Lightweight Tripod for Sinar Norma Inspired by Julius Shulman [Archive]

Daniel Unkefer

6-Sep-2021, 11:56

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51430792613_0cbd713785_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mmLfPF)Lightweight Solid Norma Tripod Julius Shulman 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2mmLfPF) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

I am a huge fan of Julius Shulman and the volume of work he produced in the Los Angeles area and elsewhere during the 30s to the 80s. Among his many published books is "Photographing Architecture and Interiors", which I intensely studied 30 years ago. One snippet of information regarding equipment, Shulman used primarily the Sinar Norma 4x5 and 8x10. What I always thought was super cool was his tripod for all this work, it was the classic original Leitz Tiltall which was very sturdy and solid, he used a modified version for 8x10 and 4x5 Norma shooting. The original mounting plate was removed, and replaced with a solid 1/2" thick metal block which is super sturdy and solid. I used the pictures in his book to guide me. Notice how it just fits the Norma Tripod Clamp, the original rectangular plate was too small for Norma.

I just bought a machinists Band Saw from Lil Machine Shops, so bought a block of aluminum and cut it down with the new saw. Then drilled out mounting holes and countersunk them with drill press. Stainless steel bolts hold it all together super tightly, it's not coming apart.

Using this tripod with the 4x5 Norma in WA configuration is a joy and I could carry this around all day if I had to. Eventually I will try this with the 8x10 Norma and I have no doubt it will do the job. It worked for Shulman.

I have an old friend , whose Dad who knew Shulman and lived in the area at the time. He was also a photographer and Man he reveled when I told of my longtime interest in Shulman and his work. What a small world.

BTW the Norma, the tripod and the lens are all brand new to me. The lens is an original 90mm F5.6 chrome barrel Sinar Norma Super Angulon, with direct acting iris "mickey mouse" for behind the camera aperture control. The lens came from Germany and looks brand new. Super Nice and much brighter than my F8 90mm Super Angulons to look through. This vintage would be towards the end of Norma production. Much fun ahead.

This is -exactly- the same matched setup that Shulman shows in the above book.

Greg

6-Sep-2021, 15:56

When I was a student at RIT in the 1970s, the Leitz Tiltall tripods were the most popular tripod to be signed out from the Cage (equipment sign out room) for 35mm to 4x5 formats. If I remember correctly some of them had their mounting plates replaced but probably because of misuse and not for more stability. Actually they may have been very, very similar STAR-D Professional tripods. Very cold tripods to use during cold winter spells in Rochester, but they always seemed to work.

Bob Salomon

6-Sep-2021, 16:29

Daniel Unkefer

6-Sep-2021, 17:08

I have pinched my knuckles a couple of times with the Star-D side locks, with my kinda heavy Plaubel Makiflexes. Now I use that tripod for my Minoltas and Hasselblads. Nothing too heavy. First time around I made the aluminum block I used my Star-D top plate as a pattern. I found that I couldn't tighten the plate on so that I was confident with it. I think the Star-D metal alloy is softer, the old old old Tiltall is really way better aluminum for this project. This old Tiltall does have a beautiful patina, I'll be giving it a good clean next. With a 4x5 I wouldn't use the center column. I'm surprised how solid it is now. No wonder Shulman carried it around for quite a while. I'll shoot another picture when I get my 8x10 Norma on it.

Mark Sampson

7-Sep-2021, 11:56

Far be it from me to disagree with a master like Julius Shulman. But I think that a 4x5 Norma is too much for a Tiltall, and I have both. In fact I think my 4x5 Zone VI, a bit lighter, is still too heavy.
Perhaps it's because my Tiltall is a Marchioni (original) model, and thus over 50 years old, and who knows what abuse it had suffered before I rescued it from a dumpster? it seems to me that the clamping effect of the tilt knobs is inadequate for cameras that heavy. The camera's weight up above seems to overpower them. The legs are strong enough, though.
It seems that the Tiltall was designed for 8mm movie cameras... mine has worked fine with Leicas, Rollei TLRs, Hassies, film and digital Nikons, my long-gone Tachihara 4x5, and the Z-VI (often enough).

