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**davidreilly3207** · 12-09-2012, 08:31 PM

I have a Giotto MT-7251 Lava Carbon Fiber tripod. It has 3-section universal legs with out a spreader connecting the legs. The legs have pointed rubber ends. When I use the tripod on slippery surfaces such as polished floors the bottom sections tend to flex and spread a small amount with small changes in weight making lining up the camera with my ball head a hit or miss situation. I believe a strap attached at the bottom of the legs would stop this, either leg-to-leg or leg-to-center. I would like it to be easily disconnected in case I wish to spread the legs further for lowering the tripod. I've searched using the terms 'tripod leg stabilizer' to no avail. Does anyone know of a product like this or has anyone made something like this? The stabilizer bags from Flashpoint and others are meant to be mounted higher up on the tripod and would not work to prevent the very bottom from spreading. Thanks for any help.

**interested_observer** · 12-09-2012, 09:22 PM

Try these - I have no idea if it is sold separately....

Big Binoculars - Oberwerk Heavy Duty Surveyor Tripod
Proaim Tripod Spreader for Spiked Foot tripod stands
Tripod Tote Universal Tripod Shelf | Outdoor Photo Gear | Pro Photography Gear, Tripods and Photo Accessories for Wildlife, Landscape, and Nature Photographers

civiletti · 12-09-2012, 10:35 PM

Studio video camera tripods often use a bottom brace. Arms attaches near the bottom of each leg and connect to a central ring or plate. If you can't find one to work with your tripod, you could easily fabricate a brace with three stout rods attached to a triangular plate by hinges with little play. At the tripod leg end, clamps of some type attached to the rods could do the trick. Or the clamps could be mounted to the tripod legs [hose clamps perhaps] that hold pins the would egage the rods of the brace.

JohnX · 12-10-2012, 01:22 AM

Look for tripod 'dolly'. Usually has wheels though.

**K(s)evin** · 12-10-2012, 10:44 AM

The term you should search is "tripod spreader".

**LaurenOE** · 12-10-2012, 10:51 AM

I bought one of these.

Manfrotto 165 On-Ground Tripod Spreader 165 B&H Photo Video

It's plastic and works pretty well.

**Ex Finn.** · 12-10-2012, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by JohnX

Look for tripod 'dolly'. Usually has wheels though.

+1. The casters are locking in most models. Manfrotto 181 Folding Auto Dolly 181 B&H Photo Video
Or the OP could just get a proper tripod and not have to band-aid stuff

.

Last edited by Ex Finn.; 12-10-2012 at 05:10 PM.

**LaurenOE** · 12-10-2012, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

I bought one of these.

Manfrotto 165 On-Ground Tripod Spreader 165 B&H Photo Video

It's plastic and works pretty well.

Oh, and my recommendation is $60.49

**davidreilly3207** · 12-10-2012, 08:23 PM

Ordered the Manfrotto 165 today from BH.
Thanks for everyone's help.
And Ex Finn., I consider mine a proper tripod as I was looking for weight savings. Your suggestion of a dolly was useless. Thanks Anyway.

**Ex Finn.** · 12-11-2012, 04:16 AM

Originally posted by mdave13

Ordered the Manfrotto 165 today from BH.
Thanks for everyone's help.
And Ex Finn., I consider mine a proper tripod as I was looking for weight savings. Your suggestion of a dolly was useless. Thanks Anyway.

Sorry that I could not help.

12-09-2012, 08:31 PM	#1
davidreilly3207 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South Jersey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 720	Tripod Help, Need to stabilize legs I have a Giotto MT-7251 Lava Carbon Fiber tripod. It has 3-section universal legs with out a spreader connecting the legs. The legs have pointed rubber ends. When I use the tripod on slippery surfaces such as polished floors the bottom sections tend to flex and spread a small amount with small changes in weight making lining up the camera with my ball head a hit or miss situation. I believe a strap attached at the bottom of the legs would stop this, either leg-to-leg or leg-to-center. I would like it to be easily disconnected in case I wish to spread the legs further for lowering the tripod. I've searched using the terms 'tripod leg stabilizer' to no avail. Does anyone know of a product like this or has anyone made something like this? The stabilizer bags from Flashpoint and others are meant to be mounted higher up on the tripod and would not work to prevent the very bottom from spreading. Thanks for any help.

12-09-2012, 09:22 PM	#2
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Try these - I have no idea if it is sold separately.... Big Binoculars - Oberwerk Heavy Duty Surveyor Tripod Proaim Tripod Spreader for Spiked Foot tripod stands Tripod Tote Universal Tripod Shelf \| Outdoor Photo Gear \| Pro Photography Gear, Tripods and Photo Accessories for Wildlife, Landscape, and Nature Photographers

12-10-2012, 05:05 PM	#7
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by JohnX Look for tripod 'dolly'. Usually has wheels though. +1. The casters are locking in most models. Manfrotto 181 Folding Auto Dolly 181 B&H Photo Video Or the OP could just get a proper tripod and not have to band-aid stuff. Last edited by Ex Finn.; 12-10-2012 at 05:10 PM.

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12-09-2012, 10:35 PM	#3
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Studio video camera tripods often use a bottom brace. Arms attaches near the bottom of each leg and connect to a central ring or plate. If you can't find one to work with your tripod, you could easily fabricate a brace with three stout rods attached to a triangular plate by hinges with little play. At the tripod leg end, clamps of some type attached to the rods could do the trick. Or the clamps could be mounted to the tripod legs [hose clamps perhaps] that hold pins the would egage the rods of the brace.

12-10-2012, 01:22 AM	#4
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Look for tripod 'dolly'. Usually has wheels though.

12-10-2012, 10:44 AM	#5
K(s)evin Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 476	The term you should search is "tripod spreader".

12-10-2012, 10:51 AM	#6
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	I bought one of these. Manfrotto 165 On-Ground Tripod Spreader 165 B&H Photo Video It's plastic and works pretty well.

12-10-2012, 06:43 PM	#8
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Originally posted by LaurenOE I bought one of these. Manfrotto 165 On-Ground Tripod Spreader 165 B&H Photo Video It's plastic and works pretty well. Oh, and my recommendation is $60.49

12-10-2012, 08:23 PM	#9
davidreilly3207 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South Jersey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 720 Original Poster	Ordered the Manfrotto 165 today from BH. Thanks for everyone's help. And Ex Finn., I consider mine a proper tripod as I was looking for weight savings. Your suggestion of a dolly was useless. Thanks Anyway.

12-11-2012, 04:16 AM	#10
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by mdave13 Ordered the Manfrotto 165 today from BH. Thanks for everyone's help. And Ex Finn., I consider mine a proper tripod as I was looking for weight savings. Your suggestion of a dolly was useless. Thanks Anyway. Sorry that I could not help.

Tripod Help, Need to stabilize legs

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