What are the threaded holes in Manfrotto camera brackets?





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The following is the underside of a ball headed Manfrotto camera mounting bracket:-



bracket



In addition to the expected threaded screw in the middle, there are two threaded holes either side. I don't recall getting any hardware for these when I bought it. What are they for?










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    4















    The following is the underside of a ball headed Manfrotto camera mounting bracket:-



    bracket



    In addition to the expected threaded screw in the middle, there are two threaded holes either side. I don't recall getting any hardware for these when I bought it. What are they for?










    share|improve this question

























      4












      4








      4








      The following is the underside of a ball headed Manfrotto camera mounting bracket:-



      bracket



      In addition to the expected threaded screw in the middle, there are two threaded holes either side. I don't recall getting any hardware for these when I bought it. What are they for?










      share|improve this question














      The following is the underside of a ball headed Manfrotto camera mounting bracket:-



      bracket



      In addition to the expected threaded screw in the middle, there are two threaded holes either side. I don't recall getting any hardware for these when I bought it. What are they for?







      tripod-heads ball-head






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




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      asked Mar 12 at 0:01









      Paul UszakPaul Uszak

      626510




      626510






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

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          8














          The tripod mount receivers on many video cameras have an additional slot next to the 1/4-20 threaded hole. This hole is for an alignment pin that orients the camera in the right direction and also assists in preventing the camera from twisting on the plate.



          enter image description here



          The holes in your Manfrotto 200PL quick release plate are for an alignment pin that fits into the additional (non-threaded) hole in the base on video cameras. The two holes in the QR plate are to allow the user to choose front or rear orientation of the plate when used with a video camera that has the hole for an alignment pin. Your Manfrotto 200PL plate should have been supplied with such a pin (they're typically black plastic, but were originally metal a LONG time ago) as well as a 3/8-16 to 1/4-20 adapter bushing for the main screw.



          enter image description here



          At least a few Nikon "still" cameras also seem to have a hole for the alignment pin. The Nikon D850, for example:



          enter image description here






          share|improve this answer


























          • I bought a Manfrotto 484RC2 ball-head (supplied with a 200PL-14 quick-release plate), as well as an additional 200PL-14, from Speed Graphic in the UK on 2003-11-10. I got one VHS pin (metal) that Michael mentions, and no screw thread adapter. On 2018-03-18 I bought a Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod with the Sony Alpha 200PL-PROSONY quick-release plate directly from Manfrotto. It came with a plastic "VHS pin", and no thread adapter.

            – osullic
            Mar 13 at 22:40











          • Here are the instructions for the Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod. You can see one suggestion from Manfrotto for the VHS pin - to attach the quick-release plate to a lens' tripod collar.

            – osullic
            Mar 13 at 22:43













          • Not that it's very useful information, but I did some digging on the fact I never received a screw thread adapter... Back in 2003, Manfrotto offered a 200PL-14 and a 200PL-38. I guess instead of having 2 distinct products, at some point after 2003, they merged these into a single 200PL that came with the screw thread adapter.

            – osullic
            Mar 13 at 23:00



















          1














          Those holes are for a vhs pin — apparently a thing used to keep big heavy tape-recorder cameras in alignment. I don't think there's any use for still cameras.






          share|improve this answer
























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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            8














            The tripod mount receivers on many video cameras have an additional slot next to the 1/4-20 threaded hole. This hole is for an alignment pin that orients the camera in the right direction and also assists in preventing the camera from twisting on the plate.



            enter image description here



            The holes in your Manfrotto 200PL quick release plate are for an alignment pin that fits into the additional (non-threaded) hole in the base on video cameras. The two holes in the QR plate are to allow the user to choose front or rear orientation of the plate when used with a video camera that has the hole for an alignment pin. Your Manfrotto 200PL plate should have been supplied with such a pin (they're typically black plastic, but were originally metal a LONG time ago) as well as a 3/8-16 to 1/4-20 adapter bushing for the main screw.



            enter image description here



            At least a few Nikon "still" cameras also seem to have a hole for the alignment pin. The Nikon D850, for example:



            enter image description here






            share|improve this answer


























            • I bought a Manfrotto 484RC2 ball-head (supplied with a 200PL-14 quick-release plate), as well as an additional 200PL-14, from Speed Graphic in the UK on 2003-11-10. I got one VHS pin (metal) that Michael mentions, and no screw thread adapter. On 2018-03-18 I bought a Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod with the Sony Alpha 200PL-PROSONY quick-release plate directly from Manfrotto. It came with a plastic "VHS pin", and no thread adapter.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 22:40











