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Thread: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

  1. #11
    C. D. Keth's Avatar
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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    Miller stuff is excellent. It’s a standard in motion picture gear. If you find legs that need a leveling ball head those are available in a couple sizes, the main one being 100mm. They’re made to support way bigger, heavier cameras than any8x10 so they’ll certainly do the trick.


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  2. #12
    http://www.spiritsofsilver.com tgtaylor's Avatar
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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    I'm using a Gitzo G1348 with an Arca Swiss Z1-sp (no center column) for my Toyo 810MII with no problem. Great tripod that packs well.

    Thomas

  3. #13
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    Ries wooden tripods are a standard. Really durable. I will state that I once dropped one of my Ries off a cliff and one of the legs got split. It was easy to glue it back together using Gorilla urethane glue. But I wanted a replacement section, and even though I told Ries what I had done and didn't expect it to be under warranty, they insisted on sending me a replacement section for free anyway.

  4. #14

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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    Here's my 8x10 Wisner sitting atop an old surveyor's tripod I picked up at an estate sale for $25. I spent a little time striping off the old paint and refinishing it. I use it without a head and close to the car.
    Click image for larger version. 

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  5. #15

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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    Quote Originally Posted by wsetser View Post
    Here's my 8x10 Wisner sitting atop an old surveyor's tripod I picked up at an estate sale for $25. I spent a little time striping off the old paint and refinishing it. I use it without a head and close to the car.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    I always see someone saying "get an old surveyor" tripod but I can't figure out for the life of me how you guys attach a camera to the top of that thing. It can't be a 1/4-20 right?
    --

  6. #16
    C. D. Keth's Avatar
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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    Quote Originally Posted by ericantonio View Post
    I always see someone saying "get an old surveyor" tripod but I can't figure out for the life of me how you guys attach a camera to the top of that thing. It can't be a 1/4-20 right?
    I don’t think they are but it’s a pretty simple feat of ingenuity to cap it so there’s a 1/4-20 or 3/8-16 sticking out the top.


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  7. #17

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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    Quote Originally Posted by ericantonio View Post
    ...I can't figure out for the life of me how you guys attach a camera to the top of that thing. It can't be a 1/4-20 right?
    I'm in the same situation and spent way too much time today researching how others have attached cameras onto these surveyor transit tripods. Most of the posts I found were way over engineered. This post from largeformatphotography.info seemed to be the most sensible.

    https://www.largeformatphotography.i...od-conversion/

    However, the simplest solution seems to be to swap out the 5/8" x 11 "Flat Head Bell Housing" with a 1/4" x 20 eyebolt, add some nuts and washers to keep it in place.



    By the way, you don't need to search the antique shops to find a deal on one of these tripods. Seems like the Bosch Aluminum Contractors Tripod BT160 is popular with the amateur astronomers and it can be bought new for less than $40.

  8. #18

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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    Quote Originally Posted by ericantonio View Post
    I always see someone saying "get an old surveyor" tripod but I can't figure out for the life of me how you guys attach a camera to the top of that thing. It can't be a 1/4-20 right?
    I didn't have any problem. I attached a Manfrotto quick release adapter with hardware that was already there. I just had to get a different bolt.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  9. #19
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    The Zone VI models were just so-so wooden survey tripods which had the 5/8 thread replaced with a 3/8-16 turnknob underneath like you see standard on Ries etc tripods, or optionally a 1/4-20 turnbolt for small tripod heads or direct attachment of smaller cameras. Those aluminum Bosch tripods are utter crap. They cost about ten bucks to make (not kidding). I was one of the biggest Bosch dealers in the country and wouldn't allow any of that Chinese import nonsense in the store; after I retired, that kind of worthless wobbly thing came in.
    They were intended a freebees with toy construction lasers. If you want a bargain, get a domestic-made (not import) CST fiberglass-clad survey tripod. Bosch owns that company too; but it's still distributed under the CST Berger label. Not equal to Ries, but about a third the price ($200 range for something that will handle an 8X10). An appropriate 3/8 turnknob with phenolic handle will cost about seven bucks or so, more if you want stainless from McMaster (recommended). Also use stainless e-clips and nylon washer to capture, or rust will set in quickly. I gave my ole equivalent survey tripod to an amateur astronomer. I was out with the big Ries today - windy on a ridge above the channel, but wonderful light, so I bolted my P67 with 300EDIF right to the top platform directly (no head). If a calm day arrives, I'll take the 8x10. But another storm forecast tomorrow, so I'll probably default to a walk in the woods where it's calmer, and take my Norma 4x5, which I turn-bolt directly onto the platform of my lighter weight wooden Ries. If you absolutely must use a quick release and want an affordable strong one, the good ole Bogen/Manfrotto hexagonal one is a good choice. Perhaps the one pictured in the previous post is similarly strong, just a different shape plate.

  10. #20

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    Re: 8x10 Tripod that Won't Break the Bank, But May Break my Back

    I got one of them ancient Bogen 3050's. Yes it will break your back. But it is rock solid and cheap. Did I mention it'll break your back?

    Remember those old Bogen 305x ads? They had the guy sitting on the tripods.

    I figure it's not as heavy as those guys who go to the Antartica with movie gear in -200 degree weather filming cute penguins for us to watch on the BBC channel. Those guys tripods are insane.
    --

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