Tripod head loose or locked for transport? at DVinfo.net

Max Allen · August 7th, 2009, 08:28 AM

Hi folks,

After spending thousands of dollars on a tripod system you want to take care of it properly. Is it better to keep the drag and / or break locks on the head loose or locked when you are transporting the system, and why?

Steve Phillipps · August 7th, 2009, 08:59 AM

I'd been told by Sachtler a long while back that you should set all drag to 0 and counterbalance off, then lock the pan and tilt locks. But others said they'd been told the opposite.
Steve

Don Bloom · August 7th, 2009, 10:14 AM

personally I prefer loose so if they get banged around the head will move a bit. I'm afraid if the head is locked and some gorilla manhandles it something might go kadiwaumpus (nice word huh?)
Could be the wrong thing to do but it's just a personal thing.

Jon Fairhurst · August 7th, 2009, 10:37 AM

I lock mine, simply because it has a strong spring, and the handles only stay flat with the legs when I lock it. It fits in my trunk better that way. I guess I could do the same with a strap.

Frankly, give it enough pressure and the locks slip, so I don't think that locking it makes it more prone to damage.

Adam Bauser · August 7th, 2009, 12:26 PM

I assume we're talking about plane travel? I actually take the head off the sticks and pack it in the middle of suit case surrounded by lots of cushioning. I keep the handles off even when I just lugging it around myself.

Kevin Spahr · August 16th, 2009, 03:50 PM

Sachtler has video at sachtler: ideas_in_motion and around 4:25 on the fluid head video, they discuss transport settings...

They say to put settings to maximum drag, and open the brakes.

Allan Black · August 16th, 2009, 07:41 PM

So they do, well who'd of thunk it. That's an unusual combo, you'd think it'd be the other way around.

Miller here in Sydney say, for bagged travel unlock the brakes on their DS5/10/20 heads.

Cheers.

Steve Phillipps · August 17th, 2009, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

I lock mine, simply because it has a strong spring, and the handles only stay flat with the legs when I lock it. It fits in my trunk better that way. I guess I could do the same with a strap.

Can you not set the spring to zero? I'd have thought that leaving the spring locked in one position would be the worst thing to do as maybe it'd get set in the position.

As for Sachtler saying tighten drag and leave locks open I am surprised, not what they told me years ago.

I wonder if we're all worrying a bit much about nothing here though, maybe these things are only really an issue if the head is sitting on a shelf for 5 years.

Steve

Kevin Spahr · August 17th, 2009, 05:27 AM

Yea, I just happened across the video and thought I'd add it to the discussion - don't really know what to think. Other makers may recommend something different...

Taylor Kruse · August 17th, 2009, 07:44 PM

My Sachtler FSB-4 manual states:

"Transportation: During transport both brakes should be
opened. Damping should not be set to “0” position.
If it is set to “0” position, the shocks from transportation
cannot be absorbed."

It also states: "To ensure smooth operation of the setting rings over the
long life time period of the fluid head, you should turn both
setting rings from position “0” to maximum position, before
and after the use of the fluid head."

So, it seems like they state that the damping should be on the maximum setting unless you are actually using the head.

Max Allen · August 18th, 2009, 12:20 AM

Any kind of transportation applies, not just plane travel. Accidents happen and since a tripod must be relegated to transporting out of sight unlike a camera, unsuitable for a pelican case, and usually in a soft case if not bare naked, you want to set the head so impacts can be absorbed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Phillipps

I wonder if we're all worrying a bit much about nothing here though, maybe these things are only really an issue if the head is sitting on a shelf for 5 years.

Steve

If it's about transportation, not at all. Storage is a different ball of wax. Taylor touched on it a la Sachtler...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor Kruse

My Sachtler FSB-4 manual states:

"shocks from transportation."

For plane I'd suggest a hard case like Tuff pack or A&J and padding the inside with other items, foam or a soft case.

August 7th, 2009, 08:28 AM	#1
Max Allen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NY Posts: 186	Tripod head loose or locked for transport? Hi folks, After spending thousands of dollars on a tripod system you want to take care of it properly. Is it better to keep the drag and / or break locks on the head loose or locked when you are transporting the system, and why?

August 7th, 2009, 10:14 AM	#3
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	personally I prefer loose so if they get banged around the head will move a bit. I'm afraid if the head is locked and some gorilla manhandles it something might go kadiwaumpus (nice word huh?) Could be the wrong thing to do but it's just a personal thing. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

August 7th, 2009, 10:37 AM	#4
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	I lock mine, simply because it has a strong spring, and the handles only stay flat with the legs when I lock it. It fits in my trunk better that way. I guess I could do the same with a strap. Frankly, give it enough pressure and the locks slip, so I don't think that locking it makes it more prone to damage. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

August 16th, 2009, 07:41 PM	#7
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,937	So they do, well who'd of thunk it. That's an unusual combo, you'd think it'd be the other way around. Miller here in Sydney say, for bagged travel unlock the brakes on their DS5/10/20 heads. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

August 7th, 2009, 08:59 AM	#2
Steve Phillipps Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 2,130	I'd been told by Sachtler a long while back that you should set all drag to 0 and counterbalance off, then lock the pan and tilt locks. But others said they'd been told the opposite. Steve

August 7th, 2009, 12:26 PM	#5
Adam Bauser Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 73	I assume we're talking about plane travel? I actually take the head off the sticks and pack it in the middle of suit case surrounded by lots of cushioning. I keep the handles off even when I just lugging it around myself.

August 16th, 2009, 03:50 PM	#6
Kevin Spahr Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 451	Sachtler has video at sachtler: ideas_in_motion and around 4:25 on the fluid head video, they discuss transport settings... They say to put settings to maximum drag, and open the brakes.

August 17th, 2009, 05:27 AM	#9
Kevin Spahr Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 451	Yea, I just happened across the video and thought I'd add it to the discussion - don't really know what to think. Other makers may recommend something different...

August 17th, 2009, 07:44 PM	#10
Taylor Kruse Tourist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 1	My Sachtler FSB-4 manual states: "Transportation: During transport both brakes should be opened. Damping should not be set to “0” position. If it is set to “0” position, the shocks from transportation cannot be absorbed." It also states: "To ensure smooth operation of the setting rings over the long life time period of the fluid head, you should turn both setting rings from position “0” to maximum position, before and after the use of the fluid head." So, it seems like they state that the damping should be on the maximum setting unless you are actually using the head.