Advise on ball head compatibility

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Tekagudun

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Ian
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Hi all
Had some great advise prior to buying camera a few months ago
And really enjoying getting out when I can learning to take better photos
Son realised a needed a tripod and bought a manfrotto 115 aluminimum which probably dates from the 50s
Thing is it's solid and I don't mind lugging it about
Problem is the head
There are too many swivels to tighten ect
Question is what head would fit this tripod
The fitting is a cone type with an Allen key through the middle
All advise welcome
Thanks
 
Hi, Ian. Most tripod legs have a top end that looks a bit like this picture ( https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/shorter-centre-column-for-the-new-055-series ) and have a 3/8" thread on top to which most heads screw. At a guess, the cone/Allen screw arrangement just holds the QR clamp to the top of the head itself. Check under the top plate of the centre column to see if there are any grub screws and if so, loosen them before unscrewing the head itself from the tripod. Lots of choice for a replacement head and scope to spend loads of money if you want to! IMO a ball head would suit your quick adjustment with a single knob requirement.
 
Thanks for the reply
The model is 055 and the cone does hold the clamp set up
Don't see any grub screws just the top plate on the centre coloum that has a cast protrusion to fit the cone
This has a thread that I presume a new head would fit?
 
Thanks for your time
My tripod looks the same as the link
Mine has another disc as the photo in the link with a thread cast onto that
I'll have to try and free these two discs and see what lies beneath
If all fails I can sort something
Thanks again
 
It SHOULD be possible to separate the head from the centre column but it's always possible that the threads have corroded together making it near impossible. The Manfrottotripodparts site seems to be USA based but I expect there's something similar this side of the pond. If all else fails, you could probably find a broken tripod on e-bay and use the centre column from that to replace the one you have (but make sure you get one the same as you have - never realised how many variations there are in the Manfrotto 055 range!!!) Of course, if you'd be happy sacrificing the head, it could be cut off the centre column which should allow the threads to be cleaned up to make that column useable again.
 
I I'm sure there's a solution
I've ordered a cheaper end ball head of amazon so I'll wait to see when that arrives
Your not wrong when you said you can spend a lot very quickly
There are pricy for what they are
 
Low volume, high precision is never going to be cheap!
 
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