Tripod Question

I have searched high and low for this... So please excuse me if I have missed the answer.

First of all, I bought cheap. I wanted a tripod quickly and got the shot I wanted with it.

However, I would like to make the most of my cheap tripod (as I am new to photography and don't want to spend big just yet) and have just one question:

The tripod base I have that screws to the bottom of the camera (400D) has a small black, spring loaded, nob. Its as If the camera it is intended for has a hole in it that the spring loaded nob springs in to so that when you set the camera up in portrait the camera doesn't swing down as if to take a shot of the floor... Only problem being, is that the Canon 400D does not have a hole for this and indeed swings down and points to the floor.

Can anyone advise me how their tripods support their camera when in the portrait position? This way I could attempt to adapt mine.

Also, the screw will not do up tight and will spin. I'm guessing this is because it is cheap and they didn't install a T-Bar type of screw head in to the plastic handle. This doesn't matter though and I will probably remove the handle and screw it by means of pliers or something.

I hope this all makes sense...

Regards,

Stuart

Stuuk1 wrote in post #13614522
Also, the screw will not do up tight and will spin. I'm guessing this is because it is cheap

That is, in essence, your problem. At least from what I gather by reading your post.

Any half decent tripod head will easily hold a camera in portrait orientation without requiring additional support unless you mount a massive lens on it and don't use a tripod ring.

So do all or most tripods only use the tightening of the screw to support the whole camera?

Is there no other support necessary to prevent the camera from swinging down? Just sounds strange as that surely would promote over tightening of the screw and possibly damaging the thread in the camera base and also the screw head on the tripod...?

Well usually there's an anti-slip surface on the part that actually contacts the base of your camera, which provides the grip needed to stop it slipping. Additionally, some QR plates like the one I'm using on my camera, has 2 nubs you can push up which extrude past the bottom of the camera and up against the back side just under the LCD, which basically stop the thing from rotating, in addition to having the grippy surface. I don't really know of any others that have this though, so its more a "feature" than a necessity.

Ah ha! That may be the answer!

I managed to pull the plastic handel off to show that it was just a smooth screw head underneath which would explain why it just turn and turns and turns. Silly really.

There is no anti-slip material so I shall get hold of something like that which I could stick on, perhaps some velcro on the base of the camera and on the tripod!

I've now super-glued the handle back on, doubt that will last long but may allow me to tighten the screw a little more.

Thank you very much Sirrith!

Stuuk1 wrote in post #13614522
I have searched high and low for this... So please excuse me if I have missed the answer.

First of all, I bought cheap. I wanted a tripod quickly and got the shot I wanted with it.

However, I would like to make the most of my cheap tripod (as I am new to photography and don't want to spend big just yet) and have just one question:

The tripod base I have that screws to the bottom of the camera (400D) has a small black, spring loaded, nob. Its as If the camera it is intended for has a hole in it that the spring loaded nob springs in to so that when you set the camera up in portrait the camera doesn't swing down as if to take a shot of the floor... Only problem being, is that the Canon 400D does not have a hole for this and indeed swings down and points to the floor.

Can anyone advise me how their tripods support their camera when in the portrait position? This way I could attempt to adapt mine.

Also, the screw will not do up tight and will spin. I'm guessing this is because it is cheap and they didn't install a T-Bar type of screw head in to the plastic handle. This doesn't matter though and I will probably remove the handle and screw it by means of pliers or something.

I hope this all makes sense...

Regards,

Stuart

I suspect that spring-loaded pin (about 3/16" diameter, just a little smaller than the tripod screw, right?) is for fixing video cameras in alignment, not for holding your camera in portrait orientation.

If the screw doesn't snug your camera down tightly, it won't do at all well in portrait mode, when the head has to be tilted over on its side. You might see if you can back the tripod mounting screw all the way out and put a washer (may need to be small, depending on how the underside of the head is made) or two between the tripod head platform and the base of the screw, just to force it to let you get things tight.

However, the upshot of all this is why the general recommendation is to not try to go cheap on a tripod. If you're easily seeing these flaws, imagine what else may be problematic that you haven't had a chance to observe yet!

The high end approach is to use Arca-Swiss style quick release plates and compatible clamps on a ball head. Many of us use an "L plate", which has mounting plates on both the bottom and one side of the camera; they're custom made for specific cameras so they fit snugly and won't rotate, and by removing the camera and plate from the clamp, and anchoring the other side of the camera/plate in the clamp, you quickly and easily go from landscape to portrait orientation while keeping the weight over the tripod's head, instead of having to get it off to the side where it can sag. See a demo here.

Edit: (link fixed - was simultaneously recommending a new monitor for my father)

OP: Watch this video: LINK

The extra pin, as has already been explained, is for holding in alignment a Video camera. I would not really trust this tripod, or whatever you would call it, to even hold my camera.

I have bought some cheap tripods in my time, but nothing that ever sounded as bad as this. Throw it away, run over it, or give it to someone you really hate. And spend a little more on a half decent tripod, have a little respect for your camera.

I honestly don't think that suggesting an L plate to someone who has just bought a cheap tripod and is contemplating fixing/improving it by DIY is going to be much use...

edit: Stuuk, just to clarify I don't mean this in a derogatory way at all. Just that people on these boards have a tendency to recommend the $$$ stuff right away, and IMO that is not necessary.

Sorry, only just checked back here.

Thanks for all of your replies!

I refuse to spend the $ or in my case £'s on equipment just yet as I am new and knowing me can get bored quickly, combined with currently selling/buying a new house... It has to be cheap.

An update however is that I have solved my problem! I got some strong glue and glued the handle on properly as it should be. I then attatched two strips on Velcro to the underside of the camera either side of the screw hole and obviously in the sale position on the tripod bracket.

As dodgy as this sounds its actually very good and doesnt slip at all! Have been out and tried it a few times and im pretty impressed.

The tripod does exactly what I need it for (i'm fascinated by long exposure stuff). So right now Im pretty happy If I get time ill upload some pics to show off my 'Cowboy Builder' skills

You use a tripod for absolute stability, which velcro doesn't give you. I would get a decent beanbag, which will give you rock-solid support for $30. I would ditch the velcro and glue item and see how much you really need a tripod. If you use the beanbag alot, save up for a decent set of sticks.