Problem with RRS BH-40 ball head

[BernardLanguillier]

Dear all,

I have been using a BH-40 since it was released.

I have shot with it in various harsh environments but had had no problems until now.

I had the chance to shoot in moderately cold weather this past weekend in the Japanese Alps (I hadn't used the head for 2 weeks), and was surprised to see that it refused to tilt up/down more than 20 degrees from horizontal.

The  ball can rotate freely from left to right around a vertical axis, but it just blocks completely when I try to tilt it up/down more than 15-20 degrees.

Needless to say, this makes it nearly unusable for many compositions in which I try to aim the camera down or up even a little bit.

I could send it back to RRS, but being based in Japan this would take time and be a real pain.
 
I was wondering if any of you had experienced something similar, and whether or not there would be an easy solution to the issue...

Thank you in advance for your kind help.

Best regards,
Bernard

[996sps]

Dear all,

I have been using a BH-40 since it was released.

I have shot with it in various harsh environments but had had no problems until now.

I had the chance to shoot in moderately cold weather this past weekend in the Japanese Alps (I hadn't used the head for 2 weeks), and was surprised to see that it refused to tilt up/down more than 20 degrees from horizontal.

The  ball can rotate freely from left to right around a vertical axis, but it just blocks completely when I try to tilt it up/down more than 15-20 degrees.

Needless to say, this makes it nearly unusable for many compositions in which I try to aim the camera down or up even a little bit.

I could send it back to RRS, but being based in Japan this would take time and be a real pain.
 
I was wondering if any of you had experienced something similar, and whether or not there would be an easy solution to the issue...

Thank you in advance for your kind help.

Best regards,
Bernard
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=80059\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Bernard,

Have you changed to another tripod? The new tripod may have a "longer" than usual centre threaded spindle where the ballhead sits.

Remove the ballhead from the tripod and check if there is any debris underneath it. I have had some grit in there once with mine. As per RRS instructions you can rinse the dirt off under a tap and sponge dry and air.

I know sometimes the above seems to be the obvious things to do first but still if you have not tried it it may the answer.

Rgds
Phil

[BernardLanguillier]

Bernard,

Have you changed to another tripod? The new tripod may have a "longer" than usual centre threaded spindle where the ballhead sits.

Remove the ballhead from the tripod and check if there is any debris underneath it. I have had some grit in there once with mine. As per RRS instructions you can rinse the dirt off under a tap and sponge dry and air.

I know sometimes the above seems to be the obvious things to do first but still if you have not tried it it may the answer.

Rgds
Phil
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=80075\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the advice. I haven't changed tripod, but I did remove and re-install the head before the problem started to show up. It could be something with the screw of the Markins center column replacement base I am using.

I'll check tonight.

Thank you again.

Regards,
Bernard

[BernardLanguillier]

You were right! Can't believe I didn't think of that myself...

Thanks a lot.

Cheers,
Bernard

[996sps]

You were right! Can't believe I didn't think of that myself...

Thanks a lot.

Cheers,
Bernard
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=80146\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Brilliant - problem solved then.

Cheers....Phil