Tripod Head recommendations OR a DIY fix??

W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
Alright, i've had it with my 498RC2..
i've tried turning every damn knob tighter than i thought possible & it still sags.
even with the 70-300 & the 105mm..
for all ya know it may just sag with the 35mm too

Anyway, i think i need a new tripod head before i break my tripod legs in frustration.
Sam suggested a Arca Swiss clone - Milano but i can't seem to find it even listed anywhere here.. not even on ebay..

Any recommendations for something that is really quick and sturdy as sturdy can be..

On another note, would anyone here know of any DIY tricks that can help me adjust the existing 498RC2??
i think the problem is the clutch that holds the QR plate... it just doesn't sit tight enough..
maybe i can try roughing the sides or etching some marks so it sits?

am open to any ideas..
 
B

Bill16

Senior Member
Without having one in my hands to look at, I can't say what would be the best method to fix the issue. Sorry my friend. :(
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
WhiteLight said:
Alright, i've had it with my 498RC2..
i've tried turning every damn knob tighter than i thought possible & it still sags.
even with the 70-300 & the 105mm..
for all ya know it may just sag with the 35mm too

Anyway, i think i need a new tripod head before i break my tripod legs in frustration.
Sam suggested a Arca Swiss clone - Milano but i can't seem to find it even listed anywhere here.. not even on ebay..

Any recommendations for something that is really quick and sturdy as sturdy can be..

On another note, would anyone here know of any DIY tricks that can help me adjust the existing 498RC2??
i think the problem is the clutch that holds the QR plate... it just doesn't sit tight enough..
maybe i can try roughing the sides or etching some marks so it sits?

am open to any ideas..
Click to expand...

I think you might like this post

Flickr: Discussing Ballhead Lock Not Locking in Manfrotto Official

See if that solves your problem. If it does you owe me dinner.
 
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
WhiteLight said:
Anytime for you Don :)
I will go through the thread & let you know if it solves things..
just glanced through the first post & it seems like the dude had some problem with the way the tripod head was fixed? not sure, haven't give it a proper look
Click to expand...

It just looked like the same type problem you were talking about.
 
B

Bill16

Senior Member
I just read through the thread/question and answer session the link went to, and it seems to be a simple enough fix if this is the same issue as yours is having. It's also a small design flaw which a simple alteration of their design should solve cheaply. There is a pin at the end of the lock bolt, and whenever the lock bolt is loosened up too far the pin can fall out into the works leaving you unable to lock the ball down. So to fix this, you get the pin out and then put the head back together inserting the pin in the place it belongs and screw in the lock bolt till you've locked it. Then be very careful not to loosen more than needed to adjust the head before locking it down again.
I hope this is the issue and you can fix it. :)
WhiteLight said:
Anytime for you Don :)
I will go through the thread & let you know if it solves things..
just glanced through the first post & it seems like the dude had some problem with the way the tripod head was fixed? not sure, haven't give it a proper look
Click to expand...
 
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
Tracsoft - Don Kuykendall said:
I think you might like this post

Flickr: Discussing Ballhead Lock Not Locking in Manfrotto Official

See if that solves your problem. If it does you owe me dinner.
Click to expand...

I did take a look at this just now & that seems to be a different problem.
Had read about it earlier... This issue is with the placement of the ball head & the adjustment screws...
If you rotate the locking screw in the opposite direction fully, a screw inside gets loose & the whole setup goes haywire.

My issue isn't all that complicated... just the clutch whcih holds the QR plate isn't tight enough & it allows the plate to 'move' a little front or back which produces the sagging effect.
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
WhiteLight said:
I did take a look at this just now & that seems to be a different problem.
Had read about it earlier... This issue is with the placement of the ball head & the adjustment screws...
If you rotate the locking screw in the opposite direction fully, a screw inside gets loose & the whole setup goes haywire.

My issue isn't all that complicated... just the clutch whcih holds the QR plate isn't tight enough & it allows the plate to 'move' a little front or back which produces the sagging effect.
Click to expand...

Well I tried. On to the next one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
 
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
:) You sure did.
I hadn't stumbled upon that thread before...

However, i've had a light bulb moment which may just help.
I'll try it out & post if it works
 
B

Bill16

Senior Member
I looked at prices for your messed up tripod head, and it cost three times as much as my tripod altogether. I was considering buying a ball head, but I'll have to stick with my pan head. I would fix the one you have if at all possible if it was me. But I'm fairly handy at fixing stuff like that out of financial necessity. Lol :)
WhiteLight said:
Wow.. they all look super sturdy but they also look like they'll drill a solid hole in the pocket too :p
well i guess you get what you pay for..
when i got the 498RC2 i thought that was too much!
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
WhiteLight said:
:) You sure did.
I hadn't stumbled upon that thread before...

However, i've had a light bulb moment which may just help.
I'll try it out & post if it works
Click to expand...

This group is more like a family. Lots of second cousins, a few first cousins and you are more like a brother.

And like most families we do have a few black sheep.
 
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