What tripod thread sizes do the GigaPan Epic Pro and tripod head use, and do I need a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter?

Question

I’m trying to understand tripod thread sizes for mounting a GigaPan Epic Pro securely. My setup is a Manfrotto 475B Pro Geared tripod, and I’m currently using a 2-way tilt head, but it doesn’t feel ideal for supporting a heavy load: GigaPan Epic Pro + Nikon D4 + 400mm lens.

I keep seeing 1/4" and 3/8" thread sizes mentioned and want to confirm which is which. The GigaPan appears to have the standard camera-size tripod socket, while the tripod uses the larger head-mount thread.

Are these the standard 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 tripod threads? And if I want to attach the GigaPan to the tripod’s larger mount, is a Manfrotto 120 3/8" to 1/4" adapter the correct part?

user2719 · Accepted Answer

Yes, there are two standard threads that are almost universal in the industry:

1/4"-20 (threads per inch), used between tripod heads and small/medium format cameras, and in a host of accessories; and
3/8"-16 (again, the 16 is tpi), used between tripods and heads and between heads and cameras in some large-format systems, as well as with many larger studio accessories.

These two thread sizes are standard to the point that if anything turns out to have a different thread size, it'll be a real surprise -- even if everything else in the system is metric.

And the Manfrotto adapter plate is pretty much exactly what you're looking for, yes.

What tripod thread sizes do the GigaPan Epic Pro and tripod head use, and do I need a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter?

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