NOVOFLEX MagicBall MB MINI User manual

MB MINI
MB 50
MB
MagicBall®
USER MANUAL
Congratulations on your acquisition of the
MagicBall®, the revolutionary new ball and
socket head. Whilst you should have no di-
culty in using your MagicBall®, you may find
the following explanations useful.
Product description
The MagicBall® is available in three sizes (MB MINI, MB50 and MB) and provides an
unbelievable positioning range of 120° in virtually any plane. All three models are easy to
handle and compatible with practically any tripod (1/4” and 3/8” connection). Part of the
secret is the large, grippy point-and-fix handle. The handle is used to position the MagicBall
exactly, then a simple twist fixes it firmly in place. The outstanding design and use of only
the finest materials blocks any vibration transfer. The knurled wheel makes for simple and
safe camera mounting.
Technical Data: MB MINI MB 50 MB
Height x Length x Base Ø 75 x 110 x 35 mm
2.95 x 4.3 x 1.4 “
90 x 150 x 42 mm
3.5 x 5.9 x 1.65 “
105 x 160 x 50 mm
4.1 x 6.3 x 2.0 “
Support pad 45 x 30 mm
1.8 x 1.2 “
52 x 34 mm
2.0 x 1.3 “
55 x 40 mm
2.2 x 1.6 “
Ball Ø 40 mm / 1.6 “ 50 mm / 2.0 “ 60 mm / 2.4 “
Weight 330 g / 0.7 lbs 610 g / 1.34 lbs 920 g / 2.0 lbs
Load capacity 5 kg / 11 lbs 7 kg / 15.4 lbs 10 kg / 22 lbs
The MagicBall® can be perfectly com-•
bined with a quick release unit such as
the NOVOFLEX MiniConnect or the
Q=BASE. The two coupling systems
provide a fast and secure connection
between the camera equipment and
the ball head.
While the NOVOFLEX Q-system is
consistently integrated into the widely
used ARCA Swiss standard, the Mini-
Connect is small and inconspicous, but
with an untraceable holding force.
MiniConnect
Information
For more information, advice and tips concerning our products contact your photo dealer,
the distributor of NOVOFLEX products in your country (have a look at “Where to buy“ sec-
tion at our website to find your distributor) or visit our website: http://www.novoflex.com
For personal advice about possible accessories which is suitable for your NOVOFLEX
product please contact the following phone number or send us an E-mail.
NOVOFLEX Phone: [phone]
NOVOFLEX E-Mail: mail@novoflex.com
© NOVOFLEX Präzisionstechnik GmbH
Brahmsstraße 7
D-87700 Memmingen
Phone [phone], Fax [phone]
Email mail@novoflex.com, Internet www.novoflex.com

Page 2
Nomenclature
1Locking grip
2Friction control knob 1
3Knurled ring
4Ball
5Tripod socket
6Rubber sleeve 2
When mounting large telephoto lenses or heavy equipment, first use the•knurled ring
(3) until it can not be turned further by hand. Then turn the device mounted on top
of the ball head in the opposite direction until it stops moving (about a quarter turn).
With this method, the device is particularly strongly connected to the head.
The knurled ring (3), suitable for most cameras, has a 1/4 “threaded screw. For occa-•
sional use of cameras or lenses with a 3/8“ tripod thread, an over thread is required, as
it is factory set in the tripod socket (5) of the MagicBall®. A fixed conversion to 3/8“
thread is only possible from the NOVOFLEX factory customer service.
The adjustment of the friction depends on the weight of the camera. The heavier the•
equipment used, the more the friction control knob (2) must be tightened.
The ball (4) of the MagicBall® works lubricant-free, so please never treat the ball (4)•
with oil or grease!
The head works self-cleaning, but contamination of the ball (4) by sand and dust•
should be avoided (rub with a dry cloth).
The locking grip (1) of the big MagicBall® (MB) can be covered with the supplied rub-•
ber sleeve (6) for a more comfortable grip. For easier assembly, the rubber sleeve can
be warmed up a bit.
To change from landscape to portrait•
mode loosen the knurled ring (3) slightly,
turn the camera by 90° and tighten the
knurled ring again. Now the camera can
be tilted into portrait mode (and beyond)
with the help of the head.
Optional accessories
Alternatively, to change from landscape•
to portrait, use a panorama base such as
the NOVOFLEX PANORAMA II on
top of the MagicBall®. The integrated
spirit level of the base makes it easier to level out the equipment, and with the help of
the side scale, desired angles can be targeted.
To facilitate handling with long telephoto lenses or heavy•
equipment, we recommend replacing the standard locking
grip (1) with the much longer panning grip MB-GRIFF
(available as an accessory.) Smooth panning action
can be done more accurately with this longer grip.
The MB-GRIFF can be used with the MB and
MB50, not with the MB Mini.
1The small MagicBall® (MB
MINI) has no friction control
knob
2 Rubber sleeve only avail-
able with the large MagicBall®
(MB)
1
2
3
4
5
6
Mounting on a tripod
The tripod socket (5) of the MagicBall® can be mounted on any tripod with 1/4“ thread•
or 3/8” thread, after removal of the stepping insert.
Mounting and dismounting the camera on the ball head
To mount the camera on the ball head, use the upper 1/4“ screw and tighten it counter-•
clockwise using the knurled ring (3). To loosen the assembled device turn the knurled
ring (3) clockwise.
Operation
The locking grip (1) securely locks every position of your camera with a short clockwise•
rotation. To release the head, a short turn counterclockwise is sucient.
Recommendation: Hold the camera as usual in your right hand while operating the•
locking grip (1) with your left hand.
With the help of the knurled friction control knob (2), the free movement of the head•
can be braked in order to achieve a safe camera operation.
Practical tips and maintenance
To prevent sudden overturning, the locking•
grip (1) may only be released if the mounted
equipment is held at the same time.
The MagicBall® can carry its maximum load•
firmly in any position.
Load capacity
MagicBall® MINI 5 kg / 11 lbs
MagicBall® 50 7 kg / 15.4 lbs
MagicBall® 10 kg / 22 lbs
PANORAMA II
MB-GRIFF Page 3