Matthew Hendrickson Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 I want to apologize, I'm not at all well-versed in tripod/head gear. What I just received in the mail from an online auction is a Gitzo Studex tripod with a Miller Super 8 fluid head. I chose this mainly for the brand reputation and the "super 8" name- that's what I'm shooting on. There are no real issues with it. The tilting action is smooth and it even pans smoothly, if a little slowly. However I don't see a mechanism for the panning. It seems to me it is just rotating on the mount screw threading. Is this its intended use? I ask because there is still a possibility of return. Also, I may change tripods later and would still need a good panning function. Hope that's clear. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Glenn Brady Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 The Miller Super 8 fluid head as supplied by the manufacturer has drag adjustments for both pan and tilt. Adjustment knobs should be visible on the side of the head opposite that shown in your post. The Gitzo tripod to which the head is mounted doesn't have a ball-leveling feature, so set up may be tedious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Hendrickson Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 Thanks. I played with it more and there is a wing nut on the side that clamps down the panning action. I'm not sure how this tech works though. I screw the head down, loosen the panning nut and the head spins around. Mystified by how that internal mechanism works? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dunn Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Sounds like 'fluid' is a description of how they'd like it to be, not of the mechanics. It seems to be a plain friction head. A fluid head would have some sort of reservoir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Glenn Brady Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Sounds like 'fluid' is a description of how they'd like it to be, not of the mechanics. It seems to be a plain friction head. A fluid head would have some sort of reservoir. No, this is an authentic fluid head (I know because I own about a half dozen examples). It'll work well with lightweight cameras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Glenn Brady Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Thanks. I played with it more and there is a wing nut on the side that clamps down the panning action. I'm not sure how this tech works though. I screw the head down, loosen the panning nut and the head spins around. Mystified by how that internal mechanism works? I think you haven't fastened the head to the tripod securely (and it doesn't help that the tripod isn't really designed to accommodate this head). It would appear that the torque needed to pan the fluid head is exceeding the torque needed to unscrew the head from the tripod. Maybe you could use soft-jaw pliers or some similar tool to tighten the head to the tripod; hand-tightening may not do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Hendrickson Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) Thanks for the replies. To get the head off, I lock the wing nut and then can twist the head off. Otherwise once screwed on it spins in a smooth pan. I thanked the online seller already for the tripod. Still they offer a 14 day return on the item. I think it may work for me but am wondering if I payed too much. With tripod and head, what's a fair price for this? Also how loose and free do fluid heads get? For instance I couldn't pull off a convincing whip pan with this. Edited December 22, 2015 by Matthew Hendrickson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Hendrickson Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 Mark Dunn, What do you mean reservoir? I'm suspicious that there is no rotating element on the head itself. The whole head pans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Hendrickson Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 Figured this out and am embarrassed I didn't just do this to begin with. There is an internal column within the body of the head. I couldn't move it independently with my hand. It does lock into the mount and remain stationary while the head swivels. With a flashlight, peering into little gap, it was obvious. Hey, I warned you I was newb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendes Nabil Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 I just bought this exact same head, can someone tell me what is the bottom hole for? I received it exactly as it is pictured above, am i right thinking that a plate is missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Simon Wyss Posted October 7, 2022 Premium Member Share Posted October 7, 2022 The 4 mm bore 15 mm off centre radially receives a dowel pin from the tripod side to prevent the head base from turning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendes Nabil Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 Thank you Simon, that was my conclusion too,.. My tripod looks like this (a vintage Gitzo), do i need a plate with a dowel pin between the tripod and the head or maybe just a pin? I don't know what to look for, Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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