4x5 Norma Leitz Tiltall inspired by Julius Shulman

Nokton48

Nokton48

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Lightweight Solid Norma Tripod Julius Shulman 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I am a huge fan of Julius Shulman and the volume of work he produced in the Los Angeles area and elsewhere during the 30s to the 80s. Among his many published books is "Photographing Architecture and Interiors", which I intensely studied 30 years ago. One snippet of information regarding equipment, Shulman used primarily the Sinar Norma 4x5 and 8x10. What I always thought was super cool was his tripod for all this work, it was the classic original Leitz Tiltall which was very sturdy and solid, he used a modified version for 8x10 and 4x5 Norma shooting. The original mounting plate was removed, and replaced with a solid 1/2" thick metal block which is super sturdy and solid. I used the pictures in his book to guide me. Notice how it just fits the Norma Tripod Clamp, the original rectangular plate was too small for Norma.

I just bought a machinists Band Saw from Lil Machine Shops, so bought a block of aluminum and cut it down with the new saw. Then drilled out mounting holes and countersunk them with drill press. Stainless steel bolts hold it all together super tightly, it's not coming apart.

Using this tripod with the 4x5 Norma in WA configuration is a joy and I could carry this around all day if I had to. Eventually I will try this with the 8x10 Norma and I have no doubt it will do the job. It worked for Shulman.

I have an old friend , whose Dad who knew Shulman and lived in the area at the time. He was also a photographer and Man he reveled when I told of my longtime interest in Shulman and his work. What a small world.

BTW the Norma, the tripod and the lens are all brand new to me. The lens is an original 90mm F5.6 chrome barrel Sinar Norma Super Angulon, with direct acting iris "mickey mouse" for behind the camera aperture control. The lens came from Germany and looks brand new. Super Nice and much brighter than my F8 90mm Super Angulons to look through. This vintage would be towards the end of Norma production. Much fun ahead.

This is -exactly- the same matched setup that Shulman shows in the above book.
 
8x10 Sinar Norma Julius Shulman Titlall Setup 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here is my 8x10 Sinar Norma Julius Shulman inspired Leitz Tiltall Tripod. Believe it or not solid as a rock and WOW portable. Love it and I think I will buy another old old Leitz Tiltall to dedicate for this camera and quick location jobs. I do have other half of the block of aluminum which I can utilize. The Norma Tripod Clamp is locked onto the tripod and simply unscrew to mount and remount different cameras. I will prolly add a little loctite maybe
 
I have plenty of tripods that are -heavy- and I have wanted this for going lighter. Recently I did something to my back and that has gotten me thinking about weight and solidity with Norma out in the field. I can throw this over my shoulder and carry a small soft bag full of stuff. And be pretty portable.

I own this program on Shulman and watched it again last night. It is beautiful and moving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v6JeCEZ19M

And see here if not familiar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcJBgRSISg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcKx6laYlLM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eto9mHoXLYg
 
Looks like you're really into Sinar. I still have the Sinar Norma 4x5 I bought new in 1969. I use it in my commercial studio through the film years until going digital in 2000. I still shoot film and use it from time to time along with the 8x10 Deardorff I've used since 1973. In 1974 I added a new Linhof Master Technika 4x5 and used it for some location work rather than lug the Sinar kit around. For travel the Linhof was much more manageable.

I eventually wound up with a 5x7 conversion kit for the Sinar and sold a 5x7 Deardorff I used for several years. A few years ago I sold the Sinar 5x7 conversion kit and bought a Deardorff 4x5 special with a 5x7 back and still use it.

I saw your thread and thought you might enjoy this. I still have the packet of information that came with my Sinar. In it I have a photo copy of the entire Sinar priceless, all the literature, Manual and a few other goodies including a tin of Sinar grease for the focus reck and a tie tack with the Sinar logo.

Here's a copy of the first page of the catalog. Note the prices. The Norma was very expensive in it's day at $468. In today’s dollars it would be $3425. I was considering a Linhof Bi 4x5 but it was over $700. I have to say I'm glad I bought the Sinar.

I'll post other copies of the literature another day.
 

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I've got the 45P. I found it
a wee bit more for the Tiltall,
which I love and even use it
with the big Graflex 57 SLR.
I've used the Tiltall however
with the big 'green giant'
Calumet 8x10. But no more.
I bought a old metal Gitzo and
the best in the world Sinar head!
 
I have a friend here in Australia who is a (young) relation of Julius Shulman. She remembers him from when she was growing up in LA. She gave me a copy of that book. Very stylish photos of a golden age.

