Manfrotto 327RC2 Drifts - Please help!

[ktuli]

Hey all,

I have a Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick style ballhead. It is reported to be able to hold up to 12.1 lbs, but it will drift slightly with loads much smaller than that. It will also move (what I would consider) far too easily when the trigger is not pulled. I don't think it drifts too terribly on its own, but certainly if the camera is bumped, it will allow the head to move without the trigger being pulled. Does anyone know of an adjustment I can make to stop this?

I know there is a tension adjustment on the the trigger handle, but to my understanding, that is designed to adjust how easily the head moves when the trigger is pulled, and should not have any bearing on how stiff the head is when the trigger is not pulled.

Basically, I just want the thing to be solid once I let go of the trigger.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

- Bill

[ktuli]

Ok - having worked in the IT field for over 17 years, I've seen the acronym RTFM many many times, and though I've never used it on a coworker or client, perhaps I should have used it on myself prior to posting.

Turns out, the eventual drifting behavior is expected and Manfrotto has put a nice adjustment screw on the head and supplied to corresponding allen wrench to adjust it. So a couple quick turns and I'm back in business with a ball head that doesn't move (well, at least not without a significant amount of pressure).

Sorry for the false alarm folks! Please ignore this posts (mods, feel free to delete if you wish).

- Bill

[KTHXBAI]

This was an I D 10 t issue located between the chair and the keyboard.

[darkslide]

On the contrary - I think its perfectly justifiable in terms of a post.

Something happened that you didn't understand so you asked people here for help. Isn't that the whole point of a forum?

(Ok, I agree, it was possibly also a case of reading the manual after the event - but we all do that!! Don't we???)

[Donald]

The value of a post like this is for all those who might come along behind with the same sort of issue. That's why I've tagged the thread.

[Geoff F]

I think Michael's comment was just meant as a little bit of light humour - as often occurs on CinC.

Incidentally, with my 322C head I do find that adjusting the handle tension screw helps to prevent lens drop; but the amount of extra tension added is somewhat limited. Which is where the adjustment Allen Screw is required for greater adjustment.

And I find the angle of the camera/lens does make a significant difference. From level to around 30 degrees of droop there isn't any problem, but if I lower the angle below 45 degrees I often have difficulties. Particularly with a big zoom plus flash.

[ktuli]

Thanks to everyone who made me feel a bit better about posting and then answering my own question (except Mike... ahem).

Hopefully someone who also needs the information will find the thread helpful someday.

- Bill

[KTHXBAI]

Yes it was an attempt at humor... Never meant to imply offense. Bill and I have shot together a couple of times.

[krispix]

The old maxim is: If all else fails - read the instructions.

[ktuli]

Yes it was an attempt at humor... Never meant to imply offense. Bill and I have shot together a couple of times.

Yes - it was definitely humor and taken as such... But at the same time, it was also 100% true.