The EX3, the noob, and the SOOM.

[GaryOldman]

Just got my beautiful EX3 yesterday. I named her Sandy, and will stay true to her until the end of time.

I also got my Soom yesterday, and that's where I've got a problem.

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to attach Sandy to the Soom. The manual is insane. It calls for me to twist knobs and attach parts that are mentioned nowhere else in the book, so I've no idea what or where they are. And considering how much the whole thing cost, I'm much too intimidated to soldier on alone. I've actually had nightmares where I damage my gear due to stupid mistakes.

Is there anyone in the Sacramento area that would be willing to teach me how to set this insane tripod up? I will pay you!

Thanks.

PS, I realize how awful it makes me sound that I bought an expensive tripod and can't figure out how to use it. I am suitably embarrassed, but not enough to neglect asking for help!

[Thomas Lew]

Maybe Sandy needs a little more TLC before resting on the tripod.

Yeah man I don't know lol best of luck and enjoy the awesome new camera

[monkeyking]

Did you also receive the Sachtler FSB 6 fluid head to go along with the Soom tripod & tube? If so, detach the small "Touch n'Go" top plate w/screws by rotating the small spring-loaded orange lever beneath it counter clockwise about 90 degrees. Plate should literally jump off the head freely.
Use the attached screw to afix to bottom of your camera and reinsert onto the tripod head. It should lock back positively onto the head and the orange lever will spring back to it's original position.
If you don't have the FSB 6 head, that's another story I won't get into.

[GaryOldman]

Thank you, Monkeyking. Yes, I have the FSB6 head. I am going to go follow your instructions right now. What's frightening me most is right when I opened the case the whole thing came in, the bowl on the SOOM tube popped out of place, and some sort of crown with ridges on it fell out. I can't find anything in the manual saying this is normal, and I can't get ahold of anyone at Sachtler.

When I ordered all this I figured the tripod would be a walk in the park and the EX3 would be the tough one to learn. Amazingly, it's the other way around.