Oben 3500 Series User manual

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3500SeriesTripodKit
You’reonsteadyground®

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Thank youfor choosing Oben!
This versatile and durable Oben tripod and ballhead
is a compact and lightweight kit that sets up quickly,
folds up neatly into its own carry bag, and oers a
variety of options ideal for the photographer on the go.
The Oben AT/CT-3500 Series 5-section tripod
features twist locks for fast and eortless height
adjustment. Each leg can be positioned independently
at three locking angles to ensure stable support when
shooting on uneven terrain. Integrated spiked feet
beneath the nonslip rubber feet provide stability on
soft ground, grass, or sand. The adjustable center
column is equipped with a spring-loaded weight hook
for added steadiness in windy conditions.
This tripod boasts several options for low-angle
shooting. A low-angle center column is included with
the tripod for mounting a camera close to the ground.
The tripod's standard center column is also reversible
for extremely close proximity to the surface. For
additional adaptability, one leg of the tripod can
be removed and used as a completely functional
monopod.
Oben’s BE-Series dual-action or BZ-Series triple-
action ballhead is included with the tripod to provide
smooth and eortless operation. It features two locks
that provide independent adjustment of the ball and
panoramic base. Integrated bubble levels ensure
accurate camera alignment with the horizon. An
Arca-type quick-release plate allows for mounting
and dismounting the camera quickly and eortlessly.
Please read through this entire manual before using
the AT/CT-3500 Series tripod and the BE/BZ-Series
ballhead.
Note: Images are for illustrative purposes only. Actual
product may vary.
INTRODUCTION

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Key Features _____________________________________ 4-7
Ballhead Operation______________________________ 8-14
TheTripodMounting Screw ______________________ 8
MountingtheBallhead ___________________________ 9
MainLockingKnobOperation_____________________11
MountingtheQuick-Release Platetothe Camera__ 9
MountingtheCameraandQuick-ReleasePlateto the Ballhead__ 10
Tension Knob(BZ-217T & BZ-226Tonly) __________ 12
Adjustingthe Friction (BZ-217T&BZ-226T only)___ 13
PanoramicBase ________________________________ 14
Tripod Operation_________________________________14-21
LegLengthAdjustment__________________________ 14
LegAngle Adjustment___________________________ 15
Center-Column Adjustment _____________________ 15
Low-AngleSetup_____________________________ 16-18
Counterweight_____________________________________ 19
SpikedFeet_____________________________________20
IntegratedMonopod ____________________________20
FoldingLegs____________________________________ 21
Specifications ____________________________________22
Warnings__________________________________________23
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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KEY FEATURES
D
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J
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K
E
B
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A

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KEY FEATURES
A
B
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BaseplatewithDual3/8-16 and1/4-20head
mountingscrew
Two-piececentercolumn (AT/CT-3535)
One-piececentercolumn (AT/CT-3565
andAT/CT-3586)
Low-angle centercolumn
Center-column locking collar
Center-column twist lock (AT/CT-3535)
Strapmount
Legangle adjustment lock
Integratedmonopod
Retractableandremovable weighthook
180°foldinglegs
Legadjustment twistlocks
Integratedspikedfeet
AlsoIncluded: Carrybag
Carrybag strap
Low angle column
Hexkeys (×2)

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KEY FEATURES
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BE Series
BZ Series
B
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A

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KEY FEATURES
Quick-releaseplate
Bubblelevel
1/4-20mountingscrew
Quick-releaseknob
Panknob
Mainlockingknob
Tension knob (BZ-217T& BZ-226T)
Panoramicbase with 360° markings
90°groove
A
B
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OPERATIONOPERATION
BallheadOperation
The AT/CT-3500 Series tripod
and BE/BZ Series ballhead
come assembled. During normal
operation, the ballhead will
occasionally have to be removed
in order to make adjustments to
the tripod.
THE TRIPOD MOUNTING SCREW
The tripod includes a mounting
screw with a 3/8-16 thread on
one end and a 1/4-20 thread on
the other, allowing you to mount
a tripod head with either size
mounting socket.
To switch between the two
mounting screw sizes, do the
following:
1. Unscrew the ballhead, and use
the included hex key to loosen
the set screw that is next to the
mounting screw.
2. Unscrew the baseplate from
the tripod.
3. Lift the screw out, reverse it,
and insert the opposite end
back into the baseplate.
4. Replace the baseplate by
screwing it back into the tripod
and tightening the set screw
with the hex key.

