I have been searching for an answer to a problem I have with my video head, the Manfrotto 501HDV - but so far, I have only found posts from people with the opposite problem to mine: a head that won't come off the tripod.

In my case, I cannot get the head screwed sufficiently tightly onto the tripod, so each time I pan counter-clockwise, the head starts to come loose.

Maybe the video head will not work correctly with my tripod, which is a Slik Pro 700DX, a heavy, sturdy support - but clearly meant for photography. For the time being, I don't want to spend money on a dedicated video tripod, however.

Any advice?

Many thanks!

Peter

If you look at the underside of the Manfrotto head, you will notice a series of ridges and valleys. On Manfrotto tripods there are 3 grub screws that you need to screw in to lock the head in place.

http://www.digivideo.fi/content/images/stories/artikkelit/rauta/0702_jalusta/0156_paa_ja_pallo.jpg

I don't think the Silk tripod has anything like that.

If it was me, I'd probably try cutting a piece of gasket material to go between the head and tripod, and once the head was screwed on as tight as possible by hand, give it a couple of firm, but not forceful bumps in a clockwise direction to tighten it.

Thanks, Michael - the idea about the gasket material is excellent. Never thought about that! Maybe 2 layers of such a material - 1 on the head and 1 on the tripod base?