What tripod connector is this?

[buzzardkid]

Hi,

I have a Horseman 970 and it has a strange (to me) tripod connector.

Anybody that can tell me anything about it? I've been using a home-made hardwood 'adapter' for it but am considering getting a dedicated tripod (or tripod plate) for it since it's still kinda wobbly...





Thanks for your help!

[sevo]

That is no widespread QR plate, at any rate. Indeed, it does not look as if it would work as a quick release unless the corresponding base had sub-millimetre tolerances and very extreme locking force - but then people have marketed quite a few strange and not very practicable quick release systems.

I think it is more likely that it is some component that separated from a tripod or L grip, or some spare part abused as a 3/8"-1/4" adapter.

Sevo

[oftheherd]

Hard to tell in those photos, but could it be an adapter to change the thread size?

[buzzardkid]

Thanks for chiming in, guys!

I've never seen it before either, and have scoured the internet in order to find it: no luck.

It's definitely not an adapter, since it is fitted to the bottom of the camera with three headless screws, that do not have any grooves left. So, drilling out would be the only option, but that's a bit scary since I do not know what's underneath it...

More good ideas (or the definitive answer) welcome!

[peter_n]

My Exakta VXIIa 35mm SLR has a differently shaped but functionally similar protuberance on the bottom. I think maybe some tripod bases had a sunk area in the base and the camera was maybe screwed onto the tripod from under the base. The only rationale I can think of for such a design is that it allows a large(ish) area of the camera to be bolted to the tripod.

[Requin]

This could be a quick release adapter from www.novoflex.com, called mini connect.

[ottluuk]

Originally Posted by Requin

This could be a quick release adapter from www.novoflex.com, called mini connect.

I think not. http://www.novoflex.com/en/products/...s/miniconnect/

[sevo]

Originally Posted by buzzardkid

It's definitely not an adapter, since it is fitted to the bottom of the camera with three headless screws, that do not have any grooves left.

Sure these are not merely securing and levelling screws? I consider it more likely that the thing is actually attached via the tripod thread - attachment systems that required cutting extra threads into a camera body can't have been much of a sales success.

[buzzardkid]

Originally Posted by sevo

Sure these are not merely securing and levelling screws? I consider it more likely that the thing is actually attached via the tripod thread - attachment systems that required cutting extra threads into a camera body can't have been much of a sales success.

Hi,

upon reading your post I got real careless and got out the big pliers to try if I could move the attachment. Seems you are right Sevo, I can rotate the attachment two or three millimeters in either direction. But, so far for luck since that's about it. No way to rotate any further or back the screws out. Seems I'm stuck with this, unless somebody turns up the proper tripod plate...

[Nokton48]

Looks like a part that somebody put on, removed from something else?
Not a good choice, not enough contact area especially on a Horseman.

I'd replace it with something more suitable, it must be putting a strain on those body mounting screws.

[Nokton48]

Look at the bottom of this one:

http://app.vendio.com/imgserver/img/...2FDSCN2790.JPG

[rlouzan]

You got ahead of me ...
http://myrcvideos.com/view.php?video...83%83%E3%83%88
(0:55 sec.)

Someone probably used thread locking compound
>

Originally Posted by Nokton48

Look at the bottom of this one:

http://app.vendio.com/imgserver/img/...2FDSCN2790.JPG

[VictorM.]

Maybe it isn't a tripod mount-maybe it's for mounting a flash 'gun'-the big old battery capacitor bulb type flash.

[Landshark]

Could the screws be inserted from the top?

[buzzardkid]

That is one cool video, Robert! I saved that to my Mac for future reference. Thanks!

It shows a regular tripod bushing at the bottom, which is what I have seen on all other Horsemans until now. All others, apart from mine...

If the screws are in from the inside, I'm as screwed as they are because the lens assembly is mounted on a plate which in turn is mounted inside the housing. This lens-bottom plate is covering the tripod bushing on the inside so it cannot be reached without stripping the whole camera

[buzzardkid]

Guess what: it is fixed from the inside indeed!

And from the inside the screws are rather large, too!

I set the bellows back as far as possible and lifted the front panel from the guide rails (all very simple, this is a great camera for self-service etc). Then, dropping the front panel as far as possible, I could peek through a hole in the lens bottom plate and saw the rear end of the tripod bushing, with large, flat top screws around it so secure it through the bottom plate. A 'regular' tripod mount is not present, this is a completely different attachment. Removing it is not an option, it turns out.

From this, it seems this was a factory (or at least professional) attachment.


So, it's back to the original question: anyone know what this is meant for?