Question regarding the Oconnor 50 head and a set of aluminum legs

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olindacat

Well-known member
I bought this head and the legs separately and I believe the head has a 150mm bottom, and the legs have a 100 bowl. I am able to sit the head on the legs and tighten it onto the bowl and it seems pretty solid. Is this a no no? At some point, several years ago, I bought a Manfrotto adapter but seem to have lost it. I have actually never used this, and have no idea what the dials do and am wondering if anyone has one of these and can explain what the ideals do, how to adjust the drag (I assume that's what they so), etc. I am thinking about selling this but do't want to mislead anyone so wanted to understand its operation who I cold test and at the very least give a buyer an idea as to whether the thing works well or not. Also wondering if anyone can advise on a fair price for both or as separate items?

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Well, the plot thickens as this isn't the first time I tried to make heads or tales out of this. It's a 120mm claw bowl and needs to be adapted. I remember buying a Manfrotto 100mm adapter but it really only makes it possible to use a cheaper head, like a 504 on these legs. I know there must be an adapter for the 50 to these legs but which if anybody knows please feel free to chime in.

It may be better to just sell the lags and head separately....
 
Just wrote them now thanks.... This I got when I thought I'd have a monster rig and was trying to really do the best I could on a budget. I have concluded that if my story and idea has any merit whatsoever, and it appeals to anyone in the industry and I am suddenly a desirable, then there will be a proper budget for the real pros like you David :-) For now we only need basics to try and tell stories. Like a manuscript treatment, if you will....

Much appreciate your help, as always an honor for me.
 
Very interesting!

I had a Manfrotto flat head tripod and then bought a Libec 75mm bowl head and ordered from B&H a Manfrotto adataptor. After a lenghly chat session with B&H both sides agreed it would not work.

So, I bought a Libec tripod and, of course, no problem going forward. I really liked the Manfrotto because it had a center crank and could go up some 80 inches and, given it is built like a truck, there was no instability fully extended.

Huge learning curve, though, following the switch - wherase the Manfrotto virtually needed a crowbar to overcome the starting friction and careful landing at the target to prevent bounceback, the Libec, even with lots of cranked-in resistance, can barely stand one finger. I would hate to sneeze or cough duriing a recording but I am slowly getting used to super-smooth pan/tilt.

Interesting te find that Transfilm is the only service center in hte USA for Libec.

I can't imagine them getting much business other than through accident damage because the Libec I bought (only $199) is also built to last.

IMO it is a fantastic piece of equipment but, I must say I have never tried a $7,000 tripod, so no clue what these are like.
 
I got this adapter from Abel Cine years ago thinking it would solve my problem, and it didn't as the screw thread on top was too short (yes, I know I could probably replace it ;-) I am absolutely positive this (or something like this) but be an absolute pleasure to use once you get the hang of it. I own about five smaller Manfrotto tripods which I have used for stills and some video. I also have a much more robust Manfrotto (don't recall the exact number/model 3 or 6xxx) and it has the crank and I used it for my 8x10 Sinar and Toyo view cameras. It is rock solid but not a fluid head obviously. I really wanted to pan for golf shots but the rolling shutter thing really kind of blew it for me at the time, and now after reading that great thread on measuring that by SamuelH, I now think this type of system is even more relevant than ever (only this tripod rig is so bloody big I'm afraid I'll get ticketed here in the city, not to mention I'm a OMB and wold probably destroy my already bad back running around with this thing!).

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olindacat said:
Just wrote them now thanks.... This I got when I thought I'd have a monster rig and was trying to really do the best I could on a budget. I have concluded that if my story and idea has any merit whatsoever, and it appeals to anyone in the industry and I am suddenly a desirable, then there will be a proper budget for the real pros like you David :-) For now we only need basics to try and tell stories. Like a manuscript treatment, if you will....

Much appreciate your help, as always an honor for me.
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Absolutely nothing wrong with an O'Connor 50 or 50D head. I used one with my original Red One M until I replaced it with a 2060. Unfortunately I no longer have the 2060. So I just might be getting another 50D if I can't scrape together enough for a used 2575 to support the upcoming F65 I'm trying to get. FWIW, once rebuilt a 50D should be buttery smooth and last another 30 + years.
 
As soon as I can figure our what those knobs do I think I'll do a test with it. I am afraid I'll ruin this thing poking at them, which is my usual MO. Do you know what they do David?
 
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