Oben Skysill Series User manual

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Skysill Series
Carbon FiberTripods
You’re onsteadyground®

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Thank Youfor choosingOben.
These sturdy, multifeatured Skysill carbon-fiber
tripods feature twist locks that let you quickly and
eortlessly adjust your tripod’s height up to nearly
6 feet while providing several options for low-angle
shooting. Skysill models with a 90° lateral option
oer a center column that can be set at a 90° angle
and rotated 360° around the tripod. This is ideal
for shots that require camera positions that aren’t
available with traditional tripods, like close-up
macro or document photography. Each leg can be
positioned independently at three locking angles,
and a built-in bubble level helps keep the tripod
aligned with the horizon—both essential features
when working on uneven terrain.
Skysill kits include Oben’s BE Series dual-action
ballhead that features two locks for independent
adjustment of the ball and panoramic base. An
Arca-type quick-release plate allows for quickly
mounting and swapping cameras, so you’ll have
the right camera on your tripod and never miss an
opportunity to capture the perfect shot.
Note: Images are for illustrative purposes only. Actual
products may vary.
INTRODUCTION

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Key Features 4-7
Operation 8-17
InterchangeableFeet 8
Leg LengthAdjustment 8
Leg Angle Adjustment 9
Center-ColumnAdjustment 10
Low-Angle Setup 11-13
Reversingthe CenterColumn 11,13
UsingtheShortCenerColumn 12
LateralSetup 14-15
Counterweight 15
The Mounting Plate 16-17
Reversingthe Screw 16
Mountinga Head 17
Attaching Accessories 17
Warnings 18
Optional Accessories 18
Specifications 19
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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KEY FEATURES
ModelCFT-6394
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KEY FEATURES
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Reversible3/8-16and1/4-20 head mountingscrew
Mountingplate
Setscrews
Reversiblecenter column
Center columnlocking collar
Bubble level
Straploop
3/8-16accessorysocket
Leg angleadjustment lock
Rubberized nonsliplegwarmers
Retractableandremovableweighthook
Twist locks
Removablerubberfeet
Short centercolumn
Spikedfeet
Hexkeys (×2)
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KEY FEATURES
ModelCFT-6194L
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KEY FEATURES
Reversible3/8-16and1/4-20 head mountingscrew
Mountingplate
Setscrews
Reversiblecenter column
Lateralrotatingring
90° notch
Center columnlocking knob
Bubblelevel
Center columnlateral opening
Straploop
Leg angleadjustment lock
3/8-16accessorysocket
Rubberized nonsliplegwarmers
Lockingbutton
Twist locks
Removablerubberfeet
Spikedfeet
Hexkeys (×2)
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OPERATIONOPERATION
InterchangeableFeet
The rubber feet that come
attached to the tripod are good
for hard surfaces like hardwood
floors, pavement, or carpet that
you don’t want to damage with
spikes.
Spiked feet are good for soft
surfaces where some extra
security is needed, like grass or
dirt.
To exchange the rubber feet for
the spiked feet:
1. Unscrew the rubber feet from
the tripod legs.
2. Screw in the spiked feet.
3. Insert the large hex key through
the hole of each foot to tighten it
until it’s secure.
Use the twist locks to adjust the
length of the tripod’s legs.
To adjust the height of a leg,
loosen the lock by turning it a
half-turn clockwise, and position
the leg at the desired height. Turn
the twist lock counterclockwise to
tighten until secure.
For rapid deployment to maximum
height, simultaneously twist
Leg Length Adjustment

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OPERATIONOPERATION
all three locks, and let the leg
sections fall into place.
Note: When setting up the tripod
on an uneven surface, refer to the
integrated bubble level to ensure
that the mounting plate is straight
and aligned with the horizon.
For stable support when shooting
on uneven terrain, each tripod leg
can be individually set at a preset
angle.
To increase the leg angle, do the
following:
1. Slide the adjustment lock in the
direction of the arrow. You may
need to move the leg so it moves
slightly in toward the center in
order to move the 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.
To decrease the angle, move the
leg in toward the center until the
lock clicks on the next preset.
Fully extending the center column
and the legs will place the camera
at the highest position possible
with this tripod.
Leg Angle Adjustment

