pro master CHRONICLE User manual

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USER MANUAL
ENGLISH

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .................................................................... 3
PARTS DIAGRAM ................................................................... 4-5
INITIAL SETUP ....................................................................... 6
ATTACHING YOUR CAMERA .................................................. 7
ATTACHING YOUR PHONE .................................................... 8
REMOVING AND MOUNTING THE HEAD .............................. 9
OPERATING THE BALL HEAD ............................................... 10
ADJUSTING LEG ANGLES ...................................................... 11-12
EXTENDING AND COLLAPSING THE LEGS........................... 13
CONVERTING TO A HANDHELD STABILIZER ....................... 14
CONVERTING TO A TABLETOP/GROUND-LEVEL TRIPOD ... 15
CONVERTING TO A MONOPOD............................................. 15-16
USING THE LEVELS ............................................................... 17
REMOVABLE FEET ................................................................. 18
THREADED ACCESSORY PORTS ........................................... 19
TIPS FOR BEST OPERATION ................................................. 20-21
PRECAUTIONS ....................................................................... 21

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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your purchase of the ProMaster Chronicle tripod! Please read
through this instruction guide thoroughly, even if you have operated other types
of tripods before. The Chronicle’s controls may be different, and it has some
unique features which must be understood for safe operation.
Be sure to refer to the main parts diagram as well as each of the gures
throughout the pages as you read. When a specic part of the Chronicle is
referred to in green, you will nd it shown on the main parts diagram and/or in
the referenced gure.
With proper operation and care, your Chronicle tripod will help tell your story for
many years!

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PARTS DIAGRAM
Bullseye Level
Ball Head
Leg Angle Locks
Monopod Leg
Tripod Collar
Control HandleCamera / Phone
Knob
Flexor Soft Leg Grip
Leg Locks
Removable Feet

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PARTS DIAGRAM
BALL HEAD
TRIPOD COLLAR
FLEXOR
1/4”-20 Attachment Port
3/8”-16 Attachment Port
Flexor Release Knob
Flexor
Tube
Mini
Tripod /
3-Leg
Base
QR Plate QR Plate
Control
Handle
Bolt
QR Knob
Pan Lock Knob
Panning Scale
Ball Friction Knob
Control Handle
Camera /
Phone
Knob

6
INITIAL SETUP
When you rst unbox the Chronicle, it will be stored in its fabric bag. This bag is a
great way to store and transport the tripod. It is also a good place to keep the
tripod’s tools, and parts which you may not be using at the time. Upon removing the
Chronicle from the bag, you will nd the control handle and quick release plate (QR
plate) attached to the ball head. These items will be discussed later in this manual.
Inside the bag you will notice a small compartment with a zipper. Open it to locate
the included tool kit which is comprised of 3 hex wrenches in a small pouch. These
hex wrenches are important for various tasks such as tightening the Chronicle’s grub
screws, removing or attaching the handle, and more.
After removing the Chronicle from its bag, begin by opening the tripod’s legs.
Take ahold of each leg, one at a time, and pull it away from the tripod’s center
until it stops. With all 3 legs set to their rst and most basic angle position, the
tripod will stand on its own.
Next, we want to make sure the grub screws are properly tightened so the ball head
is securely attached. Loosen the Flexor release knob by rotating it about 1/2 turn
counterclockwise and then pull up on the ball head to remove the entire
middle assembly from the main tripod. This middle assembly is called the Flexor. It is
comprised of 3 basic components: a mini tripod, the Flexor tube, and the ball head.
Unscrew the mini tripod from the Flexor tube. Turn the Flexor tube (with ball head
attached) upside down and peer inside. Notice two small screws: these are the grub
screws which prevent the ball head from detaching by placing force against the ball
head’s base. Open your tool kit and take out the longest hex wrench. Use this wrench
to check each grub screw to ensure it is tight. Don’t overtighten the grub screws—
nger tight is plenty. You can now reassemble the Flexor by attaching the mini tripod
to the Flexor tube and reinstalling the assembly into the tripod’s collar. Remember to
tighten the Flexor release knob to hold the Flexor in place.
* Note, the grub screws are typically only used when removing the ball head or
when attaching a different type of head to this tripod. Never operate the tripod
or head unless the grub screws are tight.

7
ATTACHING YOUR CAMERA
(USING THE QUICK RELEASE PLATE)
The Chronicle comes with its ball head set to camera mode. To learn more about
how to change it to phone mode and then back to camera mode, please refer to the
“Attaching Your Phone” section of this manual.
Loosen the QR knob on the ball head and remove the QR plate. Connect the QR
plate to your camera by threading its mounting bolt into the tripod connection port
located in the bottom of your camera (or lens). Use the bail on the mounting bolt
to
tighten the QR plate to your camera properly. You can also use the 4 mm hex wrench
(included with the tool kit) to tighten the mounting bolt. Now place the QR plate
(with your camera attached) into the top of the ball head and tighten the QR knob to
hold it in place.
On the bottom side of the QR Plate you will notice two protruding safety bolts.
These prevent the QR plate and camera from accidentally sliding off the top of the
ball head if the QR knob is loosened. The safety bolts can be removed if you choose.
Removing the bolts will allow the QR plate to slide into the top of the ball head more
easily, but it will eliminate the safety feature. We do not recommend you remove
the safety bolts from the QR plate.
Note: The Chronicle’s QR plate has an integrated strap slot. This slot is handy for
connecting a grip strap or cross-body style carrying strap.
Safety Bolts
(2.5mm hex)
Strap
Slot
Mounting Bolt
(4mm hex)
BailMounting Bolt
(1/4” - 20 thread)

