FM-18 Questions about first fluid head

B

Bipedal

Member
I recently bought this tripod: http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/TFTPV75FM18.html

It's hands down the best tripod I've ever touched, but the only tripods I've ever touched were entry level still photo ones.

Needless to say, this is also the first fluid head I've used.

It's great, I can do some very smooth pans because there's so much resistance, this feels perfect tilting, but the pan is a little too constricting. Even when I adjust the little tension knob out all the way, I can't pan without lifting up a tripod leg.

Is this typical of a tripod this hefty with a tiny lightweight hmc40 onboard? Would it be safe for me to open up the head and lube/smooth out whatever the mechanism is?

Also why does it have two handles?
 
I'm not sure I understand your problem. You can do great pans, but you're having problems with pans?

But two handles are for smooth two handed use.
 
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The FM18 has a pan drag and tilt drag control. Make sure one of these is not too tight.

And it has two handles for smoother control. Most professional fluid heads have two handles.
 
NextWaveG said:
The FM18 has a pan drag and tilt drag control. Make sure one of these is not too tight.

And it has two handles for smoother control. Most professional fluid heads have two handles.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the pan drag control is all the way out, but it's still way too stiff. I can't turn the head without lifting a tripod leg.
 
Most if not all fluid heads have four controls: pan drag, pan lock, tilt drag, tilt lock. I'd guess you still have the pan lock on.
 
BVX said:
Most if not all fluid heads have four controls: pan drag, pan lock, tilt drag, tilt lock. I'd guess you still have the pan lock on.
Click to expand...

I have a knob that tightens drag on pan until it locks, and I have a knob that tightens tilt until it locks.
 
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