View Full Version : Linhof Ball-Head Mystery...
Embdude
30-Jun-2020, 15:22
Trying to understand the original use for the saucer shaped large linhof ball-head.
It is of the largest size as you can see in the photo for scale.
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It has quite an odd function however as the handle/shaft sticking from the base controls the tension on the ball-head! This means on a normal tripod with a center column you could not use it.
The base is the same dimensions as the cap for the Heavy-Duty tripod(and other large camera mounts), so it can be mounted there and the center column removed and it would work.
This makes me wonder if it had some specialty application or maybe was housed on an articulating arm on one of the big studio stands...
Jim Noel
30-Jun-2020, 19:36
Probably designed for a movie camera, not LF.
Embdude
30-Jun-2020, 22:06
ok I had no idea movie cameras used ball heads...
like this?
https://www.flmcanada.com/product/flm-hb-100-half-ball/
Drew Wiley
1-Jul-2020, 12:24
The latter is not a ball head at all, but a much better concept. It retains a low center of gravity with little distance between the platform and the camera position. Even I might go for something like that if it fit into the platform hole of my big Feisol CF tripod.
interneg
1-Jul-2020, 12:53
The latter is not a ball head at all, but a much better concept. It retains a low center of gravity with little distance between the platform and the camera position. Even I might go for something like that if it fit into the platform hole of my big Feisol CF tripod.
Linhof made an even better levelling head, with a milled bearing surface for extremely solid lockdown - the base diameter is about that of a #5 Gitzo top plate. Its smaller brother is in the centre foreground of pictures 1, 3, 4 (when they're the right way up).
Linhof made an even better levelling head, with a milled bearing surface for extremely solid lockdown - the base diameter is about that of a #5 Gitzo top plate. Its smaller brother is in the centre foreground of pictures 1, 3, 4 (when they're the right way up).
Well I have no control over the photo orientation... The source files on my desktop are oriented correctly but when uploaded here they come out sideways...
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Rather similar to this large ball head of 1952 vintage. Even if you can imagine the rotating collar removed from mine it is not quite the same shape where it holds the ball...
It would fit any of these 90mm circular collars...
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Bob Salomon
1-Jul-2020, 14:49
That would be the Heavy Duty Pro or the Profi 3 tripods and their geared center columns and extension volume and outrigger adapter
That would be the Heavy Duty Pro or the Profi 3 tripods and their geared center columns and extension volume and outrigger adapter Yeah I'm figuring it came from the big studio stuff of the late 1950's
Almost found it i think... Not a ball head in this image but same shape with a lever at the base... from a 1951 Photokina article...
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So all I have to do is track one of these Gigant II's down and see if it fits the cone part...
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Daniel Casper Lohenstein
3-Jul-2020, 01:59
Close... 205357
What a beauty (the tripod) Yes, the Gigant tripod has to come. There is no other way. And the big Kardan 18x24. You only live once.
I have searched for a years for a Gigant
Good hunting!
What a beauty (the tripod) Yes, the Gigant tripod has to come. There is no other way. And the big Kardan 18x24. You only live once.
interneg
3-Jul-2020, 09:46
The Heavy Duty Pro (390R is the code I think) tripod is a huge piece of kit - had the opportunity to A/B a vintage example directly against an old Gitzo aluminium Series 5 tripod a few months ago. Ended up going for the Gitzo as the legs seemed to 'ring' much less than the Linhof (which was beautifully made and terrifyingly heavy - though not sure if the tartan bag it came with was original).
I have searched for a years for a Gigant
Good hunting!
Easy to hunt as they can't run fast...
Gigant for sale on Alibaba...
https://russian.alibaba.com/product-...171122016.html
But it looks more modern than the 1951 model I am looking at...
The Heavy Duty Pro (390R is the code I think) tripod is a huge piece of kit - had the opportunity to A/B a vintage example directly against an old Gitzo aluminium Series 5 tripod a few months ago. Ended up going for the Gitzo as the legs seemed to 'ring' much less than the Linhof (which was beautifully made and terrifyingly heavy - though not sure if the tartan bag it came with was original).
Tartan bag is original Linhof!
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Haven't seen the bag for the Giga yet...
Dead link
I almost had the smaller Linhof tri-corner stand, but it was in Canada and too expensive for what it was, no shipping too
I have all the 50's Linhof gear I need
Here is some of it, the Linhof case holds that 5X7, the period Kodak lens has a Packard shutter inside the Linhof lensboard, usable with 4X5, 5x7 and 8X10 Linhof backs
I have zero interest in handheld Linhof
The 8X10 Linhof is so heavy I have to take it apart bit by bit
https://live.staticflickr.com/4645/27421922399_bce018bd56_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HMbwav)Linhof 5X7 Case (https://flic.kr/p/HMbwav) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/4727/38471401334_e49d0b1267_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/21BzZi1)Linhof Kodak 405 (1) (https://flic.kr/p/21BzZi1) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr
Easy to hunt as they can't run fast...
