Cartoni Alfa II questions at DVinfo.net

Kenneth Gurney · May 28th, 2009, 06:50 PM

I just recently bought a used Cartoni Alfa II, it seems like it's in good shape, but I have two questions.

1) The mounting plate doesn't seem to lock in quite a tight as I think it should. I wouldn't say it simply slides of when the camera is on the tripod, but it seems that if the camera is given a jolt it will move. Of course, I'm not in the habit of giving my camera a good push, my only concern is that if the camera is titled down, is there a chance that it could slide off the tripod. So is there a way to tighten the latch that holds the plate on?

PS I know someone mentioned that you need snap the lever in a little further even after the plate is on. I did do this, but still its seems like it might not be quite tight enough.

2) I'm not sure what set of Cartoni legs I have, but they are two stage aluminum, and when I first unlocked the bottom stage with the feet, I was up off the ground a bit, and the leg just slipped right out of the tripod. Of course I realize that tripods vary quite a bit, but I was under the impression that most of them stop when they have extended as far as they can. Since these are used, I'm not sure if that's normal, or if they are broken.

Any input on this would be most helpful.

Thanks,

Chris Soucy · May 28th, 2009, 07:03 PM

Sounds to me like the plate lock lever may need a bit of adjustment.

When in the locked position, the plate should have no movement whatsoever and certainly not just slide off the head (tho' there should be interlocks/ stops to prevent that happening anyway).

Can't advise exactly how as I've never seen one, but adjustment there must be, somewhere.

Yep, you've sussed it, some repairs required on the sticks to boot.

CS

Ivan Snoeckx · May 29th, 2009, 07:34 AM

The Cartoni tripod legs are probably the T622/2.

Jack Walker · May 31st, 2009, 12:01 PM

On the Cartoni heads the plate locking can be confusing.

First, the plate triggers the lock and it snaps shut. However, this isn't all there is to it.

Next, you have to continue to push the lever in the same direction, and then it will lock.

Unless you push the lever, the plate seems to be locked, but it is a bit loose.

There is a screw to incease the tension on the lock. However, more than likely, the problem is that you are not pushing the lever to lock the plate. It takes a bit of pressure, but not a great amount.

Kenneth Gurney · May 31st, 2009, 05:49 PM

Thanks! I had someone mention to me about pushing the lever that little extra bit once before. And I found the screw on the side of the head for tightening the locking mechanism. It seems that the combination of the two has pretty much resolved the issue.

I appreciate the help. Thank you! :-)

May 28th, 2009, 06:50 PM	#1
Kenneth Gurney New Boot Join Date: May 2009 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 13	Cartoni Alfa II questions I just recently bought a used Cartoni Alfa II, it seems like it's in good shape, but I have two questions. 1) The mounting plate doesn't seem to lock in quite a tight as I think it should. I wouldn't say it simply slides of when the camera is on the tripod, but it seems that if the camera is given a jolt it will move. Of course, I'm not in the habit of giving my camera a good push, my only concern is that if the camera is titled down, is there a chance that it could slide off the tripod. So is there a way to tighten the latch that holds the plate on? PS I know someone mentioned that you need snap the lever in a little further even after the plate is on. I did do this, but still its seems like it might not be quite tight enough. 2) I'm not sure what set of Cartoni legs I have, but they are two stage aluminum, and when I first unlocked the bottom stage with the feet, I was up off the ground a bit, and the leg just slipped right out of the tripod. Of course I realize that tripods vary quite a bit, but I was under the impression that most of them stop when they have extended as far as they can. Since these are used, I'm not sure if that's normal, or if they are broken. Any input on this would be most helpful. Thanks,

May 28th, 2009, 07:03 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi Kenneth................... Sounds to me like the plate lock lever may need a bit of adjustment. When in the locked position, the plate should have no movement whatsoever and certainly not just slide off the head (tho' there should be interlocks/ stops to prevent that happening anyway). Can't advise exactly how as I've never seen one, but adjustment there must be, somewhere. Yep, you've sussed it, some repairs required on the sticks to boot. CS

May 29th, 2009, 07:34 AM	#3
Ivan Snoeckx Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgium \| Europe Posts: 441	The Cartoni tripod legs are probably the T622/2.

May 31st, 2009, 12:01 PM	#4
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	On the Cartoni heads the plate locking can be confusing. First, the plate triggers the lock and it snaps shut. However, this isn't all there is to it. Next, you have to continue to push the lever in the same direction, and then it will lock. Unless you push the lever, the plate seems to be locked, but it is a bit loose. There is a screw to incease the tension on the lock. However, more than likely, the problem is that you are not pushing the lever to lock the plate. It takes a bit of pressure, but not a great amount.

May 31st, 2009, 05:49 PM	#5
Kenneth Gurney New Boot Join Date: May 2009 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 13	Thanks! I had someone mention to me about pushing the lever that little extra bit once before. And I found the screw on the side of the head for tightening the locking mechanism. It seems that the combination of the two has pretty much resolved the issue. I appreciate the help. Thank you! :-)