Camera Equipment Co. Tripods - anyone use?

[goamules]

I've been looking for a better tripod for 5x7 and 8x10 field cameras. I just got one of these, made by Camera Equipment Co. of NYC from about 1941 until the 1970s when they were called F&B Ceco I believe. They were made for Cine movie cameras, but they sure look robust. Has anyone used one? Here are a couple pics of some Canadian soldiers who used it to film D-Day, and a military version (missing the top plate). Mine has a rectangular top plate that looks about 6x2 inches. I may have to widen that somehow. Anyone using one of these Professional Junior tripods? I wanted something robust like a Ries, without the cost.

[E. von Hoegh]

I've been using one for 8x10 since the late 80s. Great tripods.

[goamules]

Thanks, it's good to know it will work.

[TheDeardorffGuy]

I modified the Head of one to hold a Deardorff 12x20. It holds.

[goamules]

Great, that's good to know. Then my 8x10 2D should be no problem. Hey, maybe I'll build a larger platform so I can put a Century Studio on it! It looks (I was just looking at the 1941 patent drawings) like the top plate is just held by two machine screws. So I could cut a larger plate of aluminum, say 10x15 inch, and have that for the big cameras. We'll see when it comes how realistic that would be.

[Alan Gales]

I love the World War 2 photograph. It combines two of my favorite things, Jeeps and cameras!

[big_ben_blue]

I got one like this. Replaced the narrow top with a square one and cut a few large holes on it to reduce weight (looks now a lot like the swiss-cheese metal Canham's).

[joselsgil]

I have a Miller tripod, made in Australia. It is very similar to your tripod. I finally found a way to mount a Gitzo head onto the tripod's bowl. I plan on using it for my 8X10 2D and other smaller format cameras.

Jose

[E. von Hoegh]

I modified the Head of one to hold a Deardorff 12x20. It holds.

It should. I balanced myself on the 4"x6" platform of mine; I'm not exactly a small person at 6'1 1/2"

[goamules]

I got the Camera Equipment Co. Tripod and I'm quite satisfied. That's an 8x10 2D shown on it. It has very robust, smooth movements and locks down tight. I'd say it weights about 20 lbs, so it's not a backpacking tripod, but I needed something strong for, well...everything but backpacking. I usually just park at a good spot and walk a few yards too shoot anyway, for wetplate especially you don't go far from your truck and darkbox.

The design was patented in a golden age of American inventions, Aug 1941. Patent drawings: http://www.google.com.hk/patents/US2318910 I'm going to fabricate a larger mount plate from aluminum and it's a done deal. I love the way you turn the small knob in the back, and the geared 90 degree mechanism turns the mounting screw for you. Quality all the way, I recommend you try one. They were later made by F&B Ceco, as well as the WWII ones, so they seem pretty common. I paid less than $175.