I will admit to breaking a Star-D (that cheap imitation) by putting an Ansco 8x10 on top of it... but that was 40 years ago and there was no money for proper gear in those days.

Daniel Unkefer

7-Sep-2021, 12:04

Mine is a Marchioni original also which I wanted specifically. Finding decent specimens is getting to be more difficult. I remember when these were like thirty dollar tripods but not any more. I do think the alloys making up the aluminum appear to be quite strong. If I chicken out I'll use this with my Plaubel Makiflexes and Hasselblads. The bigger tripod mount footprint helps a lot. Since Shulman time tested this I want to give it a good go.

I used the Zone VI lightweight back in the day with 4x5 and some 8x10 Norma without incident and outdoors I enjoyed using it actually. Works way better with the Sinar Pan Tilt Norma Head.

Jim Noel

7-Sep-2021, 14:38

Drew Wiley

7-Sep-2021, 15:03

I wonder what happened to my brother's old Tiltall. He bought it used and set up his 4x5 Technika on it, as well as SLR cameras. I eventually inherited it, but vaguely remember that it was just too corroded from decades of exposure to salt air to still be reliable. Maybe it's still on my loft somewhere, maybe not. Yeah, they'll support a Sinar monorail. Probably the best bang for the buck tripod ever made. At the Brooks photo academy my brother attended, it's what nearly all the students owned back then.

I personally used a Gitzo aluminum Reporter for my Sinar early on; have the CF equivalent now. But I certainly prefer a taller Ries wooden tripod. Had a Zone VI one once - a disappointing piece of junk - gave it away to an office companion for his amateur telescope use.

Daniel Unkefer

7-Sep-2021, 15:54

I have plenty of tripods that are -heavy- and I have wanted this for going lighter. Recently I did something to my back and that has gotten me thinking about weight and solidity with Norma out in the field. I can throw this over my shoulder and carry a small soft bag full of stuff. And be pretty portable.

I own this program on Shulman and watched it again last night. It is beautiful and moving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v6JeCEZ19M

And see here if not familiar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcJBgRSISg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcKx6laYlLM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eto9mHoXLYg

LabRat

8-Sep-2021, 02:48

Another regular user of the Marchioni type Tiltall for all formats up to medium weight 4X5 here... (My Tek III loves being on it, even in a breeze...) A little bulky, but finding the right bag with shoulder strap makes it ok to schlepp around...

The weak point on all models is the connection between the head and column... The head slides onto the column tube, but is only secured by a bolt hole through the tube, travels a gap, and threads inside... After heavy use & time, the tube hole enlarges and allows the head to slightly rock a little bit... I had a machinist make an aluminum plug that goes into the tube, drilled/tapped around the head 4 holes on the base of head, and threaded into the plug... This really secured the head to the tube on my tripods... A significant upgrade that was needed!!!

And on one of my tripods, some of the leg tension screws broke over time, but found aerospace grade replacement bolts that worked very well...

Another addition for 'pod was that after leaving it in a hot car for awhile, the leg locks could be hard to loosen, but I rolled up a neoprene mouse pad and put inside the bottom center column, so if it got stuck, I could use it to get a better grip on the locking ring...

I posted some repair tips here some years ago on Tiltalls you can search for...

Steve K

Daniel Unkefer

16-Sep-2021, 14:15

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51484462408_71e2220c85_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mrvjYY)8x10 Sinar Norma Julius Shulman Titlall Setup 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2mrvjYY) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Here is the 8x10 Sinar Norma Julius Shulman inspired Leitz Tiltall Tripod. Believe it or not solid as a rock and WOW portable. Love it and I think I will buy another old old Leitz Tiltall to dedicate for this camera and quick location jobs. I do have other half of the block of aluminum which I can utilize. The Norma Tripod Clamp is locked onto the tripod and simply unscrew to mount and remount different Norma cameras. I will prolly add a little loctite maybe

8x10 film is costly so I utilize the original Sinar Norma Sinarsix which is quite accurate for ambient TTL and has not let me down so far. I even have the Sinar dial which utilizes my own test data for really long exposures.

