tripods right now, but as a general thing. I am sure I will be happy with it. It is on the way to me. Thanks everyone for the comments. It was a great discussion. Lorant

Hi Lorant, Sorry that I am late to the party :) I was in New Jersey and on Long Island for a week, just got home, and fly to Little Rock, Arkansas to speak tomorrow :)

I agree 1000% about buying the best. My late Dad taught me that lesson early one.

I have tons to say about tripods....

First off, pretty much all of the info that you need can be found by following the links here:

https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/ca....aspx?catid=13

Be sure to follow all of the links and read all of the info. Especially the section called "Tripod Mis-information" :) (Unfortunately this thread is filled with it....)

I will go through some of the stuff above and comment before I have to start packing!

#1: Gary at Hunt's is a (greatly appreciated) BAA sponsor and B&H is a top-nothc retailer and Chris Klapheke is a good friend but none of them know as much about tripods as I do. All three will be glad to sell you junk if you are dumb enough to ask for it. And the first two do not have a clue as to the requirements of nature photographers.

#2: Using a ballhead for either a 300 f/2.8 or a 500 f/4 is absurd. The best and lightest head for those lenses is the Mongoose M3.6. I use the slightly older version, the M3.5 with my 800 every day....

#3: Center columns suck for three reasons: They are unstable, changing your tripod into a mono-pod, and they prevent you from carrying your big lens in a manner that will not damage your shoulder over time. (I need to get some pix of the best way onto the blog.... And they prevent you from spreading the tripod legs flat and getting low quickly if you are caught without a ground pod....

#4: In case you missed my comments above, I cannot recommend any Induro products. I have heard many horror stories about them most dealing with construction and reliability. Note that the guy above (who is a good friend) who wants to sell them to folks uses Gitzo tripods.... As I said, lots of folks in the business are willing to sell you junk, junk that they do not use.

A quick web search turned this up:


"I was just about to order the C114 and saw a review on Amazon from a gentleman who gave the C114 four out of five stars and was generally positive. However, in the end he returned the C114 and bought the GT-1540 because of a quality problem with the rubber sleeves on two of the leg locks on the copy of the tripod that he happened to get. He figured that it was a bad omen and ducked for cover in the GT-1540."

Also, all of the folks who are liking their Induro tripods are using them with ballheads indicating that they are not working with big glass....

From Steve A:

"Induro tripods are Benro tripods for the US market, I can only speak for the carbon fiber tipods. The legs are excellent the hardware that holds it all together is junk, all of the hardware is cast pot metal, it is brittle, sooner or later it will break.
I have a C358, I have access to a machine shop, I pretty much refabricated all of the hardware from aircraft 6061 T6 aluminum. The base plate that you attach your quick release plate to came unglued,
That is correct my MK3 and 500 mm lens was attached to the center column with glue and a tiny retaining pin.
I was having trouble trying to figure out one day why my tripod seemed like it was loose even though everything was tight, when I got home I dug a little deeper that's when I discoverd that the hole plate assembly was glued to the center column and retained with a tiny pin. The weight of my MK3 Aand 500 broke the glue loose the plate neck assembly was rocking back and forth on the neck, If I had thrown this unit over my shoulder one more time I would have lost my whole rig, scary thought. I cut the end off the neck of and completly refabricated the whole end piece, I used high strength aerospace adhesives and pinned the base onto the neck 4 places, it will never do that again. After refubing the C358 it's a descent unit, I would be very careful with these tripods if you have any long lenses that you may use on it. Do youself a favor if you use long lenses buy a Gitzo tripod and call it a day, you'll save yourself a bunch of headaches down the road."

Do note Steve's conclusion....

From Sam:

"First, I bought the Induro CX214 ($400). The main selling points were as follows: 1) Price, 2) 8x Carbon layers, 3) Extra accessories. However, after trying it out on my first Photo trip, the Tripod failed the test. Two of the leg locks were defective, when I exended the legs and tried to lock them they wouldn't and you keep twisting to infinity. Initially I thought that maybe it's a fluke and despite the twisting issue, the legs seemed sturdy enough but as soon as I tried to add some weight pressure they collapsed. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to save money by giving the Induro a chance but I ended returning it. To me, it did not seem trust worthy enough to chance it with my Camera and Lenses, especially when you're shooting outdoors. "

#5: The "shorter" Induro center column does not allow you to get flat.

#6: Thank you Mr. Shadle :) And a belated thanks to Chris; I missed his follow-up post.

