Introduced twelve years ago
Telescoping Monocolumn concept: Shown left and below. The clever Marchioni brothers used the same diameter tube stock in their original Tiltall head and column assembly as they used in the upper, and largest, leg section. An efficient use of materials and necessary extrusion dies. Of course the outer leg section telescopes to the next diameter down, and etc. So with just a bit of lateral thinking - ergo - why not a telescoping monocolumn using the existing "leg" tubes?
Color: No option! Everyone seems to prefer black - so with Henry Ford's 1909 suggestion, "You can have any color as long as it's black."
Compatibility: Headless column works easiest (a possible inner bushing change-see below) with the iterations that followed the original Marchioni Tiltall. So, ready compatibility with Tiltalls by Leitz, Uniphoto, StarD, Omincron, and the present, KingHome Tiltalls.
Caveat!: Telescoping column - I am the leading anti-column rise proponent. Shoot ONLY from that top apex (meeting point) of the three legs and never, ever, never use an extension of a column - period - much less a telescoping column - OMG! Some have questioned the need of a telescoping column - but extended or not, a double walled column aka a heavier column probably helps dampens any vibrations better than the original single walled column. AND, if ever pressed to need to be just a little bit higher, well, then, OK, extend the column and, yes, maybe even deploy that telescoping feature you just happen to be carrying aboard your Tiltall. Also, consider this dyslexic combination.
Price: $67 includes USPS Priority service within USA. Orders outside USA, $50usd plus actual delivery costs or we can use your courier account.
Specs: Diameter of larger section 32.06mm / 1.262 inches; Diameter of telescoping section 25.40mm / 1.000 inch; Overall collapsed length - 54.5mm / 21.5 inches; Overall extended length - 97.5mm / 38-3/8 inches; Weight - 0.44kg / 15.4 oz Shipping weight: 0.60kg / 1.3lb Additional feature: The 3/8"-16 "top" thread stud (shown left) can be reversed to a 1/4"-20 thread. Also, this column fits some of the lighter duty Gitzo modles, such as the Studex - compare ID of column "tube".
Last, YES, we have NO Monoball Heads - None, Nada, Zip - Again, we do not plan to market any monoballs or video heads. We believe this a very, very personal decision. And, though, China's monoball designs are gaining on USA and EU designs, they ain't there yet. Take a look at our earlier blog on this subject for suggestions.
***************
Step 1) Remove existing Column - first, bottom column stop - Remove ring (Marchioni, Leitz) or solid metal stop (Leitz, Unifot) or TEP6 1/4"-20 camera placement (Unifot, StarD, KingHome) from the bottom of your existing column. Loosen column handles, then raise and remove your existing column.
Step 2) INSTALL NEW COLUMN. Remove the TEP6 1/4"-20 camera placement from the "bottom" of your new headless monocolumn and reverse the installation as above. This is a hand job, no pliers.
Step 5) TOP PLATE - "top" 3/8"-16 stud (used with most ballheads/videoheads) can be flipped over to switch to a 1/4"-20 stud (used with a few heads and quickreleases). Note two small allen studs, one is a registration pin - the other, the stop to allow the stud switch over. Unscrew top allen, flip stud, screw down and secure with allen stud.