Manfrotto Tripod Not Ballanced Anymore? at DVinfo.net

Oliver Darden · November 13th, 2009, 07:30 PM

I've been using a Manfrotto 501 Head and Manfrotto 351MVB2 tripod for about 5 years now and it's been great but lately it looks like, even though the liquid balance ball is centered, the tripod looks off on the camera viewfinder. It looks like it's tilting to the left a little and I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this problem?

It just seems off a little and I wonder if there is a way to calibrate it or something.

Thanks in advance.

Chris Soucy · November 13th, 2009, 08:33 PM

I think you mean "level".

Duck down to your local hardware store and buy a cheap spirit level.

Set up your tripod & head so that the in - built spirit level says it's level.

Place the new level on the flat of the top of the head, side to side, not front to back.

See what the new level says.

If the in - built says good but the new level says bad, sounds like your in - built has taken a whack.

If they both say good, it's possible there is an issue with the camera fixing to the head plate - bent 1/4" screw, camera base damage etc.

If there's no issues there then it's probably your imagination.

If the in - built is the culprit, you can (back at the hardware store) buy small circular levels which just might park on some part of the body to take your level from.

Else you can get levels designed to fit into the hot/ cold shoe of the camera and take your levels from there.

I won't suggest trying to get the in - built fixed as it would probably be more than the 501 is worth.

CS

Oliver Darden · November 17th, 2009, 03:59 AM

hey Chris sorry for the late reply (was out of town with no internet) but THANKS, I will try this tomorrow!

November 13th, 2009, 07:30 PM	#1
Oliver Darden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: USA Posts: 522	Manfrotto Tripod Not Ballanced Anymore? I've been using a Manfrotto 501 Head and Manfrotto 351MVB2 tripod for about 5 years now and it's been great but lately it looks like, even though the liquid balance ball is centered, the tripod looks off on the camera viewfinder. It looks like it's tilting to the left a little and I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this problem? It just seems off a little and I wonder if there is a way to calibrate it or something. Thanks in advance.

November 13th, 2009, 08:33 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi Oliver............. I think you mean "level". Duck down to your local hardware store and buy a cheap spirit level. Set up your tripod & head so that the in - built spirit level says it's level. Place the new level on the flat of the top of the head, side to side, not front to back. See what the new level says. If the in - built says good but the new level says bad, sounds like your in - built has taken a whack. If they both say good, it's possible there is an issue with the camera fixing to the head plate - bent 1/4" screw, camera base damage etc. If there's no issues there then it's probably your imagination. If the in - built is the culprit, you can (back at the hardware store) buy small circular levels which just might park on some part of the body to take your level from. Else you can get levels designed to fit into the hot/ cold shoe of the camera and take your levels from there. I won't suggest trying to get the in - built fixed as it would probably be more than the 501 is worth. CS

November 17th, 2009, 03:59 AM	#3
Oliver Darden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: USA Posts: 522	hey Chris sorry for the late reply (was out of town with no internet) but THANKS, I will try this tomorrow!