Graphic View II rail/tripod mount solutions

RobertCovington · Feb 19, 2012

I love my GV II --hate releveling tripod everytime for a shot--- I know I have seen a simple solution with a bogen super clamp, but for the life of me just dont see how without modification...probabably just having a brain cloud--but any other suggestions more than welcome to here--I know this is not an isolated issue--sorry if there has already been ongoing discussion about it--didnt see anything in the threads.

Many thanks

Robert Covington

bdial · Feb 19, 2012

How about using a ball head? Since the camera has built-in levels you would just need to make sure the back is in it's "neutral" position then adjust the ball head to level the camera.

On my GV II I removed the handle on the rail mount and substituted an allen bolt, in my case I mostly use the camera on a tripod with a permanently attached tilt/pan head, and the camera's handle got in the way.

OTH, I rarely try to make the tripod perfectly level, but look instead at how things look in the ground glass. If the horizon is dipping or something, then I adjust the tripod as needed to correct.

fotch · Feb 19, 2012

Maybe try a different tripod? I have a couple of Bogen tripods, larger ones, and all I have to do is push on a lever while watching a bubble level on the tripod and release it when level. Other tripods I have are not as easy, so don't get used as often.

brucemuir · Feb 19, 2012

The tripod head/mount on the GV serious is a sore spot.

The guy at bigcamera.com has a fix and it might still be up if you want to look for ideas.

mgb74 · Feb 19, 2012

I have a Mathews clamp, which I believe is very similar to the Bogen (and I'd be willing to sell it as it doesn't get used). On mine, it would clamp down around the triangular rail. There is a 1/4" socket directly below that clamping point for attachment to tripod. A bit cludgy, but not too bad. The only real issue is if the clamp mechanism would interfere with the bellows.

Dan Fromm · Feb 19, 2012

Robert, according to the Bible, 10th edition, the GV II's rail mount offers pan and tilt. Its a 2-axis head, not a 3-axis head. Fine, wonderful, but won't adjust as you need it to.

A possible solution is to put a Manfrotto 438 leveler between your GV II's rail mount and your tripod. B&H sells them. I have an earlier version (138) and find it invaluable. With it, I have to adjust leg lengths to level the head (what sits on the 138) only on very uneven ground.

If you don't like the 438, there are similar devices from other manufacturers.

ic-racer · Feb 19, 2012

Maybe I'm mistaken, but isn't there a standard 1/4 in Whitworth tripod thread in the base of the tilt head? Just put it on any 3-way or ball tripod head.

L Gebhardt · Feb 19, 2012

Good camera, but the tripod interface is definitely a weak point. I while ago there was a guy who made a clamp that grabbed the rail and let you mount it on a regular tripod head. I forget who made this, but I doubt they are still in production. I snagged one cheap on ebay, and it worked pretty well. I have also found that the old Kirk arca-swiss clamp will open wide enough to grab the rail (similar to Dead Link Removed but older so no guarantees). Seems to hold it very well, but I haven't used it that way much. My Acratech clamp will not open wide enough. I bought field camera and now I rarely pull out the GV II. I guess I should get it out and exercise it a bit.

Doremus Scudder · Feb 20, 2012

I had an aluminum clamp made for my GVII years ago. It has 1/4" and 3/8" threaded holes in the bottom and the GV-style triangular clamp on top. It just attaches to any tripod head.

That said, it cost more than what many used GVIIs are going for these days Oh well, for me it makes the camera much more functional and compact.

One could maybe modify the funky tripod head/clamp that comes with the GV, or, as ic-racer suggests, just mount the mount on a mount....

Best,

Doremus

www.DoremusScudder.com

RobertCovington · Feb 20, 2012

thanks for all the feedback--all these solutions def hav their pros and cons and its great to get so many points of view.

brian d · Feb 20, 2012

ic-racer said:
Maybe I'm mistaken, but isn't there a standard 1/4 in Whitworth tripod thread in the base of the tilt head? Just put it on any 3-way or ball tripod head.

Yep, I use mine on a Manfrotto 3 way

Graphic View II rail/tripod mount solutions

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