            • Here are the instructions for the Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod. You can see one suggestion from Manfrotto for the VHS pin - to attach the quick-release plate to a lens' tripod collar.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 22:43













            • Not that it's very useful information, but I did some digging on the fact I never received a screw thread adapter... Back in 2003, Manfrotto offered a 200PL-14 and a 200PL-38. I guess instead of having 2 distinct products, at some point after 2003, they merged these into a single 200PL that came with the screw thread adapter.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 23:00
















            8














            The tripod mount receivers on many video cameras have an additional slot next to the 1/4-20 threaded hole. This hole is for an alignment pin that orients the camera in the right direction and also assists in preventing the camera from twisting on the plate.



            enter image description here



            The holes in your Manfrotto 200PL quick release plate are for an alignment pin that fits into the additional (non-threaded) hole in the base on video cameras. The two holes in the QR plate are to allow the user to choose front or rear orientation of the plate when used with a video camera that has the hole for an alignment pin. Your Manfrotto 200PL plate should have been supplied with such a pin (they're typically black plastic, but were originally metal a LONG time ago) as well as a 3/8-16 to 1/4-20 adapter bushing for the main screw.



            enter image description here



            At least a few Nikon "still" cameras also seem to have a hole for the alignment pin. The Nikon D850, for example:



            enter image description here






            share|improve this answer


























            • I bought a Manfrotto 484RC2 ball-head (supplied with a 200PL-14 quick-release plate), as well as an additional 200PL-14, from Speed Graphic in the UK on 2003-11-10. I got one VHS pin (metal) that Michael mentions, and no screw thread adapter. On 2018-03-18 I bought a Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod with the Sony Alpha 200PL-PROSONY quick-release plate directly from Manfrotto. It came with a plastic "VHS pin", and no thread adapter.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 22:40











            • Here are the instructions for the Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod. You can see one suggestion from Manfrotto for the VHS pin - to attach the quick-release plate to a lens' tripod collar.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 22:43













            • Not that it's very useful information, but I did some digging on the fact I never received a screw thread adapter... Back in 2003, Manfrotto offered a 200PL-14 and a 200PL-38. I guess instead of having 2 distinct products, at some point after 2003, they merged these into a single 200PL that came with the screw thread adapter.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 23:00














            8












            8








            8







            The tripod mount receivers on many video cameras have an additional slot next to the 1/4-20 threaded hole. This hole is for an alignment pin that orients the camera in the right direction and also assists in preventing the camera from twisting on the plate.



            enter image description here



            The holes in your Manfrotto 200PL quick release plate are for an alignment pin that fits into the additional (non-threaded) hole in the base on video cameras. The two holes in the QR plate are to allow the user to choose front or rear orientation of the plate when used with a video camera that has the hole for an alignment pin. Your Manfrotto 200PL plate should have been supplied with such a pin (they're typically black plastic, but were originally metal a LONG time ago) as well as a 3/8-16 to 1/4-20 adapter bushing for the main screw.



            enter image description here



            At least a few Nikon "still" cameras also seem to have a hole for the alignment pin. The Nikon D850, for example:



            enter image description here






            share|improve this answer















            The tripod mount receivers on many video cameras have an additional slot next to the 1/4-20 threaded hole. This hole is for an alignment pin that orients the camera in the right direction and also assists in preventing the camera from twisting on the plate.



            enter image description here



            The holes in your Manfrotto 200PL quick release plate are for an alignment pin that fits into the additional (non-threaded) hole in the base on video cameras. The two holes in the QR plate are to allow the user to choose front or rear orientation of the plate when used with a video camera that has the hole for an alignment pin. Your Manfrotto 200PL plate should have been supplied with such a pin (they're typically black plastic, but were originally metal a LONG time ago) as well as a 3/8-16 to 1/4-20 adapter bushing for the main screw.



            enter image description here



            At least a few Nikon "still" cameras also seem to have a hole for the alignment pin. The Nikon D850, for example:



            enter image description here







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Mar 12 at 1:48

























            answered Mar 12 at 1:43









            Michael CMichael C

            135k7154384




            135k7154384













            • I bought a Manfrotto 484RC2 ball-head (supplied with a 200PL-14 quick-release plate), as well as an additional 200PL-14, from Speed Graphic in the UK on 2003-11-10. I got one VHS pin (metal) that Michael mentions, and no screw thread adapter. On 2018-03-18 I bought a Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod with the Sony Alpha 200PL-PROSONY quick-release plate directly from Manfrotto. It came with a plastic "VHS pin", and no thread adapter.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 22:40











