Manfrotto 055XPROB Broken again!

[DonJuanMair]

I have had this tripod since August and now this is the second time it has broken.
First the leg broke and now this......

this is how i like it to look

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k21/DonJuanMair/_MG_9849.jpg

but look

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k21/DonJuanMair/_MG_9850.jpg

and

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k21/DonJuanMair/_MG_9851.jpg

it literally falls off, i noticed it was loose yesterday when i was taking some pics. I dont really want to send it in for repair again, so i was wondering if anyone knew of a way to fix this without sending it in. I take care of my stuff and its all in great condition. So its really annoyting.


Just to follow up with this, once again Manfrotto show that they have amongst the worst customer service. I sent it in for repair and it got there 01/21/2009, i heard nothing from them for a week, so i emailed them. I got an e mail back no apologies or anything for the inconvenience that this causes, i just get an e mail saying that the part they need is on back order and will be sent out in 2 weeks.
So i wait the 2 week, still here nothing. I e mail them yesterday and ask whats the status of the repair. They reply with the unit is going out at the end of the month because the part is on back order.
I replay with something along the lines that im not very happy with their service and that i need my tripod for work and i didnt receive one apology or any updates without me asking them first.

They ignored me.

I dont have the money to spend on another tripod at the moment but i had to buy one. Manfrottos customer service is awful imo, my next tripod will not be a Manfrotto that is for sure.

So i sent an e mail to them regarding what you said LBaldwin and i quoted what you said..... remember how they said that the part was going to be here at the end of the month, well i just got a call from Manfrotto saying theyre sending it out today 2nd day. Funny how the part magically appeared.

Anyway glad its sorted out now, thanks for the advice guys

[iceman1]

Yikes...I was set on getting the popular 055XPROB / 488RC2 combo with expectations for it to last...

[Anke]

Blimey! Has that actually sheared off?

I'm quite abusive with my 055 so this is a concern.

[Wilt]

It looks like perhaps a press fit of the mounting base into the aluminum extrusion???

If so, you could simply put the base back into the extrusion, then secure it by drilling and tapping (putting machine screw threads into the aluminum base) and screwing machine screws to hold the base in the extrusion. Or, more simple, you could do what the marine industry does with aluminum spinnaker pole fittings...epoxy them in place.

[DonJuanMair]

i dont know if i have a crappy copy or not, but i remember seeing somewhere in a mag that this is one of the most ruggest tripods. I think i will just send it in for repair again. :(
i dont really like the sound of my tripod looking like frankensteins monster :)

[zeva]

It looks like perhaps a press fit of the mounting base into the aluminum extrusion???

If so, you could simply put the base back into the extrusion, then secure it by drilling and tapping (putting machine screw threads into the aluminum base) and screwing machine screws to hold the base in the extrusion. Or, more simple, you could do what the marine industry does with aluminum spinnaker pole fittings...epoxy them in place.


no idea what you just said but that sound smart so i agree! :) lol how did it fall off? did you pick it up by the head or something? or like drop it?

[Anke]

It looks like perhaps a press fit of the mounting base into the aluminum extrusion???

If so, you could simply put the base back into the extrusion, then secure it by drilling and tapping (putting machine screw threads into the aluminum base) and screwing machine screws to hold the base in the extrusion. Or, more simple, you could do what the marine industry does with aluminum spinnaker pole fittings...epoxy them in place.

Seems like it could be a more solid answer than getting a new one, although they should replace this under warranty.

[DonJuanMair]

i honestly dont know, i havent dropped it and i noticed it was loose yesterday, i thought i had the panoramic screw loose but then the head fell off!

[hawkeye60]

It looks like perhaps a press fit of the mounting base into the aluminum extrusion???

If so, you could simply put the base back into the extrusion, then secure it by drilling and tapping (putting machine screw threads into the aluminum base) and screwing machine screws to hold the base in the extrusion. Or, more simple, you could do what the marine industry does with aluminum spinnaker pole fittings...epoxy them in place.

