ToyoView Tripod Mount Size?

[matthewm]

Hey y'all! I have a ToyoView 4x5 (monorail) and I'm curious if any of you can help me figure out the tripod mount size on the bottom of the camera. It's larger than 3/8" (maybe 1/2" or 5/8" but I can't tell the pitch). There's currently an adapter in there that fits a standard 1/4x20 thread, but the tripod head I have (while sturdy) just isn't beefy enough for the camera so I'd like to just mount it to the legs I have and skip the head for now.

I haven't shot 4x5 in at least 15 years, so I'm trying to explore to see if it's something I want to get back into. If it is, I'll likely get something smaller and lighter for travel and then the head won't be an issue as much.

At any rate... Any thoughts on that hole / pitch?

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[B.S.Kumar]

The tripod clamps for Toyo monorail cameras have both 1/4" and 3/8" sockets. I've sold a large number of these cameras, in all formats from 2x3 to 8x10, and I've never seen a different size. There have been different shapes and materials over the years - the Robos clamp is tall, while the 8x10 clamp is beefier. A photo of your clamp would help.

Kumar

 

[matthewm]

I’ll get a photo posted ASAP. The hole is much larger than 3/8” though.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Perhaps the hole was re-tapped for sake of a 5/8-11 surveyor tripod thread. Go to the hardware store and buy a bolt that thread, and test it. While you're at it, see if they also carry a 5/8-11 to 3/8-16 helicoil brass reducer bushing.

 

[matthewm]

I'll try that and see if it works. Since there was already a reducer in there down to the 1/4-20 thread, I just put an arca plate on the camera and I removed my Acratech tripod head and just put a quick-release clamp right on my tripod. I also added an arca plate to the tripod head and so now I can switch back and forth between the camera (which is so much more stable without a head under it) and my ball head, which works well with my other cameras. Kind of a good solution that doesn't require I dedicate a set of legs to just one camera.