1.5" Post to 3/8"-16 Tripod Head adapter

David A. Goldfarb

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I recently picked up a nice Majestic tripod in a lot of other items, and I was originally planning to sell it, since I have another relatively heavy Bogen tripod, but I think I like the Majestic better, so maybe I'll sell my Bogen legset and keep the Majestic, BUT the Majestic has a 1.5" post connection, and I'd like to have the option of using it with my Gitzo head that has a 3/8" connection. I know Majestic makes adapters that go the other way (head with a 1.5" post connection to a tripod with a 3/8" screw), but does anyone know if there is a stock adapter out there that will solve my problem?
 
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David A. Goldfarb

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Thanks. There doesn't seem to be such a thing on the Bencher website, but I'll call them, unless Bradley has a more detailed answer.
 

jimgalli

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Make sure you use it a bit before you sell the other. I have one here and while it is a handsome old thing the legs have more flex than I like.
 
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David A. Goldfarb

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Thanks for the advice, Jim. One or the other has to go.

The Majestic must have at least 11 feet of extension with the extension legs and extension column inside the geared column, but I don't have a ladder tall enough to use it or the means to transport one conveniently. Bradley didn't turn up the adapter he had thought he had seen. I just bought a Majestic head with a 3/8" screw base that I can use on the Bogen. Maybe I should go back to the original plan and sell the Majestic.
 
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Donald Miller

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David, I encountered the same situation on my Majestic head. I had a machine shop make my adaptor. I would imagine that SK Grimes could very easily make what you needed. My cost on mine was about $25.00
 
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David A. Goldfarb

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I've been thinking of that, but I think I'm looking for the opposite of your adapter. I have two Majestic heads--one for 3/8" screw and one for 1.5" post--and I have other heads for 3/8" screw. If I keep the Majestic tripod with the post, I want to be able to use the 3/8" screw heads on it.
 

Donald Miller

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David, If you had SK Grimes make the following adapter for you it should serve your purposes...have them make a 1 1/2 inch ID X 2 inch OD cap with the top (blind end) tapped for the 3/8 inch 16 thread and a stud inserted into these threads. Have the sides of the cap tapped for two 1/4 inch thumbscrews (to tighten it to the post when you use it) This should do what you need. I would probably make this cap about 4 1/2 long OA with 4 inches bored out to the 1 1/2 inch inside diameter. This would allow you to use the Majestic tripod with post without the adapter for your post head and with the adapter for your screw heads.

PS Aluminum should serve the purposes here.
 
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David A. Goldfarb

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Thanks, Donald! That would do it. I'll try it for a while before I sell either one or have an adapter made, and see what works best.

Another model would be to put a plug in the post tapped for a 3/8" screw and use a double-sided Linhof platform (3/8" one side, 1/4" the other side but with a recessed 3/8" screw under the 1/4" screw so both sides screw into the 3/8" hole) to support the head, like my Linhof studio stand has. I didn't realize when I bought the Majestic head with the 3/8" screw for the studio stand that the studio stand could also take a head that mounts on a 1.5" post. At the end of this shuffle, I plan to have only one Majestic head.
 

Claire Senft

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I have a Majestic 2051. It has been the most satifactory tripod I have ever owned. I sawed off the center column jus below the bottom where it comes out. I moved the rings at the top of the legs upward. I can now get the tripod almost flat on the ground. The model that I have has only (1) extension on each leg. I have attached rope and a foot pad to the center column and step down firmly upon it when thaking a photograph. I, unfortunately, weigh well over 200 pounds and the tripod has stood up well to this treatment, I have had it for over 10 years. During the same period of time I have tried two lighter tripods that were used without the rope/footpad: a Bogen and a Tiltall and both have gone to the junkyard.
 
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David A. Goldfarb

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Well, after some consideration, I think I'm going to sell the Majestic. I don't see the flex that Jim is getting, and it is a wonderful tripod, but I need something that will be good for LF and practical to carry with a 600/4.5 and 35mm camera for birds, and without the heads, the Bogen is about 9 lbs and the Majestic is about 12 lbs. I don't really need a tripod with 11 feet of extension either, since I'm only 9 feet tall, and I have a shipping case for the Bogen for airline travel, and I'd need a bigger one for the Majestic. Thanks all for the advice, but it's off to the classifieds.
 
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MikeS

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That must be one of their newer ones, I have a Majestic tripod that weighs around 18lbs (I just weighed it now)! I do have another Majestic that's much smaller, and lighter, but it's legs don't extend at all, so it can only go about 7' tall. (it's also made much lighter duty than the other one).

-Mike
 
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David A. Goldfarb

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Mike--did you take the head off? I weighed each tripod without the head to get a fair comparison.
 
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