Can I fit any manfrotto ball head onto my tripod?

raider · 01-12-2009, 03:48 AM

Hi

I have a Slik 614CF carbon fibre tripod. It comes with a SH-705E pan-tilt head. I have been using this for the past several months but I still prefer a ball head.

Can I just get any manfrotto head and replace my current pan-tilt head? Do I need other accessories?

I checked and these are the info I know:

Slik 614CF - head attachment screw - U 1/4" (I am not sure what the "U" refers to)
Slik 705E - camera mounting screw - U 1/4", tripod mounting screw - U 1/4"

Manfrotto 486RC2
attachment (bottom) - 3/8" female thread
attachment - 1/4" screw

I am not sure what is the distinction between "attachment (bottom)" and "attachment" as per the above paragraph.

So the bottom line is can I use the manfrotto 486RC2 on my Slik 614CF?

Thanks!!

atupdate · 01-12-2009, 05:44 AM

I almost positive that you are going to need a reducing/enlarging bushing. They cost about $5 at B&H (Link below). This will enlarge the 1/4" screw from your tripod to 3/8" to fit the bottom of the ball head.

Gitzo | G1141 Reducer Bushing 7.5mm | G1141 | B&H Photo Video

Tim

davef · 01-12-2009, 06:04 AM

If the Slik has a 1/4" bolt for attaching a head, you will definately need an adapter. The Manfrottos use a larger (3/8") bolt. Dave

raider · 01-12-2009, 06:21 AM

Thanks. I understad now. Will look for the 1/4 to 3/8 adaptor.

I found this one.

http://www.fotoriesel.com.au/manfrotto-015-adaptor-3814-p-1812.html

But why does it look so much different from the link you indicated above?

Last edited by raider; 01-12-2009 at 06:30 AM.

atupdate · 01-12-2009, 06:44 AM

That one looks like it converts a 3/8" thread into a 1/4" thread. I think you need the opposite. The website you posted has this adaptor, which would convert your 1/4" tripod thread into a 3/8" thread to fit into the ball head.

Manfrotto 088LBP 1/4-3/8 Adaptor

Tim

raider · 01-12-2009, 04:30 PM

Ahhh...thanks for the heads up!!

RoxnDox · 01-13-2009, 09:26 AM

Raider, when I bought my 488RC2 head, it came with the 1/4" to 3/8" adapter. If you're buying from a physical store, just check to make sure it's included.

Just a little tubular bushing gizmo, with 1/4" threads on the inside and 3/8" threads on the outside.

Jim

01-12-2009, 03:48 AM	#1
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989	Can I fit any manfrotto ball head onto my tripod? Hi I have a Slik 614CF carbon fibre tripod. It comes with a SH-705E pan-tilt head. I have been using this for the past several months but I still prefer a ball head. Can I just get any manfrotto head and replace my current pan-tilt head? Do I need other accessories? I checked and these are the info I know: Slik 614CF - head attachment screw - U 1/4" (I am not sure what the "U" refers to) Slik 705E - camera mounting screw - U 1/4", tripod mounting screw - U 1/4" Manfrotto 486RC2 attachment (bottom) - 3/8" female thread attachment - 1/4" screw I am not sure what is the distinction between "attachment (bottom)" and "attachment" as per the above paragraph. So the bottom line is can I use the manfrotto 486RC2 on my Slik 614CF? Thanks!!

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01-12-2009, 05:44 AM	#2
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,723	I almost positive that you are going to need a reducing/enlarging bushing. They cost about $5 at B&H (Link below). This will enlarge the 1/4" screw from your tripod to 3/8" to fit the bottom of the ball head. Gitzo \| G1141 Reducer Bushing 7.5mm \| G1141 \| B&H Photo Video Tim

01-12-2009, 06:04 AM	#3
davef Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 433	If the Slik has a 1/4" bolt for attaching a head, you will definately need an adapter. The Manfrottos use a larger (3/8") bolt. Dave

01-12-2009, 06:21 AM	#4
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989 Original Poster	Thanks. I understad now. Will look for the 1/4 to 3/8 adaptor. I found this one. http://www.fotoriesel.com.au/manfrotto-015-adaptor-3814-p-1812.html But why does it look so much different from the link you indicated above? Last edited by raider; 01-12-2009 at 06:30 AM.

01-12-2009, 06:44 AM	#5
atupdate Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dayton, OH Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,723	That one looks like it converts a 3/8" thread into a 1/4" thread. I think you need the opposite. The website you posted has this adaptor, which would convert your 1/4" tripod thread into a 3/8" thread to fit into the ball head. Manfrotto 088LBP 1/4-3/8 Adaptor Tim

01-12-2009, 04:30 PM	#6
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989 Original Poster	Ahhh...thanks for the heads up!!

01-13-2009, 09:26 AM	#7
RoxnDox Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gig Harbor, Washington, USA, Terra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,494	Raider, when I bought my 488RC2 head, it came with the 1/4" to 3/8" adapter. If you're buying from a physical store, just check to make sure it's included. Just a little tubular bushing gizmo, with 1/4" threads on the inside and 3/8" threads on the outside. Jim

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