Tripod Legs

PaPa

PaPa

Major Contributor
My Manfrotto 475b legs have pretty much gone kaput. The threaded bolt at the top that allows you to thread a tripod head has gone loose, so whenever i try to tighten down a tripod head or something like the zaza slider, as im tightening it onto the bolt, the bolt is loosening on the inside of the tripod making it completely unstable. Really sucks.

Anyway, i still own the 503HDV head and am wondering what you guys would have to suggest? I am maybe interested in stepping it up a bit in price and quality and getting something that would allow the use of a ball head. Is it possible to attach a "ball" to the bottom of my 503hdv head and use that on a new pair of legs?

Preferably i would like something that does not have built in spreaders, so that if need be i can bring the camera all the way to the ground. I need something that can reach heights of over 6 feet and it needs to be sturdy.

What would you guys recommend? Give me any suggestions at low/mid price ranges ( under 1000$ )

Thank you.
 
wsup PaPa

I'm not sure I'm understanding which thread you mean from your description but I'm guessing that you mean where the 3/8" 16 thread where the head attaches to the hemisphere half ball part.

You do know you can get replacement parts easily right?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553993-REG/Manfrotto_520BALL_520BALL_75mm_Half_Ball.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553991-REG/Manfrotto_500BALL_500BALL_100mm_Ball_Leveler.html

Also if its just the thread on the bolt you may be able to get a replacement bolt direct from bogen (its a funny shaped bolt if I remember correctly). Have you tried contacting bogen directly?

To answer your other question, yes any ball can work in any bowl so long as the thread size matches. For example a great combo is the cartoni F100 head on the Miller solo V J legs. Both use the 100mm bowl. A lot of people put bogen heads on gitzo legs too.
 
Basically, at the top of my manfrotto 475b legs, where the thread attaches a tripod head, as i tighten the tripod head to the screw, instead of screwing the head in, it actually loosens the end of the tripod/legs, thus making the entire silver/threaded end that sits the head completely wobbly for use with things like a slider.

I've grown tired of them and love my 503HDV head, but would like to replace the legs for something a little more sturdy and versatile. Thus me asking what you guys would recommend.

Again, don't want to spend too too much on legs, i figure i can get something good for around the 500 mark and would like to know what people would recommend.

Definitely want to go the ball route, even if it means i no longer have the extending middle shaft to gain extra height, and hopefully be able to swap the ball section into a hihat system to make it interchangeable between the tripod and hihat with the same head.
 
that looks interesting rafiki.

that would definitely be somewhat of a maximum i would be looking to spend. Is there anything slightly comparable at a somewhat lower price range, or is this really the ballpark im looking at spending?
 
coolbeans Noel,

that looks very similar to the one i was looking at from manfrotto but a little more expensive. I wonder if there is a tradeoff between the two or which one has a better value and for why.
 
I'd take a look at the Miller Solo. The Carbon Fiber will run you around $700. It's a pretty versatile tripod, goes very low and very high, although a bit more difficult to adjust due to the leg twist design versus more traditional latches. Call Custom Supply and they'll get you a good price on it.
 
sweet, ill check into that.

I guess i was waiting to see if anyone had any experience with the manfrotto link i had posted. Looked good for the price.

checking out the miller solo now.
 
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