Tripod maintenance

H

hanguolaohu

Active member
The manfrotto 503 head on my tripod clicks a little instead of smoothly panning. Any advice on what kind of oil to use or other tips for maintenance of a tripod? I’m in the middle of China, so it’s not easy to find Bogen brand tripod oil (if that even exists). Is it ok to use machinery oil like WD-40 on this kind of equipment?

Thanks,
Alex
 
Re: Tripod maintenance

The clicking may be occurring because the head is not securely tightened to the bowl. I had a similar problem.

Flip your tripod upside down and check/tighten the screws securing the head to the bowl.
 
Re: Tripod maintenance

my head still crackles and pops when set above a certain level of drag. some one else said they had the same problem so i am beginning to think it is characteristic to this head?
 
Re: Tripod maintenance

Yeah, I've heard those crackles and pops too, except they are quite faint, I'm pretty certain undetectable by the camera mic or shotgun. I only hear it if I'm paying attention to the problem. As for the problem, I basically just took the head off the legs and tightened the screws a bit. Works fine now, thank god :-)

Alex
 
Re: Tripod maintenance

My head occasionaly crackles & pops like a big fat bowl of rice crispies. Granted, probably because I've way overloaded it often with a dvx, teleprompter, etc...
 
Re: Tripod maintenance

[quote author=hanguolaohu link=board=news;num=1086763388;start=0#0 date=06/08/04 at 23:43:08]The manfrotto 503 head on my tripod clicks a little instead of smoothly panning. [/quote]

My Bogen 501 head was wobbly recently, I had to disassemble the ball leveler attachment and tighten up some set screws in there. Once they were properly tightened, it was smooth as glass again. Perhaps you have some set screws that need tightening?
 
Re: Tripod maintenance

[quote author=Kai link=board=news;num=1086763388;start=0#4 date=06/14/04 at 21:12:23]My head occasionaly crackles & pops like a big fat bowl of rice crispies.  [/quote]

Ummm... you are talking about your tripod, aren't you? ::) ;)
 
Re: Tripod maintenance

man I wonder how many people use the 503 head.. I love it but had no idea it was so popular.
 
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