How to change a head on your tripod.

One of the simpler modifications you can make to your Manfrotto tripod is changing the head.  While you may be able to get by with only one head, having several for different situations will make you life easier.

 

All Manfrotto, and Bogen, tripods that have center columns will allow you to lock the head so it does not unscrew during use.  The older tripods had up to 3 locking screws, we call them “grub screws,” while the newer tripods may only have one.  The grub screw is used to put tension on the head when it is screwed on, so it will not come off.  Indeed, if you have ever attempted to remove a head while the grub screws were tightened you could more easily destroy the head than unscrew it.

You don’t even need to remove the grub screw. Just backing the screw out enough to allow the head to unscrew is all that it takes.   The grub screws are accessed from the bottom of the center column plate or to the side of the plate. Just make sure they are backed out completely before you reattach the head, because the stability of the head depends upon the base of the head and the center column plate both being in good contact with each other.

 

If even one grub screw protruded it will prevent the head from staying locked and it may wiggle or unscrew during use.  The picture to the right is a head that never stayed on tight.  the customer sent this in for repair when it was only a grub screw that was causing the problem.  Backing out the grub screw, re tightening the head and re tightening the grub screw was all it took.

We often find on the really old Bogen tripods that the head and the center column plate might get stuck after years of being together.  Sometimes this is the aluminum wanting to bond, often its is corrosion or foreign contaminants.  Either way if you cannot unlock it, we can.

There are different grub screws for different series and models of tripods and center columns.  The old Bogen 190, 055 use three grub screws,  the Manfrotto MT190, Mt055 and MT290 tripods use a single grub screw and the 055 and 190 leveling columns use a single grub screw that accesses from the side.  The video balls also have grubs screws, found here.

If you are having problems determining parts needed, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

My Tripod Is Really Old, Can I Use Other Tripod Parts To Fix It?

There are several answers to this one question.

1. As long as your tripod is a Manfrotto or a Bogen (made by Manfrotto) it should be possible to fix it.  Stay with in the brand for better results.  Manfrotto parts do not fit MeFoto, Vanguard or other tripod brands.
2. Try to stay within a model series; Bogen 3221, 3021 or Manfrotto 055XPRO and 055XPROB are similar enough to be interchangeable, but not from the Bogen brand to the Manfrotto brand.
3. As long as the parts as similar enough to the original, it should be possible. A 1mm or 2mm difference on a clamp or a tube is ok it the parts are measuring 20mm or 30mm wide.  The smaller the amount of the variation the better.

What are the variables in repairing the old tripod with new parts?  From the feet up…

rubber feet

Spike Feet

Feet. Rubber feet are standard on most tripods.  The feet are usually based on the diameter of the bottom tube.  Click Here for the page that has the feet listed by diameter.  A few tripods have special shapes that can only be replaced with the original part.

Suction Cup Foot

Most of the time the feet on tripods are rubber push ons.  Some versions of tripods have retractible spiked feet that came on the tripod as part of a kit, or the spike feet were added later by the user.  There are also suction cup feet that have the pikes and very wide rubber cups.  The spikes are useful on ice and other hard surfaces you want to “bite”into, the wide cups are great for loose gravel or sand, and the rubber feet help protect your indoor floors like wood and marble. A suction cup foot on smooth marble floors is remarkable in how little slippage there is even though the surface is slick.

Leg tubes. There are round tubes, 6 sided tubes (3 round and 3 flat sides), 2 sided (round with a flat side) and square or triangular shaped.  Obviously the round tubes will only fit the round tubes.  Some of the round tubes have flutes inside that keep them from rotating.  These have got to match, and nest correctly so they will slide freely inside each other. These will be available by diameter and length for each model.  Also in silver or black, depending upon the tripod model.  Call for price and availability – 864-583-6835

Leg clamps come in all sizes

Leg Locks.  Leg locks are interchangeable in the same way leg tubes are; very limited but entirely based on diameter.  The round tubed tripods HAVE to use round tube leg locks.  Some 2 or 6 sided tubes  may appear to be the correct diameter, but they WILL NOT WORK without modification of the leg lock.  This is not something regular people can do without the use of a machine shop.  Also there are snap locks, that snap open and locked.  Flip locks flip up and down to lock.  Screw locks twist one or two revolutions to lock.  None of these three types of locks are interchangeable.

