Stupid Monopod Question

[deveaushawn]

I recently purchased a Promaster XC328C http://www.promaster.com/products.asp?product=3494

One of the reasons I bought it is because it has one leg that unscrews to be used as a monopod. My question is, Do I need to purchase an adapter or a separate head to attach my camera to the monopod? The screw sticking out of the leg is too large for my camera....

:scratch:

 

[Robin Usagani]

I'm not sure if this is the case, but my manfrotto monopod has a springloaded threads so. I can use 2 different size screws. One for our cam or one for a large video cam. Try pushing down the outer edge of the thread, does it slide down?

 

[deveaushawn]

Thanks for helping out Robin.

It doesn't move at all. Looks like a single molded piece of carbon fiber.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Are you sure that one doesnt unscrew? Maybe smaller one below?

 

[Designer]

Why not use the tripod head on the monopod? With the quick-release camera plate on there, you can just flip the lever to remove your camera.

 

[Derrel]

I recently purchased a Promaster XC328C http://www.promaster.com/products.asp?product=3494

One of the reasons I bought it is because it has one leg that unscrews to be used as a monopod. My question is, Do I need to purchase an adapter or a separate head to attach my camera to the monopod? The screw sticking out of the leg is too large for my camera....

:scratch:

If that's a 3/8 inch screw, then the makers probably anticipate that users will use a separate head, or at the very least, a step-down 3/8 to 1/4 x 20 National Coarse thread adapter which will fit right into the camera's tripod socket, or into a lens's tripod foot. I've used a monopod off and on for decades: I have tried using various heads on it, but prefer NO ball heads, no pan head, no tilt head,but instead JUST the monopod-to-camera connection.

 

[robbins.photo]

Most tripods are designed to screw into a head of some sort, even those that have a removable center section to be used as a monopod - most true monopods have the smaller screw (I think it's 1/4" but don't quote me, just going from memory) that's actually designed to screw into the camera directly.

You can use the tripod head that you use for your tripod with it when deploying it as a monopod, or you can purchase another head for it - for monopods I prefer a ball head arrangement myself, I find them very practical for this type of use.

 

[deveaushawn]

If this thing comes apart it isn't readily apparent how to do so. Looks like the head is secured to the center post using a single slot screw. I'm really not interested in carrying tools around with me to make adjustments, so I guess I'll pick up one of the adapters Derrel mentioned.

Lesson learned: ask very specific questions when purchasing equipment!

Thanks for your help folks.

 

[Designer]

You can purchase a step-down screw adaptor. Looks like a rather thick washer with the 1/4"x20 screw on one side, and the female 3/8"x16 threaded hole on the other side. I forget the price, but not so much as to break the bank.

 

[Derrel]

Here you go. You need a 3/8" female to 1/4" male spigot. The ones that have the hole drilled through the center are one HECK of a lot easier to get un-stuck...trust me...

http://www.cowboystudio.com/product_p/4m8f spigot

 

[deveaushawn]

Thank you folks! :thumbup:

 

[Derrel]

A smaller one is this: Amazon.com: Manfrotto 015 1/4-Inch-20 Male 20mm Long to 3/8-Inch Female Adapter - Replaces 3358: Camera & Photo

The one Designer is speaking of is the older style, and is very nice too, but needs a spanner wrench or tool to REALLY tighten it AND to un-tighten it...the one Designer is mentioning is the preferred style for more-or-less permanent or semi-permanewnt use. Since I figure you might want to remove the leg and convert to a monopod, the simplest item to both REMOVE, and keep track of, is the one I referred you to first, the one called the "spigot". Use a 10-penny nail as the wrench for that.

This second one is much,much smaller, and has knurling for gripping when tightening and removing.

 

[BillM]

Depending which brand ball head you have for your tripod you could get a matching quick connect clamp for the monopod. Then add one quick connect plate to your camera and you are good to go.

 

[Josh66]

Thanks for helping out Robin.

It doesn't move at all. Looks like a single molded piece of carbon fiber.

View attachment 64262

Most likely aluminum. Probably 1/4-20 threads, so it should go right in the tripod socket on your camera.

For a monopod, threading it directly into your camera like that would certainly work, but like everyone else said, some sort of ball head might be a good addition.


Assuming that the tripod/monopod leg is roughly 1 inch in diameter, there's no way that's a 3/8-'whatever' thread. Actually, if it were 1 inch diameter, the threaded post looks to be about 1/4 of the total diameter, so 1/4-20 threaded post - same as the tripod socket on the bottom of your camera.

 

[deveaushawn]

Got it sorted. I sent an email to the manufacturer and got the following response:

"Thank you for your email. The leg screws into the Center Column, please see attached file these are instructions that I wrote I hope they help. If you need anything else please let me know. Thank you for supporting PROMASTER products."
​

So I get to keep the ball head as well. YAY!!

Here are the instructions he attached in case anyone needs to refer to them:

PROMASTER XC Series Tripod Instructions:

Extending Legs
1) Press Leg Lock and extend tripod Leg to one of 3 positions.
2) Loosen Leg Locks and extend legs to desired length and retighten locks.


Removing Center Column & Installing Hand Strap
1) Unscrew Weight Hook and the base of the Center Column
2) Loosen Both Locking Nut and the Upper Center Column Lock
3) Lift Center out from tripod
4) Slip strap through the center column and slide it to the top
5) Replace Center Colum back into tripod and replace Weight Hook


Setting up Monopod
1) Look for leg the is marked “Monopod”
2) Unscrew leg from tripod
3) Remove Center Column from tripod (Review instructions above)
4) Screw both pieces together and adjust to desired height

Ball Head Instructions
Remove Quick Release Shoe
1) Loosen Thumb Screw on the side of the Quick Release Platform
2) Press Quick Release button on the side of the Platform and slide the Shoe off Platform
3) Screw shoe unto the camera base and reverse removal process

Vertical/Horizontal position
1) Loosen Large Thumb Screw on the base of the tripod head
2) Set Camera to desired position and tighten Thumb Screw

Folding Tripod
1) Loosen Center Column and lift to its highest position and retighten both locking nut and Upper Center Column Lock.
2) Loosen Leg Locks and bring legs to their lowest height
3) Press Leg Locks and lift legs till they meet with the center column

Thanks again for your help everyone.