stupid question on working my tripod...

Jason Ramsey

Jason Ramsey

Admin
Ok. I just got a cartoni tripod with a f100 fluid head. I have never used a "good" tripod like this before.
1st. my camera aims up on its own. How do I balance the tripod. The knobs on the back and left, don't seem to be doing anything. Can anyone give my stupid ass a bit of a tutorial about setting up the tripod.
Thanks
 
You have two controls for pan and three controls for tilt. For Pan, you have the lock lever on the front of the head, and the drag control which is the large ring around the base of the head. Drag controls how much force must be applied to move the camera and will change how fast you can pan or tilt. For tilt, you have the lock lever on the left side of the head, the drag control knob (also on the left side of the head) and the spring balance control on the back of the head. This will compensate for the weight of the camera and when properly adjusted will keep the camera at any given position throughout the tilt range without slipping. If the camera wants to fall forward or backward then your spring tension is too low, if it pushes back and wants to return to horizontal then your spring setting is too high.

To balance the camera, turn your spring balance and drag all the way down. Then slide the camera back and forth on the sliding quick release plate until you find the spot where the camera falls forward and backward equally. Then slowly adjust the spring balance higher until the camera stays put at any tilt angle. Add just enough drag to make your shots smooth but not so high that it inhibits you from being able to follow you subject.

When you are done with that, have a look at the manual, it is a really helpful thing! :)

Hope the quick primer helps, congrats on getting a nice head for your HVX
 
Thanks, for the help. I haven't noticed much of a manual though, just a 3 page flip out pamphlet :) I read it, but more of a glance.
Thanks, I will expirement with the info. you gave me.

Jason
 
Yeah, after posting, I went back and looked at my manual, and you are right... over all, not very helpful.

Hope the primer helps you out.
 
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