I like my Linhof Twin Shank tripod

[philipmorg]

I thought it might be fun to sing the praises of this seemingly little-known tripod.

The Linhof Twin Shank tripod is, for me, an excellent companion to my Sinar Norma 4x5 camera. It has a very favorable strength to weight ratio, and--because each leg uses only one lever lock--a very speedy setup time. The only downside is that when collapsed, the tripod doesn't get very small: a bit over 32" for mine, which has been modified from from factory configuration. With Sinar Pan Tilt head bolted on and Sinar Norma rail clamp attached, mine weighs 9 lbs 4.5 oz. I'd feel extremely comfortable using this tripod with an even larger camera than my 4x5, but I currently only have the 4x5.

Here's a picture of the tripod. Below the photo, I'll describe how I modified it to make it better-suited to field use.

http://philipmorgan.net/misc/linhofts.JPG

If you search around for pictures of other Linhof Twin Shank tripods, you'll see that they come from the factory with struts that connect each leg to a collar that slides over the center shaft. Although one of these struts can be disconnected in the field, the other two are permanently attached.

I removed these struts and the collar they all attach to. In addition, I removed the center shaft that the collar slides over (it simply unscrews from the yoke). Then, I got out the mitre saw and shortened the center column. I upgraded the nuts that secure the legs to the center yoke with Nyloc nuts, added braces to the twin-shank part of each leg, and finally, I attached fender washers to the bottom of each leg to better grip the ground when the tripod legs are spread wide. Oh, and I also put some spacers around the bottom leg extensions to keep the fender washers from interfering with the locking levers.

The modifications took just a few hours and a trip to the hardware store, and they made this excellent tripod into a very nice unit for field use. My friend John Wimberley's tripod provided the inspiration for these modifications.

This tripod has also been a winner in the price-performance ratio as well. I've seen crazy eBay prices on used models, like in the range of $800 (hint for the eBay sellers: they don't sell at that price. For that price, folks can probably get a new one or a high performance carbon-fiber tripod). On the other hand, I bought my main tripod and parts/backup tripod for less than $100 each. At this price, I couldn't be happier.

Cheers,
--Philip.

[Richard Wasserman]

Philip, I too am a fan of Linhof Twin-Shank tripods, and use on with my Norma. Small world! Can you explain a bit how the modifications are an improvement? I can see that removing the struts saves weight and allows for more leg movement, but don't you sacrifice rigidity? Something for me to think about...

[Bob Salomon]

You seem to have done more then that. What are those flat bars half way up the leg?

You could also have bought the shorter Linhof column used on the Light Way Pro Linhof tripods or the Profi-Port center column from Linhof service.
And all of the struts can be disengaged from the legs of all Linhof tripods by pulling the pin at the bottom of the strut.

Lastly $800.00 is pretty close to the price of a new one. In fact, its big brother. the P version. Same legs but pneumatic center colum is only slightly more then that price.

[philipmorg]

Philip, I too am a fan of Linhof Twin-Shank tripods, and use on with my Norma. Small world! Can you explain a bit how the modifications are an improvement? I can see that removing the struts saves weight and allows for more leg movement, but don't you sacrifice rigidity? Something for me to think about...

Rigidity is decreased, while ability to set up the tripod on uneven terrain, and set it up much lower to the ground is increased. The only situation where I feel like this tradeoff is not entirely worth it is where the tripod spikes can't get a good grip on the ground, like on pavement. This almost never happens. Instead, they almost always get a good grip and create a very rigid platform for the camera. Shortening the center column is also a tradeoff: maximum tripod height is reduced, but its ability to place the camera low to the ground is increased. Even with the shorer center column, I sometimes have to stand on my camera case to manage camera positions where the tripod is fully extended!


You seem to have done more then that. What are those flat bars half way up the leg?

You could also have bought the shorter Linhof column used on the Light Way Pro Linhof tripods or the Profi-Port center column from Linhof service.
And all of the struts can be disengaged from the legs of all Linhof tripods by pulling the pin at the bottom of the strut.

The flat bars are there to further brace the twin struts and increase rigidity. After adding them I must confess they add little rigidity to an already-rigid tripod. In retrospect they might be un-necessary.

I didn't know the struts were so easily disengaged, but I did want the tripod to be able to go lower, and that was my ultimate reason for modifying it as I did.

[Bob Salomon]

"I didn't know the struts were so easily disengaged, but I did want the tripod to be able to go lower, and that was my ultimate reason for modifying it as I did."

Perhaps you should have called us first. 800 735-4373

[Peter Mounier]

Mine is just like Philip's in that two of the struts are held on with what look like big rivets.
http://www.morrobaygiclee.com/TripodLeg.jpg

Peter

[Vaughn]

Nice job! That Ries in the back looks so lonely and rejected!

How are the braces when carrying the pod over your shoulder -- do they dig in?

[philipmorg]

Nice job! That Ries in the back looks so lonely and rejected!

How are the braces when carrying the pod over your shoulder -- do they dig in?

Thanks Vaughn. I carry the tripod cradled in my arms in front of me because my huge camera case goes on shoulders traps behind me (and my shoulders are whimpering under the load as it is), so I don't know. I imagine they would be uncomfortable if I did carry the tripod over my shoulder, and because in the end they didn't add much rigidity, I'd advise others to skip that particular modification.

[Bob Salomon]

Mine is just like Philip's in that two of the struts are held on with what look like big rivets.