            • Here are the instructions for the Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod. You can see one suggestion from Manfrotto for the VHS pin - to attach the quick-release plate to a lens' tripod collar.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 22:43













            • Not that it's very useful information, but I did some digging on the fact I never received a screw thread adapter... Back in 2003, Manfrotto offered a 200PL-14 and a 200PL-38. I guess instead of having 2 distinct products, at some point after 2003, they merged these into a single 200PL that came with the screw thread adapter.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 23:00



















            • I bought a Manfrotto 484RC2 ball-head (supplied with a 200PL-14 quick-release plate), as well as an additional 200PL-14, from Speed Graphic in the UK on 2003-11-10. I got one VHS pin (metal) that Michael mentions, and no screw thread adapter. On 2018-03-18 I bought a Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod with the Sony Alpha 200PL-PROSONY quick-release plate directly from Manfrotto. It came with a plastic "VHS pin", and no thread adapter.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 22:40











            • Here are the instructions for the Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod. You can see one suggestion from Manfrotto for the VHS pin - to attach the quick-release plate to a lens' tripod collar.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 22:43













            • Not that it's very useful information, but I did some digging on the fact I never received a screw thread adapter... Back in 2003, Manfrotto offered a 200PL-14 and a 200PL-38. I guess instead of having 2 distinct products, at some point after 2003, they merged these into a single 200PL that came with the screw thread adapter.

              – osullic
              Mar 13 at 23:00

















            I bought a Manfrotto 484RC2 ball-head (supplied with a 200PL-14 quick-release plate), as well as an additional 200PL-14, from Speed Graphic in the UK on 2003-11-10. I got one VHS pin (metal) that Michael mentions, and no screw thread adapter. On 2018-03-18 I bought a Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod with the Sony Alpha 200PL-PROSONY quick-release plate directly from Manfrotto. It came with a plastic "VHS pin", and no thread adapter.

            – osullic
            Mar 13 at 22:40





            I bought a Manfrotto 484RC2 ball-head (supplied with a 200PL-14 quick-release plate), as well as an additional 200PL-14, from Speed Graphic in the UK on 2003-11-10. I got one VHS pin (metal) that Michael mentions, and no screw thread adapter. On 2018-03-18 I bought a Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod with the Sony Alpha 200PL-PROSONY quick-release plate directly from Manfrotto. It came with a plastic "VHS pin", and no thread adapter.

            – osullic
            Mar 13 at 22:40













            Here are the instructions for the Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod. You can see one suggestion from Manfrotto for the VHS pin - to attach the quick-release plate to a lens' tripod collar.

            – osullic
            Mar 13 at 22:43







            Here are the instructions for the Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod. You can see one suggestion from Manfrotto for the VHS pin - to attach the quick-release plate to a lens' tripod collar.

            – osullic
            Mar 13 at 22:43















            Not that it's very useful information, but I did some digging on the fact I never received a screw thread adapter... Back in 2003, Manfrotto offered a 200PL-14 and a 200PL-38. I guess instead of having 2 distinct products, at some point after 2003, they merged these into a single 200PL that came with the screw thread adapter.

            – osullic
            Mar 13 at 23:00





            Not that it's very useful information, but I did some digging on the fact I never received a screw thread adapter... Back in 2003, Manfrotto offered a 200PL-14 and a 200PL-38. I guess instead of having 2 distinct products, at some point after 2003, they merged these into a single 200PL that came with the screw thread adapter.

            – osullic
            Mar 13 at 23:00













            1














            Those holes are for a vhs pin — apparently a thing used to keep big heavy tape-recorder cameras in alignment. I don't think there's any use for still cameras.






            share|improve this answer




























              1














              Those holes are for a vhs pin — apparently a thing used to keep big heavy tape-recorder cameras in alignment. I don't think there's any use for still cameras.






              share|improve this answer


























                1












                1








                1







                Those holes are for a vhs pin — apparently a thing used to keep big heavy tape-recorder cameras in alignment. I don't think there's any use for still cameras.






                share|improve this answer













                Those holes are for a vhs pin — apparently a thing used to keep big heavy tape-recorder cameras in alignment. I don't think there's any use for still cameras.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Mar 12 at 0:15









                mattdmmattdm

                123k40357654




                123k40357654






























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