Daniel Unkefer

19-Sep-2021, 16:16

The weak point on all models is the connection between the head and column... The head slides onto the column tube, but is only secured by a bolt hole through the tube, travels a gap, and threads inside... After heavy use & time, the tube hole enlarges and allows the head to slightly rock a little bit... I had a machinist make an aluminum plug that goes into the tube, drilled/tapped around the head 4 holes on the base of head, and threaded into the plug... This really secured the head to the tube on my tripods... A significant upgrade that was needed!!! Steve K

Hi Steve,

Just bought a second original Tiltall and I'd be interested in seeing a photo of that machined column plug adaption. Any chance of that?

Thanks! -Dan

LabRat

19-Sep-2021, 18:50

Can't now and you wouldn't see much, but the upgrade is merely to make an aluminium plug that fits snugly into top of column tube and is drilled & tapped on 4 points around it's OD... Then the head is also matching drilled, and bolts thread into the plug from outer bottom ring of head......

Super fast/easy for a machinist to do...

Steve K

pendennis

19-Sep-2021, 20:20

I found a Leitz Tiltall a month, or so, ago at the local used dealer. I'd not seen the finish before; it's a very matte finish silver, and didn't have any scratches or wear marks. It didn't have any type of padding on the platform, so I found some thin rubber, glued it and trimmed with an Xacto knife. The only modification I've made to it was to add an Arca-Swiss adapter plate, so I can use the appropriate mounting plates. It really didn't add weight to it, and I've used it for a session with my Linhof Technica III. It's rock steady.

The best news is that is cost me $35 OTD. I've looked at any number of photos of Tiltall's, and I've yet to see this particular finish.
219766

pendennis

20-Sep-2021, 08:52

Original Tiltall's are by far the best metal tripods I ever owned. Every time I see one at a show I test it, and usually buy it. My wooden tripods are all Otto's, the smallest and lightest of which is ample for my 8x10 Wisner, and 7x17 and 5x12 Koronas. I often wonder why I even buy the larger ones.

I own some modern Gitzo's and Manfrotto's/Bogen's. I do get a lot of use out of my Leitz Tiltall, a Vivitar 1321, and a Slik "pre-67", though. I modified the Slik to use interchangeable heads. The older tripods aren't as flexible, but they are very sturdy.

Daniel Unkefer

21-Sep-2021, 06:33

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51500250509_a7aa23f029_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2msUfeB)Starting Tiltall No 2 .5x3x4inch aluminum block (https://flic.kr/p/2msUfeB) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

I like the custom Tiltall enough to start a second one. The .5"x4"x6" aluminum plate I bought on Ebay. Cut it in half with my Little Machine Shop Band Saw (see right) , will cut steel block if I need it to. Then it moves over to the drill press, cut the mounting holes, and a large center hole for 3/8" bolt and washer. I countersink the mounting holes and assemble with stainless metal screws from Lowes, I take the pieces in for custom fit.

Should be easier the second time around

Daniel Unkefer

30-Sep-2021, 05:22

Original Tiltall #2 arrives today from Tennessee
Time to get busy. Shouldn't take long to make another of these mods

I'm going to clean up both of these with electronic contact cleaner and elbow grease. Relube with black moly auto grease

Daniel Unkefer

30-Sep-2021, 05:27

LabRat

30-Sep-2021, 10:19

Cool!!!
Consider removing/replacing the three bolts that are on the leg to yoke tensioner position... I have had the heads break off a couple of times and the remaining bolt threads had to be removed by drilling and a screw extractor... Use good bolts (grade 8) to replace, and reset tension so not too tight, but enough tension for extended leg not to flop around if moving tripod...

A good lube for leg sections is silicone spray... Wipe some on and rub off excess, and you can't feel it if you handle it, but it's there making legs slide smoother...

Roll up a computer mouse pad and leave it stored in lower center column area... Use it if tripod has been very cold or hot in a trunk and leg locks sometimes get stuck, so it gives you a better grip on those stuck leg locks...

