Tripod heads - Interchangeable or not? Thanks to all who welcomed me to the forum and provided suggestions for my tripod purchase. I did receive the Manfrotto 290 Light model that I...

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Tripod heads - Interchangeable or not?

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Mar 15, 2017 09:53:34 #

Copperfly Loc: Southern California

Thanks to all who welcomed me to the forum and provided suggestions for my tripod purchase. I did receive the Manfrotto 290 Light model that I ordered from Costco to try out. It doesn't seem too bad although it is a bit longer when collapsed (22 in.) than I would have preferred.

My new question is this; are all tripod heads interchangeable? The Manfrotto head just spins off of a single threaded shaft so I would expect any head, with the same size threads, should fit. I was reading some reviews on another site and it sounded like some other heads must attach differently because people were saying some heads don't work on some legs.

Thanks again in advance for your replies. There seem to a lot of friendly folks here at UHH!

Mar 15, 2017 09:56:59 #

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Generally speaking, tripod heads mount with a 3/8-16 stud.

Mar 15, 2017 09:58:11 #

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You can make the head on your tripod interchangeable - just like your camera to your head. You do need to buy and install the appropriate male and female quick release hardware to make that happen.

Mar 15, 2017 10:21:33 #

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Many of the low end tri-pods come with a fixed head, usually a pan/tilt. Most, if not all mid to high range come with an interchangeable feature. My tri-pods were ordered/purchased with this feature so I could change the head depending on what application I am going to use it for. I have several ball heads, pistol grips and a gimbal that I change frequently depending on what I will be shooting that particular day.

Mar 16, 2017 05:37:53 #

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Copperfly wrote:

Thanks to all who welcomed me to the forum and pro... (show quote)

most heads are threaded 3/8 - 16 and come with a bushing threaded 1/4 - 20

Mar 16, 2017 06:19:14 #

BlackRipleyDog

I also own a 290 that came standard with the 3-axis head. Very solid. I recently acquired the Manfrotto XPro Ballhead and it fits fine.

Mar 16, 2017 06:32:40 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Copperfly wrote:

Thanks to all who welcomed me to the forum and pro... (show quote)

I use a technique that allows me to attach a ball head without removing the tilt & pan head. I attach a Manfrotto quick release plate to the ball head, and that snaps right onto the tripod's tilt & pan head.

Mar 16, 2017 08:12:07 #

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Copperfly wrote:

Thanks to all who welcomed me to the forum and pro... (show quote)

My limited observation of several tripods this seems to be true, most with a removable head seem to be able to accommodate most interchangeable heads.

Mar 16, 2017 08:21:30 #

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Copperfly wrote:

Thanks to all who welcomed me to the forum and pro... (show quote)

If both tripods and heads have the same size screw, then yes, either both 3/8 or both 1/4 20 thread. And if both mate well then you can start taking photo's of couples on their wedding night.

Mar 16, 2017 12:09:42 #

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Copperfly wrote:

...are all tripod heads interchangeable? The Manfrotto head just spins of...

Virtually all moderate to high quality tripods have interchangeable/replaceable heads. Most use a standardized 3/8" size threaded mounting bolt... which is in turn compatible with the vast majority of quality heads.

You might want to check that tripod to see if there's some means to tighten or lock that head in place more securely.... If nothing else you might put some blue Locktite on the threads to help prevent it from loosening. Otherwise it might come loose at the wrong time.

It appears the Manfrotto 290 Light is sold with choice of at least three different heads: video/fluid, ballhead or pan/tilt.

Mar 16, 2017 12:25:07 #

Copperfly Loc: Southern California

Looking at the Manfrotto line, I see two types of quick release systems: the RC2 and the 200PL. My tripod came with the RC2.

1) Are these incompatible with each other?
2) Is one newer than the other?
3) Is there a reason I would be better off with the 200PL?

Thanks for your input.

Mar 16, 2017 12:56:23 #

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Copperfly wrote:

The RC2 fits a tripod head that has only a camera screw, no quick release. The 200PL is the release plate (fits camera) that fits the RC2. So yes, you need both the RC2 receiver and the 200PL plate.

Mar 16, 2017 13:02:51 #

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

jerryc41 wrote:

A great way to extend a short tripod. No need for a center column, just buy however many heads you need and stack ‘em up!

Mar 16, 2017 13:13:08 #

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Copperfly wrote:

Thanks to all who welcomed me to the forum and pro... (show quote)

Usually heads come with a 2 way adaptor: 1/4' threads on one side, 3/8" on the other. There may be an occasional odd size but those are the two most common ones. There is usually an allen set screw to lock the head to the tripod legs too.

Mar 16, 2017 13:33:56 #

Copperfly Loc: Southern California

RWR,

Thanks, your response cleared up my confusion.

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