Helios
Well-known member
Whilst carrying my photographic setup over my shoulder, the Gitzo mounting base unexpectedly fell out, and the lens smashed on the floor. Probably a 6 foot fall onto a muddy path. My old manual 500/4 would probably have been undamaged, but the modern lenses, in what seems to be a drive to reduce weight, are made of less robust material and have little impact resistance. The lens collar is split apart, and has pulled up the thread and lip to the section nearest the camera. The focusing ring is dented and manual focus can no longer be used. Autofocus and VR both seem to work, and I can still use it.
The mounting base had come out as the fixing screw had worked it's way loose. Probably mechanical creep, caused by the stresses of daily use, and maybe also the thermal expansion and contraction of the metal parts. So I now highly recommend getting out a set of torque rings or Allen keys and tightening the tripod setup regularly, say every three months. And also to avoid carrying the setup over your shoulder where possible, especially for extended periods of time.
I'm not insured, so it looks like I'm gonna learn the hard way.
The mounting base had come out as the fixing screw had worked it's way loose. Probably mechanical creep, caused by the stresses of daily use, and maybe also the thermal expansion and contraction of the metal parts. So I now highly recommend getting out a set of torque rings or Allen keys and tightening the tripod setup regularly, say every three months. And also to avoid carrying the setup over your shoulder where possible, especially for extended periods of time.
I'm not insured, so it looks like I'm gonna learn the hard way.