Problem with the Ball Head on my Induro Tripod: I have an Induro tripod, model AKB2/AT213. Generally speaking it is a decent tripod but when I specifically use it for macro photos I...

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I have an Induro tripod, model AKB2/AT213. Generally speaking it is a decent tripod but when I specifically use it for macro photos I loosen the ball head, put the center of the screen on an insect and then tighten the ball head. Every time the lens droops so that in order to keep it on the insect I waste valuable time positioning the center square of the viewfinder somewhere above the insect hoping that when it is tight it will droop to where the insect is. Most often it does not end up where I want it so have to do this up to 10 times or until I just say, screw it, and put my equipment away. To say this is not working well is an understatement.

Are all tripods like this? Is it something we all have to live with or is it the ball head itself. Can I buy a different ball head that will work on this tripod. Are they pretty much interchangeable where this ball head screws off and another one screws right on?

Any help or suggestions would be great.

Dennis

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

dennis2146 wrote:

I have an Induro tripod, model AKB2/AT213. Genera... (show quote)

Induro has a 10 year guarantee on products purchased and registered in the US. You didn't say what camera /lens combo you are using, its weight and the weight limit of the ballhead on the tripod you purchased? Have you contacted Induro USA for help?

Teacher Loc: Alabama

When you say "it droops", what moves? Is it the camera/plate attachment, ball head in the socket, ball head/tripod attachment or tripod? Need a little more info..

dennis2146 wrote:

I have an Induro tripod, model AKB2/AT213. Genera... (show quote)

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

dennis2146 wrote:

I have an Induro tripod, model AKB2/AT213. Genera... (show quote)

The induro has a lot of flex, you might consider trading up to something with some rigidity and with tighter leg joints.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

dennis2146 wrote:

I have an Induro tripod, model AKB2/AT213. Genera... (show quote)

No, Ball heads are usually not like that, but that is the reason to buy a ball head with a separate tension control, so you can "fine-tune" the ball head for your camera-lens-combinations, to prevent exactly ball movements like that!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

It is most likely your ballhead but not necessarily - and yes, they do screw off and can be replaced with a (better) one.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

dennis2146 wrote:

I have an Induro tripod, model AKB2/AT213. Genera... (show quote)

The head does screw off, but first there is an allen screw that has to be loosened from under the center column- you should have the wrench in the supplied toolkit. You didn't put any oil on the ball head, did you? That would cause problems.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

oldtigger wrote:

The induro has a lot of flex, you might consider trading up to something with some rigidity and with tighter leg joints.

He had no complaints with the tripod- his question was with the bullhead.

Teacher Loc: Alabama

Bullheads! As in fish?

romanticf16 wrote:

He had no complaints with the tripod- his question was with the bullhead.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

dennis2146 wrote:

I have an Induro tripod, model AKB2/AT213. Generally speaking it is a decent tripod .....

If you don't like the idea of blowing $500 on a new tripod;
Manfrotto makes a micropositioning sliding plate model 454 for $100 that would allow you to balance your camera/lens on the ball head.
This would raise your resonant frequency but shooting flash/macro you wouldn't notice it.

JimKing Loc: Salisbury, Maryland USA

A little off question but I've always used a pan/tilt head and for the last several years I've been craving a ball head, but the more I read the more I'm convinced that pan tilt is the way to go. Gimbel might be the exception for birds or other fast moving situations.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

JimKing wrote:

A little off question but I've always used a pan/tilt head and for the last several years I've been craving a ball head, but the more I read the more I'm convinced that pan tilt is the way to go. Gimbel might be the exception for birds or other fast moving situations.

I have quite a number of pan/tilt heads, but also have some ballheads as well as fluid heads, but I do prefer ballheads for most of my photography, I don't have a gimble yet, as I don't have a lens that big that I need one, but when I do, I will definitely be getting one (preferably the Katana).

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

romanticf16 wrote:

Induro has a 10 year guarantee on products purchased and registered in the US. You didn't say what camera /lens combo you are using, its weight and the weight limit of the ballhead on the tripod you purchased? Have you contacted Induro USA for help?

I didn't even think to contact Induro. I will do that soon. I am using a D800/D7000 with usually the Nikon 105 f2.8 macro lens. That should not be too heavy in my opinion.

Thanks for a great suggestion,

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

romanticf16 wrote:

The head does screw off, but first there is an allen screw that has to be loosened from under the center column- you should have the wrench in the supplied toolkit. You didn't put any oil on the ball head, did you? That would cause problems.

No. No oil at all. I figured oil would decrease tension which of course is exactly what I do not want.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Teacher wrote:

Bullheads! As in fish?

That brings back memories, bullheads. It has been a very long while since I caught a bullhead in upstate NY as a kid. I used about everything in different rods but a simple cane pole with line tied to the end and a hook and worm, and sometimes a bobber was just the ticket.

Dennis