One of my tripods has black shrink tubing over top leg sections to;

-black out leg reflections (great when shooting store windows at night) and reduces reflections in shot...

-Insulates metal when handling in cold weather (get it from an electronics supply/surplus) or you can use pipe insulation material...

-Can dampen vibrations and "clanging" a little...

If you can unscrew the upper legs from the top, you can clean the entire leg assembly from inside out... Put a few drops of acetone in the seam where they screw in, wrap a piece of rubber near leg tops, clamp a hose clamp on rubber, and put a wrench on the hose clamp to loosen leg... This should break it free to turn threads... Once off, the leg sections can come apart... On the top of leg sections inside, there is a piece of felt that stabilizes leg top while moving in tube that needs to be replaced (new felt held in with contact cement works)... Scrub leg lock threads with solvent + old toothbrush to clean threads (messy)... Apply NoOx (?) from electrical supply house on thread before lubing to prevent corrosion from binding locks (sometimes locks are worn out)...

There's other stuff I have done for the over 40 years I have used these tripods, but at a loss to remember now... I use 3 of these on a nearly daily basis, and solid and work well... I have seen a new model at a camera store, and seems like a piece of crap...:-(

Steve K

Daniel Unkefer

1-Oct-2021, 06:19

Very helpful information, thanks again Steve

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51539500790_93f8b248a9_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mwnpYA)Hacked Tiltall Tripod No 2 (https://flic.kr/p/2mwnpYA) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Here's Tiltall #2 which arrived yesterday from Tennessee. It took about twenty minutes to cut the holes and remount the other half of my aluminum block. To finish it I will enlarge the center hole for a 3/8" steel bolt, then the cleaning up of both tripods will be the final project. These hold up very well for their age and both of these fully functional (no broken or missing parts). Both of these are identical to the tripods in Shulman's book so the design has been time tested

Daniel Unkefer

2-Oct-2021, 06:42

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51542749169_0683e8fe3b_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mwE4B8)Two Marchioni Tiltall Mods (https://flic.kr/p/2mwE4B8) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

On the right is one of my 4x5 Normas with recessed Norma board and 47mm F8 Schneider Super Angulon focused very very close up. In the back of one of my 5x7 Normas with original Norma Bellows and 360mm barrel chrome Componon on a flat Sinar Norma board. Both Marchioni Tiltalls have been modded to match the ones in Julius Shulman's book "Photographing Architecture and Interiors". I acquired this book in 1991

I have a friend in NYC who said he will go dumpster diving if he sees any of these, and send them to me. Nice Guy!

Daniel Unkefer

7-Oct-2021, 06:15

My widest LF lens, the chrome 47mm F8 Super Angulon in Compur shutter, see above right ^^^^ Mounted on an original Sinar Norma Recessed Lensboard. Tim Kelly lighting, extreme close-up, lens less than a foot away from my test target. Three Broncolor Pulso C171 Monolights plus fill panel, HP5+ 4x5 (in Linhof Plate Holder) D:23 1;1 in 8x10 Unicolor Unidrum and Uniroller. 8x10 4X print Arista #2 RC Multigrade dev Omega DII laser aligned 180 black Rodagon Omegalite Diffusion Head

In close up mode this lens -almost- covers 4x5. You can see that in the four corners of this shot

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51561297033_516a1fc9bc_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2myi8eT)47mm F8 F32 4x5 Norma HP5 (https://flic.kr/p/2myi8eT) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

I can lift and move this camera easily with one hand without straining; I am really digging these new lighter weight Marchioni tripods

Daniel Unkefer

19-Aug-2022, 08:46

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52296993295_23e3f5bb89_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nFiL7c)SONY DSC (https://flic.kr/p/2nFiL7c) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

This is my all Sinar Norma Parts "Shorty" 4x5. Tripod inspired by and copied from Julius Shulman's famous book on "Architecural Photography Inside And Out". When I was young i studied this book intensely. The tripod is super lightweight, vibrates a teeny tiny bit, but settles down quickly. I can lift and carry it as is with one hand. With a small soft bag for holders and stuff it's good for outside use. As a 2x3 camera with wind knob Graflex backs it is even more lightweight. So this will be getting some use in the future as I seek a lighter load with Normas.