Gigant for sale on Alibaba...
https://russian.alibaba.com/product-...171122016.html
But it looks more modern than the 1951 model I am looking at...
Bob Salomon
3-Jul-2020, 13:17
The Heavy Duty Pro (390R is the code I think) tripod is a huge piece of kit - had the opportunity to A/B a vintage example directly against an old Gitzo aluminium Series 5 tripod a few months ago. Ended up going for the Gitzo as the legs seemed to 'ring' much less than the Linhof (which was beautifully made and terrifyingly heavy - though not sure if the tartan bag it came with was original).
That code hasn’t been used in multiple decades. Go to the Linhof factory site and get the proper codes that go back to at least the early 70s or 60s.
Bob Salomon
3-Jul-2020, 13:19
The Heavy Duty Pro (390R is the code I think) tripod is a huge piece of kit - had the opportunity to A/B a vintage example directly against an old Gitzo aluminium Series 5 tripod a few months ago. Ended up going for the Gitzo as the legs seemed to 'ring' much less than the Linhof (which was beautifully made and terrifyingly heavy - though not sure if the tartan bag it came with was original).
“Ring” means nothing what would better show vibration is a small shot glass half full of water. Put it on top of the tripod. Strike the leg and see how much and how long the water ripples.
The Linhof will win.
I had a metal tripod that had a slight "ring" that decayed slowly, but I found a solution (by chance) that worked for the single tubular leg... I was at a surplus store and found a large roll of electronics shrink tubing slightly larger than the tube OD, and slipped these over outside of legs, then took a heat gun and shrunk it so it was tight over legs... Dampened it well for long telescope use...
Another effective vibration test for very long 35mm Tele rigs was to use laser pointer to bounce off front filter and let dot hit distant wall... Dot will blur with greater vibration, but changes with tripod loading and balance points on camera will change this vibration pattern...
One problem is some metal tripods are very stiff and will ring like a guitar string if struck... Some pods have "lossy" locks and fittings that hold well, but not as stiff and these tend to behave better "dampened"...
Steve K
interneg
3-Jul-2020, 16:34
Bob - the current equivalent would be the 003323 plus 003755, and yes, the example I had in my hands was very stable, but the series 5 Gitzo was that bit 'deader', much like the column of De Vere enlargers transmits less vibration than some seemingly heftier machines. Maybe I was being flippant about the ringing, but the Gitzo seemed to have the edge even with the glass of water - and bear in mind this is splitting the difference between 'excellent' and 'a little better than excellent'. If I was a tiny bit taller, I'd have gone for the Linhof no question at all - I liked the design of the leg extension locks a lot (and the overall build), and if I wanted to use it with a dolly, as per Tin's image upthread I'd have gone for the Linhof in preference. I note that Linhof now offer a wooden leg version of the 003323, and I imagine that will be the best of the lot for dampening.
Bob Salomon
3-Jul-2020, 17:14
Bob - the current equivalent would be the 00323 plus 00375, and yes, the example I had in my hands was very stable, but the series 5 Gitzo was that bit 'deader', much like the column of De Vere enlargers transmits less vibration than some seemingly heftier machines. Maybe I was being flippant about the ringing, but the Gitzo seemed to have the edge even with the glass of water - and bear in mind this is splitting the difference between 'excellent' and 'a little better than excellent'. If I was a tiny bit taller, I'd have gone for the Linhof no question at all - I liked the design of the leg extension locks a lot (and the overall build), and if I wanted to use it with a dolly, as per Tin's image upthread I'd have gone for the Linhof in preference. I note that Linhof now offer a wooden leg version of the 00323, and I imagine that will be the best of the lot for dampening.
There is no 00323. That is not a Linhof catalog number.
Try 003323. For some reason you are leaving out a digit.
interneg
3-Jul-2020, 17:38
There is no 00323. That is not a Linhof catalog number.
Try 003323. For some reason you are leaving out a digit.
Fixed them. For whatever reason they're surprisingly easy codes to get wrong compared to Durst/ Leitz/ De Vere.
Dead link
I almost had the smaller Linhof tri-corner stand, but it was in Canada and too expensive for what it was, no shipping too
I have all the 50's Linhof gear I need
Here is some of it, the Linhof case holds that 5X7, the period Kodak lens has a Packard shutter inside the Linhof lensboard, usable with 4X5, 5x7 and 8X10 Linhof backs
I have zero interest in handheld Linhof
The 8X10 Linhof is so heavy I have to take it apart bit by bit
https://live.staticflickr.com/4645/27421922399_bce018bd56_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HMbwav)Linhof 5X7 Case (https://flic.kr/p/HMbwav) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/4727/38471401334_e49d0b1267_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/21BzZi1)Linhof Kodak 405 (1) (https://flic.kr/p/21BzZi1) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr
Wow Thats some beautiful gear! I don't have a 8x10 so no need of the Giga. My heaviest camera is either a 13x18 solid wood Bermpohl color camera or the 40" Fairchild F56 which should be holdable by the Heavy-Duty but I need to figure an adapter for it that fits the 90mm hole...
