View Full Version : Velbon PH-258 tripod head - How to fix the plate locking lever?


Valter Ognjenovic
January 23rd, 2011, 07:36 PM
Hello everyone,

Hopefully someone can help me with this. I found an old Velbon PH-258 tripod head in my mom's basement, but it's missing a quick release plate and, more importantly, the little locking lever that sits on top of the head and locks the quick release plate in place is complete gone.

I researched a bit online and found that I can buy a new quick release plate for this model for ~$11, but I have nothing to lock it down with.

The link to a photo of my tripod head and one that's fully in tact is below. Any ideas how I could fix/replace this? I'd hate to see it go to waste. I was hoping to be able to use this on my slider dolly so I don't have to move my other tripod head every time I want to use the slider.

foreigndude.com/ph258.jpg

Any help will be greatly appreciated!


Thanks!

Chris Soucy
January 26th, 2011, 10:14 PM
Considering that you will never need to either pan nor tilt whilst using a slider dolly (er, will you?) why not put the head to one side temporarily and scrounge around garage sales (guess there's not a lot of those around your way), flea markets and any other source of real cheap second hand stuff and get any head which will fit the 3/8" or 1/4" bolt on your slider.

Trying to fix such an esoteric piece of kit, well past it's use by date, seems like a waste of effort if you can pick up something functioning, for peanuts.

Just my take on it.



CS

Valter Ognjenovic
January 27th, 2011, 12:10 PM
Actually, you're right about not doing a lot of movement with the head while on the dolly, so I'm good there...

I tried mounting the camera directly to that bolt that screwed into the head and it actually works out pretty well, so if I need to use it, I can.

Guess I'm all set. Thanks for the advice.

Chris Soucy
January 27th, 2011, 03:06 PM
That was one easy fix!


CS