Tripods - universal mounts?

[aberal]

Are tripods fitted with universal mounts? For example, does a Manfrotto ball head fit to Giottos legs. I'm assuming that they use the same screw fitting which cameras have for the fixing plate, but not sure if that's the case?

 

[arad85]

Most use a 3/8" fixing (not the 1/4" used for the camera). I have a Manfrotto head on my Redsnapper tripod which fitted perfectly.

 

[Naboo32]

One, or both of mine (can't quit remember now) have a reversible screw in the top, which offers either a 3/8" or 1/4" male thread. There's a small spanner included with the tripod to change this over. 1/4" is the small one, which matches the thread in the base of the camera, whereas the 3/8" is better for mounting to a ballhead.

So, regardless of the make and size of (SLR) ballhead, it should take one or both of those sizes, ensuring full compatibility. I've never heard of any tripods with metric threads, or anything weird like that :shrug:.

 

[aberal]

thanks guys - appreciated.