AlohaBob Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I found a very nice (and heavy) Manfrotto tripod at a garage sale with the 8265 Pistol Grip head. The head doesn't lock in position when you release the trigger (or not very well, anyway). I did some searching and there is a small screw that you're supposed to be able to adjust, but it looks like a stripped allen head. Also the tripod camera plate is missing. The reviews I've read on the head are mixed. I like the idea of having a pistol grip head, but I'm not sure it's worth getting repaired (or where to have that done) and buying a new plate. Any experience with this head or thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. Should I just scrap it and get a good ball head?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Nope!

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

I've used the pistol grip head. For most purposes a ball head is superior. I wouldn't bother getting and trying to get fixed, the pistol grip head.

fdoyle3 Loc: Glenolden Pa.

the pistol grip I have is a 3265 I had given up trying to adjust the tensioning screw it just wouldn't work then after it sat idle for a couple of years I looked it up and found the allen screw on the front I tightened it up and It now works Perfectly That small allen screw made all the difference

fdoyle3 Loc: Glenolden Pa.

the allen head screw is a 3/32 inch

larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

I love mine!

AlohaBob Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I'll see if I can just replace it with one from a good hardware store. Might just do the trick if I can get it out.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I have a Manfrotto Pistol grip with ball head and stopped using it several years ago. My take is this: unless the lens/camera combo is really light, they don't hold tight enough. The other factor is that as you adjust (if you frame tight) there is just enough movement between what you intended and what you get to be aggravating. I now use a three way geared head. For what I do vastly superior to ballheads and pistol grips in terms of precision--and holding the exact position I intended.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Contact Rick Riggins or MT Shooter - our hardware guru's

Rick Riggins
DISCOUNT CAMERA REPAIR
http://www.discountcamerarepair.com
UHH PM: rjriggins11

MT Shooter
http://www.cameracottage.com
UHH PM: MT Shooter

AlohaBob Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Good point. The heaviest I shoot currently is SonyA77 with Minolta 70-200 beer can lens, so is probably light enough to be workable. If I'm going to all that trouble, I'll probably use a remote shutter release. I don't shoot moving targets :)

AlohaBob Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Perfect. I'm going to try a DIY approach to fixing and if can't easily do it, I'll contact one of these gentlemen.

jcboy3

The locking tension is controlled by the allen screw, the adjustment resistance is provide by the tension knob (which adjusts the red indicator on the side).

A video on how to clean it and put it back together is here:

http://bogentripodparts.com/repairs.htm

Step by step disassembly:

http://bogentripodparts.com/JOYSTICKHEAD%20ASSEMBLY.htm

The hard part is getting the hand lever spring assembly back in...see the video for hints. What they don't address is keeping the tension bolt in place while doing it. I found that backing it way out will keep it from spinning around while you fiddle with the rest of this.

That said, I am not a fan of this head. I had to repair mine a couple of years ago, and it was a pain to put back together. For this post, I took it apart again. As Bill says, "Thbbft! Ack!"
Who the hell designed this thing?

At any rate; it's been sitting in my Ballhead box for years. I'd rather grab my Sunpak pistol head than this thing. I really should sell it.

You can readily (I did not say easily) replace the allen head at the hardware store. Length is not super critical; I wouldn't go shorter but a little longer is OK.

The QR plate is the standard 200-PL plate used by many Manfrotto heads; readily available less than $20. Been a while since I used any but the pivot head (on my monopod).

My advice; get a decent ARCA ball head. Much more flexible.

AlohaBob Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Thanks! I appreciate you having gone to all that trouble to answer a question. You're setting a very high standard; I'll have to be more helpful myself in the future!

jcboy3

Thank you.

Be careful when putting it back together, and do it in a room that doesn't have anything easily breakable. I've shot the plastic cover for the spring like a champagne cork (that's why they recommend using the cloth to wrap it up).

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

LOL. I thought that was because you had a tendency to throw things when they didn't go back together easily.



8-)