Sinar Pan Tilt head will not tilt

[Pseudonym]

Greetings to all. New member here, with what I hope is a stupid question.

I just bought a Sinar Pan Tilt head from B&H Photo as an early foray into LF photography. I know they are elusive, so I struck while the iron was hot.

It arrived yesterday, and seems to be in very good condition. It pans just as I would expect. I am, however, unable to get it to tilt. It seems to be stuck at horizontal, even after I loosen the collar locking screw.

Am I missing a necessary step or action?

Any wisdom gratefully received. I look forward to participating in less niggling topics in the future!

[Pseudonym]

Thanks for your reply and suggestions. Here are a few images:







Hope these are useful. I can post another view or a more detailed shot if it would help. The tilt handle does glide smoothly away from the head and rotate.

[Jac@stafford.net]

I am, however, unable to get it to tilt. It seems to be stuck at horizontal, even after I loosen the collar locking screw.

I'll bet it sat for years without being used. Loosen the lever, then rap the screw end with a dead-blow hammer or a small hammer with a wood block between to keep from bruising the finish.
.

[Fr. Mark]

Before banging, some penetrating oil might be in order, too, though it can be hard on finishes. Mine is smooth as butter in both directions. A joy to use with the Sinar P I have.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Looks to be in good condition. Agree with above, it's just stuck together. Needs a clean and relube.

[Pseudonym]

Many thanks for these helpful replies. It sounds like the head needs some work.

I'll see what B&H say when I talk to them on Monday. It shouldn't have arrived in this condition. Their warranty should cover this.

At least it isn't my head that needs work. I couldn't see what I could possibly have missed with such a well-judged and straightforward design.

It's nice to hear that these heads are a joy to use. People who have them seem to have nothing but good words for them.

[Bob Salomon]

Many thanks for these helpful replies. It sounds like the head needs some work.

I'll see what B&H say when I talk to them on Monday. It shouldn't have arrived in this condition. Their warranty should cover this.

At least it isn't my head that needs work. I couldn't see what I could possibly have missed with such a well-judged and straightforward design.

It's nice to hear that these heads are a joy to use. People who have them seem to have nothing but good words for them.

Why wait till Monday? They are usually open on Sunday.

[Pseudonym]

Why wait till Monday? They are usually open on Sunday.

That's true, and normally I'd follow your advice. This Sunday, however, is a full, head-down, working day for me. Monday should be lighter.

I did write to B&H as soon as I discovered the problem, so that might (or might not) speed things up.

Many thanks for the suggestion, though. Thanks, too, to everyone who has contributed advice and reassurance.

The head is well and truly stuck, even mounted on a tripod and under weight. Sounds like it needs disassembly and lubrication. I'll see if B&H is willing and able to help before I do anything else.

The silver lining is that I am in no hurry. I was just thinking ahead (excuse the pun) when I bought it. It'll almost certainly be fixed before I have a Sinar to put on it.

Right, back to work for me. Thanks again, everyone.

[Bob Salomon]

That's true, and normally I'd follow your advice. This Sunday, however, is a full, head-down, working day for me. Monday should be lighter.

I did write to B&H as soon as I discovered the problem, so that might (or might not) speed things up.

Many thanks for the suggestion, though. Thanks, too, to everyone who has contributed advice and reassurance.

The head is well and truly stuck, even mounted on a tripod and under weight. Sounds like it needs disassembly and lubrication. I'll see if B&H is willing and able to help before I do anything else.

The silver lining is that I am in no hurry. I was just thinking ahead (excuse the pun) when I bought it. It'll almost certainly be fixed before I have a Sinar to put on it.

Right, back to work for me. Thanks again, everyone.

Strange that you have time to do all the emails in this this thread but not enough time to make a phone call. I find that when I make a call I can still read an email and answer it. But when I am writing an email I can't dial a phone.

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Mine came in the same condition, and it just needed a clean. These have thin plastic washers between the metal bits. I would take it apart, clean everything (maybe with electronics cleaner so as not to harm plastic) and then reassemble. The vertical tilt is easy to take apart, just unscrew that "collar locking screw" all the way and carefully pull it apart. Do take careful notes about the order of assembly. I didn't use any oil or lube on mine.