CRoy

I have a 30 year old Gitzo Tripod. It is not a quick release. Should I replace the entire head? Or just buy the quick release part? Does Gitzo sell these parts? Or should I just get a new tripod? Thoughts?

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Get a new tripod and send me the old one
https://www.manfrotto.us/gitzo or Acratech make some real good ball heads and a bit cheaper than the Gitzo.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I have a Gitzo that is probably around the same vintage. I purchased an Arca Swiss Flip Lock for the tripod and several mounting plates for my cameras. I love the setup. If you want a photograph of the system, let me know. I'll take one and post it here for you.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/342302-REG/Arca_Swiss_802010_Quick_Release_with_Flip_lock.html

--Bob

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I would replace the head with one that is an ACRA compatible quick release system

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Why replace the head. All he needs is a quick release for the tripod and plates for the cameras. Check out my post immediately before yours.
--Bob

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I could have asked the same question. I own two sets of Gitzo Legs, and three Gitzo Heads (for different uses), and they are all of the older design, i.e., no quick release. I could not find Gitzo brand add-on quick release adapters or plates. Perhaps Gitzo does not think it a good idea. At the moment I am trying some Manfrotto quick-release parts on the Gitzos. Not sure they are hefty enough or will stay locked in place. Do any brands have a second locking pin or second screw on both the head adapter-release and camera plate?

CRoy

I appreciate the responses. Just looking for options instead of buying a new tripod.
Carol

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Carol, you don't need to purchase a new tripod with the suggestion I made. In fact, you don't need to replace any part of the tripod, The release plate is fastened to the tripod, the same as a camera would be. It does require a mounting plate for each of your cameras.
--Bob

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

A 30 year old tripod? Invest in a new carbon fiber lightweight like an Induro or Manfrotto.

Photocraig

There is a Kirk Industries Arca compatible clamp that can be attached to any normal tripod screw. Then add plates to your cameras and you've got the quick release you want. I think the availability of a quick release makes the use of a tripod immeasurably easier and faster. Last time I looked at B&H it was $85. Perhaps Really Right Stuff has one too, although I find their stuff usually more expensive than Kirk's. I've used a Kirk Ball Head for over 20 years with great results.

Bill_de Loc: US

Really Right Stuff clamps. I prefer the screw to the clamp, both Arca Swiss compatible.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Quick-Release-Clamps_3?_ga=2.100558749.2060624461.1495131334-2097927166.1495131334

--

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Why not call them and talk with them direct. Manfrotto is part of the company and I am sure they would love to answer your questions.

GET IN TOUCH NOW
Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST
Tel. 201.818.9500
Fax 201.818.9177

CO

Carbon fiber is lighter than aluminum and dampens vibration better. I've read test comparisons where they knocked on each type of tripod to see how long it vibrates. The carbon fiber models stop vibrating in the fraction of the time it takes aluminum to stop vibrating. When handling them they don't feel cold in cold weather the way aluminum does.

Robert Bailey Loc: Canada

I have numerous tripods, but my favourite is a Gitzo, which is also about 30 years old. Last year I had to replace a set of seals inside the legs because it was starting to slip.
It works fine now. I use those legs with two different ball heads- one is a huge Manfrotto head with a built-in quick release system.
The other is a Linhoff head that is probably at least 70 years old which did not include a quick release system.
As someone suggested previously, I simply added a Manfrotto quick release bracket to the head, and quick release plates to various camera equipment
and it works well.
If you like what you have, there is no need to replace the legs or the head- just add a quick release bracket.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Hi Carol.

Well, you really don't need to buy a whole new tripod. Every Gitzo I've ever seen uses a 3/8" screw to mount the head, which is the industry standard. So, if you wish you could simply replace the head with something you like better. (Actually, old Gitzo heads with quick release used their own proprietary design that wasn't Arca-Swiss compatible.... Newer ones, made the last few years, are using an A-S compatible QR platform.)

For that matter, you don't necessarily even need to replace the tripod head. You could just buy a platform to adapt the head, if you like it otherwise and would prefer to keep using it. The Arca platforms come in various lengths, with quick/lever or screw type clamp locks, are made by a number of different manufacturers, and range in price from around $15 to $150! For example: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&O=&Q=&ap=y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=CMuSgZqO_NMCFRBEfgodeEsFkA&is=REG&m=Y&sku=1028654.

One thing to be concerned about with a platform like that some means of preventing it from twisting and loosening under the weight of your camera gear. If it were me, I'd install it relatively permanently and tightly with Locktite on the threads. I might even drill and tap a second, smaller hole to install a second screw. That would secure it!

If you prefer, you could shop around for a replacement head with a QR platform. I'd recommend sticking with Arca-style, since it's the most universal and versatile type. Just decide the type of head (pan/tilt, ballhead, fluid, etc.) that you like and load capacity it needs to accommodate... then start shopping. There are lots available, including but not only Gitzo. Personally I use a Kirk ballhead on one of my Gitzo tripods, a Smith-Victor on another and some no-name Chinese-made head on a third. I've also got a big old Bogen/Manfrotto tripod with a modified Bogen/Manfrotto pan/tilt head, that's been converted with an Arca-compatible QR platform. And I have a monopod with a small Manfrotto ballhead on it, that's also been modified with an Arca-compatible platform. On another monopod I've simply got the Acra-style platform directly mounted.

Manfrotto and Gitzo are actually subsidiaries of the same company (Vitek, if memory serves), which also manufactures Sachtler and some other brands of tripods and heads.

Like Gitzo, until recently Manfrotto has used their own, proprietary QR system that's not Arca-compatible, nor as universal or versatile as the Arca system. However, also like Gitzo, they've recently started producing a few heads compatible with the Arca-style QR, too.

Have fun shopping!