I've got a problem with my tripod...

sidearm613 · Jan 24, 2010

So, I was in Israel with all my camera stuff, went out to the balcony of the apartment we were staying in, saw a photo I really liked, got out my Pentax 67, metered, decided I needed a tripod, pulled out my Vivitar, set everything up, screwed down the pan/tilt head and then.... SNAP! The screw that tightened the tilt side of the pan tilt head had broken in half near where the screw threads began. I shopped about for a replacement part, but to no avail. So, now my tripod can only shoot verticals, an inconvenience to say the least.

I was wondering what to do now. Does anybody still use Vivitar tripods from the 1980s? Should I just go out and buy a whole new tripod? Or can I make do with a new head? Or maybe, somebody has a Vivitar 928 tripod lying around and wouldn't mind sending me the pan/tilt head. I really am a bit cash strapped at the moment, so while I would love to say "oh well" and rush out to purchase a brand new heavy duty Manfrotto, it really isn't an option. So I ask you fine people, what to do?

johnnywalker · Jan 24, 2010

To me, your post reads like the actual screw snapped. If so, you could probably take it to a machine shop specializing in small things and get them to drill it out and re-thread it with the thread of an available screw. But, I'm not familiar with that tripod,maybe i misread the post or maybe it just ain't possible.

David A. Goldfarb · Jan 24, 2010

I don't think I've seen a Vivitar tripod that would be adequate for a medium format SLR. They're usually pretty light and designed for 35mm cameras.

If you can muster about $100, I'd look for a second hand Marchioni or Leitz Tiltall. They're better than the current Tiltalls for about the same price, and offer the best bang for the buck in tripods that can hold up to a 4x5" field or press camera.

fotch · Jan 24, 2010

Can you post a picture? Maybe some solution to fix what you have will be forthcoming.

MattKing · Jan 24, 2010

David A. Goldfarb said:
I don't think I've seen a Vivitar tripod that would be adequate for a medium format SLR. They're usually pretty light and designed for 35mm cameras.

If you can muster about $100, I'd look for a second hand Marchioni or Leitz Tiltall. They're better than the current Tiltalls for about the same price, and offer the best bang for the buck in tripods that can hold up to a 4x5" field or press camera.

A couple of years ago I purchased a Vivitar Proline 200 tripod - it is reasonably sturdy and rigid, while still being quite compact and fairly light.

It serves as my "leave it in the car for emergencies" tripod. It certainly works well with my Mamiya TLRs and Mamiya 645s. I have also used it successfully with my Koni-Omegas.

You can replace the head, and I have tried several types with it.

If I had a part on it break, I'd try to get it repaired.

Here is a link to a similar model:

http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-PL300-Video-Photo-Tripod/dp/B00005NI6G

Matt

sidearm613 · Jan 25, 2010

Thank you all for the replies.
@ David - The new Vivitars are pretty lousy and weak, but the kind I have is a 928, from the 1980s, and its very big and heavy. I have had no problems with the 67 and its huge shutter and mirror, and I dare say I could probably use the tripod for even larger cameras, if I ever decide to make the leap to large format.

@ fotch - I will try to take some photos with my digicam, but I seem to have lost the part of the screw that broke. I think this also rules out taking the screw to a machine shop and having it fixed up. anyhoo...

@Johnny Walker - The tripod has a very basic pan/tilt head. It looks a lot like a Tiltall. What happened was that I was screwing down the tilt screw, which is hollow, and the damn thing snapped at the threads. @#$%!!!

mikebarger · Jan 25, 2010

Are there enough threads showing to back out what's left? If so, it would only be a matter of finding a long bolt of the same thread size and using it as a handle.

It the threads are broke off where you can not get to them, it will require a left hand threaded drill bit to back it out.

Mike

bsdunek · Jan 25, 2010

mikebarger said:
Are there enough threads showing to back out what's left? If so, it would only be a matter of finding a long bolt of the same thread size and using it as a handle.

It the threads are broke off where you can not get to them, it will require a left hand threaded drill bit to back it out.

Mike

Agree. Try a good, old-fashion hardware store. There are screws with knob heads that might work. I've attached a picture from McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com). Our local hardware store has these.

