Using the thumbscrew-type lock frees the tilting of the center column once it's been extended past the chassis, which becomes possible once you press a button at the column's bottom to disengage the safety bolt. Once it's extended, the column can tilt, with no ratcheting, from its original 0°, straight-up-and-down orientation all the way over to a 180° upside-down orientation – with possible stops everywhere in between, including a 90° lateral position. Twisting a knob on the chassis locks and unlocks the 360° swiveling of the center column and its upper collar.
The tripod's flip locks, which enable the extension and securing of the leg stages, are user-adjustable. By using a supplied Allen key the user can tighten two points on each spring-loaded flip lock to safeguard their continued reliable performance.
The BA-1 head's single-action knob allows you to unlock all axes of movement in one fell swoop, so you can quickly orient your camera properly, retighten the knob, and return to shooting. The ball-locking mechanism is remarkably strong for reliably stable performance.
The included quick-release plate attaches to your camera via its standard 1/4"-20 screw. A retractable, removable video pin provides additional stability for camcorders. The quick-release plate easily snaps and locks into place on the BA-1 head. The safety lock on the quick-release mechanism prevents the camera from disengaging inadvertently.
When not being used in its lateral mode, the AC-2320LA's rapid center column functions like you'd expect from any professional tripod, extending after a twist of the knob on the upper collar. For protecting your camera when the column is retracted quickly, there's a rubber damper under the center-post collar. Anti-twist steel locking screws underneath the center-post collar enable you to fasten the camera head securely.
Pull-in/push-out positive leg locks allow positioning of the three legs independently at three different angles. This permits shooting at low angles or on uneven terrain. For stability on softer terrain, the AC-2320LA features metal spikes that extend and retract by twisting the foot's rubber tip.