p.1 #1 · Need help removing pan head from Manfrotto tripod
Friends,
I'm trying to remove the panhead from an OLD bogen/manfrotto 390 tripod but I can't figure out how to do it. All the internet/youtube videos say to loosen set screws on the bottom of the head, but I can't find any set screws on my head. It looks like there might be tiny covers covering the screws, but I thought I'd see if anyone had any ideas before I risk slicing my hand trying to remove a suspected screw cover.
Photos of the tripod and the underside of the head attached.
p.1 #2 · Need help removing pan head from Manfrotto tripod
Hard to tell looking at the photos. Every ball head I've known is screwed to a center post on the tripod. Assuming this one is the same, I'd try spraying the gap with WD40. Wait a bit them maybe put the head in a vice and turn the tripod to loosen.
p.1 #3 · Need help removing pan head from Manfrotto tripod
Those two, flat holes (lower with a scratch) on the underside of the head, and a third hole obscured by the centre post, may cover set screws. If so, they should be loosened, before you hit the vice. OTOH, they may be something else; depending on how they're filled.
p.1 #5 · Need help removing pan head from Manfrotto tripod
Yeah, my concern is that the head is not removable. The problem is that the tripod is a fine, basic tripod for knockabout at home, so I don't want to damage the head trying to remove it. I was hoping to remove the head so that I could attach a gimbal for birding, but I might have to suck it up and get a tripod for birding.
p.1 #6 · Need help removing pan head from Manfrotto tripod
Blueridger wrote:
Yeah, my concern is that the head is not removable. The problem is that the tripod is a fine, basic tripod for knockabout at home, so I don't want to damage the head trying to remove it. I was hoping to remove the head so that I could attach a gimbal for birding, but I might have to suck it up and get a tripod for birding.
Steve
I'm reasonably certain that the head is not removable. The problem here is, the base of that tilt-head, is usually a "press-fitted" component at the top of the column. It acts as a base receiver for the upper segment of the head assembly.. There is no threaded stud and platform at the top of the column, to accept an optional head.
I could be wrong, but I do remember that Manfrotto used to have these fixed-head single-purpose models back in the day.
Here's a spare parts PDF from Manfrottospares.com.
