dick_ginkowski Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 While shooting in Yellowstone this weekend I had a retention screw break and pop out of my Gitzo 1228 tripod. This is an aluminum 6mmx16mmx1mm machine screw that attaches the legs. An emergency duct tape repair kept me shooting -- albeit gingerly -- until I could get to Ace Hardware in Jackson Hole where the first words out of one of the Helpful Hardware People was, "Oh, that looks bad. Not supposed to happen with a Gitzo." (He added that he owns a Bogen!) Anyway, we found a replacement screw in stock and repaired the tripod. However as soon as we finished with that screw another broken one popped out of a different leg! We fixed that on the spot and I bought enough replacement screws (6) to carry a full set with me. The next day I bought a few more as I will replace ALL of the aluminum screws now rather than wait to do a field repair. The aluminum screws are a disaster. Moral of the story: If you have the Gitzo Mountaineer with the above described screws, run to your local hardware store and buy eight stainless steel replacements. Install six on your tripod and keep the other two just in case (although you probably won't need them). Eating crow: Five years ago John Shaw saw my Gitzo 1228 while I was shooting in the Smokies. He came up to me and said that it would fall apart. Every time I would run into him after that I would remind him that so far it hasn't. Now I must eat crow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick_smeaton Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 "Every time I would run into him after that I would remind him that so far it hasn't. Now I must eat crow!" Not really. He even switched to a Gitzo G1325 for his main tripod (per his website equipment list). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garrett adams Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 You say "retention screw". My G1325 has six hex nuts (2 per leg). I can't imagine how they could break. Are you referring to the bolt shaft which the two nuts attach to. If so those hex nuts must have been seriously overtightened. The only failures I recall were the Colet collars breaking loose due to a poor choice of glue used the first production models years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick_ginkowski Posted October 1, 2003 Author Share Posted October 1, 2003 The 1325 is a different design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 I know aluminum is lighter than steel, but using aluminum screws sounds like a poor engineering decision to me! If you must save weight, titanium screws would be a better choice, and they are available. They're not outrageously expensive either. Maybe $3 each in that size (if you can find that size) for small quantities. You'd think at the prices Gitzo charge for their CF tripods they could afford to use the right materials for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sknowles Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 Can I ask what circumstances you use your 1228, such as equipment, use, wear and tear, age, etc.? I agree aluminum screws aren't the best choice, and can have problems, and fail, under certain circumstances. I've used my 1228 for years with no problems and no indication of failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick_ginkowski Posted October 2, 2003 Author Share Posted October 2, 2003 Scott, it's five years old and packed away when not in use. If I am shooting wildlife, it's a 300 f/2.8L which is well within its capabilities. I E-mailed Gitzo about this. No response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick_ginkowski Posted October 2, 2003 Author Share Posted October 2, 2003 Garrett, I am glad that you've had no problems with your 1325. To answer your comments: 1. No, the screws were not excessively tight. In fact, they hadn't been tightened in many months. The first failure happened in the field and the second in the hardware store. 2. I, too, had no problems with my 1228 for five years but then it happened. Had I known in advance that I could avoid it by purchasing stainless steel 6mmx16mmx1mm screws for 40 cents each, I would have done so. $3 is a cheap investment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick_ginkowski Posted October 8, 2003 Author Share Posted October 8, 2003 I got an E-mail from Gitzo yesterday admitting that there were defects in early 1228's and stating that they were sending me some replacement parts (may be a bit late for that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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