My tripod head is no longer supporting the weight of my camera. It tilts and seems to have no more friction or hold at all even though the lever is locked? Please help! I have to use this everyday since I am a real estate photographer and my tripod head is vital to the efficiency and quality of my work!!! Help!!
If you look on the ring that goes around the ball, on the side by the red tension gauge, you'll see an indentation. It is just barely visible on the product shot above.
In the hole, you'll find what looks like an odd shaped bolt. It is actually a threaded post inside a nut.
Use an Allen wrench (hex key) to tighten this post.
Be careful though, a little tension here goes a long way. You should probably turn it no more than 1/8 to 1/4 turn and then test it. If it still isn't tight enough, repeat until you are satisfied.
You should probably also talk to a trained technician at somepoint to see if the loosening is indicative of a larger problem. I really wouldn't know one way or the other. I just discovered the calibration post by taking mine apart.
If you look on the ring that goes around the ball, on the side by the red tension gauge, you'll see an indentation. It is just barely visible on the product shot above.
In the hole, you'll find what looks like an odd shaped bolt. It is actually a threaded post inside a nut.
Use an Allen wrench (hex key) to tighten this post.
Be careful though, a little tension here goes a long way. You should probably turn it no more than 1/8 to 1/4 turn and then test it. If it still isn't tight enough, repeat until you are satisfied.
You should probably also talk to a trained technician at some point to see if the loosening is indicative of a larger problem. I really wouldn't know one way or the other. I just discovered the calibration post by taking mine apart.
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I assumed it was slipping because something was getting worn out or needed to be tightened. It turned out that all I needed to do was clean the ball itself with PEC12 (or denatured alcohol) to remove the oily film that had developed over the years (presumedly from being left in a hot car and the grease from the spring assembly migrating to the ball head.) Once the ball was clean I could reduce the tension wheel to minimum and it's rock solid with ZERO slip. Hope this helps.
Can you provide a picture of it?
Is this it?
Can you take a picture of it from the underside?
Is the warrentee still valid? And are you sure it doesn't have a "lifetime warrentee"? If so I'd take it to the service center and have them fix it for the following reason:
You'll need take the unit apart to fix it. By the looks of its design, you squeeze the handle and a threaded shaft retracts away from a gimbal arraignment inside. There are several ways to apply pressure on the "ball" that's inside and hidden from view. The rotary knob adjusts the tension you apply against a spacer. The spacer inside is worn out and needs replacing. Or you may have a "split ball" design in which case you can't fix. You might be able to take it apart and add a small washer between the spring and spacer. But not being able to see it. I'm not sure it would fit.
By taking it to a repair shop the cost of fixing it should be a lot less than buying anew one. Plus they will have the parts. You might also look for a used one.
That's exactly as I imagined it.
One other possibility. If you take it apart you may have an adjustment screw or "nut" which you can turn a few times to increase the pressure. you might try that too.
When you take it apart, carefully study how the "lock" works, You may only need to lift the two halves of the case apart and turn the know a few times and reassemble it.
Let me know how it goes.
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I took mine on an airplane and had the problem of it slipping really bad. I looked online to find an answer, and grabbed my box and instructions - and sure enough - it came with an allen wrench to tighten down the ball when needed. Super fast fix. My guess is the pressure made it come loose, as it was doing just fine before the trip. Allen wrench now has a new home in my camera bag :)
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yep, thats the one!
this is it from the underside...sorry the quality of the photo is sub-par...used my phone just to get it quick!
if you need a better picture, i can take one...
Well, thanks for your help! I didn't figure that there was an easy fix, but doesn't hurt to ask!
ok, thanks!
I have the same exact issues with the same head. Creeping once it was set. I thought maybe I had too much weight with a longer lens and had worn it down. I checked Bogen/Manfrotto site and didn't find any solutions/suggestions. Your solution worked great! At least for now. Will have to see if the solution holds for extended time and is just the natural loss of tension due to use.
Thanks!
I have the exact same problem with the same head - creeping. I am using a Nikon d200 with Nikkor 17-55 lens. While somewhat heavy this head should support it. What can I do? Thanks.
I had the same problem and it was resolved by the response telling me to tighten the allen key headed screw in the ring. Thanx a lot!
I recently purchased a barely used 322Rc2 and it seems to work great. The only possible issue is the ball doesn't lock dead tight horizontally, fully preventing side-to-side movement. There isn't any play or looseness but if I twist the camera right or left, the ball head will allow movement. My other Manfrotto 828Rc2 head locks dead thight on all planes, vertical and horizontal. Adjusting the tension ring on the 322 makes no difference in stopping the twisting. Is this normal or is the ball not properly adjusted?
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