Samson tripod question

Murray@uptowngallery · Aug 7, 2007

I have a large old Samson tripod that came with my Crown Graphic.

I have noticed something interesting about the telescoping tubular legs - they fit so tightly there is pressure/vacuum when they are retracted or extended. There are holes in the legs to allow the air to escape. They move smoothly.

It occured to me this may have been intended as an indoor tripod (I didn't get the dolly which would have reinforced the indoor idea.

It's my only substantial tripod, but I am concerned that using it outdoors with the snug tubing may cause it some problems (water, dirt, sand etc).

Any thoughts?

Thanks

PHOTOTONE · Aug 7, 2007

Many tripods have telescoping tubular legs, and sometimes the friction tightening rings get stuck, but your tripod was for sure designed as an indoor or outdoor tripod. The only camera stands purely intended for indoor use are the monopole stands that have casters on the bottom, and a single pole with an arm that the camera attaches to. The antique studio stands are also intended solely for indoor use.

Murray@uptowngallery · Aug 7, 2007

Thank you. I didn't want to screw up the only decent one I have, especially after seeing what big uns cost these days :O).

Murray

Harrigan · Aug 7, 2007

Samson tripods are the medium duty line of Quickset and were mainly used in the video business. Most of the heads are 2 way but they did make a 3 way geared head that I use for my ulf. They had many heavier versions that can handle up to 250 pounds called gibraltar. You can now get these tripods used for very good prices although new they run thousands of dollars.

Back you your question, I have used my Samson outdoors but I'de be fairly careful in the sand as the telescoping legs are precision and any dirt in there would probably cause a problem. Since they are now easy to find used I don't worry too much about it.

Murray@uptowngallery · Aug 7, 2007

Thanks, Harrigan.

The head is a little weird...looks like 2-way, has some kind of gear but might be missing a part because I don't wee what it does. Has springs at the ends of tilt (cushion?). I wish it did more, but the price was right, and it does alot more than the surveyors tripod I picked up (has a 7/16" or so thread and no head).

Maybe I'll put plastic bags on the feet in dirt/sand. I'm sure there will be other things to laugh at than socks on my tripod.

MikeK · Aug 7, 2007

Murray@uptowngallery said:
I have a large old Samson tripod that came with my Crown Graphic.

I have noticed something interesting about the telescoping tubular legs - they fit so tightly there is pressure/vacuum when they are retracted or extended. There are holes in the legs to allow the air to escape. They move smoothly.

It occured to me this may have been intended as an indoor tripod (I didn't get the dolly which would have reinforced the indoor idea.

It's my only substantial tripod, but I am concerned that using it outdoors with the snug tubing may cause it some problems (water, dirt, sand etc).

Any thoughts?

Thanks

I have a Samson Quick Set with a geared head that came with my 11x14 Burke & James. The previous owner used duct tape to cover the holes to prevent water and other debris from getting into the legs, tear the tape of to breal the vacuum to collapse the legs.

I have not had this combination out in the field yet as I am still trying to convince the wife I need a pack mule

Mike

epatsellis · Aug 8, 2007

Murray,
I have the same concerns about my prolift tripods. I just make sure I'm careful to not get sand and crap on them. After the big gitzo took a bit of a tumble, I've resigned myself to the D&S Prolift/Majestic combo unless I need really tall or really low.

erie

Murray@uptowngallery · Aug 8, 2007

You know, I'm probably going to have a sad wake up call the day I try to fit that Samson in the back of my little car -

and thanks for the tape idea MikeK

Charles Webb · Aug 11, 2007

Murray,
I have used Quick Set's Samson tripods under most any conditions I can think of. I still have five of them, two on the roller bases that work very well indoors or grass etc.

I have used them at the beach and in the ocean, in wind storms hail and very often in deep snow. The are very tough and will take most anything you can ask it to do.

If you are shooting in the rain and get the tripod muddy or worse, they are very easy to clean. I use WD 40 on the outside of the legs and center post lift threads but no lube at all on the inside sliding legs. They make several styles
of heads, my favorite is a flat 7x9 or so platform spring loaded that handles my 8x10's with no stress or strain. It
includes a forward and rear tilt, as well as a side to side movement that works well with heavy cameras. B&J for instance. The most common heads today on ebay are TV or movie camera mounts. With smallish heads that tend not to accomodate the larger flat bases of LF cameras.

The majestic head can be used on the center post if an adapter is made for it.
I turned mine on my lathe, and has work well for 40 years or so.

The only weak part is the gear on the center lift, I have had several wear out over the years and was able to find replacement parts. One I simply removed the gear, crank and lift the center by hand. The Samson is like the Wollensak lens, it has been severly under rated over the years. Use yours like any other tripod, clean it up when finished shooting and most likely it will live for ever.

Murray@uptowngallery · Aug 11, 2007

thanks

epatsellis · Aug 11, 2007

Charles,
If you'd care for another set of wheels, I have a spare set I removed from one of my prolifts.

erie

Murray@uptowngallery · Aug 13, 2007

OK, while I have the attention (or revulsion) of people knowledgeable about large-posteriored-tripods (no one ever said I was impolite on these forums/fora), I just virtually (won bid, not in my paws yet) acquired the following tripod head with the intent to put it on a surveyor's tripod that has a large (7/16-16?) bolt but no head.

I realize I need an adapter. I'm not familiar with a so-called 47mm mount (I wonder if the Samson has this, the center shaft is close to 2" diam.).

Does anyone

a) know if such a mount is 'standard'

b) care to take a guess at capacity of such a head?

I gather from seller it was from an Olin Mills studio,) probably for a 46 mm longroll camera with 2 kg lens).

I've made dumb buys before, but I think this should work for something.

Thanks

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120148969886&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

Oh, yeah, I just noticed I won the auction by $0.01. Ooh, that feels good...if you're gonna gamble, it's nice when your donkey wins by a nose.

epatsellis · Aug 13, 2007

Murray,
1.9" is the standard, the prolift has that size center column, I'd imagine the other D&S tripods will too.

erie

Murray@uptowngallery · Aug 13, 2007

OK. 1.9" = 48-1/4 mm. Maybe that guy had a plastic caliper.

Harrigan · Aug 13, 2007

Murry here is the 3 way geared head on my Samson. You can find one if you know what to look for. This head was also made in two way versions so make sure you find one that has the 3 way tilt as circled in red. This will give you some side to side tilt.

I have added a large and stout Quickset quick release to the head. I took this off another fluid head that was otherwise useless. The actual head platform is 6.5 x 8.5 inches so its very nice for big cameras.

Quickset is still in buisness but their prices are very high. In fact I doubt you could get a new Samson for less than a Ries. I inquired about a new quick release plate and the cost was in the hundreds! However on the used marked they are very inexpensive.

Murray@uptowngallery · Aug 13, 2007

Figures, I have the gear and not the crank.

Previous owner was a 'butcher'. They tried to work on their 135 Xenar in Compur shutter, too. They rigged an external spring onto the shutter cocking lever when internal (main?) spring broke.

When I had it repaired/CLA'ed, the repairman thought it ingenious until he looked inside. He was muttering and shaking his head when I picked it up & asked if I was the one. No, no, NO!

Well, it's usable the way I have it, better than no tripod.

Samson tripod question

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