Leg Braces.  These are the parts that connect the main casting to the legs.  The leg braces have to use the EXACT same type of tube they were made for.  Round braces can only take round tubes, the braces that are round with a flat side can only take those tubes etc, etc.  Leg braces are also particular in that they have hinge points that may point inward, or outward.  There are also different sizes of these braces.  The Manfrotto 055 series had at least 5 versions using 3 different braces; then there was the 055XPRO series and then the new MT055 series that uses different braces altogether, and incompatible with the ear;lier versions.

Main casint upper part

Main castings. This is the crucial part that holds the tripod together.  The main casting also comes in many types as well.  Some older tripods us a single casting, that if cracked or broken cannot be glued or welded back together.  Other tripods use two piece castings that screw together. So that is an exact replacement part only.  Some of the main castings that are two part have to have can exact match on the guide holes that hold the two haves together, as well as the diameter of the hinge points and the width of the hinge points.

Center Column.  Center columns are matched to the type of main casting the tripod uses.  Round, fluted, geared, 6 sided, triangular are all variables.  There are no adapters to make on fit another.  There is not a way to add a gear and crank to a non-gear center column. So as with all Manfrotto or Bogen gear you must be specific and get the exact part, since there are no universal parts.

Center Column Pivot. Center columns on the XPRO tripods have a pivot that will allow the center column to pivot or to be removed and reinserted horizontally.  These pivot points are different on the different series of tripods, and the pivots are different on the different models.  So, none of these are interchangeable.

So, with this brief primer on parts differences, if you have questions or are not sure, but you need a tripod repair, then just send it in to us for an evaluation.  Tune ups are currently $25 + return shipping + parts.  We will let you know what the charge is before we start any repairs.  Click here for more information.

 

 

NEW 244Micro and 244Mini Arms

The New Manfrotto 244Micro and 244Mini arms.  The newest, and one of the neatest items to come from Manfrotto in a while. Let’s explore…

Manfrotto Accessory Port

The 244Micro and 244Mini arms can be attached to Manfrotto MT190 and MT055 tripods using the accessory port located on the side of the MT series tripods.  This accessory screw hole has been there for quite some time, but only on the new MT series tripods is this a slotted screw port, not just a hole.  So the 244Micro and 244Mini arms can be screwed into the port, and using the anti-rotation end the arm will attach and NEVER rotate.  So your flashes or lights will stay where you aim them, and never move when you least expect it.

Using the various end adapters and Manfrotto accessory clamps you can do all sorts of things.  Use with Superclamps, Clip Clamps and others for ultimate versatility. Imagine macro photography with your lights or speedlites attached to the tripod, moveable as a single unit on the tripod.  The arms have a single locking knob that tightens and loosens the whole arm.

There are three versions of the  244Micro arms.  The first we stock is the 244Micro.  This is a fully articled arm that extends 5.9 inches or 15cm. It has 1/4″ attachment screws on both ends and includes a 3/8″ extra end included.  The package includes the small metric allen wrench that is needed to change the ends; a small touch that helps since not everybody keeps metric allen wrenches in their bag.

The 244Micro-AR is the exact same arm, except it has the AR (anti-rotation) ends already attached.  These are the ends that attach to the MT series tripods for best results.  Having two AR mounts on the arm makes me wonder what other attachments and accessories are coming.  And included is a 3/8″ end and allen wrench for changing the ends if needed.

The 244Micro-Kit is the most ready to use- right out of the package. This has an AR (anti-rotation) end on one side, and the Nano Clamp on the other. It is ready to hold shades, small scrims and filters right out of the package.

Nano clamps are available separately.  As a small, easy to use macro photography accessory, I know of few that are as useful.

