I've had Gitzo's since the late 70's, after going through several crap tripods.
They've never failed me, except when one was run over by a car and had to
have a head-control arm replaced. I'd buy another one in a second, but I have
ZERO experience with the carbon fiber models; mine are the all-metal versions.
Conversely, I'm not as impressed by many of the heads, preferring an
Arca-Swiss B1, which is a tank.
As far as lifetime warranty, I didn't really believe that hogwash. Very few
makers of ANYTHING can economically offer a lifetime warranty, as things wear
out. The small repair bills for my three Gitzo tripod/monopods are easily
amortized over the number of uses that I've gotten from them.
You may be too quick to judge Gitzo by your experience, which sounds poor.
Skip
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>Subject: [OM] Re: ? Gitzo Explorer and Tamron 80-200mm f2.8 ?
> From: Jan Steinman <Jan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2003 18:51:00 -0800
> To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>>From: Jim Brokaw <jbrokaw@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>>
>>I saw some pictures of a Benbow (?) tripod being used for macro work, kind
>>of set off-center so you could get close to the subject. You might look into
>>one of those... I think they make different sizes, perhaps a big one would
>>handle that 400/4.0 lens.
>
>I have a Benbo #1 and a Trekker. The #1 would certainly handle a 400/4. I use
>it regularly with the Zuiko 600 and a Tamron 300/2.8, as well as with a Linhof
>Super Technika 4"x5" field camera.
>
>The Trekker is pretty wimpy, though. It's fine for anything up to 180/2.8,
>barely adequate for a 300/4.5.
>
>As far as the Gitzo, I have a carbon fiber one that is trash. I sure wouldn't
>trust it on a long trip. It's been in the shop three times, and the last time,
>they told me it's "lifetime warranty" had expired, and charged me $50 to fix
>it. Now one of the collars has come off, and I'm going to epoxy it myself and
>dump it on eBay (with full disclosure, of course).
>
>I'll NEVER buy another Gitzo product.
>
>--
>: Jan Steinman -- nature Transography(TM): <http://www.Bytesmiths.com>
>: Bytesmiths -- artists' services: <http://www.Bytesmiths.com/Services>
>
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