The Norma Rubber Hood and Monocular are excellent for viewing. The lens is a new to me 75mm f5.6 Norma barrel mount auto-iris, with silvery Center Filter III.

Drew Wiley

19-Aug-2022, 09:27

Tiltalls were nice, and were quite popular with pros on a budget. I inherited my brother's, but it was almost completely worn out by then. Alas, for a long lens addict like me working in windy places, they just don't do the trick. My routine Sianr rail setup in 18 inches long (sectional, of course, in case I do need to either shorten it or lengthen it even further.).

Daniel Unkefer

19-Aug-2022, 09:40

Drew,
I had a battered Norma Basic Rail missing some parts. I carefully measured what I needed with wider lenses I own, then cut down both ends with my Lil Machine Shop Electric Bandsaw. So essentially a solid one piece hollow tube exactly the length I need from 47mm to 150mm. Anything longer I go to other Normas. They are versatile and available. Works well with wide 4x5 and 2x3, being lightweight. Baseplate upgrade is worth doing IMO

Drew Wiley

19-Aug-2022, 10:33

I have all kinds of components myself - P, F, Norma - enough to reconstitute entire field cameras I once wore out. But they just sit there in storage. On a daily basis, I stick with the Norma; it's my favorite. But since nearly everything in interchangeable, the ability to mix n' match of components is a wonderful feature.

Daniel Unkefer

10-Nov-2022, 08:53

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52490975628_8b7c9d7ff4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nYrYib)SONY DSC (https://flic.kr/p/2nYrYib) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Julius Shulman inspired modified Leitz Tiltall model one, heavy aluminium machined block bolted to center column. Camera locked down with 9/16" closed end wrench. Rock solid light as a feather. Uber solid medium format monorail technical camera. With the Sony E series mirrorless attached to a flat board, I have a "poor man's digital mini-me view camera system". So far I have ten of the original lenses ready to test. Four have been freshly overhauled by Camtronics. The Monocular Viewer swivels left and right to see the groundglass uber clear magnified with fresnel, can easily assess sharpness critically with this setup. This back is matched to original 6x9cm and 6x6cm Plaubel Makina 120 Backs, which I have been using all along in my two Makinas II and IIIR. So rolls get finished up and move around, these are a bit finicky to use, but doable and gets easy to do with time. Also fifty 6x9cm Plaubel Sheet and Glass Plate holders. Add Sony digital and it's pretty versatile for cheap money

Daniel Unkefer

20-Jul-2023, 08:31

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52628900021_2cf3cf3094_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2obCSpX)SONY DSC (https://flic.kr/p/2obCSpX) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Using Brass Hobby Modeling Screws I bolted a Plaubel 120x120 Adapter Board, to a Sinar Norma Uber Heavy Metal Homemade Machined Norma Board (heavily used) LOL. Always wondered what I would ever do with this thing LOL. So now all my Plaubel Junior mounted boards fit onto the Norma, which I can go up to 8x10, although with these 4x5 will do it nicely. This is the Schneider 135mm F3.8 Schneider Xenar, a not often seen lens, in the F3.8 version. Great to look through on the 4x5 Norma. The tripod is Shulman-inspired Leica Tiltall, modded with aluminum block. This tripod is in Shulman's books on Architecture and Interiors, which I studied intensely back in the Eighties.

Drew Wiley

20-Jul-2023, 10:22

I inherited a tripod just like that, but it had been so heavily used that most of the threads were stripped, so I never put it into use myself.

