Trying to install Libec Head onto Manfrotto 501HDV

kwkeirstead

Well-known member
I have a Manfrotto 028 Tripod that had a 501 HDV on it.

I want to connect a Libec RH25R Fluid Head using a Manfrotto adapter 325N (as recommended to me as the solution).

THe Libec looks like this, once you remove the knob from the screw.

DSCN0098.jpg

Here is the knob that I removed to expose the long screw

DSCN0101.jpg

The objective seems to be to screw the libec to the 325N adapter then attach the flat bottom of the adapter to the tripod.

DSCN0106.jpg

The flange has one side that has a larger diameter (the side that is facing up in the image) which presumably goes as shown, based on a picture I found.

The problem is why does the flange have three places for screws when the unit ships with no screws and without any holes in the adapter, so the flange is going to end up just sitting floating between the adapter and the Libec so the assembly may be going off the rails here. STRIKE #1

Next, the adaptor bottom looks like this

DSCN0104.jpg

If we rotate it a bit, we see the female receptor but the screw on the bottom of the Libec seems too big to fit (I tried, taking care not to force anything). STRIKE #2.

DSCN0105.jpg


The RH25R comes with two mysterious components. No clue what to do with these. Usually, when you put something together and there are extra parts, it’s a bad sign. STRIKE #3.

DSCN0102.jpg

So, I called B&H and the tech support guy advised “The 501 needs another part. Just the grey part of the Manfrotto ball (see below). That would allow the 501 head to work with the 325n.”

So, here we have the newly suggested part. (Manfrotto 520Ball 75 mm Half Ball)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...age:IN+STOCK?gclid=CO2GvdbkosQCFTBo7AodcjcAuQ


All of this because my Manfrotto 028 does not accommodate a ball head and because I have been told the Libec will give a smoother operation than the 501HDV Manfrotto head.

Has anyone done this before such that they can advise whether all of this is a) doable and b) worthwhile?
 

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I hate to say it but I'd buy another tripod. The bowl adapter doesn't allow for much in terms of levelling and your camera will stand quite high above your sticks once you get the adapter and head attached. The adapter is sort of a stop gap but a real bowl tripod with proper levelling is pretty important.
 
Thanks.. Makes sense, my problem now needs to shift to identifying a reasonable tripod. I will send back the 325N.
 
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