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View Full Version : Ebony SV45U Base Plate - Poor Design?



Dan V
6-Jun-2007, 17:32
In a continuing effort to improve results, I'm re-examining my LF techniques and habits and their effects on camera stability.

One gremlin is that the tripod socket on this Ebony model seems too eccentrically placed and IMO contributes to camera instability when mounted on a ball head using an adapter plate.

The tripod socket on the SV45U is only 1.25" from the edge of the camera base which is 6.5" wide - a full two inches short of the center. I don't know why Ebony didn't place the socket more centrally - am I missing something obvious here?

Since I'm using RRS's BH-55 head with a B22 mounting plate, I phoned them for ideas. Joe pointed out that most Ebony customers use RRS's B29 mounting plate and he generously offered to swap them gratis. The B29 is only 3/4 inch longer than the short mounting plate I now use. While it could be a slight improvement, it still doesn't address the eccentrically placed tripod socket on the camera that I think is the bigger issue.

Any suggestions as to how I might maximize stability of this camera when mounted given the location of the socket on this model?

Randy Redford
6-Jun-2007, 17:44
I have the SV45Ti and it has 2 mounting holes in the bottom. I use a Markins PL-15 plate (Arca style) that has slots to mount it in both mounting holes. Mine is rock solid. In the RRS stock, I would suggest the plate for the Linhof Technikarden and then mount it in both sockets.

Steve Hamley
6-Jun-2007, 19:04
Dan V,

I really doubt any instability is caused by the location of the tripod hole, which should be near the camera's center of gravity. If the rear standard is heavier than the front as is the case for most field cameras, then the tripod socket should be set farther back than the center of the bed. In fact, having it nearly under the rear standard as Ebony does is a good idea.

Why not do an experiment on a table with a thin rod of some sort and try to get a feel for where the camera balances. That's where the tripod socket should be IMHO. I'll bet the tripod socket is very near that point.

Steve

Randy Redford
6-Jun-2007, 19:12
Dan,

One of the other advantages of having a longer QR plate is that if you have the bellows fully extended, you can move the camera mount up further to balance out the greater extension and weight of the bellows and lens.

Steve Penland
6-Jun-2007, 19:23
Dan, I have the SV45U. There are two mounting holes on the bottom; one is larger than the other. I ordered the RRS MPR-1 (it actually says MPR-1b on the plate, but I can't find that "1b" in their catalog), which is 6 inches long and has two mounting screws that slide in a groove along the length of the plate. Because the mounting holes on the camera are of different (but standard) sizes, RRS has a "reducer bushing" that is screwed into the larger hole, so that the holes end up being the same size and both receive the two screws that are on the plate. The mounting holes are 2.5" apart, so this results in an exceptionally stable mounting apparatus. The plate also has a cap screw that functions as a safety stop as the plate slides into position on the clamp. This is a huge improvement over a single-hole mounting system.

Dave Parker
6-Jun-2007, 19:49
I really have a difficult time imagining that a company of the stature of Ebony, would "Misplace" the tripod hole!!! :eek:

I think at times as true gear geeks we REALLY over think things!

:p

Dave

Don Hutton
6-Jun-2007, 20:50
I used a B29 plate when I had a SV45U and it worked perfectly.

Brian Ellis
6-Jun-2007, 21:05
The main tripod socket on Linhof Technikas is all the way at the back of the camera, in the base of the rear housing. That placement doesn't seem to affect the stability of these cameras, I wouldn't think a similar placement would affect an Ebony though the two cameras are very different designs. But if it bothers you, Kirk sells a 4" square quick release plate for use with an Arca style head and clamp. That allows you to change the position of the camera vis a vis the head by 4", which would bring it closer to being centered over the head if that's what you want to do.

LH1H17
7-Jun-2007, 03:42
I recently got an ebony 45SU; different model that by default comes with only one tripod hole in the center. The folks at Ebony camera (thanks Hiromi!!) were gracious enough to custom make mine with two holes so I could use a telephoto lens QR plate. :o

JPlomley
7-Jun-2007, 04:54
I used the same plate (RRS MPR-1b) as Steve Penland when I was shooting an SV45TE. Absolutely rock solid support.....I recently switched to an Arca Swiss and so am no longer using the plate. It is for sale if anyone is interested.

Rakesh Malik
7-Jun-2007, 11:18
I used the same plate (RRS MPR-1b) as Steve Penland when I was shooting an SV45TE. Absolutely rock solid support.....I recently switched to an Arca Swiss and so am no longer using the plate. It is for sale if anyone is interested.

I bought one of thosefor my SV45U after my recent purchase of an RRS BH-55, and it's been a rock solid support. Not very heavy though... so it doesn't keep the whole apparatus from being literally picked up by a strong enough gust of wind.

Dan V
8-Jun-2007, 06:25
My first 4x5, a Tachihara, spoiled me with its two tripod sockets. Silly me assumed this configuration was standard (it just made too much sense not to be - like cars having four wheels). I didn't think much of it when I first got the Ebony with its single socket. I was too dazzled by the black beauty to pay much attention to this seemingly small issue - which I now find very significant because, for my purposes anyway, it's impossible to overdo camera stability, accurate focus or great detail in a shot.

So while a single socket is better than none, having two does make a big difference regarding stability - particularly when the single socket is so eccentrically placed as it is on my camera. Apparently Ebony's finally gotten the message as illustrated by the e-mail response I received from them, which in part reads:

"While it's true that Ebony now include two tripod sockets with their newer cameras for the convenience of customers who would like to use a quick-release plate, customers were generally content with the original off-center tripod socket. Hiromi believes that with a single socket this is the optimum position for overall stability (customers use all kinds of lenses and all kinds of backs with these cameras.)"

I'm not an engineer or fine 4x5 camera maker, but given the eccentric location of this socket, the only time its placement would seem to help balance the camera is if there was a two pound back mounted on it. Any extension of the bellows further aggravates the camera's "tuning fork" properties with my QR setup.

I think it's time to put this baby up for sale. Rats, I recently had a Maxwell screen made for it too. End of rant.

Thanks to all for your opinions, suggestions and comments.

Randy Redford
8-Jun-2007, 12:07
Dan,

Have you considered taking it to a machine shop and having a second hole tapped in the metal base plate?

Steve Hamley
8-Jun-2007, 15:39
Why not just get the two-hole plate from Ebony if it means that much to you?

Randy, the bottom plate is a piece of titanium sheet metal, and the tripod sockets are built into a cylindrical "fixture". So you can't just drill and tap a second hole.

Steve

Randy Redford
8-Jun-2007, 16:32
Steve,

Good to know. Every Ebony that I have ever had had the 2 tripod mount holes.

Dan V
8-Jun-2007, 17:01
Why not just get the two-hole plate from Ebony if it means that much to you?

Randy, the bottom plate is a piece of titanium sheet metal, and the tripod sockets are built into a cylindrical "fixture". So you can't just drill and tap a second hole.

Steve

The Ebony rep that replied to my e-mail wrote that adding a second socket would be relatively inexpensive, but that I'd have to ship the camera back to Japan.