Gitzo Rationale No. 4b service

[bjorn_solberg1]

Many years ago I purchased a second hand Gitzo Rationale No. 4b head from Adorama, planning to use it with my Pentax 67ii system. However, already owning a Manfrotto 808RC4 head, I ended up using the Manfrotto for the Pentax 67ii. Recently I have purchased a heavy 400mm telephoto for the Pentax 67ii, and would like to start using the Gitzo No. 4b. I have som questions about how to do maintenance to the old Gitzo, hopefully someone here has some experience with this:

 

 

1. What kind of lubricant may be used on the threads on the handles?

 

2. What kind of material is best to use on the top plate - cork?

 

3. I have looked at replacement handles for this head at gitzospares, to see if it is possible to find some shorter handles for the main pan/tilt handles. So far I have not found any short handles that could fit.

 

4. What is the max load for the Gitzo g472 Rationale No. 4b head?

 

5. Is this a good head for heavy medium format equipment?

 

 

I am grateful for any advice on my query!

 

Edited October 27, 2017 by bjorn_solberg|1