Calumet C1 - Gitzo 1325 -gearhead

[ManWithManyHobbies]

I have an old Gitzo 1325 (with NO adjustable center column on mine) tripod that I purchased years ago in great condition and used for my Pentax 67. I was wondering if it can handle the heavy Calumet C1 (not the green magnesium one). The Gitzo's load capacity is rated at 26.5lbs. Based on the specs it shouldn't be a problem? There's a black C1 8x10 local to me so I don't actually own one but the price is right on. I have no idea how it mounts or what the mounting plate looks like on the C1.

What sort of gearhead and setup would you suggest for the Gitzo and the Calumet C1?

-JW:

PS: I did try searching the forums but only found tripod suggestions.

[tgtaylor]

I'm not familiar with the C1 but I use the Gitzo G1348 with ARCA Swiss z1-sp ball head for the toyo MII (15 lbs before lens and holder) with no problem. The tripod is sturdy and weighs just shy of 5 lbs without head or a center column which I don't use and allows me to carry the whole kit in the big Lowepro pack for relatively short day hikes. The big series 5 Gitzo G1500 or Manfrotto 475B would be out of the question. The ARCA head works perfectly with the MII - just takes a few seconds to get both standards level - and I had Grimes machine a large ARCA QR plate to work with the Toyo QR plate to prevent the camera from torquing.

Thomas

[ManWithManyHobbies]

Thanks, I have a RSS ball head but I'm looking for a gear head for the C1 that is compatible with the Gitzo.

[jmontague]

The Manfrotto 405 is a geared head rated for over 20 lbs. I have the smaller version, the 410, which works great with my Chamonix and Korona 4x5s. Worth a look.


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[ManWithManyHobbies]

Thanks, found one.

[jmontague]

What did you end up finding? Curious minds, you know.


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[ManWithManyHobbies]

What did you end up finding? Curious minds, you know.


... ended up with a Cambo SCH 3D.

-JW:

[jmontague]

That will certainly do the trick.


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[Tin Can]

Which sure looks like a Majestic Gear Head.

The large 6X7" platform Majestic Head fits the C1 sliding base like it was made for it.

I think it was.

I didn't reply before as I assumed you wanted bi-axis micro gearing. Perhaps the large platform could be adapted. 4 screws on any Majestic.

The center ribs for the C1 tripod screw receiver appears to be a weak spot.



... ended up with a Cambo SCH 3D.

-JW:

[ManWithManyHobbies]

Which sure looks like a Majestic Gear Head.

The large 6X7" platform Majestic Head fits the C1 sliding base like it was made for it.

I think it was.

I didn't reply before as I assumed you wanted bi-axis micro gearing. Perhaps the large platform could be adapted. 4 screws on any Majestic.

The center ribs for the C1 tripod screw receiver appears to be a weak spot.

Dunno if I made the wrong choice buying the Cambo SCH 3D since it doesn't have that large plate to increase the surface area to mound the C1 on. Guess it would make a pretty interesting doorstop at 5 pounds. <g> I have machining/fabrication skills but I haven't a clue if I can adapted some sort of aluminum plate to the top of the Cambo.

-JW:

[Tin Can]

You can do it!

[tgtaylor]

You might find some ideas here: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?136093-Anti-Twist-Plate-for-Toyo-810MII

Thomas

[Marc_Andrew]

I've used a Cambo SCH with a C1 for the past 6-7 years. It's been perfect. Very rigid. No need to machine anything. I've seen a few C1s that people have machined a plate for the tripod block because they felt it was the weak point of the camera. No problems for me.

[Robert Opheim]

I use a "black Beauty" 8x10 in the field. When the bellows gets long or the exposure gets long I have noticed potential camera movement (I use a Gitzo 400 series tripod with a PL5 head without using the center column) most movement comes from the head/camera base area. Two tripods work the best to get rid of the potential for movement (I checked this arrangement with a construction survey lazer). Even with a fairly heavy single wood Professional Junior tripod I noticed significant movement.

[ManWithManyHobbies]

I've used a Cambo SCH with a C1 for the past 6-7 years. It's been perfect. Very rigid. No need to machine anything. I've seen a few C1s that people have machined a plate for the tripod block necause they felt it was the weak point of the camera. No problems for me.

Thanks ...

[ManWithManyHobbies]

I snagged a Majestic 1903 Gearhead today for 50 bucks on OfferUp. I'm not familiar with these whatsoever. It has a 6x4.5" plate/platform on the top. It's supposed to be rated for 35 pounds according to the specs I read. It has the 3/8 screw on it too. Seems to be in excellent condition to me. The center column is spring loaded. I didn't realized that. Got to be careful with that pup as it throws a mean punch. <g>

[Tin Can]

Even that plate is a bit too small for a C1.

Here are a few links to what I have and use.

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?140273-Majestic-Tripod-Head-1-4-quot-to-3-8-quot-Make-Up-Screw-Fix&p=1476202&viewfull=1#post1476202

Look at this on eBay. I am not the seller. MAJESTIC HEAVY DUTY LARGE TRIPOD MODEL 2000 AND GEARED HEAD MODEL 1200

I have one of those, the geared column is very safe.