Calumet CC-400 monorail/tripod adapter question

[Thorney]

Another nuts and bolts question,

I recently acquired a CC-400 Calument monorail view camera ( the old-school round monorail type) and find that the adapter piece from monorail to tripod is effectively recessed so that the tripod screw cannot reach the adapter threads.

It appears that the adapter is designed to either fit a very narrow (about 1") tripod head or that a longer tripod screw is needed.

Has anyone else experienced this? I think that I can resolve the situation easily by having a machine shop alter the bottom four 'feet' of the adapter so that everything is flush with the adapter threads. Alternately, I could get longer tripod screws. Any insights or advice?

Thanks,
Thorney

 

[Nick Zentena]

I've a 401 [the long rail version] the mount is stock.

 

[Kilgallb]

I have the same camera.

The head will fit most manfrotto adapters, the quick connect type with rubber inserts.

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

I have the 401 and it fits my Ries and Berlebach just fine. It also fits my bogen adapter plate though I don't use it. I'd go with the longer screw... probably easier and cheaper. Good luck. Shawn

 

[Konical]

Good Afternoon Thorney,

I've had a CC-400 for several decades. It's always mounted to whatever tripod I tried without any problems; as noted above the Bogen hexagonal plates work fine. A standard 1/4 x 20 mounting screw in whatever length proves necessary can probably be substituted for the too-short one you have without any difficulty.

Konical

 

[Thorney]

I spoke with Norm at Calumet (nice guy!) and he tells me that I'm missing an adapter plate in all likelihood. I can't complain as the camera is otherwise in mint condition and I got it for $118.

He and I agree that the best thing to do is to have it machined down at a local shop. End of problem.

 

[Nick Zentena]

I looked at mine. There is something that looks like an insert inside it. It doesn't seem possible for it to work loose but who knows.

 

[Curt]

I have two of those old Calumets and both have the insert/missing adapter plate missing, got them that way, I remember I tried to get plates years ago and at that time I was received as deer in headlights.

 

[agGNOME]

Filed down. Wish I would have thought of that. I had the same problem, what I eventually did was buy a rrs quick release clamp and plate. It wasn't cheap, but it's nice to be able to just slide a heavy camera on and off a tripod. Congratulations by the way, it's a deceptively capable camera.

 

[Allen]

I made a spacer to fill in the gap. I used a piece of a Simpson Strong-tie corner angle #A88 that I had left over from when I built my darkroom. It is just the right thickness.
I attached a couple of photos , I attached the spacer to a Bogen hex plate.

 

[Thorney]

Success!

I got the tripod adapter back from the machine shop. Now it fits any tripod easily.