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OPERATIONOPERATION
MOUNTING THE BALLHEAD
When returning the ballhead to
the tripod, follow these steps:
1. Tighten all of the knobs on
the head.
2. Align the ballhead socket
with the tripod mounting
screw.
3. Rotate the ballhead clockwise
onto the tripod, and tighten it
by hand. To prevent damage
to the ballhead and mounting
screw, do not overtighten.
Note: If a dierent size mounting
screw is needed to mount the
ballhead, refer to The Tripod
Mounting Screw section above for
instructions.
MOUNTING THE QUICK-RELEASE
PLATE TO THE CAMERA
The quick-release plate has
a 1/4-20 screw that fits most
cameras.
1. Loosen the quick-release
knob by turning it
counterclockwise, and
remove the quick-release
plate from the ballhead.
2. Align the mounting screw
with the threaded socket on
the base of the camera.
3. Use the supplied hex key, a
slotted screwdriver, or the
D-ring to tighten the screw
into the camera’s socket.

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OPERATION
BallheadOperation(continued)
Note: If a 3/8-inch mounting screw is
needed, use the included 1/4 to 3/8
adapter bushing.
Warning: Some manufacturers’
plates do not meet our
specifications and may not lock
your equipment securely in the
Oben quick-release clamp. Please
test all camera and lens plates
made by manufacturers other
than Oben to ensure compatibility.
MOUNTING THE CAMERA AND QUICK-
RELEASE PLATE TO THE BALLHEAD
After mounting the quick-release
plate to your camera, make sure
that all knobs on the ballhead are
tightened, except for the quick-
release knob.
1. Turn the quick-release knob
counterclockwise until it stops.
2. Mount the camera to the
ballhead by placing one edge of
the quick-release plate into the
ballhead. Then lower the other
side until the quick-release
plate is lying flat in the quick-
release clamp.
Note: Make sure the mounting
screw’s D-ring is flush with the
bottom of the plate.
3. Turn the quick-release knob
clockwise to lock the plate.

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OPERATION
Warning: Always use one hand to
secure the camera while adjusting
the ballhead, and make sure that
the lock is engaged before letting
go of the camera.
MAIN LOCKING KNOB OPERATION
The main locking knob locks
and unlocks the ballhead, which
allows for changing the position of
the camera.
When changing camera positions
via the main locking knob, always
keep one hand on the camera.
Turn the knob counterclockwise to
unlock the head, and clockwise to
lock it. Make sure that the knob is
firmly tightened before letting go
of the camera.
Use the 90° groove to switch
between landscape and portrait
orientations.

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OPERATION
BallheadOperation(continued)
TENSION KNOB
(BZ-217T & BZ-226T BALLHEADS)
The tension knob is used to
control the amount of friction on
the ball in order to maintain strict
control when positioning it. The
tension knob is the medium-sized
knob, and it has a dierent look
and texture than the main and
panning locking knobs so you
won’t confuse the two, even if
you’re operating them by touch.

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OPERATION
ADJUSTING THE FRICTION
(BZ-217T & BZ-226T BALLHEADS)
To adjust the friction accurately,
follow these steps:
1. Turn the locking knob and the
tension knob clockwise until
they are completely tightened.
Then mount the camera and
lens combination that you will
regularly use.
2. Once the camera is securely
mounted, hold the camera with
one hand and completely loosen
the locking knob by turning it
counterclockwise until it stops.
Then gradually loosen the
tension knob until you reach the
desired friction level.
3. Tighten the locking knob to
secure the camera in place, or
when you aren’t holding onto
the camera.

