Help Needed on Manfrotto quick release

[Warren T.]

Hi, my friend received a used Manfrotto 3265 ball head with quick release, and we cannot figure out how to properly secure the quick release plate onto the mount. We cannot get the locking lever to lock tight, so the camera wiggles dangerously when mounted :bang:. It doesn't feel right. The unit did not come with instructions, so hopefully someone can describe the proper procedure or point us to a place on the web where we can read the instructions.

thanks in advance 🙂

--Warren

 

[sevo]

It snaps in, and should already sit tight after that. The lever can be used to tighten if even further. It being the small plate, it is not that tight, but it should not wiggle with anything up to medium format.

Perhaps there is something wrong with your plate or head.

 

[Warren T.]

Thanks for the reply, Sevo.

We were wondering if there is something wrong with the locking lever because it really does not feel secure when the plate is snapped in. I can use the big lever to tighten a little further, but it will loosen again when I hold/move the camera while mounted.

How is the little brass lever under the main lever used?

Thanks,

Warren

 

[sevo]

How is the little brass lever under the main lever used?

That should lock the main lever when the plate is in place. Both levers should be spring loaded - are yours?

 

[Warren T.]

yes, they are both spring loaded.

So is the proper procedure to:

1) snap the plate into the mount
2) push the big lever to further tighten
3) rotate the little brass lever to tighten the big lever

sound right?

 

[Nikonsnapper]

Not sure if it is the same model, but if my camera is not solid, it is usually because I have not screwed the screw in the plate into the camera correctly. The screw is in a circular hole and if it is not in the centre, it appears to be tight, but works loose easily.

 

[sevo]

sound right?

Not entirely, the little lever does only secure the big one, and it can already be swung in while the big one is locked open.

You have mounted the plate the right way, i.e. with the wide side rear and the "lens" arrow pointing forward? Or rather, as the plate orientation is quite foolproof given the inscription: Are you sure the head orientation is right and you don't attempt to use the head 180° reversed? The plate is asymmetric, and the front edge of the plate (the edge with the corners missing) is slightly recessed in its middle so that it cannot lock properly.

 

[Warren T.]

Sevo, thanks for your patience. I'll check it and play with it some more. 🙂

--Warren