Tripod bushing 3/8" to 1/4"

[OAPOli]

I have a few medium format cameras in need of 1/4" tripod adapters. The one on the left fits perfectly. The other two do the job but they stick out from the bottom of the cameras which causes a wobble. It's due to the thicker head of the bushing.

I can't find a source for the left type, apart from maybe ARAX. Any suggestions?

 

[Ian Grant]

Amazon had a £10 set of tripod adapters a few months ago here in the UK. Actually there was more when I bought a similar set, all fit perfectly.

Ian

 

[Ian Grant]

Correction, I bought this 26-piece set just under £13.

Ian

 

[grahamp]

Mine (via Amazon, though there are so many notional sources on there) are like the middle one - a 1mm rim, and 7mm total depth. I mostly use these in 3D printed items, as it is easier to do the larger 3/8" thread and put in the adapter once.

The one on the left looks very shallow - about 1 or 1 1/2 threads?

 

[OAPOli]

Thank you both. Yes the left one is short at 4.35mm. But there is more room in my cameras except for the Linhof 220. The issue is with the head of the adapter. The thick rim or chamfer don't come flush with the bottom surface. Look like the thin rim is just right.

There are some headless bushings I could try.

 

[grahamp]

I suppose the slot could be deepened and the rim filed down. At least it is easier to take away than build it up.

 

[grahamp]

Maybe this Kalt one? Katlt tripod bush adapter from www.uniquephoto.com.

 

[OAPOli]

Maybe this Kalt one? Katlt tripod bush adapter from www.uniquephoto.com.

Thanks. Maybe? Unfortunately the minimum is 25 per order.

 

[Romanko]

I cut the "head" off the longer adapter with a hack saw and then cut the slot for the screwdriver with the same hack saw. It is not pretty but once you mount it into the camera you don't see it.

 

[Rick A]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/382669-REG/Manfrotto_148KN_148KN_Reducing_Bushing_Set.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/999216-REG/flm_10_00_020_3_8_16_to_1_4_20_female.html

 

[OAPOli]

@Rick A thanks!

 

[MattKing]

With B&H (and the other internet sources) it is best to contact them first and ask about dimensions. The illustrating photos sometimes don't get updated when a product changes, and it is a lot more challenging to deal with returns from this side of the border.

 

[OAPOli]

Thanks @MattKing

What's interesting is that I found the identical bushing on cameras ranging from the 30s to the 70s so it must have been a standard.

 

[BrianShaw]

I've bought a few over the years but certainly not a lot of them. Seems to me that the change in bushing head thickness is fairly recent and consistent amongst most current sellers. I have no idea where the current products are really coming from but they seem to be so similar that they are either from a single source of they are copied, but they aren't the best for the reason mentioned in post #1. Many "knock-off" camera accessories are really good these days but this one might not be one of the best knock-offs. Seeking NOS older bushings with the thinner and more tapered head might be the most successful if the head thickness is a problem. They seem to be available on eBay.

 

[grahamp]

A lot of the items for sale these days seem to be used for lighting stand adapters and mounting small cameras for video production. They seem designed for the cylindrical rim adapter types.

When i was looking around I actually came across and adapter that is designed for a mounting plate and screws in from the back, so the slot was actually in an end cap. Totally useless for camera thread purposes, but not obvious unless the pictures were studied.

I suppose we are lucky that the 1/4 and 3/8 thread standard has held on at all. And about the only use I have for coins is tightening these things and getting into battery compartments!

 

[_T_]

Last time I had this same problem I went to the nearest camera shop and asked them. They pulled out a big box full of similar items and I rummaged through it until I found one that fit