Manfrotto O55cxpro3:Faulty?

I just purchased a used Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 tripod and now have issues. When I orginally extended the center column The mounting

plate came off in my hand. Is this normal?

 

Furthermore, once I lock The Manfrotto 496rc head down securely I still get wiggle no matter how tight the tensioner knob and large wing

knob is fastened. Should I return the unit or is there something I can do to remedy the problem? Your suggestions are well appreciated.

 

Best,

Ed

<blockquote>

<p>The mounting plate came off in my hand. Is this normal?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Not normal. The mounting plate on my tripod is solidly attached to the post. I can't help with the head--have never owned or used that one.</p>

<p>If you intend to use longer lenses or top-heavy as LF is, you'll always have issues. Lots of talk on photo forums what constitutes decent support. Thom Hogan claims he can save you $700, by purchasing good tripod first time out....hmmm, he may have something there. Indeed, middle column eventually will wiggle (in your case it's immediate) and you'll get more stability if you get a tripod that has 3 legs and no middle column. True, they may be more expensive, but......</p>

<p>Bit surprising that final inspection at Manfrotto didn't catch this issue.</p>

<p>One more point to drive this convo, which I see it on my local CL, a guy who is selling 8 tripods for $10. They all seem to be ultra wobbly. Perhaps he has learned something ? Yet, no one is buying for months :>).</p>

<p>Les</p>

<p> </p>

<p>As a long time user of Manfrotto tripods and heads, I can tell you that this isn't normal behavior. If it were me, I would return this for a refund.</p>

Maybe that is why Fixation,UK sold it for £140<div></div>

<blockquote>

<p>Bit surprising that final inspection at Manfrotto didn't catch this issue.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Les, Keep in mind that he bought the tripod used. Presumably something happened to it when it was with a previous owner.</p>

<p>Also, to follow up on what Andrew said, I've never seen the mounting plate come lose on the three Manfrotto tripods that I have owned, nor on a Calumet monopod which I believe was manufactured by Manfrotto.</p>

<p>Some years ago, when early Gitzo carbon fiber tripods were coming unglued where the leg meets the main assembly, one photo.net member made a comment I still remember: "If my tripod came unglued, I would come unglued as well." </p>

<p>Back it goes. I do lots of mean things to several Manfrotto tripods, including an 055 which I use regularly. They're very tough, or should be. </p>

I think that's a lesson to everyone here not to buy

anything used from Fixation. As a repair shop they

should have some inkling as to whether an item is

fit for purpose or not.

 

140 quid for a used tripod costing 250 new seems a bit excessive in any case.

<p>Looking at that one, I suspect it's actually missing something. I've had a couple of older Manfrottos apart, and on those, the bolt that holds the mounting plate on goes through a solidly mounted or swaged-in washer inside the column. You need a very long socket extension to loosen that bolt and remove the mounting plate. It does not appear that there's anything inside the column for the bolt to go through.</p>

The Verdict. Called Manfrotto and they

 

said just order £95 centre column with

 

plate attached. Can not buy plate

 

separately. Was told an 3 piece

 

aluminium expander joint was missing

 

from the head and that the previous

 

owner may have broken.

 

Anyway I went back to Fixation and

 

was asked to leave tripod there to fix.

 

They service team looked at it and

 

said it isn't missing a part but simply

 

needs tightening from inserting a

 

special tool through the bottom of the

 

column up to the mounting plate thereby expanding a joint

 

That tool will tighten the large plate bolt

 

and thus secure the plate to the

 

column.

 

All in all unless you have a long racket

 

nut tool the head will remain loose. The

 

tripod will be fixed by next week.

<p>Funny but I had similar problems several years back with a metal 055 bought new. The mounting plate atop the column was loose. Used a drill press to bore a small hole through it into the post and a self-tapping screw solved the issue permanently. Is your 496 loose internally or wobbly once its on the tripod? I've sometimes had to move a head around on my Manfrottos to get the 3 grub screws under the plate to catch the bottom of the head. Still, there never seemed to be much wobble once they were screwed down on the plate.</p>

Well Fixation has had the tripod for over a week now andvtripodvis not fixed. In told have to continue to wait in the cue.

Alternatively, I was told I can get a full refund if I did not want to wait. I am wondering if I can do the tightening. If I can get

a long socket wrench and thread it through the Center column would that suffice?

The expander joint is what is needed and not to be sold separately. Must pay for center column and plate part from Manfrotto for

£95. I just told Fixation to bond the plate to column via super glue and lets call it a day<div></div>