Manfrotto Replacement Parts: Order them BEFORE you need them!

The stream was swift. The rocks were slippery. The tripod was rock steady. The photographer was clumsy.

If you're falling down in the stream, find something OTHER than your tripod to save yourself.

I busted one of the joints on the tripod. It took more than a month to get the replacement part. Therefore, I spent just a little more and got an extras. One more for the one I broke and one for the each of the other joints (just in case).

I recommend everyone who shoots in streams to get similar parts in advance. These part numbers (and interesting part descriptions) are for my Manfrotto 3221WN tripod.

The busted joint:

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

So just for the record, how much were they each and how much was shipping?

It's been a while since I ordered this. I believe I got all three plus shipping for under $30. I'll have to confirm that. I found the same parts from somewhere else for $12 each. They were cheaper by ordering directly from Manfrotto (like $8.00 each). Given that I needed three and I'm recommending you buy two, it should run right around $20. It's a damned fine investment. That joint just snapped as easy as you please when I fell onto it. Then again, at nearly 200lbs, most things snap when I fall onto them.

Oh! Here's the link to the PARTS SITE. You get a number to call.

I had a similar experience, except that instead of breaking part of the tripod I lost it.

Picture a heavy snowstorm, I'm shooting on an 055PROB with the center column removed. I put the column in the tripod straps/holder on the front of my backpack and continue shooting in the storm for a couple more hours. When I get home the column is missing. On a separate occasion I lost one of the rubber feet in a river while using the tripod as a walking pole to wade across, must have got jammed between rocks or something. Finally I ruined a 488RC2 head by using it underwater in the ocean a few times.

The replacement feet came quite fast (ordered extras), as did the service replacement that I bought when the 488 could not be economically repaired, However the center column for the 055 was on back order for nearly three months before it arrived. I would not go so far as to order replacement parts before needing them, but just be prepared to potentially wait a while for your parts. Luckily the issues I had did not keep my tripod from functioning while the parts were being sent.

By the way, the staff at Amplis Foto (Manfrotto distributors in Canada) were very, very knowledgeable and helpful.

Hmmmm... I try not to use the tripod as a walking stick. I mount it to my back when crossing streams. I use a walking stick as a walking stick. So I guess I don't need to order feet.

As for that center column, I'd lean more towards having spare parts of things that I'm likely to break. I tend to lose enough on my own, so I'd need a duplicate gear list to cover that eventuality.