My search-fu is weak, am pretty sure I'm not the only one experiencing this problem.
Well, sometimes the ballhead gets a dunk in the water (when I'm cleaning the tripod legs or just out in the field) and then the ballhead just locks up. And locks up really bad. Try as I might, I can't dislodge it.
All I've learnt is I just gotta wait it out. Was desperate once, and wrapped/wound the top with rolls of cloth then hammered it on the floor. Managed to dislodge it. Is there something I can do to avoid this?
Anyway I'm guessing it's some kinda vacuum, or when the water seeps through and creates a seal of sorts?
I can't replicate it at will, just happens randomly, under conditions that involve no temperature fluctuations.
A mixture, fresh when I'm cleaning it, salt when I'm shooting at the shore
Was thinking if gunk from my hands transferred to the surface of the ballhead, the water dissolves that (or makes some kinda disgusting slurry) and gums up the head. Possible? It works fine now though, still smooth.
Zichar wrote:
A mixture, fresh when I'm cleaning it, salt when I'm shooting at the shore
Was thinking if gunk from my hands transferred to the surface of the ballhead, the water dissolves that (or makes some kinda disgusting slurry) and gums up the head. Possible? It works fine now though, still smooth.
if you have any contaminants inside the ballhead where it is well greased you may have internal issues coming. these were not designed for excessive contact with "slurry" and such. if you are going to use this in direct saltwater contact you better learn to access it more thoroughly. you may have an issue in the making.
I wonder if you couldn't take it off the tripod and soak it in alcohol. Moving it around occasionally to loosen up and free any salt or grease buildup.
eSchwab wrote:
I wonder if you couldn't take it off the tripod and soak it in alcohol. Moving it around occasionally to loosen up and free any salt or grease buildup.
and then dilute/strip the grease that is inside the head (the stuff that actually keeps things moving inside. you do want to keep that in its original working state unless you like doing repacks.
i'm not a real fan of Acratech but dcains option may be a more appropriate and prudent approach and the least labor intensive.
Hmm I was about to go the WD40 route. I didn't know it can be dismantled to be cleaned and relubed.
Lest anyone thinks I'm eating Cheetos then grabbing the ballhead to smear the orangey leftovers around, then drop it in a pail of water to age, I'm not
A large wave at the rocks (I wade in if it's safe), barring the odd drop into the sea (twice so far I think after 4 years now) or after shooting when I'm rinsing the tripod legs, the ballhead will come into contact with water. I pair it with the Gitzo 1541T so perhaps the 'resting' position leaves it exposed more than I should.
sjms wrote:
and then dilute/strip the grease that is inside the head (the stuff that actually keeps things moving inside. you do want to keep that in its original working state unless you like doing repacks.
i'm not a real fan of Acratech but dcains option may be a more appropriate and prudent approach and the least labor intensive.
Wondering why your not a big fan? I have been thinking of buying the GV2
The main knob on my Q3 locked up earlier this week, while I was on a trip (no I have not immersed the ball head in water salt or otherwise). The minimum tension knob was set correctly for my camera and the main knob was not too tight. When flipping the orientation of the camera on the L-bracket the tension seemed to release and the ball started to rotate. The ball is not completely relaxed however as their is still tension, just not nearly enough to keep the camera in place (well below what I had set for the minimum tension). Additionally the main knob, and tension knob are now both absolutely jammed.
Anyway, I stumbled on this topic before writing to Markins, so I wanted to share their response:
Based on your description, it is most likely that the main knob is turned counterclockwise too far and firmly engaged with micro knob for tension adjustment.
The solution is to rotate the main knob clockwise to disengage the contact at the micro knob and main knob.
It need quite a large torque(force) to rotate the main knob, wearing a rubberized grove would help to apply more torque.
And when applying force to rotate(clockwise), apply with a sudden impact(impulsive rotation) would also help.
Or sometimes it's better to ask someone with more power.
Hope this solves your issue.
Best regards,
Markins
Looks like I'm not going to try a complete tear down, I'd be interested if anyone has any pointers!
^ I've seen posts on another forum with this solution and it apparently works. The solution is counter-intuitive (tighten it further?) but I think the key is a sudden short impulsive clockwise force then turn the main knob anti-clockwise.
It's probably best to wrap the ball housing in a rag and secure it in a vise. Put a glove on, grip the main knob as tight as you can with your thumb and index finger, and jerk it suddenly clockwise. Don't start gradually and then increase the force, it won't work. You have to give it a sudden jerk as if you were trying to break the seal on a threadlocker. Then you should be able to turn it anti-clockwise.
The smaller Markins ballheads do seem to be finicky. I've had three Q3T models and two of them suffered from various quirks. I replaced them with an Acratech and so far no issues, I'm looking forward to the winter and not having my ballhead lock up.
Got it! Tighten to untighten... Impulsively. No tear down necessary.
I imaging what happened is I initially loosened the ball head too hastily, which jammed the main knob on the torsion limit causing the main knob to jam.
