Message: Would like to mount a ballhead to my Tiltall...is the telescoping column the only available solution?
Thanks, James
James - "Only available solution?" I had better play it with an extra safe answer, "Probably, no" - as all cat skinners know, there is always another solution.
Top three ballhead/column solutions-
1)
Reverse the existing column (if your Tiltall is Unifot or later) and
use the 1/4-20 TEP6 to mount the ballhead. If you have Leitz or
Marchioni, have a machinist create a removable stop/platform for the
bottom of the column with a tripod thread (1/4-20).
2) Cut (I did this, so I am not joking) the Tiltall head from the existing column and have a machinist create a
platform/plug for the top of the column. [Note: one need not cut the head off the column. The trick is to remove the small screw from the side of the head/column nexus and heat (gas torch) the head/column until the grip of the glue releases - ofcourse you dont learn this until after you have cut off the head.]
3) Buy an used Tiltall from Ebay - same manufacturer as your Tiltall - remove one of the legs - which just happens to be the same diameter as a column - have a machinist create a platform/plug for the bottom of the end of the middle leg section - then you have a telescoping column and two extra legs to sell off to other DIY column makers and a extra head/column to restore the head/column destroyed in #2 above. [Read on - we've been down these cat tracks already.] -Gary
