Gitzo 1380 head springs fit on a Vinten Vision 3?

[Barron Thompson]

Does the Gitzo 1380 head and the Vinten Vision 3 head use the same springs? I'm looking at the Gitzo p/n (G1380SPG) for six springs and wondering if they are the same ones used in the Vinten.

[Vito DeFilippo]

Hi Barron,

This doesn't answer your question, but just so you know, you can order the springs individually from Gitzo USA. I ordered a couple and they ended up about $25 each shipped, I think. Better than buying all six and using only one.

Cheers,
Vito

[Chris Soucy]

I'm really intrigued by the question.

Now, I just know there's a good reason for asking it, but for the life of me, I can't work out what it can be.

It's not as if I can even really give you an answer either.

As far as I can tell, the answer is a definite perhaps, but I wouldn't stake too much money on it.

On the "YES" side we have:

Both companies part of Vitec.

Identical weight range offerings: 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 & 10 kg

Springs similar in looks (from dodgy photo in Gitzo catalogue) and colours.

On the "NO" side we have:

The 1380 doesn't bear any detailed resemblance to a Vision 3 (this based on similarly dodgy photo in Gitzo cataloge, tho' beauty IS only skin deep).

I'll be interested to see if anyone can actually answer the question definitively.


CS

[Barron Thompson]

@Vito: The kit of six works to out $26.50 Canadian each so it's in the same ballpark.

@Chris: Assuming the springs are the same size, there may very well be a quality difference between the Vinten and Gitzo. But at half the price, I'll go with the Gitzo. And besides, they're just springs. :)
It may be why people buy Passats instead of Audis. When you open the hood of the Passat and see parts stamped with the Audi logo...

[Vito DeFilippo]

Originally Posted by Barron Thompson

@Vito: The kit of six works to out $26.50 Canadian each so it's in the same ballpark.

Yeah, but unless you have a huge range of cameras, there's not much chance of you using more than one or two, so you buy six for nothing.

[Barron Thompson]

Originally Posted by Vito DeFilippo

Yeah, but unless you have a huge range of cameras, there's not much chance of you using more than one or two, so you buy six for nothing.

Or four for nothing! :)
I get what you're saying Vito but I have an HV20 and I'll upgrade that within 2 years AND I have a Brevis. So.....my 1 lb. camera has become 8lbs and soon to be 11lbs with a mattebox and filters and a monitor for proper focusing.
And......with a new purchase of a VV3 head and some decent sticks, I'm looking at ~$2000. The cost of a few extra springs is peanuts. But paying DOUBLE for the same god damn thing is just stupid, which is what this thread is really about.

[Vito DeFilippo]

Well, in that case the spring kit is worthwhile for you.

[Vito DeFilippo]

Check out this article:

http://www.dv.com/features/features_...leId=193700400

In the Vinten section, they say the springs are identical.

[Barron Thompson]

Bravo!
Excellent find Vito. Many thanks.