This month, we began upgrading our photography equipment we use to ensure our clients are getting the best service possible. This has included new cameras, lenses, computers, lights and editing machines. For the last six years or so, we’ve been using a Manfrotto tripod to support our cameras, and while it’s still as solid as the day we got it, it does look a little battered, which is why we thought we’d also invest in a new set of legs.
Legless: The Giottos YTL 9383
After a bit of browsing, we boiled it down to two options- another Manfrotto, or a change of brand over to the all-new Giottos YTL 9383. The Giottos boasted a patented, more compact design, and also weighed in slightly less without sacrificing any sturdiness. We went for the Giottos.
On its first outing the following day, all seemed well with our new Giottos. We were shooting at three locations over a day in London, and it did what you’d expect it too- held the camera still and did not fall apart. Perfect! Also, its compact design and light weight, meant hoofing it around the capital was no problem at all.
The second job the tripod was used on was with a new client- our first time shooting for them- who manufacture luxury yachts. We were shooting their products at their facility and decided to use the Giottos as it looked nice and had done the business in London a week earlier.
While setting up to shoot the second image of the day one of the legs just fell to pieces. Luckily, I managed to catch the top of the tripod and the bit that fell away did no damage. A few awkward moments later, and I’d recovered the run-away leg and all the bits that had fallen off. From looking at the parts that fell away, we noticed that essentially, the legs are held together with a thin ring of plastic.
Giottos patented technology. Is it meant to look like that?
Considering the box the tripod came in is emblazoned with the words ‘PROFESSIONAL TRIPOD’- I was expecting to get a little more use out of the thing. We’re just grateful for the fact that no damage was done to any boats or our camera gear.
After returning to the office, we contacted Giottos via Twitter and were told to contact their UK distributers, Daymen International. So we wrote to Daymen, explaining in detail what had happened and how disappointed we were with their product. The next day we still hadn’t heard anything, so decided to email them again. Still nothing, so we gave them a call.
On the phone, the lady who had answered explained that it can take up to ten days to receive a response from their main email address (longer than their tripod had lasted). We asked if it would be possible to speak to anyone, and were told that she would find our email and reply to us. This is the email we got back an hour later:
From: info@daymen.co.uk
Date: 27th March
Hi
We will send you returns documents via email.
Please confirm which of the 3 addresses below you would like us to create the file in?
Thanks
That was it! Not even an apology. So we wrote back and said not to worry, we’ll just take it back to the shop we brought it from.
The following day, we received a call from another of Daymen’s staff, who was very apologetic about the reply we’d received and said they want to get this sorted. Fair enough. I was offered a replacement, but obviously our confidence in that particular model was severely dented. She said that she would have a word with a supervisor and get back to me.
Five minutes later, they called back. After speaking with the marketing department (who bizarrely deal with customer returns!) we were told that our only option was to return it to the shop we’d purchased it for a full refund.
Out of interest, I asked if I were to purchase another Giottos model (an upgrade) would the parts that keep it together be of higher quality, or are they all the same. Surprisingly, I was told that all of their tripods use the same technology, and there are no other options.
So there you have it. If you’re happy to risk your camera equipment on a tripod held together by plastic that can’t withstand two days of use, go for it. We know what we’ll be doing- getting another Manfrotto.
It is not just a UK thing. I have purchased one Giottos tripod… never again … Manfrotto is always the safe way to go … it may cost a bit more but really I am hanging my USD6000 D4 on it and about 2 grand of glass … It is worth a few dollars more for dependable gear
WE have only ever used Vanguard and Manfrotto tripods and have had NO ISSUES with them.
Our Durban Wedding Photography company is based on the coast of South Africa. We’ve put our tripods through dirt, mud, sea water gravel and sometimes SNOW! – And we’ve only suffered cosmetic damage… scuffs, scrapes and so on.
I would really advise that you get a Vanguard tripod. Cheaper than Manfrotto, but in my opinion, better!
Thanks for the review! What a terrible experience… Think I’ll put my money on a new Manfrotto!
Thanks for the heads up. I was seconds away from ordering that very tripod, after having a Manfrotto 055 for 24 years! If it ain’t broke . . .
I was quite lucky when researching about tripods before buying. Manfrotto tripods are good, but now I settle with s Gitzo 2540. Very light weight and durable. It’s great to use ourdoor and indoor for small dslr like the 5d. I also use it to . I highly recommend to stick with a well-known brand. At the end of the day, you will keep your tripod for a long time.
Thanks for the heads up on this one … I was just about to buy one too
I’ve been trying to get a Giottos tripod head replacement as he original broke clean off when it fell on the floor! Needless to say Giottos has not even bothered to return an email to me! I guess my lesson is simple – you get what you pay for!!! My canary is still rolling around chirping in its cage about the few dollars I saved!
Ditto. Was about to push the button on a YTL 9383 & MH 1311-652 combo. Just an amateur but I like my camera too much to skimp on a tripod.
Cheers! I almost ordered the same tripod until I read this!!
I’ve considered buying an YTL series tripod…maybe I’ll look for other options. On the other hand, it seems that someone gives the tripod very good rating and says it’s sturdy, even with an 1DX attached: http://www.silverscenephoto.co.uk/giottos-ytl-carbon-fiber-tripod
Maybe your unit was a “lemon”? I wonder if there would be much more complaints id the build quality was that bad. However, the customer service didn’t sound too friendly.
Good review. Thanks for posting.
I was thinking buying a Giottos tripod, but now I realized that Manfrotto is the only way to go.
I wish I had stumbled upon this website yesterday. I just picked up a GiottoVGRN 9255 took a few shots inside my house, made some adjustments to the legs when one of them popped right out followed by some flat plastic pieces and ground up plastic. It took me an hour trying to get it back together. I’ll be taking it back tomorrow and getting a known brand. The ball head wasn’t all that great either that came with it. Lesson learned if you’ve never heard of it, it’s probably not very good. Manfrotto it is, it might be a bit heavier but at least I know I can count on it.
I bought the Giotto’s MTL9351 B Tripod + MH5011 Three Way Head and have used it maybe a dozen times. Last week when I was pulling out the legs one just snapped off where it is bolted to the top of the tripod. Amazon have said they will refund my money, which is fine other than it was bought as a kit and is no longer available, hence it will now cost me a lot more to replace it. I don’t have a lot of money so cost is an important criteria for me, however, I will not buy another Giottos. I’ll look at the 055XPROB and maybe the 804RC2 head. This stretches my budget but I think it will be worth it in the long run. I like the height of the 055 over the 190 so will go for that. An anyone comment on the 190L? Thank you.
Phew! – close call. I was just about to order one when I spotted your review.
Many thanks for the heads-up, or down as the case may be! 🙂
We once distributed Giotto’s tripods, and they came in wrongly labelled boxes. When we asked them for an explanation, they said it’s no big deal.
We had some QC problems in the past with the leg rings so well. It’s a Giotto’s issue that they need to fix before they can consider themselves a leading brand in the tripod industry.
Vibration wise, they’re quite good, but yes, QC remains an issue even now.
For Giotto’s to compete with Manfrotto, they need to do the following
1) innovate on newer designs
2) improve QC
3) continue maintaining or improving vibration control of their tripods
4) send out tripods to testers and reviewers for PR and to generate hype
5) repeat
brill thanks for posting this, power to the consumer, they should know better with the Internet as used as it is, i was just gonna fork out £209 for a carbon model i believe the same as this article about…i cannot abide bad customer service, and from a distributor. ill hold for the moment, and maybe ill have a chat with them about how they would handle a similar request from me…..nick