Am I an idiot?

[Paul Shields]

Don't answer that question .

Anyway, I've just picked up this most excellent Manfrotto 441 tripod: carbon fibre, and half list price = happy purchase. However, how do you get the center column to work in the horizontal plane? According to the website it's a matter of a few seconds, but I can't work out how it is done! Is there a secret or even blindingly obvious thing I need to do? Help!

[photosbymorgan2]

As you can see by the photo further down the page, youmust loosen the center column, pull it all the way out and then slide it in one of the side holes and tighten it back up to keep the pole steady. Do not extend it out to far without sometype of weight on the tripod or your camera and tripod will tip over.

[Paul Shields]

Ah yes, so it's official, I am an idiot . The problem was that at the base of the center column was a large 'thing' that prevented the column from being extracted. I'd previously tried removing it, but it was very stubborn and I didn't want to apply undue force. This stopped the center column from coming out. Anyway, I applied undue force in the end and it unscrewed off - now I can do horizontal! I'm wondering if this attachment serves any purpose though - would seem just as well to leave it off.

Thanks!

Shot with attachment


After removing

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by bauerman

As a side note - that looks like a pretty fun room that the tripod is in!!

Jared

Well when you've got two kids aged 2 or under, every room in the house is 'fun' . One day I'll get my 'private' studio sorted out, but that day seems a long way off at the moment...

[mikej]

I have one of these too, although I've not used it in the horizontal configuration yet. I would suspect if you get a small sand bag (I use the wrist and ankle weights) and hang them from the center or drape them over the end of the arm, it will help stabilize it a bit. I've done the hanging from the center mostly, but have also put heavy things on the legs. You can also get or make a hammock that hangs between the legs and gives a place to place things as well as weights.

I bought a leveling column to replace my normal column as well as one of the stubby columns when I wanted to use a shorter one. The leveling column is great for leveling my tripod before I level the ball head and well worth the cost. I use it when I'm doing panoramas.

Mike

[bavanor]

Paul,
I think you don't deserve that tripod now, so just send it on to me, Ok

I have used the aluminum version in the horizontal position a lot. It works great, but like Morgan said, be careful or it might tip over.

The little thingy at the bottom of the column can be used as your tripod attachment with the whole column removed. That way you extend out the legs to be parallel with the ground and not have the column get in the way (if you can understand that, you are not an idiot anymore ) So don't loose it.

Aaron

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by bavanor

The little thingy at the bottom of the column can be used as your tripod attachment with the whole column removed. That way you extend out the legs to be parallel with the ground and not have the column get in the way (if you can understand that, you are not an idiot anymore ) So don't loose it.

Aaron

Yes, I have now worked this out - a good idea for those who don't want the center column. I may end up with this configuration as I don't have faith with the column in the horizontal position remaining true when there's a big lens attached.

Anyway, I think I am now officially not an idiot :P.