Anyone using a Libec LS-55? Seems to be a design flaw? at DVinfo.net

Shiv Kumar · September 21st, 2007, 02:21 PM

Please excuse me if I don't use the correct terminology for the various parts of a tripod. Please also feel free to let me know what they are :)

It seems that one can attach the "handle" (you know the thing you use to train the camera where you need) on either the left side or the right side.

If you mount it on the left side, and tilt the camera down you can't lock the pan since the mounting area of the handle gets in the way of the locking lever. You can just about lock it with the camera level, but as you tilt down the locking level starts hiting the mount to the point that you can't lock anymore.

Please note, that you *can* title down all the way. That's not the problem. You just can't lock it in a tilted down position.

Unless, I'm totally missing the concept.

Shiv.

Greg Boston · September 21st, 2007, 02:35 PM

Many tripod pan handles are also clamped. Are you sure your handle isn't clamped with too much sticking forward, thus interfering with the tilt lock?

-gb-

Shiv Kumar · September 21st, 2007, 03:51 PM

Greg,

Thanks for the post.

The end of the Libec's handle (the end that mounts on to the head), has got a screw type thing that you align with the hole on the head and screw it in till tight.

The handle can be mounted at various angles (upwards or downwards), I guess allowing for a comfortable position (of the handle) depending on the tilt of the head. However,

Take a look at the picture here. Scroll down to the bottom to see pictures pertinent to this discussion.
http://photoalbum.matlus.com//AlbumView.aspx/6

Thanks.

Shiv.

Paul Leung · September 21st, 2007, 05:12 PM

Shiv,

Saw your photos. Can't imagine such a stupid design from a Japanese manufacturer. I have the LS-22. Luckily, the lock is far away from the pan bar mount.

BTW, saw your photos on the softbox light. What brand is it? Is it any good? I am thinking to buy one.

Tom Wills · September 21st, 2007, 06:04 PM

I'd call Libec support. I know that with my LS-22, I was able to remove and adjust the final angle of the tilt lock knob, maybe yours is off, or at the very least they could walk you through doing it (very simple process, all you need is a screwdriver). I'm not sure it'll give you a good solution to this, but it might work.

Tim Le · September 21st, 2007, 09:47 PM

You might be able to fix this yourself. Check to see if the tilt lock lever is secured with a set screw. If it is, all you have to do is loosen the set screw, take out the lever, reposition it to where it will clear the pan handle and then re-tighten the set screw.

One of my OConnor heads also came with the tilt lock lever positioned the wrong way. Here's a picture of what it looks like taken apart.

Shiv Kumar · September 21st, 2007, 10:43 PM

Paul,

I started a thread in the "Photon Management" newsgroup. All the info is there. I think the lights are great. But I'm no expert by any shot of the imagination. The only thing I can compare them to is regular halogens with an umbrella.

I'm hoping people who know how to tell good from bad will pipe in :).

Tom and Tim,
I took a look at the lock level. It's press fitted over a gear like head (unlink what you've shown Tim).

It's pressed it all the way and is pretty solid. I tried levering it out, but didn't want to damage it in any way. Besides, It's also got a stopper (at 9 'o' clock) and it has a 180 degree movement.

The lock lever for the (don't know the real name) quick release plate (the plate that's really screwed onto the camera that eventually slides on to the head), has a screw on it. But other levers don't.

Looking at the pan lock lever, the stopper for it is also on the side where it's unlocked (and it has a 180 degree movement). So even if one were able to push out the lever and turn it around. The stopper will then interfere with locking the tilt. It looks like bad design to me.

Tom, when you say call Libec, do you know their office here in the US. I bought the tripod from B&H Photo. I do plan to talk to them because they sent me the floor spreaders when I specifically ordered the 55M (M for mid-level spreaders).

Shiv.

Tom Wills · September 21st, 2007, 11:11 PM

See the little sticker that says "Lock" with the arrow? On the LS-22's handles, that comes off with some gentle work with a knife around the edges, revealing a phillips head screw. Remove that, and the handle comes off and can be adjusted to a different angle. Maybe it's different on the 55 though.

Here's their website: http://libecsales.com/ (phone number is right on there)

Looking at the pictures on their website compared to your head, it definitely looks like yours isn't in the right position.

Shiv Kumar · September 22nd, 2007, 02:14 AM

Tom,

I think I'll wait till I talk to Libec before attempting to remove something that could effectively look like tampering :).

But thanks for your help nonetheless.

Shiv.