John Koehrer · Jan 25, 2010

Vivitar is likely to be metric.

mikebarger · Jan 25, 2010

Israel a metric country??

Mike

largely · Jan 25, 2010

Hi David,

I recently bought a Tiltall which was missing one handle. It did'nt take much to make a new one.
If you feel like driving to Chino I imagine I could repair your tripod easily. I have fairly extensive machining and welding capability.
PM me if you're interested.

Larry

Bruce Watson · Jan 25, 2010

mikebarger said:
Israel a metric country??

Mike

Of course it is. All but three countries on the planet (there's just shy of 200 countries, so that's roughly 98.5%) use metric units as their primary units of measure. And one of those three has been "officially" metric since at least 1875 when it was one of the original seventeen signatory nations to the Treaty of the Meter. Yup -- that would be the USA. Officially metric, but not really. The US is schizophrenic when it comes to measurements -- some imperial units, some metric. For example, there hasn't been an imperial automobile built in Detroit (or anywhere else in the world) in something like 30 years -- except for the wheels which, in the USA only, remain imperial. Go figure.

David A. Goldfarb · Jan 25, 2010

It's a conspiracy by the powerful wrench and socket lobby.

sidearm613 · Jan 25, 2010

I like being an uncivilized American, what with my old style system of measurement! Having said that, I'm no longer in Israel, I'm at my home in Los Angeles, so that doesn't really matter. But, Vivitar is Japanese, which is also metric.

Oh, and Mike, I backed out the left overs in Israel and then like an idiot left the damn thing in the rent a car!!!! wawawaaaaa...

John Koehrer · Jan 26, 2010

take it to a Good Ace hdw. & try a couple of different size bolts.
I've done that before I accumulated an assortment in the garage.
You may find that there's a shoulder on the bolt that came out, it there is you can use brass tubing to fake it.

For Bruce.... Our interpretation of metric goes something like 12mm=1/2ish".
Or I'd rather calculate in fractions than be tempted by something divisible by 10.

Bruce Watson · Jan 26, 2010

John Koehrer said:
For Bruce.... Our interpretation of metric goes something like 12mm=1/2ish".
Or I'd rather calculate in fractions than be tempted by something divisible by 10.

Some people like to beat their heads against the wall. They say they do it because it feels so good when they stop. :rolleyes:

sun of sand · Jan 26, 2010

I dunno what the problem is exactly -or the quality of this vivitar- but if it means getting to a machinist or something just buy a new one
If you cannot afford your manfrotto get what is essentially a chinese knockoff
Ebay Amvona Dynatran
cheapest models are $50 new with head or even less inc shipping
People will scoff at chinese crap goods/manufacturing but the tripod is more than solid enough.
If you don't mind 8lbs and no reason you should ..

Best bang for the buck
I say Amvona. half the price of the other bang for buck deals and eventhough I have a ries I choose to use the cheapy amvona ..for lightweight 4x5
Tri-lock is nice but for where I shoot I don't see the big advantage and the older ries is more angular

I use an amvona 3pantilt head rated for 5 pounds! lol and its perfectly solid with more than 5lbs on it
QR is fine
If it's sloppy in movements it doesn't bother me

No idea why anyone would buy the cheaper bogen models. The CF tripods might be just as good as their brethren too

Someone should really do an independant test of tripods skipping lenses for a week or two
I mean
most will say all lenses perform well stopped down
most tripods with certain amount of heft probably perform well

Helcio Tagliolatto · Nov 28, 2020

sidearm613 said:
Thank you all for the replies.
@ David - The new Vivitars are pretty lousy and weak, but the kind I have is a 928, from the 1980s, and its very big and heavy. I have had no problems with the 67 and its huge shutter and mirror, and I dare say I could probably use the tripod for even larger cameras, if I ever decide to make the leap to large format.

Visiting an old thread.

I agree.
I did a complete CLA on my Vivitar 928 today, and decided to check here and on the LFForum some more data about this old, not so heavy, and strong tripod. I bought it in 1986 with its dedicated cable release. It traveled the world, has been used for years in hot and humid Manaus, first holding a Pentax 67 and since then a Mamiya RB.
It is much superior to other tripods sold by Vivitar later.

I've got a problem with my tripod...

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