Peter

Those are pretty old versions. Haven't been made like that in over 30 years!

[Vaughn]

Those are pretty old versions. Haven't been made like that in over 30 years!

That makes this conversion even better!

I asked about the braces because I bought a big Majestic that has so many knobs it is almost impossible to carry on one's shoulder for any length of time (and I hike with the 8x10 all day) and the knobs would catch on the backpack's shoulder straps. Sort of embarrassing to be unable to remove the pod from one's shoulder! The Ries will also catch on the pack's straps if I carry it with the legs shortened -- but I usually walk with the legs extended.

Fortunately I paid $25 for the Majestic and only used it while I scrapped up enough money to buy the Ries (A100 legs -- I had won the A250 head in a photo contest). The Majestic is my studio pod now!

[Frank Petronio]

It's heartwarming to see this good gear getting used instead of getting set aside in favor of trendy Chinese CF tripods and such....

[Richard Wasserman]

Philip, one of the reasons I like this tripod is the maximum height. I work primarily in urban settings and from time to time need to see over obstacles—I keep a step-stool in the car. I almost never need to lower the camera. I can see that the modifications work for you, but are not necessary for the work I do. Thanks for sharing, and enjoy that great camera and tripod!

[philipmorg]

Philip, one of the reasons I like this tripod is the maximum height. I work primarily in urban settings and from time to time need to see over obstacles—I keep a step-stool in the car. I almost never need to lower the camera. I can see that the modifications work for you, but are not necessary for the work I do. Thanks for sharing, and enjoy that great camera and tripod!

Thanks Richard! I do love my Norma and Twin Shank tripod.

Cheers,
--Philip.

[Maris Rusis]

The Linhof is tripod I wanted years ago but could not afford. So I got a Manfrotto 028B Triman tripod which uses the same twin-shank principle. By removing the centre column and the support struts I now have an el-cheapo version of the OP's Linhof marvel.

The mutilated Manfrotto has held up everything I've put on it and is my regular 8x10 tripod. But I would swap it for the Linhof in a heartbeat.

[erie patsellis]

The design of these is great and rigid, I have a Lisand tripod that was given to me, very similar design, but with a 4" bowl receiver. Light and rigid makes a good combination when schlepping LF cameras around, I think.

[Frank Petronio]

I had a metal Bilora that was similar too, high quality, heavy duty... a lot of these older designs owe a debt to the old Ries and the movie industry.

I always thought a nice FOBA would be a good match with the Sinar Norma myself.

[philipmorg]

It appears that Manuel Alvarez Bravo was a fan of this tripod too!

http://philipmorgan.net/misc/mab-gear.jpg

[Bob Salomon]

I had a metal Bilora that was similar too, high quality, heavy duty... a lot of these older designs owe a debt to the old Ries and the movie industry.

I always thought a nice FOBA would be a good match with the Sinar Norma myself.

Frank,

You do know that Linhof began manufacturing tripods in the 30's, same as Reiss did.

[RussPhoto]

For some reason I can't see picture with modification you did? Would you mind to upload it again. Getting soon my Linhof Twin Shank and would like to use it with 8x10 camera.

[Bob Salomon]

For some reason I can't see picture with modification you did? Would you mind to upload it again. Getting soon my Linhof Twin Shank and would like to use it with 8x10 camera.

You are getting a Linhof Twin Shank or a Linhof Heavy Duty Pro? If it is the much lighter Twin Shank it is rated for 22 pounds. The Heavy Duty Pro can hold up your house!

[RussPhoto]

My 8x10 is only 12.7 pounds so Linhof "Expert"Twin Shank tripod should support it without problem if it's rated for 22 pounds

[Bob Salomon]

My 8x10 is only 12.7 pounds so Linhof "Expert"Twin Shank tripod should support it without problem if it's rated for 22 pounds

You should enjoy it.

[pjd]

For some reason I can't see picture with modification you did?

The thread is from 2011. Maybe you can track down an old image with way back machine?

[RussPhoto]

Thanks for suggestion, unfortunately it didn't work out... When title "I like my Linhof Twin Shank tripod
" inserted in Google search it gives the result of the picture but I'm not sure that's the right one.

The thread is from 2011. Maybe you can track down an old image with way back machine?

[Richard Wasserman]

Russ, I don't see what advantages you will gain from modifying the tripod, especially if you are using it with an 8x10 camera. As is, this is a very stable and capable tripod. It is not terribly heavy, although a bit bulky. What do you hope to gain with the modification that Philip did?

[RussPhoto]

They say: "A picture is worth a thousand words";-) It was just a matter of interest for me. Getting soon my twin shank, so gathering some information.
Russ, I don't see what advantages you will gain from modifying the tripod, especially if you are using it with an 8x10 camera. As is, this is a very stable and capable tripod. It is not terribly heavy, although a bit bulky. What do you hope to gain with the modification that Philip did?

[Richard Wasserman]

They say: "A picture is worth a thousand words";-) It was just a matter of interest for me. Getting soon my twin shank, so gathering some information.

I see, information never hurts. I predict you will like the tripod a lot

[RussPhoto]

Hope, I will. Thanks!
I see, information never hurts. I predict you will like the tripod a lot

[Jim Andrada]

I've been using one (or a previous version thereof???) since 1970. Still love it.

The only "problem" I've had is that the plastic liner in the part that encircles the center column housing has dried up and fallen out. No big deal.