Has anyone ever encountered fluid heads to be leaking or what not? I want to know, if the leaking is hazardous to the camcorder (if it ever leaks onto it, that is)? I know this may seem a strange question, but some people have said it could happen... Maybe the cheaper tripods are like this.

It's actually not a strange question at all. Gee, why do you think they're called "fluid heads"? <g>

Actually it's not really uncommon for cheap "fluid" heads to begin leaking. I have an old Velbon "video" tripod than began leaking within a few weeks of my getting it (as a gift).

I understand that the goop is a silicon-based lubricant. I don't know how harmful it is to your camera but I do know that it can be harmful to YOU. Be sure not to get any in, or near, your eyes in particular. Try to clean off the leakage as soon as you detect it. Better yet, replace the whole head with something better as soon as you can.

Silicon fluid can be very harmful to the camcorder if it gets into the transport or lens.

Pro fluid heads can be rebuilt. I've had old Millers rebuilt for $350 and they work like new.

So the amber-colored grease that has collected around the base of my Bogen 516 head (where it rests on the 3193 legs) means it's leaking? I can't find a point of origin. Bought it new from B & H on 12-30-03, so I won't be able to return it now.

What does this leakage usually look/appear to be like? Any pictures, perhaps?

Hi David,

I don't have a way to post pictures here but could send some to you. Keep in mind this is my first encounter with such a thing, but what else could it be? Basically, it's just colored like resin (kind of goldish-brown), and is fairly sticky. Left alone it pretty much stays in place--friction is what causes it to spread.

What's odd about this deal is that I still can't pinpoint where the leak occurs. But today I discovered that if I increase the drag and then tilt, I can hear grease "snapping" inside the head.

I finally got through to Bogen Imaging this morning. Because it's under warranty they'll repair or replace it for free--I'm just out the time, trouble, shipping costs, etc.

They say you get what you pay for; I'm starting to think that maybe 450.00 doesn't get very much any more. :)

Lorinda, send me some shots if you would please. I don't think this is all that serious.

Wow...$450 Bogen tripod that leaks? I thought any tripod at least above $150 should be somewhat better quality than most tripods out there. :-) And that's coming from a tripod! If possible, please send me some pictures also.

Keep in mind, David, that it could have been damaged in shipping, could be a fluke. I sent it to Bogen yesterday; I'll let you know if they tell me anything.

Like I told Jeff, I only took one picture, and it's not good. My old Pentax doesn't do close-ups anymore, I guess. I'll email it to you; it's at least clear enough that you can make out the "goop."

Pentax? Why not just use your XL1S to take the pictures? :-) Or does the xl1s not have photo taking capabilities? This is another reason I love digital camcorders...they can take photos! Even if they don't take it as good as a dedicated still camera, I still like taking them with a camcorder... Infact, I PREFER taking photos with the camcorder rather than a regular camera! I'm crazy, huh? Technology sure is fascinating.. :-)

Yeah, well, you've got more energy than I for a "project" like a bad tripod head :) I just wanted to get the thing to UPS before 5:00 and the still camera was handy. The XL1s does take photos, BTW.

What you've just found out is that it really isn't a fluid head in the traditional sense, it's a friction head with some thick silicon grease caught between two disks to smooth it out a bit.

Mike,

That's pretty much what Jeff told me in a separate email. Makes me wonder how they can market it the way they do. And I'm not crazy about wiping grease off my stuff, either.

I posted a while ago about something like this... But got no answer... So I´ll ask in this thread.

My tripod head (a Manfrotto 700 rc2, bottom of the line video heads) is this pseudo Fluid two discs with grease kind of head.

So my tripod head is not leaking.. not that I can see anywhere.

But I feel that panning is getting harder... And it was a hard panner to start with.

Can this "grease" solidify? and if so Why? Could cold, or water change it´s performance?

Can I "Lubricate it" myself? I opened the Head and saw it´s mechanism.. very simple thing... and very easy to lubricate... but I don´t want to screw the thing.

How can I make it pan like it used to?

Hi Federico,

If you're not ready to get something different, you might consider sending it in to Manfrotto. Although shipping would bump up the cost, they'll repair your model for $24.00, or give you a trade-in on a new 700 rc2 for $49.00. (USD)

Check it out at http://www.bogenimaging.us/service/repair_manfrotto.html

This repair department is in New Jersey. You might find something closer to home.

Sorry; I can't answer your other questions.

Hey Lorinda,
Thanx for you answer..

I did check with my Tripod Dealer since It´s still is under warranty, but since no leak is visible.. they just say it´s the normal friction it has, so they won´t change it or repair it...

I´m almost sure it wasn´t that hard before...