Comparing the 244Micro and the 244Mini arm, the 244Mini arm is longer at 9.45 inches or 24cm.  The 244Mini arm  includes the 1/4″ screw ends and an extra 3/8″ end as well.  All of the adapters are interchangeable between the 244Mini and 244micro arms, but NOT the 244 or 244N Friction arms.  The larger arms can be adapted to the mini and micro arms, but none of the parts are interchangeable between the 2 sets of arms.

These are the current adapters available for the 244Mini and 244Micro arms.

244ADPT58 is a spigot stud with a 1/4″ female thread on the end. This end is useful for attaching these arms to the SuperClamp, Clip Clamp, or the the top of a light stand or other 1/4″ male stud.  This is crucial if you are using it on the SuperClamp, since the squared bottoms will keep the arm from rotating in the clamp.

244ADPT38AR is the end, sold individually, that allows the  arms to be attached to the MT055 and MT190 tripods, using the accessory port.  This keeps the arm from rotating on the tripod, especially where consistency is required.  For example, a side life for macro photography.  Nothing more annoying than a wandering fill light.

244ADPT3814 are 1/4″ and 3/8″ ends that are indispensable for adapting the mini and micro arms to a full size 244 Friction arm.  However, when screwed into the full sized arms, rotation is possible, since these are just screwed together.  Great for holding your tablet or phone when used with a tripod adapter.

244ADPT-HS is a “hot-shoe” adapter.  Although not truly “hot”, able to fire the flash, this does allow a speed light flash to be attached to the arms.  This accepts the standard flash foot that has been used in the industry for many years.  Also holds TTL cables so your flash will maintain TTL, holds radio triggers, Wifi transmitters or anything with a “hot-shoe” mount on it.

I have the feeling this is just the beginning.  Nothing was said when the MT055 came out a couple of years ago but that this was in the works.  And by itself, it is but a small part of the support universe.  But when used in combination with the MT series tripods, then the tripod is not just a camera support, but a support system.

Manfrotto has always demonstrated ingenuity and unique, useful products.  This is just another example.

Simple Fix for a Loose Head

Loose head

Many Manfrotto tripods have heads that are removable.  Because of that built in versatility, sometimes the head will get loose.  Not broken, just out of adjustment. The picture to the right shows a very loose head, sometimes it is not noticeable, it might only be a fraction of a turn.  You will loosen the grub screws, then tighten the head and retighten the grub screw.

 

Mt tripod

As shown to the left, under the head, on the center column there is at least one screw (on newer models like the MT series) and as many as three screw (on older models shown below left) that are there to keep the head from unscrewing from the tripod.

 

 

055 tripod

For this simple fix you will need a narrow flat blade screw driver. Then, unscrew this locking screw.  You don’t have to take it all the way out, just enough to release the head. Unscrew and retighten the head on the center column. Retighten the locking screw. Done.

You do not need to really over tighten the screw or screws.  Very little pressure is actually required to hold the head in place.

If you are having problems, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

Why doesn’t my head lock? It moves a little bit even though everything is locked down!

Loose Head

This is actually a very simple fix.  On most Manfrotto Tripods, the head is removable.  Over time or heavy use, the connection between the head and the tripod will loosen up a little bit.  It may not unscrew more than a little bit that is mostly unnoticeable, because there are locking screws that are supposed to keep the head from moving are stopping it.

Grub Screw on Manfrotto tripod

So, raise the center column as far up as it will go.  Look under the head.  There you should see at least one or as many as three “grub screws.”  These are slotted screws that when tightened lock the head to the tripod and keep it from moving.  To repair the problem… just back out the grub screws a little bit.  Then unscrew the head and then re-tighten it.  Re-tighten the grub screws and Voila!  You are done.

Please remember: DO NOT USE finger nail polish or Loc-tite on the head or grub screws to “lock” them in place.  You may make it impossible to repair this head again in the future.

Also be aware: There are several variations of these spare parts.  Older style for number models like 055 or 190. Find it here. The newer style for lettered models like MT055 or MT190  are found here.

If you are having problems, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

Post was changed to reflect the address change