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ATTACHING YOUR PHONE
One of the Chronicle’s premier features is its ability to switch from a camera to a
phone mount in seconds without the need for any additional accessories or tools.
Before attaching a phone, you must remove your camera from the ball head. For
safety, please do not attempt to convert the Chronicle to phone mode with a camera
attached.The QR plate should never be attached to the ball head when converting
to phone mode.
Begin by turning the camera / phone knob counterclockwise 180º. Notice the two
icons on this knob which show a camera and a phone. The phone icon should be at
the top position when this knob is turned to the proper position to accept a phone.
Next, lift up on the top platform of the ball head. It will lift 90º and stop. Finally, ip
out the padded jaw at the top of this assembly to complete the phone clamp. This
phone clamp uses springs to gently, yet securely hold your phone in between the
padded jaws. You can take ahold of the upper padded jaws and pull upward on the
assembly to see how these springs work.
If your phone is particularly large, or has a large case, the jaws of the phone clamp
can be widened. Do this by turning the QR knob counterclockwise. As you turn this
knob, notice the phone clamp opens wider.
Eventually (after about 7 1/2 turns of the QR
knob) the jaws will be at their widest point
and the knob will turn no further.
Using the springs already mentioned, you
can open the clamp fully to its widest
possible size (3 7/8” | 9.84 cm).
When you are nished using your phone and
wish to return the unit to camera mode,
reverse the steps above. Be sure to turn the
camera / phone knob 180º clockwise, so the
camera icon is at the top postion and the top platform is locked in place. Once you
Camera / Phone Knob
Padded
Jaws
QR Knob
Top
Platform

9
have done this please pull up gently on the top platform to be absolutely sure the unit
is set to camera mode—it should not lift up—before attaching your camera. If the top
platform lifts, as if returning to phone mode, repeat the process until you are sure it is
securely set to camera mode.
REMOVING AND MOUNTING
THE HEAD
You may choose to remove the included ball head and install a different type of head.
Or, you may wish to mount the Chronicle ball head to a different tripod or grip item.
Begin by turning the Flexor release knob counterclockwise 180º. Lift the Flexor out of
the tripod collar. Remove the mini tripod from the Flexor tube by unscrewing it.
Locate the included tool kit and select the longest hex wrench. Use this long hex
wrench to loosen both of the grub screws inside the
Flexor tube. You can loosen these screws a few turns to
be sure they are no longer making contact with the base
of the ball head. However, do not fully remove them
from the tube because they are small and easily lost.
Once the grub screws are loose, make sure the pan lock knob is tightened and then
unscrew the Flexor tube from the base of the ball head. Be sure to have a good hold
on the Flexor tube as well as the ball head when you separate them.
Once the ball head is removed, you will notice a special bolt in the middle
of the platform at the top of the Flexor tube. If you do not see this bolt,
check the bottom of the ball head as this bolt might have come out with it
instead. This double-sided platform screw should be kept in the platform
on the Flexor tube. This screw is reversible. The larger side is a 3/8”-16 thread, which
works with the Chronicle head as well as most other photographic heads. The opposite
side of the screw is a 1/4”-20 thread, which is compatible with some other brands of
lightweight heads. If you happen to lose this screw and need a replacement, visit your
friendly neighborhood ProMaster retailer and ask for product 4014.
wrench to loosen both of the
be sure they are no longer making contact with the base
of the
from the tube because they are small and easily lost.
Grub
Screws

10
OPERATING THE BALL HEAD
Your Chronicle tripod kit includes a precision machined aluminum ball head. It is a
double-action design, meaning there is a control for the ball tension and separate
control for the panning motion. Each of these are explained below. The ball head
also uses two safety bolts on the bottom of its QR plate to prevent it from sliding
off accidentally. This safety feature is explained in more detail in the “Attaching Your
Camera” section of this manual.
All of the knobs on this head are covered in a soft, grippy material. These covers protect
your ngers from direct contact with the metal (particularly helpful in cold weather).
Their pattern and grip give you a secure hold on each control for a positive, direct feel.
Panning: The Chronicle ball head has an independent base panning control with a
laser-engraved scale for precise rotational movements. Loosen the pan lock knob
and you can rotate the entire head around its base 360º.
* Please note, the pan lock knob is indeed a lock. It does not offer any type of tension
adjustment. This head uses static drag for panning. Do not attempt to apply tension
using the pan lock knob or you may damage the mechanism. This knob should only
be set to a locked position or an unlocked position but nothing in between.
Using the Ball Friction Knob: The largest knob on the ball head controls the tension of
the ball and socket. When this ball friction knob is tightened it will lock the ball,
thereby holding your camera or phone in a xed position. When the ball friction knob
is loosened your camera or phone’s position can be moved around via the ball and
socket. This knob does allow for some tension control. This means you can adjust the
knob between its fully tightened and fully loosened positions to apply varying amounts
of tension. Doing this will slow down the movement of your
camera or phone. Tension can also be used to help better
support a heavier camera or lens.
Notice there are two U-shaped areas on the side of the ball head. These U’s
allow the neck of the ball mechanism to drop in so that your
camera or phone can easily achieve a vertical position, a
downward position, or an upward position.
U’s