Summary: If you can get the 3530 LS in one of your suitcases, I would strongly recommend it over the 3541LS for folks using a 500mm lens. Either way we would be glad to serve you. The 3541LS has been on back order for a while; we just learned today that we will be getting a shipment soon. They have proved very popular in the short time that we have added them to our line-up.

Here is a question: can anyone accurately compare the diameter of the lowest leg section of the 3541 LS and the 3541 XLS? (We have the latter in stock right now but not the former.)

Again, I urge everyone who wishes to learn the truth about the various Gitzo tripods for long lens support to visit and read the info here:

https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=13

Remember: 27 years of experience, honest advice, and no BS.... :)

[Roman Kurywczak]

[quote=Arthur Morris;511558]

.....At times their warranty policies do seem a bit absurd but if you press them you can usually get some satisfaction. And as far as salt water, the great news is that I have not had a single problem since they came out with the 6X tripods with the plastic rather than fiber bushings. ......... I am pretty sure that Roman's problem is with a relatively ancient model :)

..........

Hey Artie,
Not sure I would call 6 years ancient! So are you saying the fiber bushings were "droppings"?....and please explain how we can get some satisfaction....because in the immortal words of the Rolling Stones....."i can't get no satisfaction".

[Arthur Morris]

[quote=Christopher C.M. Cooke;509927]

I find that very surprising as I purchased my Gitzo on his recommendations.

Hi Again Chris, It is good to know that you purchased your Gitzo based on my recommendations :)

But I am a bit puzzled by this:

Ravi, I have and love the GT3541LS which I use with my 500 f/4. It is a superb bit of kit that weighs stuff all and folds up small enough to fit into your suitcase.
http://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/li...cfm?0=0&cid=11 I got mine from Hunts which came with great service, polite and helpful staff for which there was no extra charge.:)

So you rely on BAA to tell you what is best for you, and then not only purchase it elsewhere but include a link to a competitor and imply that the service that Jim provides at BAA is less than polite and helpful... In addition, I find it odd that you found the folks at Hunt's helpful when it came to selecting a tripod to be used with a long lens because nobody there is knowledgeable in that area. (Sorry Gary :o)

We are a small operation that charges 1 cent less than the big guys when we are legally allowed to do so (even though they are able to purchase product for far less than we do). And yes, we do need to charge for shipping that is free in some cases from other suppliers. But the plan is that the folks who consult us for the best and most accurate information--as noted elsewhere we will not sell you junk--and at the same time appreciate everything that is BPN--will support us with their patronage.

Most do. :) And they are greatly appreciated.

[Arthur Morris]

[quote=Roman Kurywczak;511608]

Not sure I would call 6 years ancient! So are you saying the fiber bushings were "droppings"?....and please explain how we can get some satisfaction....because in the immortal words of the Rolling Stones....."i can't get no satisfaction".

Hi Roman, Six years is ancient for a tripod for me.... Also, even if you purchased it six years ago I am pretty sure that it was introduced at least 12 years ago. There are lots of cases where products become obsolete because folks cannot replace various parts.

Where does the "droppings" quote come from???

As for satisfaction, a good consumer might either threaten or institute a law suit.... Or, they could begin an online smear campaign and alert the folks at Gitzo to it with a link. I did that with LaCie a few years back and got full satisfaction. :) (At first they did not believe me...)

Yes their warranty stance can seem ridiculous at times and yes, their customer service can be atrocious. But, Gitzo is the premier tripod around at this time and the new kids on the block are all phonies....

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Artie,
The quote on droppings was because I didn't want to say crap:D.......I am actually exploring your lawsuit suggestion.......but I'm not sure they care!

I guess you answered my other question to you.....since you consider a six year old tripod ancient......you don't place much stock in lifetime.........maybe it's the fact that I don't use the tripod in salt water as much as you (mostly fresh water for me).......I expected a bit more of a lifetime!
For now I use my truly ancient Manfrotto and hope Gitzo puts the Ocean Traveler leg locks on a real tripod!......until then I will pursue my suit!

[Lorant Voros]

Artie,

Welcome in this discussion.
I ended up ordering the GT3541LS (for it’s compact size) and I guess you had one in stock, because Jim shipped it out to me yesterday. I also got the Mongoose M3.6. I used to have the old version and I loved it. I can’t imagine anything better concerning that I am carrying my stuff and it is so light and functional. I didn’t want to experiment with other brands and risk that the quality would not be better. I had Gitzo before as you can see above and despite it wasn’t dedicated or recommended for 500mm it was very solid. So I know it can only be better with the GT3541LS.
Thanks again for reassuring everyone about your opinion that is also stated in your website. And after all people are free to make up their own mind about what they spend their money on. I prefer spending it once and use the product for a lifetime I hope...and I hope it will not get stolen ever again.

