March 19th, 2007, 01:08 PM | #1 |
Regular Crew
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 71
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How to replace tripod heads?
This may seem like a stupid question, but I have very limited experience with tripods. I currently have a SLIK sprint tripod with a ball head on it. I would like to get the Bogen 501 head and place it on the SLIK legs. How exactly does the Bogen head attach to the legs? Do I specifically need bogen legs for it to work? Would I need to disassemble the ball head that is on now, and attach the new head to the pole that extends up from the legs? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks. |
March 20th, 2007, 05:45 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Albany Oregon
Posts: 173
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The 501/503 heads (and most in this class) have a female 3/8" x 16 thread (coarse) on the bottom - if your Slik has a 3/8 MALE thread already, just unscrew the old ball head and the Bogen should thread right onto your legs.
Oops - just checked on the sprint at B&H, and it's apparently a 1/4-20 thread, doesn't say whether male or female. Sorry... Steve |
March 20th, 2007, 06:24 AM | #3 |
Major Player
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: France
Posts: 578
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Hi Ben,
I used to use a 501 head on a set of Gitzo photo legs not unlike your Sliks... I used a Manfrotto universal leveller to get the thing level.. worked well for that...http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=203536&is=REG you will probably need to take the ball off as I'd imagine it would be hard to use and add the leveller I mentioned. But I would say that the photo type extending legs are a real pain for shooting video.. getting it all level will probably be very fiddley... Also depending on what camera you put on it not very stable. I soon got fed up with mine and got a set of 351MV legs that were a big improvement... You simply undo the three catches and all the legs drop down and can be locked off quickly... you then level the head and a way you go.. so much easier.. regards Gareth |
March 20th, 2007, 08:04 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Washington, DC
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From what I found, it seems only cheaper "photo" heads have the 1/4 - 20 mount. Something like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation So I would have to upgrade to better "video" legs to get a "video" head like the 501. |
March 20th, 2007, 08:35 AM | #5 |
Major Player
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: France
Posts: 578
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Hi Ben,
If you shop around you can get the 501 kit with a set of leg plus a carry bag...you'll probably get it for under $400. Bear in mind that the 501 in not a true fluid head, it is not sprung loaded and won't balance... make sure you lock off the camera if you leave unattended....the 503 is a better head. I've just updated to the Libec LS38... maybe some of their other pods might be worth a look if funds are not up to a $400 tripod... again depends which camera. But whatever you won't regret getting a proper video tripod. regards Gareth |
March 20th, 2007, 02:37 PM | #6 |
Inner Circle
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 2,211
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Lots of regular photo tripods also have a 3/8 threaded stub so no need to go for real video legs - but if I were buying a tripod all over again I might opt for the video version and use it with my still camera.
A lot of the Bogen/Manfrotto still camera accessories (like panoramic heads) use the same 3/8 attachment as the 501 head. |
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