Is it possible you have the camera mounted 90 degrees off? That is, you have the "roll" and "pitch" axes switched? In your video you are adjusting what I would consider the "roll" control, which doesn't seem as heavy-duty as the "pitch" one. This is especially with a monorail camera mounted.
I exactly sure I understand what you mean by that. However, anything is possible. I just bought it from b&h and mounted it to my tripod legs. How would I tell if it is 90 degrees off?
Looks like the same problem I had. Try that Allen head screw. Also look for that replacement handle set. It will make use much easier.
Depending on how you attach the hex plate to the camera and how you attach the hex plate to the head, you might have the camera oriented with the weight on the left/right tilt control rather than the up/down tilt control.Originally Posted by jdylan423
Regardless, the head should be up to the task with the camera mounted the "wrong" way. I suspect you need clean/adjust the head as others have mentioned.
If you are expecting the head to lock down so tightly that you can really lean on it, you might be disappointed with any head that you can carry. I heard the grunt of effort it took to make it move after tightening. These are good heads, but used ones of the vintage of yours sell for some fraction of current high-end heads, so take that into account.
You might have some lubrication where you don't want it, and dirt in the clamp that is preventing it from seating properly all the way around the piece it encircles. As others have suggested, you can't draw any conclusions until the head has been thoroughly cleaned and properly lubricated in the right places.
I don't think I own a head that I can't force to move, even the Sinar tilt-head which, even used, cost an order of magnitude more than a couple of beater 3047's that have come my way. But I still made many sharp long exposures in the field using a 3047 head with a bulky Cambo/Calumet view camera.
Rick "possibly misinterpreting that YouTube video" Denney
I am very grateful for all your input. I tightened things up with the allen key but that didn't work. I will try cleaning everything out. What is best to clean then regrease with?
Also, I recorded more video of the tripod being loose. Maybe this will give a better view of what is wrong. For all I know, this is completely normal. I will wait until I hear back from all of you. Thanks
More video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBkmgjS-sYQ
Yes, that video shows much better the problem you are having.
You have the middle vintage of the 3047 head. In the oldest version, which I have disassembled, there is a screw that holds a round plate that forms the angle scale for this movement, and that plate keeps the thing together. From looking at a 3047 of your vintage, that scale appears to be a plastic plate, which might be glued onto the front of the retainer plate to conceal the screw. I just took apart the oldest model to check it, and there is a thin steel wear shim that is wrapped around the aluminum frame of the head, and slips between the frame and the ring clamp (which is part of the casting that holds the camera mount). The loose flopping around the zero point might be caused by the end gap in that shim having worked itself down into the aluminum. You might try re-orienting it, if you can get it apart.
Another possibility is that the washer is missing from the handle. There should be a washer under the flange on the handle that bears against the ring clamp. If it is missing, you will have to tighten more to get the clamp tight. I was still able to tighten mine without this washer, however.
The grease they used was just plain, thick grease like axle grease (though applied sparingly), so I doubt your problem is caused by too much lubrication.
I suspect that steel wear shim is either missing or has worn its way into the aluminum. If reorienting it doesn't help, then it might be time to find a replacement for this head. I fear you will have to peel off that angle scale to find out.
Rick "who owns all three vintages of this head" Denney
Problem solved. Thanks to everyone who to took the time out to answer this question.
I removed that plate that said Bogen 3047 and found that the nut that wasn't tight enough. I took out the allen key wrench and tightened it up. Now it is strong and sturdy.
The only problem is that when I popped off the plate, it flew somewhere in my apartment and I still can't find it.
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