Cheers.

Lorant

[David Stephens]

I suspect that dissing ballheads for use with 500mm lenses doesn't include using a strong one with a Wimberley Sidekick. I taken several thousand shots with the Induro C414 tripod, Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead and the Wimberley Sidekick. It's a great, solid, steady combination. Also, I really like the ability to quickly shift from a supertele on the Sidekick to a full frame body with wide angle lens on the Arca-Swiss to take a sunset shot.

I'm aware of the risk that the Sidekick could separate from the ballhead if the clamp isn't kept tight. There's sob stories about every tripod brand, including Gitzo. Everyone should consider Gitzo, but it's not the only solution.

Dave

[Lorant Voros]

I suspect that dissing ballheads for use with 500mm lenses doesn't include using a strong one with a Wimberley Sidekick. I taken several thousand shots with the Induro C414 tripod, Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead and the Wimberley Sidekick. It's a great, solid, steady combination. Also, I really like the ability to quickly shift from a supertele on the Sidekick to a full frame body with wide angle lens on the Arca-Swiss to take a sunset shot.

I'm aware of the risk that the Sidekick could separate from the ballhead if the clamp isn't kept tight. There's sob stories about every tripod brand, including Gitzo. Everyone should consider Gitzo, but it's not the only solution.

Dave

I was also thinking about the sidekick. I have a Z1 ball head too. Unfortunately it is the one that can’t be used with the sidekick.
I am sure there are many good tripods out there. The one I used in the past wasn’t recommended either for big glasses and it supported my camera and lens for several thousands shots as well. If your system works for you than it is good.
I wish I could try those tripods that are out there nowadays. But we don’t have that luxury in Mexico. So I go with the brand that I was already happy with.

[John Ippolito]

Another option. RRS TVC33

http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Item...VC%2D33&eq=&Tp=


I have one and have been really happy with it for a couple of months, but I have not used it in salt water. It is a bit more expensive, but impressive in design, finish, strength, and 100% made in USA. Apex plate lock is also very secure. When you are resting 10-15K worth of gear on top, what's another hundred bucks or so? Customer service and personal contact with RRS is excellent. No, I don't work for them.

[Roman Kurywczak]

OK......this one is for Artie,

I just checked Artie and of all the Gitzo tripod CF's out there by your definition (regarding center colums) you wouldn't recommend 25 of their models. That leaves the 3541ls the 3541xls the 5541LS and the 3530LS as similar replacement as my G1348 tripod. I won't get into the 5561 becuase it is way overkill for all of us and I don't have a sherpa to carry it. The 3531s and the 5531 are only good if you are about 5 foot tall......so in my estimation, you can only recommend 4 out of 28 Gitzo CF tripods. Not good odds for Gitzo.

You still haven't answered me if you thought the fiber bushings on the G1348 were any good.

I also want to make clear, that I used the 1348 in salt water only about 10 days out of 150 days a year use........other times in fresh water or dry land, so not heavy salt water use by anyones standards and while I didn't take it apart completely, I did rinse/wash it every time and dry it.

I too want to point out that for the 6 years I owned the tripod I found it solid and stable so when I compare it to the 3541LS....unless I shrank 8" in those 6 years, they are offering me the honor of replacing my tripod (for $600 plus tax) with one much shorter as the 1348 was 65.7 tall (57.5 on the 3541LS). Gitzo did state in an e-mail to me that you were given this similar deal and that you accepted it.....is that true?

I have only chimed in here to mostly let others know about the maintenance of the tripod so that if they do purchase a Gitzo CF tripod (or other brand), they know some of the things they need to take care of.

I will be very interested in your reply.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Thanks John for the link! I will look into it!

[Arthur Morris]

OK......this one is for Artie,

I just checked Artie and of all the Gitzo tripod CF's out there by your definition (regarding center columns) you wouldn't recommend 25 of their models. That leaves the 3541ls the 3541xls the 5541LS and the 3530LS as similar replacement as my G1348 tripod. I won't get into the 5561 becuase it is way overkill for all of us and I don't have a sherpa to carry it. The 3531s and the 5531 are only good if you are about 5 foot tall......so in my estimation, you can only recommend 4 out of 28 Gitzo CF tripods. Not good odds for Gitzo.

You still haven't answered me if you thought the fiber bushings on the G1348 were any good.

