Dr. Joel Germond Loc: California Central Coast

Has anyone ever had a problem with the threads on the inside of the tripod mount? My Tripod attached just fine to all of my cameras except one so I know it's the camera, not the tripod. I think the threads inside the camera mount may have become stripped. Has anyone ever had something like this repaired?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Our cameras use 1/4 inch diameter with twenty threads per inch. (1/4-20). You may be able to ---> carefully <---- clean the threads with a "tap" from any hardware store.

https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-HANSON-Tap-Drill-80230/dp/B00004YOAS

Dr. Joel Germond Loc: California Central Coast

That's a very good suggestion. I'd been leaving my Nikon P1000 attached to the tripod at all times because it's been the only way I ever use it. I think my lesson is to take the camera off the tripod when not using it. It probably got bumped in the car or something, but really, I don't know for sure. Thanks for the specs and advice.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Once you get the 'threads' addressed, check into acquiring 'quick release' mechanism for your tripod and cameras. The quick release devices are much quicker to get the camera setup on the tripod and you avoid any future issues with cross-threading.

rcarol

This won't work if the threads are stripped since the material to remake the threads is no longer there.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

You are 100% correct if the threads are fully stripped out. More like likely is that the first thread or two is damaged and a tap might fix that. Taps are cheap. Getting a new camera socket is not. There is always a risk that one could do more damage trying to "clean" the threads.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Rather than a standard tap, which is tapered, instead use a thread chaser or thread cleaning or restoring tap like this - it has a flat bottom and no taper so it will go all the way to the bottom of the relatively shallow depth threads on a camera body.
https://www.amazon.com/Alfa-Tools-RTT70761-4-20-Rethreading/dp/B00DYFIAKK/ref=sr_1_3?hvadid=631557139195&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9009733&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=7680816442545377197&hvtargid=kwd-920967211436&hydadcr=7473_13294095&keywords=1%2F4+20+thread+chaser&qid=1679933578&sr=8-3

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

This is correct. Taps are tapered so most likely a tap will bottom out in the camera before it ever starts to work on the threads and certainly before it does any good.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Most cameras use 1/4-20 but some large cameras use 3/8-18. I would expect modern digital cameras to stick to 1/4-20.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

By tapered, you mean that the cutting edges do not cut fully on the tap entrance. It doesn't mean that the thread will be tapered by varying the diameter. Pipe threads are tapered by diameter, machine bolts are not. A bottom tap allows you to finish the tap completely.

Personally, I use an L-bracket on all my cameras. You mount the L-bracket once and never take it off. Makes it quick and easy to attach to the tripod and you can attach it either in portrait or landscape mode.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

My medium format film camera used 3/8-18 if memory serves. Adaptors are readily available if needed!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I made a mistake! I suggested a "tap" and they are tapered. A different tool called a "thread chaser" or "thread restorer" is used to clean up damage. They are harder to find and cost a bit more.

https://www.amazon.com/Lang-Tools-2581-26-Piece-Restorer/dp/B00DTEFSWY/ref=sr_1_8?hvadid=634018733214&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9033507&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15023023476754164627&hvtargid=kwd-810882977162&hydadcr=29034_14670937&keywords=1%2F4-20+thread+chaser&qid=1679944988&sr=8-8

Dr. Joel Germond Loc: California Central Coast

Looking more into it I'm thinking that the P1000 is too front heavy and overloads 1/4" threaded socket. I use a lens mounted tripod connection with my telephoto lens and never had any problems for years. About three months of daily use with the P1000 - there go the threads. Design flaw. Too bad, it is possible to get some decent photos with the P1000, but it is a difficult camera in my opinion. Top photo is hand held 400 mmm Zoom. Bottom is tripod shot P1000. JG

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Note that taps are not 'tapered'. A set of taps comprises 3 different types. The first is used initially to start the threading - it is tapered. The second is the intermediate which is considerably less tapered and the final is the plug or bottoming tap which has no taper. So mentioning the use of a tap and making an assumption that it must be tapered is incorrect. This is misinformation.
If the bottom hole is slogged out then using a tap will not help at all and may make the problem worse. If you must try a tap then make sure you use the bottoming tap (because the hole has already been 'tapered' by the mounting screw). You have three options -
1. See if anybody is prepared to remove the camera bottom and re-tap it for the next size up. Then use an adapter to bring the size back down to the tripod size.
2. Have a go at re-tapping the hole yourself and then using the adapter (and consider yourself a brave man).
3. What I would do if the camera was mine. Find a suitable swiss arca mounting plate and clamp for the tripod and prepare the plate and camera bottom (very clean and maybe abrade the surfaces and remove any rubber mounting stuff) and glue (using a good quality Araldite) the plate to the camera bottom using the mounting screw as 'filler'.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

And the thread chaser does not cut!! it just cleans and straightens damaged threads