Anyway I´ll check to see if there´s a Manfrotto repair department closer to me than New Jersey (I´m in Spain :-)).

If they charge more than those 24$ I just try to sell the thing and try to get a used Liebec or just a better manfrotto head...

But just out of curiosity
Anyone knows the exact "Grease" they use?

<<<-- Originally posted by Federico Dib :

But I feel that panning is getting harder... And it was a hard panner to start with.

Can this "grease" solidify? and if so Why? Could cold, or water change it´s performance?

Can I "Lubricate it" myself? I opened the Head and saw it´s mechanism.. very simple thing... and very easy to lubricate... but I don´t want to screw the thing.

How can I make it pan like it used to? -->>>

The grease does indeed dry out because it isn't sealed inside. The thickners are usually a type of soap.

I've seen self-lubricated fluid-friction heads. They usually never work correctly again.

Send it in and they should reload it with fresh grease.

Well, Jeff was right. He told me to expect Bogen to find that nothing is wrong with my 516.

They wiped off the grease and sent it back.

I still don't know where the grease came from, but will just make the best of this purchase while I save up for something else. :)

Hey Frederico. You aren't all that far from where the tripod head was manufactured. Just slightly south in Italy. Take a trip and drop by their plant?

I´d take the trip just for the fun of it... but I don´t think they´d be much help...
Iv´e been bothering them lately by e-mail to get answers about the lube and all that... and they bounced my messages to the Madrid Distributor. and here is what they say (quote):

-->>>>"Regarding your head 700RC2, the lubricant or grease this head has, is a grease that does not dissapear.
It may solidify a little with the cold and time out of use, but with new movements it comes back to it´s normal state.
But If you like, you can send it to our tech service to check it and "tune" it."<<<<<------

Of course this tech service is in Madrid, and they charge for it. Just sending it will be way too much money for a 90€ head.

And now a basic economics question:
If they made these stuff in Italy... and Italy is not far from Spain, and both are from Europe Community (free commerce or whatever)... WHY ARE MANFROTTO STUFF SO MUCH CHEAPER IN THE USA, across the Athlantic, whith much likely a lot of taxes, etc.?

I have a 516 head also. When it first arrived it had the stiction problem on pan being discussed in a thread near this one. It also leaked and popped like Rice Crispies. I sent it back and they sent me a new head. The new one is not leaking yet or sticking but it does pop. When I inquired about this Bogen said the popping is normal. Normal? Of all the things a head should be, noisy is not one of them. Between head, half ball, sticks and case I have well over $1,000.00 invested. I used to be a fan of Bogen products, I’m not now. Anyone with Manfrotto products that stick, leak or pop should send them back or at least let them know about the unacceptable issues.

Also, the Bogen hard case I have (made by Bagley with a Bogen sticker on it) is not made well enough for air travel. It has a single latch that comes pops open and the overall construction is not strong enough to survive much baggage handling.

Steve

I just checked my Velbon Videomate 607 tripod... it seems that in the cranks/knobs that you turn or roll, there is a sticky substance. Now I believe it would be grease to even up/smooth out the cranking substances in which you have to turn (on the knobs or cranks).... or it MIGHT be leaking pan fluid (?). I dunno.

David, you have a small cam, right? Consider a fluid-action head, like a Manfrotto 128RC or 136. They won't leak. Trust me. :-))

I have a GL2... dunno if you consider that small or not. I would say medium midsize :)

But, I dunno ... I JUST got this tripod too, it only has the greasy substance around the inside of the knobs, but no fluid on the actual panhead itself.

Wipe it clean, and the see if you get more. If you do, and it's a cheap tripod, just junk it.

The Velbon 607 is a friction head style tripod. It is not a fluid head. The grease is just that, grease. It is used to smooth the friction and give a more fluid effect to the friction movements. The grease may stain your clothing, but unless your very messy it would be hard to get into the camera. Try to avoid any optical surfaces coming in contact with the grease (lens, LCD screen, view finder). Grease can be difficult to remove, but won't cause any real long lasting damage.

Frank is right, wipe it up and if the tripod gives you problems or doesn't meet your performance expectations then junk it.

Bah! Wasted $80 for nothing.... I will wipe it.. I never notice it on the "head" itself, but like I said before, mostly in between the knobs... I guess it is just grease. However, I would hate if somehow the camcorder would get the grease on it. The thing is that the camcorder itself is hooked onto a plate which attaches to the top of the tripod, so I guess it shouldn't cause any problems. But do you think the Bogens or Libec M20s... or something similar that costs maybe $150 or more = greaseless and worth it?

I am getting the $250 Canon GL2 rebate soon and most likely will buy some more accessories..

I am disappointed at myself and regret buying ...as they say, "junk" ! :-(