Any Gitzo tripod owners here?

[Mack]

I have an issue with my RRS Versa tripod where the leg locks are tight when initially trying to release the twist locks, then they turn a bit freely for maybe <1/4 turn, and then they need another harder twist to actually release the leg section. Seems there are two places where they bind up on releasing where I would think there should be only one.

I found a blog here on maintenance of the RRS tripods and noticed they also show how to clean and lube the Gitzo. I know they originally sold Gitzo in their first RRS store in San Luis Obispo, CA when I drove there to buy one. They had both Giitzo and their own brand to demonstrate the differences and I bought the $1,500 RRS thing with their BH-55 head, lever clamp, and case (Aside, driving home I wondered, "What the **** did I just do?").

When I questioned them about it this week, they told me to use "Super Lube" (Instead of the "Phil Waterproof Grease" mentioned in their blog.) as a leg lock lube which the local Home Depot ans Amazon carries. Still it does the double bind thing on loosening before the leg is actually loose. I suspect it is a design issue but would like to know if the Gitzo is smoother in operation in its legs twist lock than the RRS brand.

 

[grinsaround]

I can second the idea of using “Super Lube” Teflon grease tubes. I have the old giant Gitzo tripod for years (like 30?). Not sure of the number but it is a monster at 14’ tall with a big geared crank up center section. Has had hard use in the marsh and still going. I just take it apart, clean it, Teflon grease, and put it away.

 

[Mack]

I can second the idea of using “Super Lube” Teflon grease tubes. I have the old giant Gitzo tripod for years (like 30?). Not sure of the number but it is a monster at 14’ tall with a big geared crank up center section. Has had hard use in the marsh and still going. I just take it apart, clean it, Teflon grease, and put it away.

Thanks for the lube recommendation.

Was looking closer at the RRS twist locks and appears the secondary 'sticktion' is coming from some seal, and maybe a compression washer. within the housing of the twist lock's outer shell. Super Lube makes an oil too and maybe it would get into there by capillary action. The heavy grease would go on the threaded part as their monopod I have does have a thicker grease on its threads.

 

[bargainguy]

The giant tripod mentioned above is probably a Tele-Studex model. Lots of them in the film & TV industry. A little heavy but indestructible.

They're all pretty much the same as far as quality of the leg locks. Not super smooth - especially in cold weather, when they can be finicky - but workable enough. I haven't needed to lube any of the half-dozen models I'm still holding onto, some for 25+ years. Never had a problem with binding on the leg locks.

At one point, even had their Safari model, in anodized green (whoa!), with the leg locks on top of the leg sections instead of the bottom. Great for shooting submerged in water, but ergonomically odd for me, so I sold it.

The Gitzo I'm using most was purchased 15 years ago: G1228 Mk. II Mountaineer four-section carbon fiber with an Acratech Ultimate ballhead, Arca plate version (most of my MFT cameras have grips with Arca plates). Super light combo, fits easily in a small tripod bag. I think I paid around $350 for the legs and maybe $250 for the head back then. I was startled when I saw how much they're charging for their new models today - in the same realm as your RRS.

 

[Replytoken]

I suspect it is a design issue but would like to know if the Gitzo is smoother in operation in its legs twist lock than the RRS brand.

I have not owned a RRS tripod, but I do have a 10-year old Gitzo 3541LS that get lightly used and my leg locks almost always feel sticky and not smooth.

--Ken

 

[RichardC]

@Mack - Having dropped around $250 for two RRS L-plates, $1500 for an entire tripod and head looks like a real bargain

 

[Mack]

@Mack - Having dropped around $250 for two RRS L-plates, $1500 for an entire tripod and head looks like a real bargain

It was definitly a hit to the credit card. The Gitzo I had my eye on they had and sold them, but the sales guy pointed out all the differences which appeared better on their RRS brand so I bit. Things like Gitzo hammertone paint covering defects in machining, thin clamp plates, hard to get parts for with them being a dealer back then, etc.. The RRS case I rarely ever use though, but it is nice albeit costly. It came with a thinner green cloth bag which was enough, but its seams are fraying and coming apart.

Searching the web on the leg locks there seems to be a lot of push for the ProMediaGear tripods over the RRS brand. One guy at around 3:20 into the video below mentions he prefers the ProMediaGear leg locks. I wish I could compare the two side-by-side on the leg lock part because it seems to be a bad desgn someplace that should not exist.

One nice thing when I went to the RRS tripod store in CA when they were there, they fit you to the tripod like buying shoes: long, short, normal, tall versions, etc. Then you walk away a much poorer man.

 

[jhawk1000]

I have several Gitzo tripods, a little aluminum 1126 and an aluminum 1228 (I believe). They have been in the water of Yellowstone, been in muddy marshes, have been rained on and snowed on but they just keep working. I did replace the rubber feet with spikes when outside, No problems with the leg locks.

 

[RAH]

I can second the idea of using “Super Lube” Teflon grease tubes. I have the old giant Gitzo tripod for years (like 30?). Not sure of the number but it is a monster at 14’ tall with a big geared crank up center section. Has had hard use in the marsh and still going. I just take it apart, clean it, Teflon grease, and put it away.

I am wondering if the Super Lube precision oiler fluid will be OK:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Super-L...olon-PTFE-Lubricant-Per-Each-51010/202932717?
Looks like this:

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Mack]

I am wondering if the Super Lube precision oiler fluid will be OK:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Super-L...olon-PTFE-Lubricant-Per-Each-51010/202932717?
Looks like this:
View attachment 974405

I might look into it.

I'm using some sand-filled cloth tubes in this thread that I made that go inside the lower tripod leg which does a lot to dampen any tripod vibration from the thin tubes, much like a dead-blow hammer and its shot-filled head. But the dust in the sand seems to leak through the canvas cotton cloth and it gets loose on the tubes and the collars. Probably from the expansion and collapsing of the leg tubes which draws air in and out of the tripod so the silt gets blown around internally I can feel the fine silt so I need to find some small steel shot, maybe #7 or #8 from a gun shop to replace the sand. I thought the damp bagged sand was clean, but it's not. Once done I need to clean it all up and lube it again.

 

[Michael Houston]

I own an old Gitzo which I think is a Gilux Tatalux. I bought it used in the '80s so I have no idea how old it really is. It has never needed any sort of lubing so I guess I can't really help you. As an aside it's starting to look like this is a lifetime tripod - NOT complaining!

 

[Macroramphosis]

I blagged a G1201mkii with a Manfrotto 496RC2 attached to it from a thrift store here a few years ago. I paid €30 for the combo and now realise I was exceptionally lucky

Have not had to lube anything yet but it's been holding up a corner of the porch for a couple of years without any problem. I used it to lift the engine out of the car last year, too. It's pretty sturdy, for sure.

(some of the above may not be true)