Daniel Unkefer

20-Jul-2023, 10:31

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51484462408_fe658d2fbd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mrvjYY)8x10 Sinar Norma Julius Shulman Titlall Setup 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2mrvjYY) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

This setup is right out of Julius Shulman's Books on Architectural and Interior Photography. As I get older I start to realize how useful this rig is, I can carry it around with one hand. (Although it's a workout but worth it). I see now why he did this, it's obvious to this user. Carry one lens and a pouch of 8x10 holders and you are golden. Although this attracts a LOT of attention. LOL Shown with my prize 121mm Auto Iris Compur F8 Norma Super Angulon. Just covers 18x24cm focused to hyperfocal distance. 8x10 TTL Norma Sinarsix saves expensive sheet film. Norma Bag Bellows and Monocular is my preferred way to view.

Jim Jones

20-Jul-2023, 19:01

The 6 lb. original Tiltall might be a bit heavy for some photographers, but it includes a decent 3-way head and reaches almost 5 feet in height without extending the center column one more foot. Tiltall has been my tripod of choice for 54 years for up to a 5x7 B&J with a 400mm lens (unless the wind is too strong). My first impression of Tiltall wasn't reassuring, but the Marchioni boys designed a fine tripod for durability and performance instead of copying features from various other tripods as so many makers seem to do today. However, today's Chinese imported Tiltall may lack the fine production quality of the originals. My Star-D version of Tiltall wasn't quite as good as those produced by Marchioni and those sold under the Leica brand.

Daniel Unkefer

20-Jul-2023, 19:18

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52395448194_01814b4ae9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nQ1njs)Plaubel Peco Profia 75mm f6.8 Komura (https://flic.kr/p/2nQ1njs) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Plaubel Peco Profia 4x5 ready for shooting architectural, Profia Bag Bellows, ingenious clamping 4x5 film holder (best I have seen!), Profia Monocular Magnifier/Bag Bellows on the back for stylish comfortable viewing. In the original Profia catalog is the 75mm F6.3 Komura in Seiko Shutter. The Julius Shulman inspired modded Leitz Tiltall tripod is perfect, quick and dependable to use, quite solid after a few seconds. Sharp enough to make big prints. I also have the matching 90mm F6.3, the humungeous companion to this lens. Both of these lenses recess into the Profia Recessed board, this board will also accomodate all of my Makiflex boards, and also my Peco Jr boards, with the additional stepdown board, which I cobbled together with stuff from the parts box.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52394252557_5d3f20b323_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nPUeU2)4x5 Plaubel Peco Profia 90mm F6.3 Komura Original 90mm Komura Hood (https://flic.kr/p/2nPUeU2) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

The lens hood cost nearly as much as the lens! LOL

LabRat

20-Jul-2023, 19:21

Great tripod!!! I bought a well used original one 40 years ago, gave it hard daily pro + arts use with all formats and still going!!!

There are some service + upgrades needed every decade, but seems to respond well if not damaged...

Stands on it's own (3) legs.. ;)

Steve K

Daniel Unkefer

21-Jul-2023, 08:28

Tin Can

21-Jul-2023, 10:11

Had one

Drew will not approve

Good luck

Daniel Unkefer

21-Jul-2023, 10:20

Thanks. I've got two Tiltalls now, both modded. And a Star-D too, not quite as good as Tiltall but lighter to carry. Had Star-D back in the '70's never failed me. Carried it hanging off me with one of those cloth wide Hippy Straps. Worked good back then

Not for everybody but so what?

Daniel Unkefer

15-Sep-2023, 16:31

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53100425784_9a81db18a3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2oUiyAu)C22 No 2 135mm New Leitz Tiltall Hacked Leitz Ball Head (https://flic.kr/p/2oUiyAu) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Mamiya C22 Body #2 with 135mm Blue Dot Yellow Filters Paramender. Mounted on new to me Leitz Tiltall heavily modified. Regular column replaced with modern black one with Leitz Ball Head neatly permanently attached. This new Ball Head (same as on my Leitz Tabletop Tripod) works great on the original Tiltall and a Japanese Quick Mount, which also works great with the Paramender. This weighs little enough that I can carry it around with one hand without straining. And it is rock solid Leica Quality. Broncolor Octobox 150 left, 4x6 foamcore right. Sony Nex-7 with Zeiss Touit Makro Planar 2.8/50. Painted background by David Maheu "Tiim Kelly Gold Plaster".

