Tripod fluid heads leaking or other problems? at DVinfo.net

David Ho · January 16th, 2004, 04:27 PM

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.

Ken Tanaka · January 16th, 2004, 05:14 PM

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.

Mike Rehmus · January 17th, 2004, 08:51 PM

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.

Lorinda Norton · January 22nd, 2004, 02:36 PM

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.

David Ho · January 23rd, 2004, 05:08 AM

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

Lorinda Norton · January 23rd, 2004, 12:20 PM

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. :)

Jeff Donald · January 23rd, 2004, 08:00 PM

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

David Ho · January 24th, 2004, 08:41 AM

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.

Lorinda Norton · January 24th, 2004, 12:25 PM

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."

David Ho · January 24th, 2004, 05:44 PM

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.. :-)

Lorinda Norton · January 24th, 2004, 08:29 PM

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.

Mike Rehmus · January 24th, 2004, 10:26 PM

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.

Lorinda Norton · January 25th, 2004, 12:14 AM

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.

Federico Dib · January 25th, 2004, 08:52 AM

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?

Lorinda Norton · January 25th, 2004, 11:39 AM

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.

January 16th, 2004, 04:27 PM	#1
David Ho Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 354	Tripod fluid heads leaking or other problems? 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. __________________ "Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film."

January 16th, 2004, 05:14 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	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. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 17th, 2004, 08:51 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	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. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

January 23rd, 2004, 05:08 AM	#5
David Ho Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 354	What does this leakage usually look/appear to be like? Any pictures, perhaps? __________________ "Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film."

January 23rd, 2004, 08:00 PM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Lorinda, send me some shots if you would please. I don't think this is all that serious. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 22nd, 2004, 02:36 PM	#4
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	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.

January 23rd, 2004, 12:20 PM	#6
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	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. :)

January 24th, 2004, 08:41 AM	#8
David Ho Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 354	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. __________________ "Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film."

January 24th, 2004, 12:25 PM	#9
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	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."

January 24th, 2004, 05:44 PM	#10
David Ho Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 354	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.. :-) __________________ "Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film."

January 24th, 2004, 08:29 PM	#11
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	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.

January 24th, 2004, 10:26 PM	#12
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	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 Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

January 25th, 2004, 12:14 AM	#13
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	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.

January 25th, 2004, 08:52 AM	#14
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	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? __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

January 25th, 2004, 11:39 AM	#15
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	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.