Tripods and Heads

[HybridUK]

Hi all,

Is it possible to mix and match different heads on different manufacturer tripods? I have a Manfrotto head, but will it fit ok on giotto legs, or do they all have different ISO specs?

Many thanks,
Chris.

 

[HoppyUK]

All tripods use the same threads - 3/8in Whit for tripod-to-head, and 1/4in Whit for head-to-camera.

Some small tripods might use 1/4in for the head attachment, but it's very rare and you can get a 3/8in conversion adapter for a few pence.

 

[HybridUK]

Excellent stuff. All i have to do now is find a set of nice compact, but sturdy carbon legs. Any suggestions anyone? Budget of around £180 max.

 

[NikkiA]

All tripods use the same threads - 3/8in Whit for tripod-to-head, and 1/4in Whit for head-to-camera.

Some small tripods might use 1/4in for the head attachment, but it's very rare and you can get a 3/8in conversion adapter for a few pence.

And since 3/8-1/4 adapter threads come with loads of stuff, you'll invariably end up with a few anyway.

There is one slight complication to mixing heads and legs, that being that many sets of legs have tension bolts for increasing the tension of the lock on the legs/head joint, some heads don't always have enough diameter to use these, or may have cut out sections on the bottom to decrease weight.

It's a very slight issue, and worst case is that you don't have that 'extra' tension, and have to rely on the 3/8" bolt to hold the head steady.

(Most people never look closely at the crown plate on the legs, and thus never even realise that those tension bolts are there anyway)