Feisol tripod

Sorry, I've updated the above after reading post #39. ^ ^ ^ Hope it's useful/relevant.
 
Mr Badger said:
I'd consider contacting DHL and explain to them it's a free repair under warranty. Ask them how it would be possible for that to attract any import charges?

If in doubt or if you're not happy with their answer then I'd be inclined to contact HM Revenue and Customs, explain briefly what's happened (you had to send your UK purchased goods back to the foreign manufacturer for free repair under warranty, the item has not been replaced with a new item, just some defective parts have been replaced free of charge, [if that's the case]) and check with them what the situation is about import charges, and how best to proceed. Hope this is useful. I'd be interested to know the answer you get.
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Thanks
 
Mr Badger said:
I'd consider contacting DHL and explain to them it's a free repair under warranty. Ask them how it would be possible for that to attract any import charges?

If in doubt or if you're not happy with their answer then I'd be inclined to contact HM Revenue and Customs, explain briefly what's happened (you had to send your UK purchased goods back to the foreign manufacturer for free repair under warranty, the item has not been replaced with a new item, just some defective parts have been replaced free of charge, [if that's the case]) and check with them what the situation is about import charges, and how best to proceed. Hope this is useful. I'd be interested to know the answer you get.
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I've contacted Feisol,DHL and the Duty place listed on the DHL site.
From Feisol

We just contacted DHL Taiwan and they gave us some suggestions.

Please kindly contact DHL UK and understand which items are included in the importation charges since DHL Taiwan didn't see those details from system. At the time of export, we have informed DHL that this is a warranty item and provided the import declaration, but they said the content is always judged by UK customs. Therefore, they suggest you may tell DHL UK the tripod was exported for warranty service on May 4th and is going to be imported again after the service these days. They can get the import and export declarations via waybill numbers.. In our experience, we don't have to pay customs fees in this situation, but we have no idea if UK customs will accept this.
From call to DHL still awaiting a return call that was going to be within 2 hours,this was @9am.
Duty depot,again explained it had been bought in U.K. And suppliers had stopped trading it needed to be repaired and this was all arranged by Feisol via DHL,there was no charge involved due to a three year warranty.Then told to pay it and fill in online forms with proof of UK purchase,all the shipping documents etc.
Its doing my head in.
 
My commiserations, this sort of thing can send one a bit crazy.

Makes you realise why people stick to gear with a strong UK presence such as Manfrotto. These far east companies are fine until it goes wrong then the problems start such as you are having.

Very unlucky that the UK distributor packed it in, but just shows how it can happen when it's a one trick pony operation.

Hopefully this will be the end of your grief for a while and the tripod will last a good few more years
 
tijuana taxi said:
My commiserations, this sort of thing can send one a bit crazy.

Makes you realise why people stick to gear with a strong UK presence such as Manfrotto. These far east companies are fine until it goes wrong then the problems start such as you are having.

Very unlucky that the UK distributor packed it in, but just shows how it can happen when it's a one trick pony operation.

Hopefully this will be the end of your grief for a while and the tripod will last a good few more years
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I hope so,don't fancy having to go this route again.Might have to look at Gitzo.
 
The sad thing is once you go there you will think why did you go anywhere else - lol
 
I did once intend to buy gitzo but my biggest issue is finding one that fits my needs! There are so many models/options it just confuses the hell out of me.
Perhaps someone could tell me what a gitzo alternative for a fiesol tournament tripod is or how to read their options?
 
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nandbytes said:
I did once intend to buy gitzo but my biggest issue is finding one that fits my needs! There are so many models/options it just confuses the hell out of me.
Perhaps someone could tell me what a gitzo alternative for a fiesol tournament tripod is or how to read their options?
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This explains it all (I think) http://www.slach.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Gitzo-2015-product-catalogue.pdf

The Gitzo alternative would be a "Systematic" a series 2 is probably the nearest in size to a Feisol CT-3442
 
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I know the numbers mean series, material,leg sections and number of versions for that particular model

So a GT1541 would be series 1, carbon, 4 leg sections and second iteration of that particular tripod

Series go from 00,0,1,2,3,4,5
Material is 3 Aluminium, 5 Carbon, 7 Magnesium and 8 will be Basalt or its more common name fibre glass
Leg sections 3,4,5
Number of versions start at 0 to whatever is needed, only ever seen up to 2
 
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Want a three leg section one carbon fibre to carry a 7d mk II with 500mm canon prime and wimberley mk II gimbal head.
I think this one will be sold when I eventually get it back.
 
donetello said:
Want a three leg section one carbon fibre to carry a 7d mk II with 500mm canon prime and wimberley mk II gimbal head.
I think this one will be sold when I eventually get it back.
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If you can get a used Gitzo GT3530LS. I recently sold mine but it was quite up to my Canon 800 F5.6 L IS with 7D2 or 1DX bodies. I fell victim to the "Gitzo Sale" and bought a 4 series because it was pretty and new. Yes the 4 series is better with my 800mm but not by much - with your 500mm the 3530LS would be a better, cheaper and lighter choice. There comes a point where larger tripods cease to give any benefits for a given focal length and from the 400/600 and 800mm lenses that I have owned I see anything larger than a 3 series Gitzo as mostly unnecessary.

I mentioned an older model Carbon Gitzo in an earlier post - these are WELL worth looking at! They are a little heavier than the 3530LS (mentioned above) and do not have ALR leg locks. The older leg locks take a bit of getting used to (one - maybe 2 minutes at a push) and they are a touch heavier. However they are built to last and can, sometimes, be found very cheap. Their model numbers start with the numbers 13 rather than the 35/45 that we are currently used to. I used to have a G1329 Mk2 - every bit as good as my 3530LS just a little heavier (200 grams?) but cost only £100 - yes that was from a camera shop!
 
johnf3f said:
If you can get a used Gitzo GT3530LS. I recently sold mine but it was quite up to my Canon 800 F5.6 L IS with 7D2 or 1DX bodies. I fell victim to the "Gitzo Sale" and bought a 4 series because it was pretty and new. Yes the 4 series is better with my 800mm but not by much - with your 500mm the 3530LS would be a better, cheaper and lighter choice. There comes a point where larger tripods cease to give any benefits for a given focal length and from the 400/600 and 800mm lenses that I have owned I see anything larger than a 3 series Gitzo as mostly unnecessary.

I mentioned an older model Carbon Gitzo in an earlier post - these are WELL worth looking at! They are a little heavier than the 3530LS (mentioned above) and do not have ALR leg locks. The older leg locks take a bit of getting used to (one - maybe 2 minutes at a push) and they are a touch heavier. However they are built to last and can, sometimes, be found very cheap. Their model numbers start with the numbers 13 rather than the 35/45 that we are currently used to. I used to have a G1329 Mk2 - every bit as good as my 3530LS just a little heavier (200 grams?) but cost only £100 - yes that was from a camera shop!
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Thanks John for taking the time to post this,I will look at the models mentioned.
 
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