New to 4X5, and already a tripod problem (Calumet monorail)

[Rich Ullsmith]

Cut to the chase: picked up an old metal Calumet in absolutely perfect shape. I'm at work so I can't say for certain the model, but I think it's an entry level 4X5: rise and fall, tilts but no swings.

Anyway, the base plate on the camera where the mounting screw for tripod or plate goes, the threads are recessed, and my tripod screw can't reach. Took it to my local guys, and none of the plates or tripods there would reach, either. Is there some Calumet mounting plate I'm missing here? I can already see the PITA trying to rig something here. I don't do welding.

While I have ya'll here, what is the standard method (if there is one) for keeping track of the film holders, as in: gnurled handle outward on darkslide means loaded, with the clasp in place means exposed, and smooth side out means empty. Is this a reasonable method? Is there some damn little jingle you guys got to help remember this?

Thanks for the help. Check back later.

 

[Ian Grant]

Whitev side unexposed, black exposed.

Now to the difficult question. Is it 1/4" thread if so you needv an adaptor. If not is there a part missing.

You need to post an image of the tripod mount, as theres too many possibilities.

Ian

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Sorry I cannot provide an image. No, it is not 1/4 because I did manage to get a square mounting plate on it (with cardboard shims to make up for the 1/8" recess) and get it on a tripod, but it was precarious. Perhaps I should have put "Calumet 4X5" in the title here. That I take it to the local store and they can't find something that fits, tells me a piece is missing.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Title updated.

 

[OldBikerPete]

use the same protocol as Ian Grant, with addition that each of my film holders, after cleaning, lives in a resealable plastic freezer bag and when the holder is empty the dark slide is out of the holder but in the bag. This also allows me to load one side only of a double-dark if I need to (Or when I've done something stupid and ruined a neg and I know it I can just remove the slide and avoid unnecessary developing. Oh, and the plastic bags keep dust away.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, I have an old Calumet CC-400 monorail camera that may be like yours (mine has swings). My camera mounts fine on a normal 1/4 inch tripod screw. The camera's tripod mount has a center recess of about 1/8 inch, then a brass insert with the 1/4 inch size. I can post a picture later, so you can compare yours.

Jon

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Hi Jon. That's exactly what I was thinking, that there's an insert that I'm missing. In your opinion, is this a machine-shop item I need made? I'm getting antsy, with the new toy and time on my hands.

Thanks for help with the title, David.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

You can get standard 1/4" 20 thread wing-nuts in a variety of lengths at most hardware stores. You "could" substitute the wing-nut for your existing mounting plate screw, by getting one long enough to go fully into the tripod threads on the baseplate of the camera. Many European cameras use a larger size tripod mount thread size, and brass "adaptors" are available to convert them to the standard 1/4" 20 thread size of USA standard. These should be easy to find at most large mail-order photo vendors. Older Calumet view cameras were USA made, then later were imported.

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Thanks, I'll check the usual places and see what I can find. If I have to, I got a buddy that can machine something for me.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, here is a picture. The brass insert looks like a press fit, from the top. There is a shoulder on the insert to keep it from going through the hole all the way.

Jon

 

[Konical]

Good Evening, Jon,

This looks like the tripod mount on the 400-series Calumets. Mine is identical except that the threaded insert protrudes just slightly, maybe 1/8 inch or so. Maybe you just need a slightly longer tripod screw.

Konical

 

[Ian Grant]

Some tripod heads allow more flexibility of the tripod screw allowing you to easily attach a tripod to a base plate like yours. My Slik & Manfrotto tripods would be fine, however an old Culman and unbranded tripod wouldn't.

Good tripods for LF cameras usually have a tripod screw which can be screwed fully into the cameras tripod socket before being tightened by a locking ring/nut on the tripod. This is a Manfrotto head/tripod screw showing what I mean by flexibility.

Ian

 

[tlsid]

i also have a calumte and had the same problem mounting on a tripod. my fix was kinda of radical and unconvensional. took my drummel tool with cutting blade and cut the two raised parts off. it mounts just fine now, no problems.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Good Evening, Jon,

This looks like the tripod mount on the 400-series Calumets. Mine is identical except that the threaded insert protrudes just slightly, maybe 1/8 inch or so. Maybe you just need a slightly longer tripod screw.

Konical

I was just showing this so the original poster could see if his was different. I don't actually have any problem mounting this camera to the tripod. I would recommend a sturdy tripod with a large enough mounting surface for this camera.

Jon

 

[John Kasaian]

Have you contacted Calumet? IIRC they still support the 400 cameras. Maybe they have a "fix?"

 

[PHOTOTONE]

The brass 3/8 to 1/4 inserts are available here for $5

http://araxfoto.com/accessories/tripod-adapter/

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

That's exactly what it looks like. I'm trying to contact the lady I bought the kit from, as she might still have the piece. Otherwise, I guess it's time to get creative.

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Excuse me, the above was in reference to Jon's picture. And thanks, Ian, I wish I could work this with my Tiltall. But it doesn't appear that the screw will extend any farther than it is.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

The TiltAll tripod was designed for Leica RFDR and other minature cameras. It has a rather short mounting screw.