Tripod Socket Size Pentax K5

SILENTKNIGHT16 · 08-12-2017, 06:29 AM

Hello ... I am buying a ball-head for my tripod to accommodate my K5 but am unsure of the tripod socket size. None of the specs tell me this. I think it is a 1/4 X 20 but not sure. Can anyone answer this? And Thanks ..Ron

**microlight** · 08-12-2017, 06:59 AM

Hi silentnight16. I think that the camera baseplate tripod socket must be a standard size going back decades; my K-3II socket is the same as the one on my 1957 AP! (At least I think: I'm in a small town in northern Spain currently so can't check.)

I also bought a ball-head for my tripod about a year ago which has a detachable socket-mounted Arca-Swiss footplate that lives on my K-3II. The issue that I did have was that the socket on the base of the ball head was too big for my Velbon tripod screw, so that I had to buy a socket adapter (for 79p!) - but then all was fine. If you have this problem, just make sure you buy the adapter without the flange otherwise it won't sit properly.

D1N0 · 08-12-2017, 07:07 AM

It's the standard of every but some very large camera's
Tripod (photography) - Wikipedia

IgorZ · 08-12-2017, 07:14 AM

Standard, whatever standard is. I bought 3 tripods without ever checking the size and they all work.

aremmes · 08-12-2017, 07:43 AM

It indeed is 1/4" 20 tpi. There's an international standard, ISO 1222:2010, that defines that size and the larger 3/8" 16 tpi for larger cameras.

**TomB_tx** · 08-12-2017, 08:46 AM

The 3/8 size also used to be standard for Europe, even for small cameras. From the 1930s into the 1950s Leica and Contax were 3/8 for Europe and 1/4 for the US. Of course, these were "bottom loaders" - so only the base plates were different. Canon also made some in 3/8 size for Europe markets.

**interested_observer** · 08-12-2017, 10:27 AM

If you buy a 1/4" 20 tpi, you will be absolutely safe, since a 3/8" 16 tpi bushing can be used.

Arca-Swiss Adapter Screw 3/8"-16 to 1/4"-20 809011 B&H

You can find them for a couple of dollars - I just grabbed this since it was easy. There very well might be one included with the ballhead.

SILENTKNIGHT16 · 08-12-2017, 10:39 AM

Thank you all for your replies .. so off to Amazon/Ebay I go

AnnieK5 · 11-15-2017, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by aremmes

It indeed is 1/4" 20 tpi. There's an international standard, ISO 1222:2010, that defines that size and the larger 3/8" 16 tpi for larger cameras.

Hi aremmes I think you've answered my question so I have a bid on a Tripod with a 3/4" screw size for my K5.
Many thanks,
Annie.

---------- Post added 11-15-17 at 02:33 PM ----------

Originally posted by interested_observer

If you buy a 1/4" 20 tpi, you will be absolutely safe, since a 3/8" 16 tpi bushing can be used.

Arca-Swiss Adapter Screw 3/8"-16 to 1/4"-20 809011 B&H

You can find them for a couple of dollars - I just grabbed this since it was easy. There very well might be one included with the ballhead.

That's great info about adaptor screws, thanks it all helps.

08-12-2017, 06:29 AM	#1
SILENTKNIGHT16 New Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 2	Tripod Socket Size Pentax K5 Hello ... I am buying a ball-head for my tripod to accommodate my K5 but am unsure of the tripod socket size. None of the specs tell me this. I think it is a 1/4 X 20 but not sure. Can anyone answer this? And Thanks ..Ron

08-12-2017, 10:27 AM	#7
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	If you buy a 1/4" 20 tpi, you will be absolutely safe, since a 3/8" 16 tpi bushing can be used. Arca-Swiss Adapter Screw 3/8"-16 to 1/4"-20 809011 B&H You can find them for a couple of dollars - I just grabbed this since it was easy. There very well might be one included with the ballhead.

11-15-2017, 02:23 PM	#9
AnnieK5 New Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 11	Originally posted by aremmes It indeed is 1/4" 20 tpi. There's an international standard, ISO 1222:2010, that defines that size and the larger 3/8" 16 tpi for larger cameras. Hi aremmes I think you've answered my question so I have a bid on a Tripod with a 3/4" screw size for my K5. Many thanks, Annie. ---------- Post added 11-15-17 at 02:33 PM ---------- Originally posted by interested_observer If you buy a 1/4" 20 tpi, you will be absolutely safe, since a 3/8" 16 tpi bushing can be used. Arca-Swiss Adapter Screw 3/8"-16 to 1/4"-20 809011 B&H You can find them for a couple of dollars - I just grabbed this since it was easy. There very well might be one included with the ballhead. That's great info about adaptor screws, thanks it all helps.

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08-12-2017, 06:59 AM	#2
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Hi silentnight16. I think that the camera baseplate tripod socket must be a standard size going back decades; my K-3II socket is the same as the one on my 1957 AP! (At least I think: I'm in a small town in northern Spain currently so can't check.) I also bought a ball-head for my tripod about a year ago which has a detachable socket-mounted Arca-Swiss footplate that lives on my K-3II. The issue that I did have was that the socket on the base of the ball head was too big for my Velbon tripod screw, so that I had to buy a socket adapter (for 79p!) - but then all was fine. If you have this problem, just make sure you buy the adapter without the flange otherwise it won't sit properly.

08-12-2017, 07:07 AM	#3
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	It's the standard of every but some very large camera's Tripod (photography) - Wikipedia

08-12-2017, 07:14 AM	#4
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Standard, whatever standard is. I bought 3 tripods without ever checking the size and they all work.

08-12-2017, 07:43 AM	#5
aremmes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Philadelphia Photos: Albums Posts: 217	It indeed is 1/4" 20 tpi. There's an international standard, ISO 1222:2010, that defines that size and the larger 3/8" 16 tpi for larger cameras.

08-12-2017, 08:46 AM	#6
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	The 3/8 size also used to be standard for Europe, even for small cameras. From the 1930s into the 1950s Leica and Contax were 3/8 for Europe and 1/4 for the US. Of course, these were "bottom loaders" - so only the base plates were different. Canon also made some in 3/8 size for Europe markets.

08-12-2017, 10:39 AM	#8
SILENTKNIGHT16 New Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thank you all for your replies .. so off to Amazon/Ebay I go