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Robbie Bedell
7-Aug-2012, 07:43
I have come across what I believe is a Baco Jr tripod head. The top and bottom plates measure 3 1/2 inches. It is similar to the Ries head. I am being dumb here but does anyone here know how to operate it. Specifically, does the tightening knob operate with the left hand so the right is free to tilt the camera? Also: How does it attach to the tripod? There don't seem to be any threads on the bottom plate. What I think is the top has the standard 1/4-20 threads. Any help would be appreciated..Thank you! Robbie

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

Robbie Bedell
7-Aug-2012, 09:51
OK. Here are a couple of photos:

Robbie Bedell
7-Aug-2012, 09:55
I think the first photos shows the bottom of the head and the second the top. The screw is for mounting a camera, but the hole to mount it to a tripod has no threads. Now I am wondering if I am missing a plate that this whole thing might swivel on for panning, which might have a lock-screw on it. Has anyone ever seen one of these? I understand Brett Weston used one of these, or something similar..Thanks! Robbie

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

Merg Ross
7-Aug-2012, 10:46
Robbie, I received your PM, thanks. The left photo is correct orientation (top up). You have the complete head. The threaded hole is for the tripod mount. Yes, Brett Weston used the Baco (Senior) head (approximately 5" diameter). I have his old Baco head and use it with my 8x10 Agfa.

Robbie Bedell
7-Aug-2012, 11:34
Thank you Merg! I read about your Baco head and how when it belonged to Brett Weston it was damaged and repaired in Mexico and then given as a gift to you. That's a great story. It must be a real treasure! Robbie

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

Jim Noel
7-Aug-2012, 15:29
I have a Baco head given to me by Cole about 30 years ago which was still wrapped in the original shipping materials. The knob goes on the right which leaves the threaded hole on the bottom so it can be attached tot he tripod.
Cole told me that at one time he bought about a dozen from the inventor who lived in Hollywood. They were produced prior to the Ries heads and thankfully don't have that ugly rod to poke you in the face which was common on the early Ries.

Robbie Bedell
7-Aug-2012, 19:21
Thank you Jim, This is bringing up some good stories! I am going to try and mount it on my wooden Berlbach and see what happens...I think it should hold a Wisner Tech 4x5 OK..

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

Jim Noel
7-Aug-2012, 19:25
I have even put an 8x10 on it at times. It usually resides atop one of my Baco tripods.

Jim

joselsgil
7-Aug-2012, 21:18
The Baco company was located in Hollywood, California. The Ries company was originally located in Hollywood. Kind of makes you wonder :)

R. Peters
21-Mar-2015, 21:08
Nothing to wonder about. Ries acquired Baco primarily for the Baco head. Ries also owns the rights to the cameras and other products made by Baco.

William Whitaker
22-Mar-2015, 07:55
What Merg said. The side with the threaded hole in the center is what attaches to the tripod. The camera then attaches to the other side with the intaglio maker's mark. It gets a little confusing because the camera-mounting screw is not captive as with a Ries head. It mounts through the clear bore hole to secure the camera.

I just went through this bit of orientation this week, setting up a newly acquired Speed Graphic atop the Baco. Previously I had all but given up with it because I was convinced that it was either missing parts or simply a poor design. But neither's the case; in fact, it's a dandy little design and perfect for that camera atop an old Ries "C" tripod.

http://wfwhitaker.com/tech/speedries_2.jpg

The tilt lock knob is oriented such that it can be operated by your right hand.

Liquid Artist
22-Mar-2015, 10:34
I've been looking for a similar designed tripod head for a while now. Just something basic that works.

There is just something about the Ries I don't like even though I've never seen one in person.

If someone happens to know of a source I wouldn't complain about a link.

William Whitaker
22-Mar-2015, 11:14
If you don't like the Ries, you won't like the Baco.

Jac@stafford.net
22-Mar-2015, 11:40
I've been looking for a similar designed tripod head for a while now. Just something basic that works.

There is just something about the Ries I don't like even though I've never seen one in person.


What can you dislike if you have never seen one?

I happily use the J250-2 head (http://www.riestripod.com/?product=the-j250-2-head). Note that this model has sideways tilt as well as back and forward. The tilt is just enough to fine tune leveling.

Of course there are several Ries heads (http://69.195.124.213/~riestrip/?page_id=103) to choose from.

Merg Ross
30-Mar-2015, 16:00
Thank you Merg! I read about your Baco head and how when it belonged to Brett Weston it was damaged and repaired in Mexico and then given as a gift to you. That's a great story. It must be a real treasure! Robbie

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

Hi Robbie, good memory!

Yes, Brett gave me the repaired Baco in the late '50's and it has been the only one that I have used with the 8x10. The story is somewhere on this forum, but short version is that it fell (attached to his Reis tripod) from the rooftop platform of his truck in the wilds of Mexico. Pretty good repair job considering that it has lasted for six decades!

The indents were made to prevent the sliding block (Ansco) from pivoting on the head.