Is this tripod worth adding a mounting? Mamiya Model 1504 from from mid-70s.

latestart · Aug 13, 2013

I bought it at a store that was the mid-70s equivalent of Costco (J.P.Gattis in Memphis).

Does it make sense to look for a ball head mounting for this, does anybody have any idea? Or should I just save up for a new (or used but modern) tripod?

I'm glad to have this one (because for my minor uses so far it seem quite secure) but don't know whether it is worth considering spending money on. It is quite hard to get the camera in place and adjusted (compared to what I'm sure even a modest reliable ball head would be like).

Thanks for any advice.

Greg

Leonard Migliore · Aug 13, 2013

latestart said:
latestart wrote:

I bought it at a store that was the mid-70s equivalent of Costco (J.P.Gattis in Memphis).

Does it make sense to look for a ball head mounting for this, does anybody have any idea? Or should I just save up for a new (or used but modern) tripod?

I'm glad to have this one (because for my minor uses so far it seem quite secure) but don't know whether it is worth considering spending money on. It is quite hard to get the camera in place and adjusted (compared to what I'm sure even a modest reliable ball head would be like).

Do you mean a ball head or a quick release? A ball head is a device that lets you aim the camera around and then lock it in position. From the photo, the tripod has a tilt-pan head that will do an adequate job of letting you aim. But your stated issue is that it's hard to put the camera on it.

So what you want is a quick release. One piece attaches to the tripod and the other attaches to the bottom of your camera; the pieces snap together when you want to use the tripod. Some of these are quite inexpensive:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580565-REG/Slik_618_743_DQ_10_Mini_Quick_Release.html

From your photo, it doesn't look like a great tripod but it's probably better than nothing.

latestart · Aug 14, 2013

Leonard Migliore said:
Leonard Migliore wrote:

Leonard Migliore said:

latestart wrote:

I bought it at a store that was the mid-70s equivalent of Costco (J.P.Gattis in Memphis).

Does it make sense to look for a ball head mounting for this, does anybody have any idea? Or should I just save up for a new (or used but modern) tripod?

I'm glad to have this one (because for my minor uses so far it seem quite secure) but don't know whether it is worth considering spending money on. It is quite hard to get the camera in place and adjusted (compared to what I'm sure even a modest reliable ball head would be like).

Click to expand...

Do you mean a ball head or a quick release? A ball head is a device that lets you aim the camera around and then lock it in position. From the photo, the tripod has a tilt-pan head that will do an adequate job of letting you aim. But your stated issue is that it's hard to put the camera on it.

So what you want is a quick release. One piece attaches to the tripod and the other attaches to the bottom of your camera; the pieces snap together when you want to use the tripod. Some of these are quite inexpensive:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580565-REG/Slik_618_743_DQ_10_Mini_Quick_Release.html

From your photo, it doesn't look like a great tripod but it's probably better than nothing.

TTMartin · Aug 14, 2013

Found this HERE

Specifications:
Weight 5.1 lbs
Max Weight 13.75 lbs
Minimum Height 33.45"
Maximum Height 62.21"
Column Height 27.60"
Space between legs at feet 19.69" down position,47.25"mm fully extended.
Mounting Platform 2.75"x2.36"
Bubble level
Degree marks

Probably accurate on your picture. Max weight of 13.75 lbs is not really a lot, if you plan an using any sort of weight for dampening.

Rankin Johnson · Aug 14, 2013

I suppose it depends on what you want to do with it, but I would either make do with it as it is or buy a new one; sinking money and hassle into a cheap old tripod seems like a bad idea.

latestart · Aug 15, 2013

TTMartin said:
TTMartin wrote:

Found this HERE

Specifications:
Weight 5.1 lbs
Max Weight 13.75 lbs
Minimum Height 33.45"
Maximum Height 62.21"
Column Height 27.60"
Space between legs at feet 19.69" down position,47.25"mm fully extended.
Mounting Platform 2.75"x2.36"
Bubble level
Degree marks

Thanks for the specs.

TTMartin said:
Probably accurate on your picture. Max weight of 13.75 lbs is not really a lot, if you plan an using any sort of weight for dampening.

Hadn't thought about extra weight for dampening. Even as it is the tripod seems like 'ultimate' stability - cause all I've really compared it to in my mind is shooting handheld. I'm a raw beginner with tripods for sure.

Thanks.

Greg

latestart · Aug 15, 2013

Rankin Johnson said:
I suppose it depends on what you want to do with it, but I would either make do with it as it is or buy a new one; sinking money and hassle into a cheap old tripod seems like a bad idea.

That's what I figured, but didn't know what might be doable. In my (mental, spousally unreviewed) timetable a new tripod would come no sooner than next summer. I will stick with what I've got, look into the quick release (only $19), but forget about servicing beyond what I can do myself.

Thanks.

Greg

fotowbert · Aug 18, 2013

If you are handy with mechanical things you might give it a shot.

I did the same thing with a late 1960s Ponder & Best (forerunner of the Vivitar name) model 1106 tripod that was similar. The leg locks and leg attachment to the hub were solid but the pan/tilt head was rather poor and I wanted a ball type head so I took it all apart. Biggest problem was remaking the column to head attachment from 1/4-20 thread to 3/8-18 thread which is what relatively standard. Had to drill and tap the platform. It now has a Manfrotto 484RC2 ball head.

If you can find the cause of the column lock problem and the legs are good you might just try it.

Tripods are more stable with the column down and I actually removed the entire column mechanism on an old SLIK U212 when I converted it to a ball head also. The Manfrotto 3265 grip action ball head made up some of the height loss and I can still use it at near eye level.

John

latestart said:
latestart wrote:

I bought it at a store that was the mid-70s equivalent of Costco (J.P.Gattis in Memphis).

Does it make sense to look for a ball head mounting for this, does anybody have any idea? Or should I just save up for a new (or used but modern) tripod?

I'm glad to have this one (because for my minor uses so far it seem quite secure) but don't know whether it is worth considering spending money on. It is quite hard to get the camera in place and adjusted (compared to what I'm sure even a modest reliable ball head would be like).

Thanks for any advice.

Greg

latestart · Aug 22, 2013

Thank you John.

Responses have help orient me... mostly just in being glad to be able to take a relatively very stable longer shot. I mean, my tripod has probably something like a good 75% of the benefits that someone with my lack of experience can get out of any tripod.

Leonard's advice on what I can pretty easily do and your advice on what 'someone' (handy!) could do in my situation are both very helpful.

Greg

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Is this tripod worth adding a mounting? Mamiya Model 1504 from from mid-70s.

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