Reducing legs

[Ashok Mansur]

Now I've 526 with 350, the head is really good there are no jerks nor shake but finding it difficult with legs as the lowest height is 105cm which I require is around 50-60cm. Can any body knows how to open the twin tubes from the holders so that they can be reduced to my requirements & am going to reduce all the 12 tubes.
Chris I'm trying with chain too but need your advice on opening the holder (Holder-where the twin tubes fixed)


Ashok

[Chris Soucy]

From the Manfrotto catalogue I can't make out just how the 350 is actually put together, so can't shed any light on how to disassemble it, unfortunately.

I do have a sort of easier way round the problem which doesn't involve open heart surgery on your tripod, if you're still on speaking terms with the guy from Manfrotto - why not swap the 350MVB for the 350SHMVB, it's midget stablemate?

It's 52cm folded, 49 cm minimum height, 68 cm maximum height and only 4.2 kg instead of 4.9. Everything else is as the standard 350.

That's gotta be a better route than weilding a can opener on yer 350's, no?

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/...lsf=68&child=3


CS



PS: I subsequently found a better zoomable piccie of the 350's but still can't see what the leg connect blocks are made of or how they lock the leg tubes in place. If they're plastic, I suspect a simple (but extremely strong) push friction fit. If metal, then some sort of through fastening is likely to be involved. Any chance of some decent close up piccies?

[Chris Soucy]

Just in case you can't do my suggested swap and are stuck with the sticks you have, I'll move swiftly on to the chain "spreader" question.

No dissasembly of the sticks is necessary to fit a chain spreader.

Get your three lengths of chain, 3 wire ties ,

(http://www.actfs.com/CatalogProducts.asp?nProductsID=50)

and one of those clips you use to go over a trouser belt loop to hold keys etc.

Fit wire tie around bottom of both lower leg twin tubes, threading it though the end link of one of the pieces of chain as you do so.

Do likewise for the other two legs and other pieces of chain.

Set tripod to minimum height, thus sandwiching the wire tie between bottom of top leg and bottom of lower leg.

Spread the legs to desired tripod height, then clip all three chains together so they are taking the camera/ tripod weight.

Voila'.

Tripod will now go as low as you like and stay there. If you're always going to shoot at that height, the chains never need be unclipped.

Simple.


CS


PS: Should be obvious but I'll say it anyway - the chain needs to be welded link, not compression or other design that can unravel. The ties need to be pretty heavy duty as well (if you think you may want to remove them completely from time to time, the unzipable ties would be better).


PPS: I was going to mock a set up for you and post a piccie, but as the tripod is black, the only chain I have is black, and the cable ties ditto, it's a bit like taking a picture of a black cat in a coal cellar using a match for illumination.

[Ashok Mansur]

Easier than I thought, you have to open the Ellen key bolts & it's fully disassembled. I reduced all the tubes by 25cm & reassembled as it was disassembled. Found very nice tripod, you know the lowest height is now 45cm with 526 & fully extended it's 150cm. it's really perfect for my kind of work, I tried with my earlier 531SPRB it really matches correctly.
I think in the field there is no need for 531SPRB/565 shoes the spiked foot will perfectly anchor on ground & I can still reduce the tripod low.

Ashok

[Chris Soucy]

Great stuff.

One DIY 350SHMVB in a flash!

Full marks for ingenuity.

Keep us posted as to how it works out in the field and whether any issues arise.


CS

[Ashok Mansur]

The maximum height is 125cm with 526 (not 150cm as I mentioned earlier), which is a comfortable height for standing stance (I measure 172cm tall)& with standard 350SHMVB with 526 it's only 83cm maximum height!.

Ashok