Help With Tripod Mount

[kmp.13]

Help! What am I doing wrong?

I have an Intrepid 4x5 that has a 1/4” and 3/8” tripod mount. My tripod head is a Bogen Manfrotto 3047 with a hexigonal plate with a 1/4” screw. I cannot seem to get it to stay on the camera.

[Keith Pitman]

Turn the knob for the 1/4” screw and then turn the larger knob to snug it tight.

[kmp.13]

Tried that in that order. It's as if the screw doesn't want to take to the threads. Too big for the 3/8th, too small for the 1/4th. It's a new hexagonal plate, claiming to be 1/4th"

[Tin Can]

Threads may be damaged

Use new hardware store

Bolts and nuts

Or eBay

Or anyplace you can get test parts

Cheap

[Lachlan 717]

Try a known 1/4” bolt in it. That will diagnose whether it’s the thread or the hole.

[xkaes]

Yet another Intrepid problem????????? Maybe we should start a list.

[Tin Can]

I see you have vendetta

I am happy with my new 8X10 latest Intrepid

I was among the first to buy the initial 4X5

I sold it to a happy buyer without losing a dime

I did darken the Door and Hallway



Yet another Intrepid problem????????? Maybe we should start a list.

[Keith Pitman]

Tried that in that order. It's as if the screw doesn't want to take to the threads. Too big for the 3/8th, too small for the 1/4th. It's a new hexagonal plate, claiming to be 1/4th"

If it’s too big for 3/8, it can’t be too small for 1/4.

[Peter De Smidt]

Yep. Try 1/4" and 3/8" bolts from the hardware store to see if the threads are ok. If not, contact Intrepid.

On a related note, there are much better quick release systems than Manfrotto's hex plates. The first tripod I ever bought, a Bogen (now Manfrotto), came with a hex plate head. I struggled with it for years. It's hard to keep the camera from spinning, and the plates don't always seat in the head even though the clamp mechanism closes. These days Arca compatible plates/clamps/heads have become so inexpensive that I highly recommend moving to that system. It will save a lot of pain. I'd get one that either uses both the 1/4" and 3/8" mounting holes, or one with a lip that will go against the ledge of the Intrepid mounting plate. Either option means that the camera will not spin on the plate, and you don't have to use a lot of force on the Intrepid mounting plate. It's thin, and I expect that threads are easily stripped.

[Neal Chaves]

I have standardized on the Manfrotto hex plate for all my large cameras and tripod heads. However, I only mount them directly to the cameras after counter-sinking for the appropriate flat head machine screw. On the 8x10s, Toyo 810m and Calumet C1, I drill and counter-sink a second hole so the plate is secured by both a 3/8"16 and a 1/4"20. This increases the strength and prevents any twisting. I made up Hex plate adapters with mounts for Arca Swiss type plates for my smaller cameras.

[Drew Wiley]

Those hex plates have a special kind of turnbolt in them - yeah, either true 1/4-20 or 3/8-16 thread, but also with an unthreaded capture neck portion. The local camera store sells them. But I can't find the replacement screw model no. on the B&H site - just the complete hex plate plus screw in both 1/4 and 3/8 versions. In the past, I've used ordinary flat head 1/4 or 3/8 screws when I wanted a flush countersunk version rather than the turn knob projecting below the plate. But these are so cheap - plate and screw combined, that you might as well just order it from B&H or another analogous source. Make sure you get the right sized hex plate - there is more than one.

[Drew Wiley]

Revision : B&H does stock the special screws by themselves. Just look under "Tripod Accessories - Misc Parts"

[Axelwik]

Yet another Intrepid problem????????? Maybe we should start a list.
You automatically assume that it's the camera because it's an Intrepid? Most likely operator error.

The Intrepid isn't perfect, but my Intrepid has been great. Only a klutz couldn't use one, or get around its limitations.

[Larry Gebhardt]

With the plates the screws have an unthreaded portion. The screw must be all the way into the plate so it is loose around this unthreaded section. Ensure the plate threads are not engaging the screw as you mount it to the camera. Try this with the camera upright and it may be easier.