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OPERATION
CFT-639 4
To adjust the height of the center
column, turn the locking collar
counterclockwise to disengage
the lock, and move the center
column to the desired height.
Turn the twist lock clockwise to
tighten the lock. Make sure that
the lock is adequately tightened to
support the weight of the load on
the mounting plate.
CFT-6194L
To adjust the height of the
center column, turn the center-
column lock counterclockwise
to disengage the lock, and move
the center column to the desired
height.
Turn the center-column locking
knob clockwise to tighten it.
Make sure the lock is adequately
tightened to support the weight of
the load on the mounting plate.
Note: Extending the center column
will make the tripod less stable.
Extend the legs first, and extend the
center column if needed.
Center-ColumnAdjustment

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OPERATION
CFT-639 4
There are two ways to adjust the
tripod for low-angle shots.
REVERSING THE CENTER COLUMN
Reversing the center column
allows you to place your camera
almost at ground level.
1. Remove your camera from the
tripod.
2. Remove the weight hook from
the bottom of the center column
by unscrewing it and pulling it
out of the center column.
3. Loosen the center-column’s
locking collar, pull the center
column out of the tripod.
4. Reverse the center column, and
align with the guide tabs inside
the tripod’s ring.
5. Reinsert the center column by
sliding it up from underneath
the tripod and through the
center ring. Tighten the locking
collar until secure.
6. Replace the weight hook by
screwing it into the end of the
center column.
Low-Angle Setup

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OPERATION
USING THE SHORT CENTER COLUMN
The short center column allows
an extremely wide leg angle for
low-angle shots from close to
ground level or on uneven terrain.
1. Follow steps 1 through 3 in
Reversing the Center Column
above.
2. Align the guide tabs inside the
tripod’s ring with the groove
on the short center column,
with the guide tabs inside
the tripod’s ring and slide the
center column into the tripod.
Tighten the twist lock until
secure.
3. Remove the mounting plate
from the center column.
Loosen the top set screw on
the mounting plate by turning
it counterclockwise with the
small hex key. Then unscrew
the mounting plate by turning
it counterclockwise.
4. Screw the mounting plate onto
the short center column, and
tighten the top set screw until
it’s secure.
5. For extra security, screw the
weight hook into the bottom of
the short center column after
it’s installed into the tripod.
Low-Angle Setup(continued)

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OPERATION
CFT-6194L
REVERSING THE CENTER COLUMN
Important! For the Skysill tripod
to operate smoothly, several
components must be aligned.
This figure shows the correct
orientation with the lines at the
top of the tripod leg and the lateral
rotating ring, and the center
column’s locking pin properly
aligned.
1. Loosen the locking knob, and
raise the center column to its
maximum height.
2. While holding the center
column with one hand, press
the locking button at the
bottom of the center column,
and raise the center column
until it stops.
3. Press the locking button again,
and pull the center column out
of the tripod.
4. Press and hold on the center-
column locking button while
you insert the center column
from underneath the tripod.
5. Tighten the center-column lock
until secure.

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LateralSetup
CFT-6194L
The center column can be set to a
90° angle and rotated a full 360°.
Important! When you mount
a camera to the tripod in this
configuration, make sure to
extend the camera over one of the
tripod legs. To improve stability,
counterweight your tripod as
necessary.
1. Loosen the center-column lock,
and raise the center column to
its maximum height.
2. Press the locking button at the
bottom of the center column,
and raise the center column
until it stops. Then lower the
center column to the 90° angle.
3. Once the center column is
sitting at the 90° angle, slide
the center column through the
lateral opening until reaching
the desired lateral position.
4. Swivel the center column
around the tripod as desired.
5. Once the center column is in
position, tighten the center-
column lock until secure.
OPERATION

