Sand + Tripod = not very good things!

Hi all,

Wondering if someone might be able to offer some advice.

I popped down to the beach the other day, and got sand in my tripod, its now very hard to use as the legs now feel very gritty as a result.

so I'm trying to take it apart but for the life of me I cannot get the leg segments to separate, iv removed all visible screws. I think the only thing keeping the segments in place are the clamps, but I cant get those off - does anyone have any tips?

The tripod make is a Giottos, im not sure of the exact model - but the legs are carbon

This is one of the many reasons I switched from lever locks to twist locks.

i never put mine away after beach use without rinsing it off first. have you tried taking it in the shower with you?

Yeah - iv totally showered it down, but the sand is inside and trapped in the legs.

The problem is (I think) is I can or figure out how to remove the clamps - il looked on Giottos site, and it says they are removable. I'm sure there's a trick to it, just not figured out what yet

Mine did the same exact thing, It's Manrotto though not Giottos, anyway, I took them apart and rinsed, dry and put back again. Just like rick reno said rinse them first before you put them away after a beach trip.

I had the same problem just take it apart and wash it.

Mark-B wrote in post #14587447
This is one of the many reasons I switched from lever locks to twist locks.

Issue isn't the type of lock...Manfrotto uses lever lock, too, but their leg sections come apart with ease. There's some trick that must be needed to have the sections come apart for the Giotto.
Lest we praise twistlocks like fanboys, I can remember the difficulty experienced when I tried to reassemble my G-lock Gitzo legs, trying to reinsert after taking them apart (as a familiarization exercise in preparation for the inevitable thorough bath after salt/sand adventure)!

After you solve the problem, ben_r has some tripod leg covers that he sells which do away with the problem you're talking about.