URGENT-Gitzo Mountaineer defect-check yours now

[dick_ginkowski]

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!

[patrick_smeaton]

"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).

[garrett adams]

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.

[dick_ginkowski]

The 1325 is a different design.

[bobatkins]

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.

[sknowles]

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.

[dick_ginkowski]

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.

[dick_ginkowski]

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.

[dick_ginkowski]

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).