Was cable to get to the back of my garage and pull out the Linhof Heavy-Duty Tripod... My ball head fits perfect in the 90mm opening with the plate removed. However I could not remove the center column so I can not actuate the ball head via the handle once mounted. I have seen people unscrew the center column on these Heavy Duty tripods but mine wont budge... I have never removed it and as far as I know it might have never been removed since new Long, Long, Ago... or perhaps the unscrewing feature is not a feature of mine...
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Bob Salomon
3-Jul-2020, 19:11
Was cable to get to the back of my garage and pull out the Linhof Heavy-Duty Tripod... My ball head fits perfect in the 90mm opening with the plate removed. However I could not remove the center column so I can not actuate the ball head via the handle once mounted. I have seen people unscrew the center column on these Heavy Duty tripods but mine wont budge... I have never removed it and as far as I know it might have never been removed since new Long, Long, Ago... or perhaps the unscrewing feature is not a feature of mine...
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They don’t unscrew. It should just be a matter of loosening the clamp on the top of the 003323 tripod.
When Berkey Photo Marketing was the distributor before we were they marketed some special models in the USA with a permenately mounted head. They called them the Nuline 1, 2 and 3. It’s possible that they also sold the Heavy Duty Pro with column as a special as well.
Thanks Bob, I did not see any clamp other than the one to clamp the 90mm headpiece. The braces between the legs and the shaft detach easily which would lead me to believe the shaft should be as well but it seems quite stuck. I will have another look at it tomorrow...
Linhof 90mm Top Plate with 1/4" Thread (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/31657-REG/Linhof_032965_90mm_Top_Plate_with.html)
It can be a very tight fit even if you loosen this, with possible corrosion or somebody glued it in.
I bought a new 3/8" version of the above from B&H some time ago. I have an older 1/4"
The Heavy duty was made in the 50's with wood legs also as i have one. I believe it was spec for movie cameras
I have Linhof catalogs somewhere, my library is not in order
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50075193732_335482f1ec_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jhYsvb)Linhof 90 mm c;lamps (https://flic.kr/p/2jhYsvb) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr
Sorry I was not clear but I am trying to remove the center tube that protrudes below.
A facebook friend sent this that looks to be a screw thread... of course as Bob mentioned there is no certainty mine is the same...
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Bob Salomon
4-Jul-2020, 14:08
Linhof 90mm Top Plate with 1/4" Thread (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/31657-REG/Linhof_032965_90mm_Top_Plate_with.html)
It can be a very tight fit even if you loosen this, with possible corrosion or somebody glued it in.
I bought a new 3/8" version of the above from B&H some time ago. I have an older 1/4"
The Heavy duty was made in the 50's with wood legs also as i have one. I believe it was spec for movie cameras
I have Linhof catalogs somewhere, my library is not in order
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50075193732_335482f1ec_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jhYsvb)Linhof 90 mm c;lamps (https://flic.kr/p/2jhYsvb) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr
They currently make both versions, aluminum and wood legl
Nice that the double-wide heads can fit directly into the 90mm hole instead of requiring the cap...
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Anyone know, did other companies also make 90mm tripod heads or was it just a Linhof thing?
I made my own 90 mm adapter for a Majestic head from off the shelf parts
It is documented at least twice somewhere here
A Majestic head is better than most Linhof heads
The combo is very heavy duty
All 3 of mine with that feature unscrew easily as they should, for various configurations
Once removed it is a delicate bit, I store them carefully
Sorry I was not clear but I am trying to remove the center tube that protrudes below.
A facebook friend sent this that looks to be a screw thread... of course as Bob mentioned there is no certainty mine is the same...
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I remember that. I will need to do something similar for a very heavy camera with its own odd mount and a spotting scope...
I made my own 90 mm adapter for a Majestic head from off the shelf parts
It is documented at least twice somewhere here
A Majestic head is better than most Linhof heads
The combo is very heavy duty
And I saw this somewhere too... no parts explanation though...
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Looks like a very good bearing, perhaps for telescopes
Bob may know
The military also used that tripod, for something
And I saw this somewhere too... no parts explanation though...
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Bob Salomon
7-Jul-2020, 11:53
Looks like a very good bearing, perhaps for telescopes
Bob may know
The military also used that tripod, for something
Sorry, no. I was never in service.
Nor I, but I thought maybe you knew of these
Sorry, no. I was never in service.
Embdude
21-Jul-2020, 19:03
OK I found a pamphlet from 1948 showing the Technika III on my ball-head! It is atop a Linhof Munchen tripod of a very old style...
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