Accessory for Right Angle Mounting of a 4x10

[Colin Graham]

Here's one that Lotus makes- http://www.lotusviewcamera.at/subs/1...ssories_e.html. I think that's an 8x20 in the picture, so it might be overkill for a 4x10.

I made a knock off out of 80/20 parts for a 5x12. The 1"x2" aluminum extrusions (10 series) with the joining plates are plenty strong enough if you decide to build one. Very simple to make, the only tricky part was mortising a 3/8-16 thread hex-sided coupling nut into the extrusion for mounting on the tripod screw. The coupling nut is as long as the extrusion is thick, and is secured from above with a short 3/8-16 matching bolt and a lock washer.

[Mike1234]

Colin... that's a NICE one... very sturdy!!

[Colin Graham]

That extrusion stuff really is amazing for its weight. I stood on the corner of the bracket to test the joint's strength and didn't flex it or otherwise tax the joining plates at all. (I weigh 230.) The bracket itself weighs under 3 lbs. The camera I was using it for was around 11-14lbs, depending on lens.

[Mike1234]

I'm stealing this design.

[R Mann]

That extrusion stuff really is amazing for its weight. I stood on the corner of the bracket to test the joint's strength and didn't flex it or otherwise tax the joining plates at all. (I weigh 230.) The bracket itself weighs under 3 lbs. The camera I was using it for was around 11-14lbs, depending on lens.

Great idea - looks like it would do the job and be easy to build. How are you attaching the camera to the bracket - in the photo it looks like you have two knobs? Are these special hardware items?

[Colin Graham]

I used 2 1/4-20 knobs (McMaster-Carr) because I was unsure at the time if the weight of the camera would make it tilt inadvertently, but in hindsight it might be nice to have a single pivot there if you wanted to have a more centered tilt...On the other hand, it might be hard to make it stong enough without scuffing up the camera in use.

I fished a couple of speed nuts (those flat rectangle nuts that look like they're stamped out of carbon steel, the shape keeps them from spinning freely) into the central hollow area of the extrusion and threaded the knobs through them. That allows them to be unscrewed from the camera and re-tightened into the bracket itself. That way they don't get lost when the camera isn't mounted, and they don't rattle around and drive me nuts when hiking. But there is quite a bit of play in the knobs when they are fully loosened, which make it easier to attach the camera.

[eric black]

thanks Colin- I think Ill probably be making something similar as well