September 21st, 2007, 02:21 PM	#1
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	Anyone using a Libec LS-55? Seems to be a design flaw? Please excuse me if I don't use the correct terminology for the various parts of a tripod. Please also feel free to let me know what they are :) It seems that one can attach the "handle" (you know the thing you use to train the camera where you need) on either the left side or the right side. If you mount it on the left side, and tilt the camera down you can't lock the pan since the mounting area of the handle gets in the way of the locking lever. You can just about lock it with the camera level, but as you tilt down the locking level starts hiting the mount to the point that you can't lock anymore. Please note, that you can title down all the way. That's not the problem. You just can't lock it in a tilted down position. Unless, I'm totally missing the concept. Shiv.

September 21st, 2007, 09:47 PM	#6
Tim Le Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 350	You might be able to fix this yourself. Check to see if the tilt lock lever is secured with a set screw. If it is, all you have to do is loosen the set screw, take out the lever, reposition it to where it will clear the pan handle and then re-tighten the set screw. One of my OConnor heads also came with the tilt lock lever positioned the wrong way. Here's a picture of what it looks like taken apart. Attached Thumbnails

September 21st, 2007, 02:35 PM	#2
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Many tripod pan handles are also clamped. Are you sure your handle isn't clamped with too much sticking forward, thus interfering with the tilt lock? -gb-

September 21st, 2007, 03:51 PM	#3
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	Greg, Thanks for the post. The end of the Libec's handle (the end that mounts on to the head), has got a screw type thing that you align with the hole on the head and screw it in till tight. The handle can be mounted at various angles (upwards or downwards), I guess allowing for a comfortable position (of the handle) depending on the tilt of the head. However, Take a look at the picture here. Scroll down to the bottom to see pictures pertinent to this discussion. http://photoalbum.matlus.com//AlbumView.aspx/6 Thanks. Shiv.

September 21st, 2007, 05:12 PM	#4
Paul Leung Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 173	Shiv, Saw your photos. Can't imagine such a stupid design from a Japanese manufacturer. I have the LS-22. Luckily, the lock is far away from the pan bar mount. BTW, saw your photos on the softbox light. What brand is it? Is it any good? I am thinking to buy one.

September 21st, 2007, 06:04 PM	#5
Tom Wills Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 326	I'd call Libec support. I know that with my LS-22, I was able to remove and adjust the final angle of the tilt lock knob, maybe yours is off, or at the very least they could walk you through doing it (very simple process, all you need is a screwdriver). I'm not sure it'll give you a good solution to this, but it might work.

September 21st, 2007, 10:43 PM	#7
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	Paul, I started a thread in the "Photon Management" newsgroup. All the info is there. I think the lights are great. But I'm no expert by any shot of the imagination. The only thing I can compare them to is regular halogens with an umbrella. I'm hoping people who know how to tell good from bad will pipe in :). Tom and Tim, I took a look at the lock level. It's press fitted over a gear like head (unlink what you've shown Tim). It's pressed it all the way and is pretty solid. I tried levering it out, but didn't want to damage it in any way. Besides, It's also got a stopper (at 9 'o' clock) and it has a 180 degree movement. The lock lever for the (don't know the real name) quick release plate (the plate that's really screwed onto the camera that eventually slides on to the head), has a screw on it. But other levers don't. Looking at the pan lock lever, the stopper for it is also on the side where it's unlocked (and it has a 180 degree movement). So even if one were able to push out the lever and turn it around. The stopper will then interfere with locking the tilt. It looks like bad design to me. Tom, when you say call Libec, do you know their office here in the US. I bought the tripod from B&H Photo. I do plan to talk to them because they sent me the floor spreaders when I specifically ordered the 55M (M for mid-level spreaders). Shiv.

September 21st, 2007, 11:11 PM	#8
Tom Wills Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 326	See the little sticker that says "Lock" with the arrow? On the LS-22's handles, that comes off with some gentle work with a knife around the edges, revealing a phillips head screw. Remove that, and the handle comes off and can be adjusted to a different angle. Maybe it's different on the 55 though. Here's their website: http://libecsales.com/ (phone number is right on there) Looking at the pictures on their website compared to your head, it definitely looks like yours isn't in the right position.

September 22nd, 2007, 02:14 AM	#9
Shiv Kumar Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gainesville, VA, USA Posts: 327	Tom, I think I'll wait till I talk to Libec before attempting to remove something that could effectively look like tampering :). But thanks for your help nonetheless. Shiv.