I also want to make clear, that I used the 1348 in salt water only about 10 days out of 150 days a year use........other times in fresh water or dry land, so not heavy salt water use by anyones standards and while I didn't take it apart completely, I did rinse/wash it every time and dry it.

I too want to point out that for the 6 years I owned the tripod I found it solid and stable so when I compare it to the 3541LS....unless I shrank 8" in those 6 years, they are offering me the honor of replacing my tripod (for $600 plus tax) with one much shorter as the 1348 was 65.7 tall (57.5 on the 3541LS). Gitzo did state in an e-mail to me that you were given this similar deal and that you accepted it.....is that true?

I have only chimed in here to mostly let others know about the maintenance of the tripod so that if they do purchase a Gitzo CF tripod (or other brand), they know some of the things they need to take care of.

I will be very interested in your reply.

I did not see a real question on the bushings... But, as I said, the new plastic whatever they ares do not cause any problems while obviously the fiber bushings did cause problems and are a problem for you now....

I am not sure what deal they are saying that I accepted.... Please be specific. Last thing that you told me was that they were offering you only $150 off. Now it seems that you are saying that they are willing to trade you even up albeit for a shorter model....

As there were not many actual questions above please let me know if you need any additional info from me. I am headed for the airport and Little Rock in 22 minutes :)

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Artie,

here is the correspondence part where a Kevin Lackey mentions you; .......

There was also a link in your thread to the article by Art Morris in 2005, who I arranged a similar trade-in with not two months ago. ffice:office" />

http://www.birdsasart.com/bn168.htm

While we would like to work with you in resolving this issue, we may be forced to agree to disagree about what required maintenance entails. Simply put, the tripod is ruined.......


It is my interpretation that he offered you the GT3541LS for the similar tade in deal he was offering me; $600 plus tax. That's all I can give you specifically.....am I interpreting this incorrectly?


Thanks for the help and info and have a safe trip!

[David Stephens]

I was also thinking about the sidekick. I have a Z1 ball head too. Unfortunately it is the one that can’t be used with the sidekick.

I thought that Arca-Swiss would replace or refit the old Z1 ballheads that have a bearing/joint subject to failure. That was an acknowledged design flaw. Just because you were an early buyer you shouldn't have to pay the penatly for AS's mistake. Since Wimberley designed the Sidekick with the Z1 in mind, I thought that I read somewhere that AS would replace or repair those flawed ballheads.

Dave

[Arthur Morris]

Roman, I few comments before I get to your question :) Many years ago, in the age of the steel (I think....) tripods, I sent four old anodized fused tripods to Gitzo for repair. I never heard back from them. After a year I got in touch with them. They said, and I quote, "They were not repairable. We through them all out." I did not get a cent. God's honest.

Recently I had a 3530 that had problems but not with fused legs. We disagreed a bunch and I finally got Kevin to replace it for no charge. But remember, I have been recommending Gitzo for more than two decades and I am a dealer... So they were nice to me this time.

Finally, rinsing a tripod after it has been in salt water does not work. As Froggie said they need to be disassembled and lubricated.

Is yours fused?

Gotta get on the plane now:)

[Roman Kurywczak]

Thanks Artie! Yep...they are fused.

Great trip and thanks for all the info! I'm sure this will help others. I did ask for mine to be returned.......want to cut it open and take a peek!

BTW.....can't speak for him but don'tsee where Chris implied any disrespect to you or Jim!.....besides you have been promoting Gary and Hunts Photo for over 10 years that I know of!

[Arthur Morris]

Roman,

re:

Thanks Artie!

YAW

Yep...they are fused.

They only become fused when they have been exposed to salt water. As far as I can remember, you said something to this effect: :I only had the legs in salt water about ten times. I always rinsed them off but did not dis-assemble them."

That said I would take any offer that they make as generous. If you sue them you will lose. :)

Great trip and thanks for all the info! I'm sure this will help others. I did ask for mine to be returned.......want to cut it open and take a peek!

YAW again and I am hoping that their offer is still open....

BTW.....can't speak for him but don'tsee where Chris implied any disrespect to you or Jim!.....besides you have been promoting Gary and Hunts Photo for over 10 years that I know of!

All correct. At one point Chris was saying like "How could Artie recommend Gitzo if they don't honor their warranty (without realizing at all that what I said to you was obviously in part tongue-in-cheek humor). I bought my tripod based upon his recommendation."

At that point most folks would assume that he purchased it from BAA. So when I read that he had purchased it from Hunt's I was a bit surprised. As I was about his comments on what nice folks there are at Hunt's. We at BAA are pretty nice too and provide great service.

