Vanguard alta pro 263 at sbh-250 questions.

Just received this unit in the mail.
Seems really well built.
Have a couple questions:
1) what is the fine tuning knob on the sbh-250 head for?
2) do you guys tighten the hex nuts on the tripod to secure the head? I guess those little nuts are supposed to dig in to the bottom of the ballhead. Should these be used at all times?
3) do you keep the head on the tripod at all times?

1) So you can move the camera without messing with any knobs if you want to. If you do it right, when you let go it stays put.
2) I wouldn't mess with them unless they become loose.
3) Yes, except when packing the tripod in suitcases that are being check onto flights.

#2)I'm unsure where those set screws should be set. Thy is where the base of the head meets the tripod and latches down. There are three set screws. It looks like as per instructions, the should be tightened down against te head after you screw it down....

Frodge wrote in post #16373335
#2)I'm unsure where those set screws should be set. Thy is where the base of the head meets the tripod and latches down. There are three set screws. It looks like as per instructions, the should be tightened down against te head after you screw it down....

i did on mine

So you tightened them down? Thanks a bunch. Doea the head have to be aligned in a certain manner before you tighten them? There seems to be peaks and valleys on the bottom o the head. Not sure to know how those valleys are aligned to the set screws....

I don't understand what te fine tuning knob does. Can someone explain?

Anything outside the realm of an adjustment I would suggest to snug them up but use a small dab of clear nail polish on the threads. Small setscrews like the head retention screws, if lost may be difficult to replace. As a minimum it might be time consuming to get something liie the original from the manufacturer.

Some people use Loctite 242, sometimes called "blue". As a mechanical I advise against this as it is not intended for small fasteners and can make removal of a setscrew very difficult.

Also, this is my first tripod with quick release plates. Should the go on horizontally or vertically on the camera bottom?

Frodge wrote in post #16373851
Also, this is my first tripod with quick release plates. Should the go on horizontally or vertically on the camera bottom?

How about posting a photo or two to show us what you're dealing with?

The plate is rectangular. Should the plate match the profile of the bottom of the camera or form more of a cross.....

Anyone know what te best direction to mount the plates to the camera?

Frodge wrote in post #16375844
Anyone know what te best direction to mount the plates to the camera?

Show us the plate, the tripod head, and the camera (unless it's a standard EOS camera). Make sure that we can see relative sizes (or publish the actual dimensions of the plate). Then, we can suggest how to mount the plate to the camera. Not having seen the unit you bought, it's rather hard to make a valid recommendation.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com/c/product/666436​-REG
That's the setup. To me it makes more sense to have the plate mounted so the plate is longway with the body rather than perpendicular....

Without knowing the actual dimensions of the plate (not given in the advertisement), I agree with you except for one thing. When the plate is mounted that way (parallel to the camera body), you either 1) cannot see one of the levels and have the knob possible poking you in the face or 2) you can see the level but have the lens in the way of turning the knob.

Personally, I don't care at all for the configuration of the clamp on that head. I'd rather have a lever type clamp instead of the small knob.

It locks down well.
It's 2x 1 and 9/16