Folders on tripod

[georg16nik]

I use plates that look like these 2

[Ian Grant]

I have some German cameras that came with their original tripods. They are all ball-head and the head only has mimimal contact area with the camera, in practice theyt work OK.

In Turkey Ihave a modern Slik tripod (sold for Digital) that's similar but qiuite a bit better in terms of rigidity, it's fine with a 5x4 camera I use it with my Speed Graphic or Crown Graphic, also my 6x17 camera.

Ian

[Peltigera]

As it happens, I was using my Nettar 515/2 this week and experienced the same problem. I decided in the end it was not a problem as although the camera was not entirely rigid on the tripod, it was firm enough once I let go to take slow exposures with out the camera significantly moving.

If you are in a situation where absolute rigidity is required, perhaps you should not be using an ancient folder.

[PentaxBronica]

Those plates look exactly like mine.

TBH the age of the tripod doesn't matter much, it's how well-built it is. I wouldn't put my Bronica on a cheap travel tripod as it'd probably bend the legs, but the RedSnapper shows no signs of strain.

[250swb]

Tripod plates are a great idea for a quick release, but they don't actually spread the surface area much more than a normal tripod head does. On a Moskva you put a plate on and the camera still sits high on its own little pimple, and given that it is of a certain manufacturing quality not necessarilly a very secure pimple. You need to spread the clamping patch over as large an area as possible.

Steve

[Craig Swensson]

Tripod plates are a great idea for a quick release, but they don't actually spread the surface area much more than a normal tripod head does. On a Moskva you put a plate on and the camera still sits high on its own little pimple, and given that it is of a certain manufacturing quality not necessarilly a very secure pimple. You need to spread the clamping patch over as large an area as possible.

Steve

Exactly Steve, that `pimple' is the problem, and yes it is the one area of manufacturing quality I am having trouble with.The `pimple' is loose.

Thanks for all replies, there will be an acceptable solution here somewhere

Peltigera
"If you are in a situation where absolute rigidity is required, perhaps you should not be using an ancient folder."

But they are so enjoyable to use, besides culturally, we always look for a solution down here

elekm .
Thanks, I had an old L bracket spare.5 minutes in garage and problem solved. Cut 2 16mm holes in the rubber to accomadate the protrusions on the base of the camera.Screwed the whole lot on and camera is now as study as any others I use.
regards