Daniel Unkefer

11-Nov-2023, 06:27

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53321262026_58e9bddb3f_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pePpvU)80cm Rokkor Cowboy Studios Gimbal Modded Leitz Tripod (https://flic.kr/p/2pePpvU) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

80cm F8 Rokkor, Chrome SRT-100/Kangaroo Green, Cowboy Studios Gimbal Head, Modded Leitz Tiltall Tripod. Should be steady enough considering mirror lockup being utilized, and an SRT Cable Release as well. This lens will be coming up in my 800mm shoot-out. The 400mm Rokkor-X MD F5.6, with Matched 2X Converter, makes an F/11 aperture. This lens was a speed demon at F8 80cm :) One Stop Faster. The SRT only goes to 1/500 and no MLU. Will switch bodies.

bibbt

14-Dec-2023, 17:20

So all through photo school( Sam Houston State University), I shot a Linhof Kardan Color 45S on a very early Marchioni/Leitz Tiltall. It was plenty up to the task for 4x5 shooting. I had Gitzo's also but too heavy. The university also had a whole mess of Tiltalls for students to check out. They held up well to student use. There were Star-D versions too.

I still have the Leitz Tiltall and very recently acquired a really cherry replacement Kardan Color 45S. Man O Man, I love this old gear. The quality is off the chart. After graduating, I worked in studios where the dominant camera was the Sinar P or for outside the F. Sorry but too much plastic for my taste especially for the price. The Linhof is pure simplicity.

So back to the Tiltalls... I believe that they are back in production. I read something about a company acquiring the rights to start producing them again. I also remember reading that Gary Register of Chimera & Plume Wafer fame loved those old tripods and even was manufacturing some replacement parts for awhile.

Bibb in San Antonio

bibbt

14-Dec-2023, 17:48

I was lucky enough to meet Julius Shulman at an ASMP meeting in Austin,Texas sometime in the late 80's early 90's. He gave about a 2 hour presentation that was fantastic. There were slides showing the Sinar-Tiltall setup. Even some where he's shooting from a swimming pool. I believe he came out of retirement briefly in the late 90's early 2000. At that point, I believe he was shooting a Horseman monorail with L standards.

What really struck me and most of the other pro's in the audience was that he wasn't a highly technical photographer. His images speak for themselves though. He had a really good eye and would go to extreme lengths to get interesting views. He was also pretty business savvy. He would negotiate the rights with architects to sell photos to vendors and manufacturers of all the fixtures in a building. Everything from urinals to cabinet knobs! Heck, when I was in photo school, one of our architectural photography textbooks had a bunch of his shots in it. This might have been a Kodak publication.

Bibb in San Antonio

Daniel Unkefer

15-Dec-2023, 08:51

Hi Bibb,

Thanks for your contributions! Nice.

I have a friend whose Father knew Shulman, because he lived nearby to him. He was also an accomplished photographer, so he appreciated Shulman and his work. He FREAKED OUT when I mentioned I was a fan. I have all of Shulman's books and the excellent video (it's great narrated by Dustin Hoffman). Even have a homemade looking book which shows the construction of his home, in many detailed construction photos. I also enjoy Ezra Stoller's work (he used 8x10 Norma too). Stoller's work is completely different from Shulman's, he preferred more rectilinear views to my eyes. Some look almost like architectural drawings.

https://aboutphotography.blog/photographer/ezra-stoller

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51484462408_71e2220c85_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mrvjYY)8x10 Sinar Norma Julius Shulman Titlall Setup 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2mrvjYY) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

My 8x10 Norma works good on this, just don't bump it, and it's fine. This is right out of Shulman's book, it worked for him, and it works for me. He would tilt the camera, then level the standards, so he was using indirect movements. Might be sturdier that way. This one has the 121mm F8 Norma Rabbit Ear Shutter lens. Mucho Deluxe-O. And 8x10 Sinarsix TTL Metering.

Here's the teaser to the Award Winning Shulman Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v6JeCEZ19M

It is beautifully made and emotionally moving.