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Note: The center column lock is a
spring-loaded ratchet handle. When
the center column is blocking the
full rotation of the lock, turn the
lock as far as it will go. Pull it out,
reposition it, and let the spring pull
it back to reengage it. Continue to
tighten or loosen the lock.
TO RETURN THE CENTER COLUMN TO
THE UPRIGHT POSITION:
1. Extend the center column out
until it stops.
2. Tilt it up until it’s vertical, and
slide it down into the center
ring.
3. Tighten the center-column lock
until secure.
OPERATION
Counterweight
CFT-639 4
To improve the tripod’s stability
in windy conditions or when
using a telephoto lens, use the
built-in spring-loaded hook at the
bottom of the center column.
Pull down the hook to hang
a counterweight, such as the
Impact saddle sandbag or a
loaded equipment bag.

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The MountingPlate
OPERATION
REVERSING THE SCREW
The tripod includes a mounting
screw with a 1/4-20 thread on one
end and a 3/8-16 thread on the
other. This allows you to mount
a tripod head with either sized
socket.
To switch between the two sizes
of mounting screw, follow these
steps:
1. Use the smallest hex key to
loosen the top set screw on the
mounting plate by turning it
counterclockwise.
2. Unscrew the mounting plate
from the tripod by turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Remove the screw, and return
the opposite end back into the
plate.
4. Screw the mounting plate back
into the tripod by turning it
clockwise. Make sure the screw
is completely seated inside the
hole. When switching to the
1/4-20 screw, only the 1/4-20
screw should be visible above
the mounting plate.
5. Tighten the set screw until it’s
secure.
Important! Tighten the set screw
until it’s snug. Don’t overtighten.

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MOUNTING A HEAD
Align the bottom of the head with
the tripod’s mounting screw,
then twist clockwise until fully
secured. Do not overtighten, as
this may damage the head or the
mounting screw.
The mounting plate is equipped
with a set screw, which clamps
against the base of the head to
prevent unintentional loosening
and to ensure the head is securely
locked onto the tripod.
Turn the set screw counter-
clockwise to secure the mounting
plate to the head until it’s snug.
Don’t overtighten.
Attaching Accessories
The Skysill tripod is outfitted with
a 3/8-16 accessory socket that can
be used to add accessories such as
an LED light, microphone, monitor,
or flash to your tripod setup.
The 3/8-16 accessory socket is
compatible with most articulating
and accessory arms. It has an
anti-twist design that works best
with articulating arms with a
similar anti-twist design, such
as the Axler Recodo Series of
Articulating Arms.
OPERATION

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WARNINGS / OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
!Warnings:
• Do not exceed the tripod’s maximum load
capacity.
• Ensure that all appropriate locks are
engaged when necessary.
• The tripod should be used only in
temperatures between -22°F and 140°F
(-30°C and 60°C).
• Do not operate in salt water. Dry the tripod
o if it becomes wet.
• Remove the camera from the tripod during
transport.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Always support the camera on top of
the center column with one hand while
adjusting the center column’s height.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Oben Tripod Strap with Quick-Release Loop and
Spring Lock
• TS-10
• TS-100
Oben Deluxe Tripod Strap with Swivel Clip
• TS-110
Oben Tripod Strap with Two Quick-Release Loops
• TS-20
• TS-200
Oben Tripod Hammock
• STB-10
Visit our website at ObenSupports.com
for more Oben products.

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CFT-6394 CFT-6194L
Maximum Height
with Center Column
Extended
71.7 in.
(1.8m)
67 in.
(1.7m)
Maximum Height
w/oCenterColumn
Extended
61.7 in.
(1.6m)
53 in.
(1.3m)
MinimumHeight 6.5in. (16.5cm) 3.6 in. (9.1cm)
FoldedLength 24.3 in. (61.7 cm) 21.5 in. (54.6 cm)
Maximum Load 39 lb. (17.7 kg) 19 lb. (8.6kg)
Weight 4.9lb. (2.2kg) 4.2 lb. (1.9 kg)
LegSections 4 4
Center Column Standard 90°Lateral
SPECIFICATIONS
Note: The values in this specification chart reflect only
the values of the tripod legs and not the tripod kits.

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