Tripod adapter/reducer (1 Viewer)

I've just bought a Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod with a 3/8" mounting screw. I have a Velbon PH-157Q head I want to mount on the new tripod. That head has a 1/4" socket. So I need an adapter.

If I Google or search on Amazon I get a lot of adapters claiming to convert between 3/8" and 1/4". And I have to look at each carefully since some say 3/8" male meaning the screw on their adapter and others mean 3/8" male as what they attach to ie the adapter has a 3/8" female connection.

I want to step down from 3/8" male to 1/4" male.

I have seen adapters that do this but they are stubby things that I worry about balancing the head on, effectively. I want something quite flat and broad to spread the load. Or a 3/8" version of the fastening in the bottom of the head itself. Can someone point me in the right direction please? It shouldn't be this hard!

There are a couple of Manfrotto solutions:

https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/quick-release-plate-adapter

https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/tripod-adapter-3-8-to-1-4

The top one is the same price as your panhead though!

HTH

Pete

Thanks Pete. I saw the Manfrotto ones and thought there must be a more generic solution, but apparently not. Hundreds of suppliers for the other way - expanding 1/4" to 3/8" - but very few options for reducing it seems.

I decided to solve the problem a slightly different way in the end...I bought a Manfrotto fluid head! That has a 3/8" tripod mount socket and if ever I want to use it on anything with a 1/4" screw thread, such as my hide clamp, well, I've already seen the adapters to turn my 1/4" screw into a 3/8" screw are ten a penny.

I really don't like the idea of the whole head balancing on a stubby adapter that's taller than it is wide, especially when the adapters I saw to convert between 3/8" and 1/4" were generally 1/2" across. Put a scope on a head on top of that adapter and you're asking for trouble, surely. Hence wanting a solution that was wider than it was tall, such as the Manfrotto ones. But if I'm paying that sort of money for an adapter I may as well look at a new head, which is what I did in the end.

I appreciate the help though Pete :t:

It's an old post but here is a solution Zhiyou Tripod Screw Adapter 3/8-16 Female to 1/4-20 Male, Black (2 PCS) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MV4LHWJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_wfglEbNPV27PD there are some alternatives