What is the round plate between my tripod and head for, and do I need it?
Asked 2/26/2012
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2 answers
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On my Oben AC-1400 AL tripod with BA-00 head, there is a round plate/spacer between the tripod and the head. It has small set screws around the edge. It looks like the head threads on more deeply if I remove this plate, so I’m wondering whether the plate is actually necessary and what its purpose is.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
3
How does a head lock onto the tripod? Normally, you would screw the head onto the plate with a protruding 3/8"(?) screw, then beneath the plate where you screwed the tripod onto are three set screws that are screwed down to tighten against the head. Basically, the head is screwed on in one direction and the set screws push in the opposite direction. This creates a "lock" so that the head doesn't somehow work it's way loose, probably at the most inopportune time!
The round plate you picture looks like the plate I describe. There are three set screws, likely to push against the head. If you remove this plate, how does the head stay locked on the tripod? (I'm asking. I'm not familiar with this tripod so I don't know.) This round plate appears to have a hex center hole. I'm guessing that the hex center hole lines up on the tripod, so that this round plate can't spin. Then you screw the head onto the plate/tripod, and then you tighten the three set screws on this round plate.
Originally by user8473. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user8473
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
That round piece is most likely a locking plate/jam nut, not just a spacer. Its purpose is to help secure the head after it is threaded onto the tripod, usually by tightening against the head and/or using the small set screws to keep the head from rotating loose.
On many tripods, the head screws onto a 3/8" mounting stud, then the plate’s set screws are tightened to lock everything in place. On some systems, similar plates also mate with a patterned surface to prevent twisting.
So even if the head seems to catch more threads without it, the plate may still be important because it provides the locking action that keeps the head from loosening in use. Without it, the head may rely only on the main screw and could work loose over time.
If your head mounts securely only because the screw bottoms out, that’s not ideal. The plate is there to provide a proper surface to tighten against and/or a secondary lock. Unless the manufacturer specifically says it can be removed, it’s best to leave it in place.
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