Tripods and Heads

Much of my photography involves details abstracted from the larger landscape.  This work is usually done with the camera pointed down.  In this position, with standard camera support systems,  the only way to swing the image from side to side is to twist the camera at the mounting screw.  In doing this, it is usually too tight to swing  to the right and when turning to the left, the camera simply becomes too loose.

What the above illustrations show are two versions of a round quick release mechanism.  One for 4x5 and the other for 8x10.  By loosening this a little, when pointed down,  it is easy to swing the camera from side to side on the camera's axis. 

The rig on the left has a 3 section extension, weighs (including head) 4 lb. and works from 10" to 6'.  The other one is also a 3 section, works from 10" to 7.5' and weighs in at 6 lb., including head. Both are about 95% home made.

You probably noticed that neither one has a side tilt.....ok by me. It's kind of amazing how much overall tilt you can get by "wagging" one of the tripod legs from side to side...........certainly enough for anything I do and really not an issue with 4x5, since the camera that I use has a revolving back.
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