Dumb question about attaching my new Bogen 488 ball head to my tripod

[vikingshelmut]

So I just got my first tripod and ball head from Adorama (yay!) and have what I'm sure is a dumb question. I got a Bogen/Manfrotto 190XPROB and the 488RC2 ball head. Do you need to line up the degree markings on the ball head in any way? When I tighten it down on the tripod, in the "rear" position (with the two tripod legs with the padded grips) the markings are at about 105 degrees. I assume this is normal, but I'm an incredible newbie so please let me know.

[JWright]

No... It's fine the way it is.

[Pentaxis]

That is kind of irritating, isn't it? You would figure when you have a device that is capable of measuring degrees, that it would be lined up accurately in the first place.

[Jon]

Accurately to what? It's to help you move in even intervals, not to survey the site you're photographing. If it were a transit, I could maybe see worrying.

[SkipD]

If you want to "zero" the scale on the panning protractor, you merely loosen the panning lock lever and rotate the head to zero. Then, you lock the panning lock lever. Now the main ball is loosened and you aim the camera to the starting point ("zero" position) for the pan.

[Pentaxis]

I wanted the "0" position to be facing directly forward when on the tripod. I found by adjusting the panning function to 0 like stated, and then rotating the actual center column until the ballhead was centered I was able to line things up for the most part. the actual center column and spirit level are kinda tweaked a bit, but who cares. =)

[Jon]

Try it on a different tripod and I suspect it won't align the same on that.