Red Snapper Tripod

[jackbauer]

1. how do u extend the legs without havin the legs drop out?
2. i understand the big nob at the top controls the friction of the ball but whats the medium sized one opposite it do?
3. whats the small nob near the big nob do?
4. what are the numbers that go round on the base of the head?

please note this so far is the most advanced tripod i have ever used, i'm use to the "click to lock tripods"

this is the one i have btw

 

[garymicheal]

1. how do u extend the legs without havin the legs drop out?
2. i understand the big nob at the top controls the friction of the ball but whats the medium sized one opposite it do?
3. whats the small nob near the big nob do?
4. what are the numbers that go round on the base of the head?

please note this so far is the most advanced tripod i have ever used, i'm use to the "click to lock tripods"

this is the one i have btw

my legs never drop out are you undoing it to much i just slacken off a little and slide the legs out then re-tighten the small knob is for fine adjustment but i just use the large one i think numbers for relocation if you pan around you can go back to original position if you note the number before you pan the camera i

 

[dalex_257]

1. how do u extend the legs without havin the legs drop out?

You seems to have your twist locks loosened too much. The fully tightened locks will make the legs sections stay securely where they are. Loosen the locks slightly (not all the way) enough to be able to pull the leg section out and then when done tighten it up again.

2. i understand the big nob at the top controls the friction of the ball but whats the medium sized one opposite it do?

The big knob controls the locking of the ball. The smaller one opposite controls the friction. I.e. the smaller one controls how fast the large one will make the ball be released fully. If tightened, it should take more of the larger knob turns to fully release the ball. I usually use it to set the friction so I can undo the large knob sufficiently for the ball to turn with some pressure but still stay fixed with the camera on. This way you can make small movements to the camera without having to hold it and then tighten the large knob all the time.

3. whats the small nob near the big nob do?

The one at the base of the ballhead is the panning lock. It unlocks the ball head to allow panning movements around its vertical axis so you can turn the camera. This is useful for panning or somewhat useful for horizontal panoramas.

4. what are the numbers that go round on the base of the head?

Those are the degrees of the panning turn - 0 to 360. I guess you may use them if you shooting horizontal panoramas.

 

[jackbauer]

thank you very much!

 

[jackbauer]

is it me or is the panning nob the small one, doesnt have much effect on the spinning unless its on really tight and stops it turning. its either it doesnt move or u have to u have to fully grab the head an then turn it u cant just pan using the camera...its pretty firm, is that normal?

also the ball is quite the same its either really firm or really loose, i understand u need to get the balance right using both the big and medium nobs but there has been a few occasions where i try to turn the camera but i pull the camera legs off the ground? but if i have it any looser the camera keeps droppin.

 

[dalex_257]

is it me or is the panning nob the small one, doesnt have much effect on the spinning unless its on really tight and stops it turning. its either it doesnt move or u have to u have to fully grab the head an then turn it u cant just pan using the camera...its pretty firm, is that normal?

I'm not sure about what you are asking here - the panning knob at the base of the head has no medium settings - it is either locking the head to the base to not move or unlocking it. If you try to move it whilst it is locked you will end up scratching the base insides with the locking screw and the tightening then may become really bad (up to the point of not being able to tighten it at all).

also the ball is quite the same its either really firm or really loose, i understand u need to get the balance right using both the big and medium nobs but there has been a few occasions where i try to turn the camera but i pull the camera legs off the ground? but if i have it any looser the camera keeps droppin.

It does need a balance and you will have to work out which one is for you for yourself. I usually use the following approach:
1) fully tighten the small friction knob
2) tighten the large locking knob just to the point where the head ball is fully locked and you can't move it (even some force) - do not tighten more than this
3) start easing up the friction knob little by little until the ball will be unlocked sufficiently to hold your camera without moving yet will be moveable with little firmer force applied to the camera (so you can grab it with your hand and slightly forcing it to move).

This will give you your ideal friction setting. Then with it in place use the locking knob to either fully lock it or ease it up a bit or fully to move the camera.