Has anyone removed the centre column from their Giottos or other tripod?

Has anyone removed their centre column from their tripod? I have a Giottos 9271B tripod and am wondering if it's possible to bodge a solution with some washers and a bolt? I don't need the centre column so I'm interested to know if it's possible to get rid of the weight and maybe even add some stability (the column wobbles ever so slightly).

Markins make bases that replace the center column on Gitzo tripods and recently released a complete center casting that does the same thing. You could probably get a custom solution from a machine shop, the Markins base is extremely simple, just an alloy base, a threaded cylinder and a 3/8"-16 bolt.

You can also fit a shorter centre column:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …MTC_281_Short_C​enter.html

Cheers

Dennis

peter_n wrote in post #14367839
Markins make bases that replace the center column on Gitzo tripods and recently released a complete center casting that does the same thing. You could probably get a custom solution from a machine shop, the Markins base is extremely simple, just an alloy base, a threaded cylinder and a 3/8"-16 bolt.

Thanks, that looks good but €90 is a bit much for a tripod that only cost about that.

Anyone created a homemade solution?

I have the Giottos MT9360 and, in addition to the normal center column, it came with a very short center column that can be switched in easily. So I agree with Dennis, it should be pretty easy to replace with a very short column. The idea of the short column (according to the literature) was not for stability though, it was so that you could get the camera really low!

But, I am curious about your stability concerns. While attempting long exposures with ND filters, I have been finding that my shots are not as sharp as I would like. Recently I attempted a looping video of a waterfall that failed because, in the period of 30 seconds, the camera moved enough that I could not create a smooth splice. It was a bit breezy that day (and I was using my 70-200, but that and the 7D are well within the weight range of the MT9360 and the MH-1300 ball head that I use. When doing the looping video, the first thing I did was splice off the first and last 5 seconds thinking that that should eliminate any camera movement -- not so.

Re. the stability, just based on wiggling all the various parts of the tripod, I would say that the centre column does allow for a bit of movement, but not as much as some other parts. With my set-up the weakest link is between the camera body and the battery grip. I bought an l-plate to fit the camera with the grip, but on reflection I should have bought one for the camera on its own. The second weakest link is the movement between the base of the ballhead and the main body, i.e. the joint that allows the panning movement. Also, you have to consider the stability of where you place the tripod. That can sometimes cause more instability than anything else.

SamHH wrote in post #14368425
Thanks, that looks good but €90 is a bit much for a tripod that only cost about that.

Sorry but I only intended it as an example of the simplicity of a possible solution.

SamHH wrote in post #14368699
With my set-up the weakest link is between the camera body and the battery grip. I bought an l-plate to fit the camera with the grip, but on reflection I should have bought one for the camera on its own.

Yes I bought a grip L-plate too and found out that battery grips and tripods don't go together.

I hate to say this but I think this is an example of what everyone harps on about. €90 just isn't going to buy you a stable tripod.

I have tried to contact Induro about getting the parts to replace my center colum with the parts of a fixed height one. I know the legs and connecting piece are identical. The only difference is what you mount to it. Either a colum or a top to mount a head. So far I have not been able to have them return any info. I almost never use the colum. But when I bought it I was thinking of useing the ability to extend and angle it to the side. I used it once and now wish I had a fixed height pod. I figure the parts will be a lot cheaper than a new pod, and I still have the colum if I want it. It would be a 30 second swap if I can get the parts.

peter_n wrote in post #14369133
Sorry but I only intended it as an example of the simplicity of a possible solution.

Yes I bought a grip L-plate too and found out that battery grips and tripods don't go together.

I hate to say this but I think this is an example of what everyone harps on about. €90 just isn't going to buy you a stable tripod.

Eh? The €90 part has nothing to do with the camera and battery grip not fitting together tightly.

Correct. I was not clear in my post, sorry. The €90 is what you paid for the tripod, it was very inexpensive. In general the parameters for tripods are: cheap, stable, light - pick any two. The less expensive tripods are not known for stability.

Sam,

I would contact Giottos and ask about the low profile center column replacement Harry mentioned. I have the same tripod he mentioned but with lever locks, not twist locks. I do use the center column in those odd positions the 83 and 9300 models allow, but I wouldn't be surprised if that low profile center column replacement would work on your tripod. Correction: the MTC 281 looks to be the right part number, actually.... I just looked it up on the http://www.giottos.com​/ site.

That being said.. I'm not sure that addresses your actual concern. My MTL 9360B tightens up pretty nicely...and I often hang my camera bag on the spring hook if I'm shooting outside, even if the wind isn't an issue. My own problem comes from the RC2 Manfrotto quick change plates. There is some play there because of the soft cork or rubber used to protect the camera when they are screwed in.

I removed the central colum from my Giotttos MT 8160. There was just a small screw holding it in place.

peter_n wrote in post #14369133
Yes I bought a grip L-plate too and found out that battery grips and tripods don't go together.

Buy a Kirk L bracket if you have a grip. They use two attachment points when possible; base and strap attachment point, stiffens it right up.

Miki,

That's a great suggestion... I had forgotten that the one screw holds it on... I had to tighten it a few weeks ago but didn't think about just taking off the center column that way..... As I mentioned, I use my center column horizontally (or in one of the other angles available) for macro shots, so I don't have a desire to get rid of it.

S_Egbert wrote in post #14374768
Buy a Kirk L bracket if you have a grip. They use two attachment points when possible; base and strap attachment point, stiffens it right up.

Thanks for the tip!