My old Manfrotto ballhead does not operate as smoothly as it once did (pretty much like me in fact!). Can anyone recommend a suitable lubricant (for the head, not me) that might improve things a bit.
I'm not familiar with the Manfrotto ballheads but certainly with the Arca Swiss B1 that I use, it's recommended never to put any form of lubricant on the head. I don't know if the same applies to the Manfrotto ones. I'd drop them an e-mail just to be sure, rather than risk making the problem worse.
I usually just use a few lint free tissues (Pec Pads) moistened with a little warm water, then dried and polished thoroughly with a couple more tissues. This always seems to remove any dust, contamination and sea spray and keeps the head working smoothly. Might be worth a try.
Hi Robert, the internal machanism on the Manfroto is made up up of three bars two lower and one upper, as the know is tightened it pushes the lower rods forcing the upper to engage on the ball. If these rods become contaminated along with grease in the recesses it sticks, not allowing the upper rod to disengage. if you can remove rods clean thoroughly pack area with low viscosity lithium greas only need very small amount.
whilst apart clean ball also adding no grease at all. you might want to increase the diameter of the upper rod to induce less tightening on the control knob, I found old drill bit very good, end that fits chuck!!
hope of some help?
chhers
Paul
Discussion
6 repliesI'm not familiar with the Manfrotto ballheads but certainly with the Arca Swiss B1 that I use, it's recommended never to put any form of lubricant on the head. I don't know if the same applies to the Manfrotto ones. I'd drop them an e-mail just to be sure, rather than risk making the problem worse.
I usually just use a few lint free tissues (Pec Pads) moistened with a little warm water, then dried and polished thoroughly with a couple more tissues. This always seems to remove any dust, contamination and sea spray and keeps the head working smoothly. Might be worth a try.
whilst apart clean ball also adding no grease at all. you might want to increase the diameter of the upper rod to induce less tightening on the control knob, I found old drill bit very good, end that fits chuck!!
hope of some help?
chhers
Paul