Manfrotto tripod question

Just bought an 055 tripod and a monopod, which both came with what appears to be a key attached round the leg. I would presume that this would be used for tightening up etc. but it doesnt fit anything on the tripod, and the one with the monopod doesn't fit anything either!

Any idea what they are for, or have i got the wrong ones?

Regards

Danny

The catches on the legs of the 055 are spring loaded and have adjustable tension - if you look on the back of each one you'll see a hex nut which will fit your key like a glove. I guess the monopod's probably the same.

Have tried putting it into every hole I can find, but it just doesn't fit anything, same with the monopod. Is there a chance I have been supplied the wrong parts?

(Or am I really, really dumb?!)

PS. Whereabouts in Aylesbury Vale are you Hefty?

Maybe they have given you the wrong one - but I'd be less inclined to believe that they'd give you the wrong one twice (tri and monopod). This is a picture of the key I received attached to one of the hex nuts on my 055PROB:




Can't say I ever feel the need to use it but it's there if I should ever decide the leg clasps are slacker than they could be...

As for my location, I'm currently in Haddenham (for my sins) but my extended family stretches all over the Vale. I've been taking photos of Brill windmill since I was about 6 years old and must have shots of it from every camera I've ever owned in the intervening 30+ years!

Here's my manfrotto tripod leg and key:-




Fits both tripod and monopod.

I bought my 055ProB off E-Bay i had the same key as Ammonyte when i asked the seller what it was i never got a reply. But now i know but it feels a bit fragile though.

Well, I think I've sussed it out.

The answer is Japlish!

I read the manual for the monopod 1st, the key (same as Ammonyte's) is listed as both part 'M' and part 'N'. Also, and this is the fun part, neither the pictures, or the instructions mention anything about a cap over the screw! (And there's me thinking it just looked like it was bloody well made!)

Then, I applied the same logic to the tripod, and again, never sussed there was a cap there (The missus has just re-read the manual and pointed it out, just to rub it in!). And Ratcatcher, you're right, it does feel fragile, much prefer the look of the metal one!

It's a small world, spent my very first 10 years there, right next to the fire station!

Just shows how details change over time - I've had my 055 for about 6 years now so at some point they must have changed from the metal key to the (plastic?) one. As you can see, on mine the hex nuts are fully exposed too so the covers must also be a recent addition.

I have to say, in all the time I've had it I've never once regretted my choice of tripod. It's given sterling service under all sorts of conditions and has the sort of build that leads me to believe I'll still be using it for many, many years to come - probably for life (if I'm still able to lift it that is ). I'm confident in a few years you'll feel exactly the same!

As for being a small world - isn't it! I grew up in a house 'round the back of the Parade and this week I took a stroll past the fire station while I was out shooting trees with my K10D - if your house had a really pretty Japanese Maple in the front garden then I might actually have a few shots of it...