Anyone ever substitute a screw on the tripod collar of the Pentax A* 200 f4 macro?

**barondla** · 12-03-2019, 09:14 AM

The two big screws on the tripod collar run into the pentaprism over hang of the K-1. If one of them could be changed out for a smaller low profile screw the collar could be rotated for a vertical image.

The common fix is to use a short extension tube to clear the camera body. Unfortunately the Kenko Uniplus 25 vignettes. Tried enlarging the inner baffle to fix this. It didn't help. I have Pentax tubes but they don't have electrical contacts.

Winter is my time to figure out a solution.
Thanks,
barondla

**Apet-Sure** · 12-03-2019, 10:52 AM - **1 Like**

First of all, I would assume the screw has a metric thread. When I worked at Lowes, they had a thread gage plate hanging up in the fastener aisle that had several SAE and metric size threaded studs (for nuts) and holes (for screws). Customers could bring fasteners in and test which size they had. If you have a Lowes or maybe Home Depot close by that might be an option. Lowes stocked a decent (not extensive) selection of metric fasteners in common sizes. The heads would probably be lower profile than what you currently have. If you have a local Fastenal store (Fastenal ? Industrial Supplies, OEM Fasteners, Safety Products & More) you could also take your screw to them for thread ID. They will probably have a wider choice than Lowes.

Maybe another PF member knows exactly what the thread specs are for these screws.

**UncleVanya** · 12-03-2019, 11:26 AM - **1 Like**

Local hardware store has a thread finder device similar to above. I'd start there.

**barondla** · 12-03-2019, 06:04 PM

Thanks for the idea gentlemen. Hadn't thought of going to Lowes, Menards, or True Value for a fitting. The Pentax has a very large thumb screw. If it could replaced with a standard screw the collar could then rotate in one direction past the prism over hang. The main knob/screw holds collar on lens and locks rotation. The one I want to replace only helps attach the tripod collar to lens. The only use for this knob is to remove tripod collar in the field. Which I never do.

Thanks,
barondla

**Ronald Oakes** · 12-03-2019, 06:12 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by barondla

Thanks for the idea gentlemen. Hadn't thought of going to Lowes, Menards, or True Value for a fitting. The Pentax has a very large thumb screw. If it could replaced with a standard screw the collar could then rotate in one direction past the prism over hang. The main knob/screw holds collar on lens and locks rotation. The one I want to replace only helps attach the tripod collar to lens. The only use for this knob is to remove tripod collar in the field. Which I never do.

Thanks,
barondla

Depending on the actual store.....Ace can be The Place ! I find all kinds of goodies in my local store !
The pull out bins in the hardware section have saved me many times with camera screws , knobs , etc......

BillO · 2 Days Ago - **1 Like**

Sure you can. It's a standard thread 6mm screw. The depth of the thread in the collar is not that deep, so you want to make sure the screw thread is long enough to make full use of available collar depth without hitting bottom. Also, the stock screw is held captive with a circlip. Be careful removing it and don't loose it!

**barondla** · 1 Day Ago

Originally posted by BillO

Sure you can. It's a standard thread 6mm screw. The depth of the thread in the collar is not that deep, so you want to make sure the screw thread is long enough to make full use of available collar depth without hitting bottom. Also, the stock screw is held captive with a circlip. Be careful removing it and don't loose it!

Excellent information. I will try this after the holidays, when there's more time.
Thanks,
barondla

12-03-2019, 09:14 AM	#1
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,980	*Anyone ever substitute a screw on the tripod collar of the Pentax A 200 f4 macro?** The two big screws on the tripod collar run into the pentaprism over hang of the K-1. If one of them could be changed out for a smaller low profile screw the collar could be rotated for a vertical image. The common fix is to use a short extension tube to clear the camera body. Unfortunately the Kenko Uniplus 25 vignettes. Tried enlarging the inner baffle to fix this. It didn't help. I have Pentax tubes but they don't have electrical contacts. Winter is my time to figure out a solution. Thanks, barondla

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12-03-2019, 10:52 AM - 1 Like	#2
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 725	First of all, I would assume the screw has a metric thread. When I worked at Lowes, they had a thread gage plate hanging up in the fastener aisle that had several SAE and metric size threaded studs (for nuts) and holes (for screws). Customers could bring fasteners in and test which size they had. If you have a Lowes or maybe Home Depot close by that might be an option. Lowes stocked a decent (not extensive) selection of metric fasteners in common sizes. The heads would probably be lower profile than what you currently have. If you have a local Fastenal store (Fastenal ? Industrial Supplies, OEM Fasteners, Safety Products & More) you could also take your screw to them for thread ID. They will probably have a wider choice than Lowes. Maybe another PF member knows exactly what the thread specs are for these screws.

12-03-2019, 11:26 AM - 1 Like	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 16,039	Local hardware store has a thread finder device similar to above. I'd start there.

12-03-2019, 06:04 PM	#4
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,980 Original Poster	Thanks for the idea gentlemen. Hadn't thought of going to Lowes, Menards, or True Value for a fitting. The Pentax has a very large thumb screw. If it could replaced with a standard screw the collar could then rotate in one direction past the prism over hang. The main knob/screw holds collar on lens and locks rotation. The one I want to replace only helps attach the tripod collar to lens. The only use for this knob is to remove tripod collar in the field. Which I never do. Thanks, barondla

12-03-2019, 06:12 PM - 3 Likes	#5
Ronald Oakes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,210	Originally posted by barondla Thanks for the idea gentlemen. Hadn't thought of going to Lowes, Menards, or True Value for a fitting. The Pentax has a very large thumb screw. If it could replaced with a standard screw the collar could then rotate in one direction past the prism over hang. The main knob/screw holds collar on lens and locks rotation. The one I want to replace only helps attach the tripod collar to lens. The only use for this knob is to remove tripod collar in the field. Which I never do. Thanks, barondla Depending on the actual store.....Ace can be The Place ! I find all kinds of goodies in my local store ! The pull out bins in the hardware section have saved me many times with camera screws , knobs , etc......

2 Days Ago - 1 Like	#6
BillO Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 76	Sure you can. It's a standard thread 6mm screw. The depth of the thread in the collar is not that deep, so you want to make sure the screw thread is long enough to make full use of available collar depth without hitting bottom. Also, the stock screw is held captive with a circlip. Be careful removing it and don't loose it!

1 Day Ago	#7
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,980 Original Poster	Originally posted by BillO Sure you can. It's a standard thread 6mm screw. The depth of the thread in the collar is not that deep, so you want to make sure the screw thread is long enough to make full use of available collar depth without hitting bottom. Also, the stock screw is held captive with a circlip. Be careful removing it and don't loose it! Excellent information. I will try this after the holidays, when there's more time. Thanks, barondla

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