I would hope it's more than just a press fit into aluminum, which is a very soft metal. It seems to me the weight of a heavy lens would almost certainly tend to enlarge the opening and compromise the fit over time.

[krb]

I'm seeing red xs for the pics, but if it's what I think it is then my 190 has done the same thing. The leg clamps are a friction fit and the phillips screw at the top is what keeps them attached. Loosen the screw, slide the leg segment on as far as it will go then tighten the screw. You can use a little epoxy if you want to be sure that it won't come loose.

[Anke]

Hmm, I guess I'd better think about walking along with my 055 over my shoulder with my 1D Mark III hanging off the end. :shock:

[Wilt]

Hmm, I guess I'd better think about walking along with my 055 over my shoulder with my 1D Mark III hanging off the end. :shock:

The moral of the story is to ALWAYS keep the camera strap in hand or around arm or something, so that equipment failures (or inadvertant QR release) has an additional point of failure as backup.

[Anke]

The moral of the story is to ALWAYS keep the camera strap in hand or around arm or something, so that equipment failures (or inadvertant QR release) has an additional point of failure as backup.

Moral well noted ;) :)

[DonJuanMair]

the thing is too, the manfrotto repair dept is not the best when it comes to customer service. Last time my tripod arrived for repair, sat there for 2 weeks and i had no news on what was happening and e mailed them, got ignored and then it took another e mail and they then sent it a week after. It was ridiculous

[René Damkot]

Curious about how you got the leg to break?

I'd give manfrotto a cal, or alternatively, epoxy it together, like Wilt suggested.

I used epoxy on one of my (CF) Gitzo's leg locks that had come loose, and it works nicely.

[bohdank]

Now I'm worried... I carry the camera mounted, over my shoulder all the time.

[DonJuanMair]

Curious about how you got the leg to break?

I'd give manfrotto a cal, or alternatively, epoxy it together, like Wilt suggested.

I used epoxy on one of my (CF) Gitzo's leg locks that had come loose, and it works nicely.

the one clasp which holds the legs in place, no matter if it was closed, the leg would still move, so i would never have a sturdy tripod and never straight

[zeva]

My guess is that you probably got a dud because this is the first time ive heard of this... anyone else have anything similar?....

[Anke]

My guess is that you probably got a dud because this is the first time ive heard of this... anyone else have anything similar?....

But twice?!

[DonJuanMair]

Well 2 seperate parts have broke, not the same thing twice

[zeva]

ya maybe that one was just made badly lol two errors with a single tripod? was it two tripods? or 1 repaired?

[DonJuanMair]

1 repaired

[zeva]

Hmm I m guessing manfrotto just let a crappy slip :( Ask them to replace it with another? the tripod looks in good condition though not like it has been abused or anything...

[chuspy]

OK with little engeineering taletn I have I think I konw the answer :)
Looking the pics center column and bit that holds head it is clear they are two seperate pieces. They are hold together by press fit, but there is one nut in bottom, for wich I think when you tighten it, it compresses metal, and that makes it expand what tightens joint even more. In Your case it wasn't tight enogh, or some othery way it came undone, ad solution would be to put thing together and tighten it, what could be a rpblem because you need long socekt (rachet) or any ohter way to tighten it from bottom hole.

p.s. you can go to local mechanic and ask them to do it for you because they have extensions for rachets and with 2-3 extesions it will work for beer.

[DonJuanMair]

So tighten the bolt that is sticking out? And then it should go back into place?

[chuspy]

I think, it doesn't cost anything to try on table without center shaft what's going with that bolt, but tha is only logical way to join those two things together

[DonJuanMair]

I will try it when I get back home and let u know!

[turbodude]

whew that looks rough. My 3021 Amnova copy has been through teh ringer with the 488rc2, and nothing remotely happened to it, the locs are a little loose, but always held steady. Don im pretty handy so if you need any help feel free to drop me a line.

[Grentz]

Interesting, first time I have really heard of this on a Manfrotto tripod. They make great stuff usually (my monopod is built like a tank).

