Calumet at sunrise

[LMNOP]

For the first time in a month or two, I took the Calumet out for a short expedition. I had my lens serviced this summer, and everything seems to operate fine, but I need to update my rig a little bit to make this work, and practice more in order to avoid mistakes.

First of all, this tripod is not cutting it. I am surprised by this, since the load capacity should be fine, but this thing wobbles like crazy, to the point where I think focus could have shifted during the process of loading the film back. Maybe a different tripod head would do it. I'd also like to find some brighter ground glass, this piece has sharpie marker lines on it, and its pretty dull.

It was a thrill to shoot this camera out in the wild, but I would have liked to have the option of a wider lens. I'll be looking for a super wide lens for landscapes, but it was really cool to isolate the tree line and the sun coming over the mountain. I made the rookie mistake of removing the dark slide while the lens was wide open for focusing, this was really discouraging. Creating a dark space in my apartment takes a lot of work, I loaded up three film holders last night, so ruining an entire frame was a huge let down. I am trying to get past the challenges and shoot this camera more.

I will say, by comparison, it makes my normal MF shooters feel as simple as a disposable camera!

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

First of all, this tripod is not cutting it. I am surprised by this, since the load capacity should be fine, but this thing wobbles like crazy, to the point where I think focus could have shifted during the process of loading the film back. Maybe a different tripod head would do it. I'd also like to find some brighter ground glass, this piece has sharpie marker lines on it, and its pretty dull.

You may wish to take a look at these:

Bencher Majestic Gearheads

Dead Link Removed

I have a Model #1201 Gearhead (post-mount head w/6x7 platform, on an original Zone VI Heavy-Duty wooden tripod) for my Calumet C1 8x10 setup. The camera also has a custom 8x10 borosilicate ground glass w/optional grid lines from Steve Hopf. Both are amazing pieces of equipment. (Note that the 6x7 platform is now discontinued, but used ones turn up fairly frequently on The Ugly Auction Site.)

The Majestic head could likely support the Titanic without wobble, if it had a tripod mount. And the ground glass is easily one-stop or more brighter than any other I have ever seen. I stopped searching for a Fresnel after using it a few times.

Ken

 

[Ari]

Is it your tripod or tripod head that wobbles?

As for your GG, before replacing it, try washing it gently in soap and warm water; it's surprising how much dirt can accumulate on a GG over the years.

 

[shutterfinger]

I have a Berlebach Report https://www.berlebach.de/?sprache=english and a Sunwray Photo leveling base that I put my Cambo Legend on. Rock solid. It will take a 5.0 or higher earthquake to induce vibration into the image.

+1 washing the ground glass in warm water and dish detergent, towel dry or rinse in a weak photoflo solution and air dry.

 

[John Koehrer]

There are two versions of the Majestic head, the older tube mount for the Majestic tripod and a newer version with a standard 1/4 or 3/8" tripod mount.
The fractional mount was also sold separately. The drawback to this head is that it's only a single axis movement.

The Manfrotto geared heads are dual axis and there are two sizes, Most folks that use them seem to prefer the larger of the two.

 

[LMNOP]

I took the camera out again today, and realized that the wobble is coming from the tripod head's plate. It is ill fitted for the camera's mount, it wobbles quite a bit. Any solutions??

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

I posted a solution. Shutterfinger posted another. John followed with a third...

Ken

 

[LMNOP]

I posted a solution. Shutterfinger posted another. John followed with a third...

Ken

.... left forum window open on laptop, did not refresh browser before submitting quick reply.

 

[LMNOP]

You may wish to take a look at these:

Bencher Majestic Gearheads

Dead Link Removed

I have a Model #1201 Gearhead (post-mount head w/6x7 platform, on an original Zone VI Heavy-Duty wooden tripod) for my Calumet C1 8x10 setup. The camera also has a custom 8x10 borosilicate ground glass w/optional grid lines from Steve Hopf. Both are amazing pieces of equipment. (Note that the 6x7 platform is now discontinued, but used ones turn up fairly frequently on The Ugly Auction Site.)

The Majestic head could likely support the Titanic without wobble, if it had a tripod mount. And the ground glass is easily one-stop or more brighter than any other I have ever seen. I stopped searching for a Fresnel after using it a few times.

Ken

ORDERING this GG ASAP. That looks perfect.