Newton flash bracket question

Hello, I just got a Newton bracket and love it. It's the camera rotator type (DI400CR) but kinda stiff to rotate it. Should I loosen it up or just leave it stiff. Hands start to ache after holding and rotating it. Thanks.

photo9999 wrote in post #5562025
Hello, I just got a Newton bracket and love it. It's the camera rotator type (DI400CR) but kinda stiff to rotate it. Should I loosen it up or just leave it stiff. Hands start to ache after holding and rotating it. Thanks.

Over the years I have gotten comfortable adjusting mine. There IS a balance between too loose and too tight. I would start with lubricating with "3-in-1" oil (which you should do periodically) to see. Then I would call Robert Newton and have a discussion on adjusting. He can be very helpful.

great thanks for the info. where can i get the 3 in 1 oil?

photo9999 wrote in post #5570399
great thanks for the info. where can i get the 3 in 1 oil?

I would bet either you don't live in the US or you are a youngster.

3-in-1 oil, while an actual product, was probably used as a catch all phrase meaning some sort of lightweight general lubricating oil.

I haven't actually seen 3-in1 on the market in a long while but then I haven't been looking for it. With the advent of WD40 (I wouldn't recommend that) 3-in-1 has probably gone the way of flash cubes. And after a short search here's what I found: http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/3-In-One_Oil

Alive and kicking - I may just go buy some for nostalgic reasons.

Titus213 wrote in post #5572772
I would bet either you don't live in the US or you are a youngster.

3-in-1 oil, while an actual product, was probably used as a catch all phrase meaning some sort of lightweight general lubricating oil.

I haven't actually seen 3-in1 on the market in a long while but then I haven't been looking for it. With the advent of WD40 (I wouldn't recommend that) 3-in-1 has probably gone the way of flash cubes. And after a short search here's what I found: http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/3-In-One_Oil

Alive and kicking - I may just go buy some for nostalgic reasons.

http://www.3inone.com/

Just bought some at Ace Hardware.

Unfortunately they changed to plastic....I miss the old metal container

Progress?

photo9999 wrote in post #5562025
Hello, I just got a Newton bracket and love it. It's the camera rotator type (DI400CR) but kinda stiff to rotate it. Should I loosen it up or just leave it stiff. Hands start to ache after holding and rotating it. Thanks.

I have this model and have had a similar problem. On one outdoor shoot, I loosened the screws on the rotator and made it "excessively" sloppy. I took the Allen Key (Hex Wrench) with me and slowly tightened the bolts a little at a time until I found the right balance between stiffness and usability. After that I just simply oiled the hinges with sewing machine oil.

I have to readjust it every so often and include the Hex Wrench in my camera bag now.

Thanks everyone for the help, greatly appreciated.