Related to tripod question...

[dtrayers]

I just picked up a Slik monopod and added a Bogen 3229 head with a quick release plate. I like the light weight but I think there's a problem with the head.

I think the 1/4-20 bolt is bottoming out in the bottom of the G3's tripod socket. I can screw the bolt in all the way and still the camera will spin on the mounting plate. I tried it on my Nikon SLR and it snugs up firmly.

Is the tripod socket on the G3 a little shallower than normal?

Thanks!

[BruceW]

I think you may be correct.

I did a rough test on the G3 and measured 6mm. I did the same on my EOS 100, which has 8mm.

My old Velbon ME3 tripod has an adjusting nut to change the length of the bolt.

Regards
Bruce

[BigOsmo]

Dave-
I too had that problem. I have a Slik 300DX with the quick release plate and a Gitzo G1276M with the quick release. Neither holds the G3 snug. I called B&H to see if there was a problem with the socket on the G3- the gent I spoke to said he never heard of this problem before. I find that a little odd. Anyway, the socket on the G3 looks fine so I just added a small lock washer, filed down a bit, under the screw head on the Gitzo quick release...makes the legnth of protruding screw shorter and a snug fit. I think I'll add a thin layer of cork to my spare Slik release and see how that works. Any better suggestions I'm all ears. Thanks.
Bob

[dtrayers]

Well, I stopped by my local dealer (National Camera) and tried my quick release plate on their G3, and it's the same as mine. There's about 1/32" of a gap when the bolt is tight.

I might try taking a Dremel and grinding off a little of the top of the bolt. I also thought of adding a little thickness to the pad, but since the existing pad is rubber, I may have trouble getting something to stick.

Thanks.

[gandini]

I think the Dremel to grind off a little of the threaded bolt is a fine idea. Even a grinder and a touch up with a hand file would work. I checked my (much) older Bogen 3025 head and have no problem with threading it into the G3 (or my old G1 for that matter.) Does your head have that threaded locking ring that sits under the plate that the camera sits on, as I notice it's that piece I adjust to get the camera tight on the mounting plate.

Good luck with the "after market adjustment!" (Something I do a lot, for which I get lots of weird looks from my wife...)

cheers,

[zakabog]

It's nice to see I'm not the only person with this problem :-D although it's not very nice that this problem even exists. How could cannon release this camera knowing that it won't be very stable on most tripods (I tried 3 different tripods and it's loose on all of them.) It's a really annoying problem too although I'll try the dremel idea it sounds pretty good.

[dtrayers]

Over lunch I brought the quick release plate to our guys in the machine shop at work and they made quick work of grinding the end of the stud down a little. They used a grinding wheel and a light touch.

Fits great now.

Though now I lost my excuse to buy a Dremel.... ;-)

[zakabog]

There's thousands of reasons around the house to buy a dremel (or at least you can keep telling yourself that when you buy it.) I use mine all the time for mods to my computer (adding a clear window and stuff) and they're cheap so why not buy one? Get a variable speed one too (there's more materials you can cut with it, the fast ones will melt plastic and aren't good for wood or something like that).

[ckhaos]

I have the same problem with my G3 and Bogen 3229. What I did was to stuff a small piece of paper (regular plain old paper) at the base of the screw on the bottom side, and that fixes the problem.

I have another Bogen QR that exhibit this problem with the G3 as well, but I have another Slik QR that does not exhibit this problem. So it is hard to say whether the problem is with the G3's screw mount or not...

[kowen]

This happened on my cheapie Velbon from WalMart, but not on my old Vivitar with the jammed leg. The Vivitar has the adjusting nut underneath so you can adjust the amount of thread used.
I hope the Bogen I just ordered has this type of set-up. Should be getting it Monday(?)-the 3001NB with the 3030 head and quick release.

Kerry

[trbrogan]

kowen,

Please update all of us when your tripod arrives on this thread issue. I'm planning on ordering the 3001NB and 3030 head from B&H myself.

[KarlJones]

trbrogan wrote:
kowen,

Please update all of us when your tripod arrives on this thread issue. I'm planning on ordering the 3001NB and 3030 head from B&H myself.

Hi TR...

I have a 3001Pro with the 3030 head. No problems at all.

[BigOsmo]

Well, I ground down the stud on my Slik 300 DX quick release and it works great. I hesitate to ground down my Gitzo though because that extra legnth might be needed to support my 35mm. I'll stick with a washer under the plate. Glad to hear all your input. Thanks all.

[kowen]

Just a note here,

I will update how mine works out, trbrogan (hopefully will be in tomorrow...) and Karl, thanks for letting us know about your Pro & 3030 head-makes me feel good knowing that.

I tried the Bolex Paillard tripod with the G3-no problem there, neither. It is a 2 section tripod-thought about selling it-reason being-it is so lanky to carry & handle with the long two section legs-yet it will just about fold down to the ground-but I will hang onto it. In windy weather, it ain't goin' nowhere (and it has the quick release). Another thing, the legs have 3 segments each, so there's bulk combined with the lankiness. It is hard to part with photo gear & cameras-too sentimental.

Kerry

[kowen]

Update:

Got the tripod in Tuesday, looked at it in the evening-yes, the QR plate screw bottomed out in the G3's socket. Today I had a chance, went to the hardware store & picked up what looks like a washer with a rubber gasket (same size & shape as the washer) attached to it-don't know what it's called. It has a slight curve (concave?) to it. I put this with the rubber side facing the camera & washer side facing the plate.

Works fine, and the tripod is solid-a keeper. If the rubber gasket would eventually wear, I can always grind down a thread from the screw. This same plate fits fine on my F1, so my G3's socket is a bit shallow I guess.


Kerry