help with Bogen 3021Pro

[vjack]

I have the Bogen 3021BPro legs. According to B&H, these legs have "A low angle adapter built into the center column for ground level shots." My center column separates into two parts, however, this reveals an exposed greasy screw. Were I to set this on the ground, it will fill with dirt and prevent me from reattaching the column. What am I missing here?

[blonde]

i don't think that you are missing anything Jack. if you take apart the center column, you will be left with the top part and the long buttom part. now, all you need to do is just insert the short top mount and close it in. i don't remember if you will have anything exposed at the buttom (mine is in the car) but worst comes to worst, just wrap a small ziplock bag around it and put a rubber band to make sure that it is tight. if you want, i can take some pics for you in about 2 hours on how i set mine for low level shots..

[Chris Johnson 00 T/A]

Your close.

Turn the rubber handle all the way so that the top/head comes off. (exposing your greasy screw)

Loosen the center column screw, and pull the center column down to the floor (it comes out of the tripod).

Next, flip the center column over, and put it back down into the tripod, tighten the screw, then put your ball head back on, and tighten with the rubber grip.

You should get the point now :)

Also, if you want to off-center the arm, you can put the column in 'sideways' (in the 2 big holes that go diagonal across the tripod) and re-assemble that way.

If you need pics, let me know, I can take a couple really quick.

[SkipD]

If you have the modern two-piece center column, there should be NO screw exposed (outside the column tube itself, that is) when you've taken the column apart into two pieces. If you look into the top portion of the long section, you can see the upper inch or so of the screw, but it should be recessed from the end by 3/8" or so.

If the screw came out of the lower (longer) piece of the column, then something is wrong such as a missing retainer for the screw.

If you are just worried about getting dirt in the top of the long section when the column is disassembled, just put it into your pocket or into your camera case. You could even stuff a lens tissue into the hole, blocking any dirt from getting into the area where the screw is.

[vjack]

Your close.

Turn the rubber handle all the way so that the top/head comes off. (exposing your greasy screw)

Loosen the center column screw, and pull the center column down to the floor (it comes out of the tripod).

Next, flip the center column over, and put it back down into the tripod, tighten the screw, then put your ball head back on, and tighten with the rubber grip.

You should get the point now :)

Also, if you want to off-center the arm, you can put the column in 'sideways' (in the 2 big holes that go diagonal across the tripod) and re-assemble that way.

If you need pics, let me know, I can take a couple really quick.

It sounds like you are talking about reversing the column, but that isn't what I'm trying to do. I don't want the head underneath the legs; I just want to get the long half of the center column out of the way so I can lower the pod flat to the ground.

[Chris Johnson 00 T/A]

It sounds like you are talking about reversing the column, but that isn't what I'm trying to do. I don't want the head underneath the legs; I just want to get the long half of the center column out of the way so I can lower the pod flat to the ground.

Ah, in that case, I have no idea.. I always reverse the column, and 'hang' my camera close to the ground that way. I'm not sure how you would do it without buying a very short center column.

[vjack]

As I said in the OP, this model is advertised as having a "low angle adapter" built into the center column. Here you can see that there are two parts to the center column.

http://edahlen.smugmug.com/photos/80765224-L.jpg

The lower part can easily be removed, allowing the much shorter upper part (to which the head is attached) to be used instead. Here is the upper part with the lower column removed:

http://edahlen.smugmug.com/photos/80765454-L.jpg

So far, so good. The head is attached to the small upper column, allowing the legs to be splayed flat with no long column to get in the way. However, the bottom of the small upper column you see here will attact dirt like a magnet thanks to this grease-covered opening:

http://edahlen.smugmug.com/photos/80765026-L.jpg

It appears that my options - none of which are ideal - include either trying to raise this short column a bit to improve its ground clearance or attempting to cover the exposed opening with something to protect it. A sturdy plastic bag and rubber band would probably take care of it, but this just gives me one more thing to forget to bring with me, etc.

[Rumjungle]

Is this what you mean?

http://i.pbase.com/o4/60/643160/1/63276284.Msekx9g1.lowprofile.jpg

[vjack]

I don't think the horizontal column is going to help here. I'm not trying to take pictures of the ground; I'm trying to get the camera as low as possible for wide angle landscape shots. I suppose I could try the horizontal column and just crank the head back as far as it will go to see if I can get the correct position.

[Rumjungle]

I use the setup in the picture that I posted earler. With a ball head (Slik AF2100 shown), it'll position the camera very low to the ground (to where you have to get on your stomach for focus/composition. To bring the camera body even lower to the ground, you can get an 'L' bracket (so that the horizontal bar attaches directly to the side of the camera). That's as low as this tripod will let you go.

[ScottE]

Is the hole threaded? Why not just get a short bolt to screw in the hole and cover the grease? You might have to use a few washers if you can't find a bolt with threads all the way to the head.

[Chris Johnson 00 T/A]

Why not just mount it like I suggested.. flip the column over, and hang the camera? Thats exactly how I take my low angle shots.

[SkipD]

http://edahlen.smugmug.com/photos/80765454-L.jpg

So far, so good. The head is attached to the small upper column, allowing the legs to be splayed flat with no long column to get in the way. However, the bottom of the small upper column you see here will attact dirt like a magnet thanks to this grease-covered opening:My personal opinion is that you are worrying too much. A little grease on the end won't "attract" dirt that you have not jammed the column into. Besides, you can easily wipe off any exposed lubricant. It only needs to be on the threads, not the exposed end.

The female threaded portion usually won't reach into the ground, but if you manage to get it that low, just wrap it with a cloth or a piece of paper or, as said above, find a bolt that will fit the thread (I think it's 1/4-20, but I have not checked to be sure) and screw it in to the threads.

[vjack]

I'll plan to bring a towel with me to set under the center of the tripod. That should work to protect the column in most situations.