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BallheadOperation(continued)
TripodOperation
PANORAMIC BASE
The base of the ballhead can be
independently rotated 360°. The
base is controlled by loosening
the pan knob.
1. Twist the knob counterclockwise
to unlock the base.
2. Rotate the base to the desired
position, and then lock the base
by turning the knob clockwise.
Note: Degree markings on the base
of the ballhead can be used to
accurately set up panoramic shots.
LEG LENGTH ADJUSTMENT
To independently adjust the
height of each leg, do the
following:
1. Loosen the twist locks enough so
that the legs can be adjusted.
Note: Don’t over-loosen the twist
locks.
2. Adjust the leg to the desired
height.
3. Tighten the twist locks to secure
the leg in place.
OPERATION

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LEG ANGLE ADJUSTMENT
For stable support when shooting
on uneven terrain, each leg can be
adjusted to a preset angle. To set
the leg angle, do the following:
1. Press and hold the leg angle
adjustment lock.
2. Set the angle of the leg to one of
the three preset positions.
3. Release the lock to secure the leg
at the desired angle.
CENTER-COLUMN ADJUSTMENT
The center column can be used to
adjust the height of the camera.
Fully extending the center
column after the legs have been
completely extended will place
the camera at the highest position
possible with this tripod.
1. Turn the locking collar
counterclockwise to unlock the
center column.
2. Adjust the center column to the
desired height.
3. Lock the column in place by
turning the locking collar
clockwise.
OPERATION

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TripodOperation(continued)
AT/CT-3535
1. If more height is needed, turn the center-column twist lock
counterclockwise, and extend the upper center column to the
desired height.
2. Turn the twist lock clockwise to secure the column.
Note: Make sure the column is secure, but do not overtighten to avoid
damaging the tripod.
LOW-ANGLE SETUP
The following instructions describe three ways to adjust the
tripod for low-angle shots.
Using the Center Column
1. Raise the center column to its maximum height. Then set the
angle of the tripod legs to their lowest position.
2. Loosen the locking collar and adjust the center column to its
lowest height possible.
3. Mount the camera on the ballhead.
OPERATION

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Using the Low-Angle Center Column
1. Remove the ballhead from the tripod.
2. Loosen the set screw, and unscrew the baseplate from the
center column.
3. Unscrew the weight hook from the bottom of the center
column.
4. Loosen the locking collar, and slide the center column o of
the tripod.
5. Insert the low-angle center column into the hole and
tighten the locking collar. For extra stability, screw the
weight hook into the bottom of the center column.
6. Set the legs to their lowest position.
7. Screw the baseplate onto the center column, and tighten
the set screw.
8. Screw the ballhead onto the baseplate.
OPERATION

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Reversing the Center Column
Reversing the center column
allows for mounting the camera
upside down in order to get close
to the ground or surface. To reverse
the center column, do the following:
1. Unscrew the weight hook from
the bottom of the center column.
2. Loosen the locking collar and
remove the center column from
the tripod.
3. Slide the center column into
the tripod from underneath so
that the ballhead is facing down
toward the ground.
4. Tighten the locking collar, and
return the weight hook to the
center column by screwing it in.
5. Depending on the size of the
camera, adjust the leg angle and
height appropriately.
6. Mount the camera to the
quick-release plate, and attach
the quick-release plate to the
ballhead.
TripodOperation(continued)
OPERATION

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COUNTERWEIGHT
When shooting in windy
conditions or when using a
telephoto lens, the stability of
your camera is critical. A built-in
spring-loaded hook at the bottom
of the center column allows you to
hang a counterweight, such as a
sandbag (not included) or loaded
equipment bag (not included), to
provide increased stability.
OPERATION

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OPERATION
SPIKED FEET
The rubber non-skid feet are for
use indoors or on flat surfaces.
Spikes are for soft ground, grass,
sand, and uneven terrain.
To expose the spikes, follow these
steps:
AT/CT-3535:
Remove the rubber feet by pulling
them o. When finished using the
spikes, replace the rubber feet.
AT/CT-3565 and AT/CT-3586:
Turn the retractable rubber feet
clockwise.
When finished using the
spikes, turn the rubber feet
counterclockwise until they are
extended all the way out and
completely cover the spikes.
INTEGRATED MONOPOD
The leg with the extra rubber
grip at the top of the shaft can be
removed and used as a monopod.
To assemble the monopod, follow
these steps:
1. Unscrew the monopod leg from
the tripod.
2. Unscrew the weight hook from
the center column.
TripodOperation(continued)