I’ve acquired two tripods: A Vanguard Alta Pro 264AP and a Bogen Professional 3221 made by Manffrotto.
Does anyone know if they can be converted to “ball head” so a can use them for shooting? They are both substantial and are not something I would intend carrying any further than from my truck to the bench.
Thanks for any a formation ! John
Yeah, you’ll see a 1/4-20 thread when you screw off the head. Then just screw on a new head for shooting and you’re in business.
I love making older stuff work, but do know that you may not want to sink a bunch of money into a head because neither of those will be super stable. Look at heads from Sirui.
Alternatively, a new tripod from Sunwayfoto.
Thanks for such a quick reply !! Sure thought that if I could replace the head they would work. That’s going to move the tripod down on my list of “stuff” to acquire.
BTW, the downloads are very much appreciated. The MOA/MIL tracking target is perfect !! Also, the file of rifle accuracy is really interesting. Enjoy very much your content and how you bring it to us !!
If the Bogen is like the one my dad had for photography (weighing in at about 10-12 lbs and rising to about 6’), I think it will be stable enough.
Blockquote
Thanks Ben ! That’s a really accurate description. It belonged to a friend who was a professional photographer. I’ve seen it used in all sorts of ways. He had a project where it was configured so that it was used to micro photograph circuits on chips. Next day photographing the Golden Gate from Scoma’s on the Wharf. Damn thing is heavy. I got to haul it around with bags carrying lenses worth as much as a new Berger Premier Comp.
Hey there John. You mentioned your friend taking pics of the Golden Gate from Scoma’s. Are you also in the Bay Area?
Hi Mark
I live in Chico, enjoying the 117 heat. This is just nuts ! Ten days with another ten forecast over 100. Ugly.
Hi John,
I am down here in Ridgecrest, next door to Death Valley. Every year we have been breaking the heat record down here. And we we do get over 110 degrees easily. Right now we are in the same boat as you guys. I had been on an assignment two hours further south(still just as hot) for the last two weeks and have my car air conditioner on full blast and it is having a hard time lowering the temp.
Back on the topic, i have a Vortex Highcountry tripod and Vortex pro leveling head. Havent tried it out. I am somewhat disappointed adter reading Jim’s comment though.
Hi Mike ! I saw a commentator on the Weather Channel Friday talking about the temperatures in Death Valley. World high for the day 130 something!!
What really did it for me when he said, “that’s the inside temperature of a medium rare steak.” I felt almost chilly with only 112 that day. I was able to get to our indoor range for some .45 ACP work. The forced air circulation to meet OSHA safety standards was like shooting in an induction oven. Lasted maybe. 20 minutes. Brutal!
I hear you. I’m originally from Sacramento. It wasn’t quite that bad here in Martinez, but we hit 106, which for this area is hot. I was in the Chico area in April for a turkey hunt.
Hi Mark
I’ve shot at the Martinez Trap Club many times. I was a serious competitor for many years until a few years ago. Interesting story about turkey hunting up here. Bob Post was instrumental in introducing wild turkeys to the area. Bob, until his retirement, was the manager of the RCBS retail store in Oroville. Larger than life and a booming voice, Bob is an institution and synonymous with the old RCBS.
Hi John,
Great story about Bob Post. I didn’t realize he was instrumental in introducing wild turkeys, but I suppose I should be thankful. My oldest son was a competitive trap shooter in high school and Martinez was his home club. We’ve shot many a round there.
Martinez always had good shoots and the Calcuttas could be very good ! Got my 27 yard pin there in the 80s. I shoot at California Golden State Shooting Center now (??? CoonCreek 
) Place has made huge improvements. Fred and his son are first rate. An enormous turnaround.
It was a good time for sure. My son hasn’t competed since high school, but we still shoot and hunt together. He got his first 75 straight at a shoot at Coon Creek, but that was probably 2019. These days, we mostly shoot at United Sportsman’s in Concord as I am a volunteer RSO there.
Good on you for your RSO work !! Come up to Coon Creek. Lots of positive changes. New Clays course with all new machines, new machines on the Skeet fields, and all the random cats, chickens, and the damn goat are GONE. New owners are on top of it !!
