Advice Please

[Kirislin]

A friend was at work and a bloke was chucking out a tripod so he grabbed it for me. I have no idea how the fittings work to attach the camera though and I dont know if this is a good tripod worth my while to buy extra fittings if needs be. Does anyone know how this one works. I've pretty much figured out the ups and downs etc, I am just not sure about the top bit.

it's a vivitar v3000

that bit on an angle goes up and down

I've just discovered that wheel with the red circle comes off, I am wondering if I can screw the camera on the thread

this is when it's closed

[Working Dog Lover]

I think there is a piece missing... on the last photo, there is a separate piece that fits into the recessed part, and it has a screw that goes into the bottom of your camera. That way you can leave the piece on your camera, and either slip it onto the tripod or remove it without screwing and unscrewing all the time.

Here are some pictures of what I mean... http://www.tripodquickrelease.com/Vivitar_Quick_Releases.htm

Don't quote me on it, it's hard to tell for sure from photographs. Why not take it into your local camera store to make sure? They could order the part for you too.

[Kirislin]

thanks for that. I misread it, at first I thought it was no longer available but I think it is! thanks again.

Edited March 3, 2010 by Kirislin

[rubiton]

Thats correct you are missing the smal rectangular bit that clicks into the top of the tripod (it is screwed into the base of the camera OR lens)

[Kirislin]

I cant see how it matches up.

this is my bit

this is apparently what I need

[PossumCorner]

Ring Camera House in Croydon and tell them you need a shoe for your camera to suit that model head. They should be able to give you a price and order one for you if they don't carry them. I think they post orders, I've seen them packing lenses for mailing. If the head does come off, you could buy a (better) head and shoe combination, to go onto it.

Very limiting just putting the camera onto the top of it, you'd have no tilting or panning adjustment, defeats the purpose. Better to use the head.

It looks right to me: push that little lever around, and the silver bit should swing its flat side to the front of the square. Put shoe on camera, slot the shoe in, then push the lever back and the silver disc will spin back and lock the shoe. Well, that's the plan.

That was good of your friend to think of you: any tripod is better than no tripod

[Kirislin]

Ring Camera House in Croydon and tell them you need a shoe for your camera to suit that model head. They should be able to give you a price and order one for you if they don't carry them. I think they post orders, I've seen them packing lenses for mailing. If the head does come off, you could buy a (better) head and shoe combination, to go onto it.

Very limiting just putting the camera onto the top of it, you'd have no tilting or panning adjustment, defeats the purpose. Better to use the head.

It looks right to me: push that little lever around, and the silver bit should swing its flat side to the front of the square. Put shoe on camera, slot the shoe in, then push the lever back and the silver disc will spin back and lock the shoe. Well, that's the plan.

That was good of your friend to think of you: any tripod is better than no tripod

Yes, I was really pleased that he did that too.

good idea about Camera House, I might even just take it in and see if they can tell me how it works and if the head comes off, I've had a fiddle with it but I dont think it does.

[Ashanali]

I was just about to say you are missing the quick release base plate but you've figured it out.