Not to beat a dead horse but our hope is that folks who learn from us will patronize the BAA On-Line Store, especially in light of the fact that most of the other suppliers do not have a clue about equipment and all are eager to sell you junk.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Glad to see you made it!

I'm going to link my other post to this.....so that people can make an informed decision. Have a great time.......may have to just use my aluminum for now!

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks on all counts. Enjoy Longwood tomorrow.

[Kevin Lackey]

Did I hear my name called? :D

I normally dont have the time to participate in web forums, but I'll make an exception here.

Roman's G1348 tripod came to use with fused sections and sand and silt in every crevice of the tripod. When we attempted to open and close the remaining sections that were not fused, a little puff of debris would actualy escape from the tubes. The cost of the parts required for the repair plus the extensive labor involved made it what we would call not economically repairable. The cost of the repair is too close to the cost of replacement. Our service department offered a trade-in value to an unrepairable piece of equipment towards a replacement unit, similar to trading in a car as a showing of good will.

Times are tough for us all, and we do appreciate every customer. To borrow an automotive term, having his tripod declaired "totalled" caught Roman by surprise, and we do sympathize with that, but in all fairness, the Gitzo warranty covers the original owner a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. This coverage does not include damages caused by misuse, accidental damage or neglect. This tripod was submerged in salt water and not properly cleaned. That is not a defect in the tripod's materials or workmanship.

There are many threads on the web about tripod maintenance especially when used in salt water. These two particular links were written back in 2004 and 2005 by writers at Naturescapes.net and by Artie himself, but I'm sure there are many more.

http://www.naturescapes.net/Joomla1.5/index.php/category-equipment-reviews/34-equipment-reviews/300-gitzo-tripod-maintenance-guide

http://www.birdsasart.com/bn168.htm

The Gitzo 6x series tripods are much less susceptable to water fusion with their "G-Lock" locking system, than the older tripods like the G1348. However, proper cleaning is still required to keep your tripod trouble-free. You do clean and inspect the camera for sand in the zoom and aperture rings, and if you've changed lenses, you check inside the body. You hopefully clean your sensors regularly, so your tripod should really be treated no differently.

There is a new ultrta-lightweight tripod in the Traveler series, named the Ocean traveler with a specially modified locking system that is water and sand resistant. This lock's design is such that while you gain extra protection, it is not as smooth as the standard G-Lock, so it is only used on the Ocean Traveler tripod.

P.S. I was out of the office on Friday Roman, and just saw your latest email today. I'll check with shipping to see when your tripod was shipped and get you the appropriate tracking info if necessary.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Kevin,
Nice to see you joined the forum. Are you saying there was no issue with the original Gitzo fiber bushing?.....didn't it also swell in fresh water? Did my original (6 year old) paperwork say not to put it into salt water? (I know the new ones do)
Is there a warning that comes with the tripods about the plate falling off....which has been mentioned in many online forums also....if not, why?

I will say that Gary from Hunt's Photo and the Gitzo rep Stan have offered to make this right.....but wanted to wait until the issue was fully resolved today.....so you beat me to it. Gizo is working with me to make this right and will post the results as soon as it is finalized.

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Kevin, Glad to see you stopping by. I hope that I did not get myself into too much trouble :) Hey, can you or someone else at Gitzo answer the following questions: how do the diameters of the bottom leg sections of the 1341 XLS and the 1341 LS compare?

If they are the same, what is the diameter.

If they are different, what are the diameters?

And lastly, what is the diameter of the lower leg section of the 1341?

ps: Who said anything about cleaning sand off of cameras and lenses??? :confused:

[Arthur Morris]

Here is a somewhat relevant e-mail exchange with a potential customer:

Hi Harvey,

re:


Could you please direct me towards a suitable tripodI w. ill be using a 500 canon prime and a wimberley gimbal head

Are you set on the Wimberley head? (In my opinion, the Mongoose M3.6 would be a far better option for most folks provided they are able to easily support the weight of the 500 in their right hand for about 15 seconds.

My height is six feet one inch. Should I order the GT3530LS or the taller GT3541XLS?

I am 5'11".

Is the less expensive 3530LS suitable for my height? (I do not want to bend or hurt my neck doing flying birds). Thanks for your advice .

Knowing what I know, I would go with the 3530LS. You will be fine with the height 98% of the time. If you are photographing birds in flight in good light, you can simply pull the tripod legs in several inches to get a bit taller. The thicker lower leg sections of the 3530 and the stability that they offer would be the main reason for my choice.

Whichever tripod you choose, we would of course greatly appreciate your purchasing it from us :)

Later and love, artie