[DonJuanMair]

whew that looks rough. My 3021 Amnova copy has been through teh ringer with the 488rc2, and nothing remotely happened to it, the locs are a little loose, but always held steady. Don im pretty handy so if you need any help feel free to drop me a line.
Thanks dude! Ill give it a go later and let you know

[DonJuanMair]

I just updated my first post on this one

[turbodude]

dang thats messed up, if you need to borrow a tripod, i have two, just let me know.

[DonJuanMair]

ah man, i wish i would have said something Al sooner, i asked around a few ppl and no one had a spare, oh well i have a back up now if this happens again.

Thanks tho!

[siniquezu]

good to know will avoid.

[LBaldwin]

Go to manfrotto's web site and read the companies Code of Business Conduct.
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/17574

"When customers have a complaint we take the complaint seriously and start with the assumption that whatever they say is correct and well founded and we follow it up diligently. We aim to always resolve any situations in a quick, friendly and professional way."

Cut and paste this into your next email along with a request of telephone reply, BY THE REPAIR MANAGER or your next email will go to Vitec corporate...

If they are unable to repair your tripod quickly request a loaner sent both ways at their expense. Or if they like they can send you a new replacment tripod equal to the one you have, under warrentee.

[dan j]

Wow, that stinks. Unless they fix things quickly I won't be buying another.

dan

[dan j]

Go to manfrotto's web site and read the companies Code of Business Conduct.
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/17574

"When customers have a complaint we take the complaint seriously and start with the assumption that whatever they say is correct and well founded and we follow it up diligently. We aim to always resolve any situations in a quick, friendly and professional way."

Cut and paste this into your next email along with a request of telephone reply, BY THE REPAIR MANAGER or your next email will go to Vitec corporate...

If they are unable to repair your tripod quickly request a loaner sent both ways at their expense. Or if they like they can send you a new replacment tripod equal to the one you have, under warrentee.
Good idea!

You might also include a link to this thread.

dan

[DonJuanMair]

So i sent an e mail to them regarding what you said LBaldwin and i quoted what you said..... remember how they said that the part was going to be here at the end of the month, well i just got a call from Manfrotto saying theyre sending it out today 2nd day. Funny how the part magically appeared.

Anyway glad its sorted out now, thanks for the advice guys

[yvonchap]

I have had this tripod since August and now this is the second time it has broken.
First the leg broke and now this......

this is how i like it to look


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k21/DonJuanMair/_MG_9851.jpg

it literally falls off, i noticed it was loose yesterday when i was taking some pics. I dont really want to send it in for repair again, so i was wondering if anyone knew of a way to fix this without sending it in. I take care of my stuff and its all in great condition. So its really annoyting.


Just to follow up with this, once again Manfrotto show that they have amongst the worst customer service. I sent it in for repair and it got there 01/21/2009, i heard nothing from them for a week, so i emailed them. I got an e mail back no apologies or anything for the inconvenience that this causes, i just get an e mail saying that the part they need is on back order and will be sent out in 2 weeks.
So i wait the 2 week, still here nothing. I e mail them yesterday and ask whats the status of the repair. They reply with the unit is going out at the end of the month because the part is on back order.
I replay with something along the lines that im not very happy with their service and that i need my tripod for work and i didnt receive one apology or any updates without me asking them first.

They ignored me.

I dont have the money to spend on another tripod at the moment but i had to buy one. Manfrottos customer service is awful imo, my next tripod will not be a Manfrotto that is for sure.


From that picture it seem there is a nut (it is a litte hard to judge) that might be used to compress the plate on the tube using a soket>extention>ratchet and tighten from inside the tube?

[dan j]

Glad you'll be up and running shortly. Do you think they're just sending you a new one?

dan

[DonJuanMair]

ohh maybe, thatd be nice :)

[LBaldwin]

No charge this time, lol. Glad you got them motivated!!

[Sean]

Good to know Les. I'll remember that, and bookmark the link. Don Juan Mair, glad to hear it worked out.

Cheers,

[c2thew]

i'll bet you showed them this thread. PR instantly jumped in.