Jihong Park , Mar 21, 2010; 07:39 p.m.
I am looking for a compatible Manfrotto center column to replace the existing one in Manfrotto 719B tripod. Does anyone know if there are other Manfrotto tripods with center column dimensions as above? 24mm is absolute maximum... and I think the actual column is more like 23mm wide.
If I can purchase a compatible center column I would be able to replace the ball head to whatever I prefer so that is the aim of this exercise. Column height doesn't matter.
I've seen DIY center column job done on 719B on the Internet, but I can't find the same doorstop to manufacture the center column unfortunately.
A friend has kindly measured 055 PROB and the center column on it is 2mm too wide. I'm curious what the dimensions are for the 190 series center column... if anyone can help, would be very much appreciated.
Matthew Currie , Mar 21, 2010; 09:24 p.m.
The column on my wife's Bogen 3001 pro is 23.76 by my measurement of the dimension labeled as 24 on your illustration. I'm not sure what Manfrotto number that corresponds with any more, but I think it's the 190 series. Anyway, columns for the 3001 seem to be readily available.
Arief Novisto , Mar 21, 2010; 09:26 p.m.
I have a 3001N and the "diameter" is 23mm measured with my ruler.
Jihong Park , Mar 21, 2010; 10:39 p.m.
Bogen 3001 indeed seems to be Manfrotto 190 series and if the measurements are within the range mentioned above (23 - 23.76mm) it will certainly fit in my 719B, based on these figures !!
I wanted to make sure that I had a high probability of success before I commit... as I'll have to order the column from an overseas shop (most likely from US), pay foreign exchange conversion fees and then wait a few weeks for it to arrive.
Thanks Matthew and A Novisto, for your quick responses! I'll update this post once the 'upgrade' eventuates.
Jihong Park , May 10, 2010; 08:50 p.m.
After a very long wait I finally got the center column from B&H. It was placed in back-order to the manufacturer/distributor for quite some time but in the end, it has arrived!!
For those with 719B tripod who wants to perform a similar upgrade(mod?), the manufacturer part number is "MAR190.510B" and B&H sells it for less than U$18.00 + shipping.
I had to reverse the black rubber cushion under the silver head plate, to make it sit comfortably on the tripod legs evenly (you'll see what I mean when the part is in front of you) but other than that, the size is just perfect! The bottom end rubber cap on the old center column cannot be used straight away because the new column lacks a hole. Just need to drill an extra hole when I get a chance.
I put it together with a Culmann 30nm ball head and it looks semi-decent. So there you go - if you ever want to upgrade the tiny ball head on an old 719B Digi tripod to a different one, there is a way!
I really like how you can order parts for Manfrotto, especially when they are compatible with different models !
Thanks again to Matthew and A Navisto - if I didn't have the information from you, I wouldn't have taken the chance.
