Help from someone w/ Cartoni Focus and Miller Solo

[kevinM]

I just received a Cartoni Focus head and Miller Solo VJ carbon fiber legs both with 100mm bowls from B&H. I think I am either missing something or there must have been a part that was not included.

When I try to attach the head to the legs, the part that screws into the bottom of the leveling ball on the head fits all the way through the bottom hole in the bowl of legs. In other words, there is no way to tighten the head to the legs. It just flops around up there.

Is there some sort of an adapter that has to be purchased to make the two work together or was something that was supposed to be there not included.

This is driving me nuts and I need to get this resolved locally and would prefer not to have to deal with B&H customer service and wait for them to ship a missing part. If someone has experience with this combination, I'd love to know the secret!

Thanks.

[kevinM]

Maybe photos would help show it better:

http://www.ifoliohd.com/hvx/DSC_5958.jpg

http://www.ifoliohd.com/hvx/DSC_5959.jpg

As you can see, I can screw it on but it just doesn't grab on to anything - just slips through the hole in the bowl.

[SurJones]

To me, it sounds like the bowl is a different size or something. I would call BH and ask and also I would measure your bowl to make sure it is the same size, and not bigger.

[tmnt]

You can get a replacement part or use a washer. Check this thread.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=91517&highlight=cartoni+focus

[kevinM]

Thanks for pointing me to that thread. Cartoni is taking care of it.

[FatDaddy]

Did you contact them directly? I have purchased a used set of sticks (Miller VJ) and am getting a used Focus head in a week or so. Do you mind filling me in on what I need to do. I am pretty sure it needs "the fix."

Any help would be great!

Thanks much.
John.

[FatDaddy]

Read the thread. That's the ticket. Will follow through with the new part.
Thanks.

[Tai Lyon]

That's the part you'll need and you are all set. I guess as they are two different companies they aren't exactly looking out for the other. Great set of sticks and fluid head for the price, pretty sexy looking too. Have fun!

[kevinM]

It's more like B&H isn't looking out for you. They have great prices but the trade-off is customer service. Don't get me wrong, I love B&H because most of the time I know what I want and I get it at a good price. But if you have ever spent 30 minutes on hold only to be cut off when trying to get something resolved, you'll understand why I didn't even bother calling them.

I called Cartoni directly and they have run into the problem with the Focus and Miller VJ sticks before. If you send in the stock clamp screw and $20 bucks they will ship a larger one to you.

If you go to a dealer like SpecComm, they will have taken care of the issue for you because that is what the do.

The lesson here is do your homework if you are trying to save a buck with B&H.