Fine Art Photo Supply|Swan Valley MT

Subsidy of Photographers' Formulary Inc.

Wooden Field Tripods

Our field tripod shares many design features with tripods designed to hold heavy instruments costing $30,000 or more. All have legs that adjust (spread) independently on rough terrain. The massive spike feet assure firm contact with the ground, and each leg adjusts to length with 1 thumbscrew. The yoke is leveled with a bubble level and the tripod head can then be rotated and the camera will remain level. (With tripods having legs that open to a fixed angle the camera must be leveled each time the head is rotated-because the yoke is not level.) Our field tripod can extend to place the camera almost 8’ off the ground so you can use a stepladder for a high vantage point.

This tripod is heavy duty and designed for rugged use. I have used tripods of this type since 1978. Fine Art Photo Supply tripod offers improvements over anything previously available.

" Hi Anthony, I used my new tripod and head last Thursday with my 4x5 camera and I don't see how I ever got along with out one. I just love it.

It's so stable and I really believe it allows me to do a better job composing photos. Haven't tried the chemicals yet but should do so soon..."

Jim Olson, Cincinnati OH

Deluxe Field Tripod is made of solid clear maple and superior hardware. Comes with wrenches for easy adjustment and tightening.

Deluxe Field Tripod

This tripod was developed over a long period of time and we’re very proud of it. It is designed to be a virtually indestructible working tool. This tripod performs beautifully in all field conditions – on the sides of muddy hills, in swamps, snow, sand, heavy rain, below zero temperatures – you name it. It is absolutely rock solid and made for the hardest use -- an absolute pleasure to set up and use. I use it for my 5x7 and 8x10 cameras (the 8x10 is a metal flat bed – it weighs 20 pounds without the lens).

The metal fittings for this tripod are made in cooperation with Tokyo Optical in Japan. The metal-to-wood connections use compression fittings. These fittings are strong, ultra heavy duty, and easy and quick to tighten should adjustment ever be needed over time (wrenches are included). The quality of the fittings alone makes this tripod remarkable, but there are other features that are equally special.

Unlike any other wood tripods, our deluxe model uses only a single, heavy-duty thumbscrew for quick setup. The thumbscrew stud is housed in a threaded insert in the outer leg support so the tightening and loosening action is very definite. You must actually use this adjustment in the field to see how nicely it works. It’s easy and fast to spread the legs and level the tripod quickly. For my heavy 8x10 camera, I extend the legs longer and spread them farther apart.

The deluxe tripod is made of hard maple in a beautiful clear finish. Wood absorbs minute vibration and is kind to the touch in cold or hot weather. A heavy leather strap holds the legs together for transport and a convenient leveling bubble is provided. This tripod can handle any camera up to 11x14 or larger (I would put anything weighing up to 50 pounds on it—provided the head could support it).

Weight is 15 pounds. This is the most rugged, solid, finest made (and beautiful) tripod you can buy. Order one and use it and you’ll never use anything else.

#75-1230 Deluxe Field Tripod..$420.00

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View camera tripod head has low profile and large mounting platform.

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Head tilts fore and aft - no weak spot in a redundant side to side tilt movement.

Head allows generous downward camera tilt.

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For extreme upward camera positioning, reverse the camera orientation on the head. This position is seldom used.

RIES View Camera Tripod Head

These tripod heads are expertly made by RIES Industries (Bainbridge Island, WA), specifically for view cameras. It has a very low profile - 2-3/4", and it's base maintains a 4" circular bearing surface on the tripod yoke (our old Manfrotto head profiles were 6" tall; the bearing surface is 2-3/8"). It tilts fore and aft. There is no side to side adjustment – a distinct advantage! Side to side adjustment creates a weak spot in the camera/tripod rig. It is not necessary with a view camera since you reposition the camera back to from vertical to horizontal; Camera rotation is handled by loosening the head retaining knob under the yoke.

A Head Rotation Arm assembly is available which replaces the original (on Fine Art Photo Field Tripods). This is specifically designed for our tripods and heads to assure very comfortable and safe use. A twist of the knob under the tripod yoke loosens the camera/head for free rotation, then locks it. 1/2" of thread extends into the head for a solid connection.

The View Camera Tripod Head doesn't sag under the weight of the camera, whether it’s being angled to an extreme degree upwards or down or being carried over your shoulder. This head easily handles any view camera to 8x10 size. For very heavy cameras, like a metal flat bed 8x10, or 11x14, 12x20, etc, there is a larger model available with a 6" base. Specify 3/8" or 1/4" camera mounting screw.

#75-1255 (view camera head, 4" base)……$220.00

#75-1250 (view camera head, 6" base).….$240.00

Head Rotation Arm Assembly

Secures head to tripod and allows rotation of camera and tripod head, requiring thumb and forefinger pressure only. Replaces tripod head mounting knob on all Fine Art Photo Field Tripods. Extends 6" below tripod yoke for comfortable access. Shown below.

#75-1240 (Arm assembly for field tripods)….$20.00

Head Rotation Arm shown above installed on Deluxe Field Tripod. The camera/head rotation is achieved, comfortably, from this knob under the tripod yoke.

#75-1251 Tripod Head permits quick repositioning from horizontal to vertical on smaller rollfilm cameras.

Medium Format/35 mm Tripod Head

This tripod head tilts from side to side as well as from front to back. It is thus very well suited for small and medium format cameras where the entire camera must be repositioned to go from horizontal to vertical. This head is equipped with a detachable plate. The plate fits into the camera, then the camera can be quickly clamped into the tripod head. This head can easily hold the heaviest medium format cameras, like a Mamiya RB67, with ease.

#75-1251 Head …… $125.00