Professional Tripod Tutorial

This is a heavy tripod, suitable for professional applications. It is available with a photo or video head. When used with the video head, it is ideal for smooth tilt and pan operations.

Overview

Professional Tripod Kit	[[Image:]]	[[Image:]]	[[Image:]]	[[Image:]]
	Tripod Base	Tripod Head	Tripod Quick Mount	Tripod Bag

This tutorial covers the basic operation of the SLIK The Professional 4 tripod and Manfrotto video and photo tripod heads.

Using the Video Head

Attaching the Camera

Push the black lever all the way down.

Step 1 - Remove the Mounting Plate

To remove the mounting plate, first loosen it by pushing the black lever all the way down.

Hold the red button and slide the plate out.

Then, hold down the red button and slide the plate out.

Make sure the arrow is forward and the peg lines up.

Step 2 - Attaching the Plate to the Camera

On the bottom of the plate is an arrow labeled lens. Make sure the arrow is pointing towards the front of the camera.

The gold peg fits into the small hole.

Locate the gold peg on the top of the mounting plate. This peg fits into the small hole on the bottom of the camera.

Line the screw up with the threaded hole.

Once the peg is set, line the screw up with the large, threaded hole and tighten it using a screwdriver or coin.

Do not over-tighten it but make sure it is secure enough that the camera does not wiggle around on the mounting plate.

Hold down the red button and slide the camera onto the tripod.

Step 3 - Reattaching the Mounted Camera to the Tripod

Hold down the red button and slide the mounting plate back into place.

Move the camera to find the best balance.

At this point, you can move the camera forward and backwards so that it balances properly.

Flip the black lever back up to lock the camera in place.

Once it is properly seated, flip the black lever all the way up to secure the mounting plate in place.

Adjusting the Handle

Loosen the handle knob and adjust.

To adjust the position of the handle, simply loosen the handle knob until it can be moved freely.

Tighten the knob to lock.

Once it is in a comfortable position, tighten the knob to lock the handle in place.

Release the length knob and adjust.

To make the handle longer, loosen the length knob located partway down the handle and adjust it as desired.

Tighten the knob to secure.

Tighten it to lock the length of the handle.

Be aware that the telescopic part of the handle is lubricated. When the handle is extended beyond its normal length only move it using the textured grip.

This will keep your hands clean and ensure that the part stays lubricated.

Using the Level

The level is on the right, the Light ON/OFF button is in the center.

The video head has a level built into it, located near the pan clutch. When the bubble is in the center of the black circle, the tripod is sitting level.

Pushing the red button labeled "Light ON/OFF" will briefly turn on the level's backlight, allowing it to be seen in dark environments. If left on, the light will automatically turn itself off to conserve battery power.

Adjusting the Center Column

The center column can be adjusted to fine tune the height of the camera.

Twist the knob counter-clockwise to unlock.

Step 1 - Unlocking

First, release the center column lock by twisting the knob counter-clockwise.

Pull the handle until it locks into place.

Step 2 - Securing the Handle

Pull the handle up until it locks into place.

Rotate the handle until the camera is at the desired height.

Step 3 - Adjust the Height

Rotate the handle until the camera is at the desired height.

Tilting

Close-up of the tilt clutch.

Step 1 - Unlocking

To tilt, release the tilt locking knob by rotating it upwards.

The fluid-drag knob.

Step 2 - Adjusting the Resistance

Use the adjacent fluid-drag knob to adjust the resistance. More drag means more resistance.

Rotate the clutch downwards to lock your tilt.

Step 3 - Locking

Rotate the tilt locking knob downwards to lock your tilt.

Panning

Close-up of the pan clutch.

Step 1 - Unlocking

To pan, release the pan locking knob by rotating it inward.

Tilt the head all the way up.

Step 2 - Adjusting the Resistance

To adjust the resistance, release the tilt locking knob and tilt the head all the way up.

Close-up of the fluid-drag knob.

The exposed fluid-drag knob controls pan resistance. More drag means more resistance.

Rotate outwards to lock.

Step 3 - Locking

Rotate the pan locking knob outwards to lock your pan.

"What if the head becomes loose?"

If you notice that the you can pan while the pan lock is engaged, it is possible the head has come loose.

If this is the case, simply lock the pan knob and rotate the head counter-clockwise until it is tightened again.