no manual w Dynatran 992 - help!

so i got the tripod yesterday, and it's the 1st one i've ever used...so my question might be stupid, but remember it's coming from a tyro here and there is no manual...

is it possible to spread the tripod legs so the overall height is low? ie, going for small macro shots?

also, what's the black bag used for? ballast for hanging from the center post hook? and what's w/ the other strap? seems to be some metal female threaded part which i can't figure out.

thanks in advance

This thread will answer some queries ... as to the strap then make a hoop of the hanging end and slip it over the legs at the bottom. It screws in at the top. The bag is to carry the tripod in. You can hang your camera bag from the hook to steady it. There is also a kinda platform bag thing I got with mine and that can also be used for weight, i.e. find some rocks.

CondyK, your 994 review was a lot of help to me when I bought one

Someone else has done a simliar one for the 992 - here

It doesn't show the centre column inverted like your thread does though.

condyk, thanks a ton!