On the subject of mounting cameras on a tripod, I found that the Rollei dedicated clamp that fits on the base of the SL66 (medium format SLR) allows some movement, not because the clamp arrangement allows it, but its attachment to the bottom of the camera allows slight flex. I modified a RRS Arca-type plate to fit and because of its larger surface area it is much more stable.

The OP's mount looks like a great solution. There's nothing like thick metal.
 
Starting Tiltall No 2 .5x3x4inch aluminum block by Nokton48, on Flickr

I like the custom Tiltall enough to start a second one. The .5"x4"x6" aluminum plate I bought on Ebay. Cut it in half with my Little Machine Shop Band Saw (see right) , will cut steel block if I need it to. Then it moves over to the drill press, cut the mounting holes, and a large center hole for 3/8" bolt and washer. I countersink the mounting holes and assemble with stainless metal screws from Lowes, I take the pieces in for custom fit.

Should be easier the second time around
 
Just a note: on my Tiltall the short
tilt extension has been replaced by
one equal to the long arm extension.
It's convenient to 'reach'. John S.: looks
like you have the tools, no problem!
Another BTW: one of my 'retracable'
rubber tips is stuck in the out position.
So, I order a replacement tip through
B&H years ago. I've got the original
Marchioni model. By then, the Tiltall
had changed several hands and along
the way the thread size was altered for
the screw in retractable rubber feet!!
 
47mm F8 F32 4x5 Norma HP5 by Nokton48, on Flickr

My widest LF lens, the chrome 47mm F8 Super Angulon in Compur shutter. Mounted on an original Sinar Norma Recessed Lensboard. Tim Kelly lighting, extreme close-up, lens less than a foot away from my test target. Three Broncolor Pulso C171 Monolights plus fill panel, HP5+ 4x5 (in Linhof Plate Holder) D:23 1;1 in 8x10 Unicolor Unidrum and Uniroller. 8x10 4X print Arista #2 RC Multigrade dev Omega DII laser aligned 180 black Rodagon Omegalite Diffusion Head

In close up mode this lens -almost- covers 4x5. You can see that in the four corners of this shot

Two Marchioni Tiltall Mods by Nokton48, on Flickr

On the right is one of my 4x5 Normas with recessed Norma board and 47mm F8 Schneider Super Angulon focused very very close up. In the back of one of my 5x7 Normas with original Norma Bellows and 360mm barrel chrome Componon on a flat Sinar Norma board. Both Marchioni Tiltalls have been modded to match the ones in Julius Shulman's book "Photographing Architecture and Interiors". I acquired this book in 1991
 
Hacked Tiltall Tripod No 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here's Tiltall #2 which arrived yesterday from Tennessee. It took about twenty minutes to cut the holes and remount the other half of my aluminum block. To finish it I will enlarge the center hole for a 3/8" steel bolt, then the cleaning up of both tripods will be the final project. These hold up very well for their age and both of these fully functional (no broken or missing parts).

Both of these are identical to the tripods in Shulman's book so the design has been time tested
 
Hey MFM,

did check it out. At 400+ CLA'ed (maybe?) it seemed a bit steep to me right now. Nobody fixes these anymore, Essex was it at the time and they washed out to sea with Katrina, OMG what a loss!! There is an XK Mot now I am looking at that! LOL I must resist...........
 
Nokton, I am:
Familiar with the Sinar P.
Familiar with Norma, the high end Swedish ammunition manufacturer.
Familiar with the Tiltall- excellent three legged companion for many years.
Familiar with Julius Shulman...an occasional visitor and demi-god when I was a student at Brooks Institute of Photography in the '70s.
UNfamiliar with the Norma Sinar so thanks for that.
Most of all, greatly impressed with your skill and ingenuity !
 
Nokton48 said:
Hey MFM,

did check it out. At 400+ CLA'ed (maybe?) it seemed a bit steep to me right now. Nobody fixes these anymore, Essex was it at the time and they washed out to sea with Katrina, OMG what a loss!! There is an XK Mot now I am looking at that! LOL I must resist...........
Click to expand...

Geeeez..it was @ $162 when I last looked! I miss Essex also..my Leica M3 left there about 12 hours before they got flooded !

I researched the Tilt-All in my "The Photography Catalog". It seems the Marchioni brothers used aircraft grade aluminum in making them. That seems to be why they outlast the Star-D copies-better materials.
 
Canyongazer said:
Nokton, I am:
Familiar with the Sinar P.
Familiar with Norma, the high end Swedish ammunition manufacturer.
Familiar with the Tiltall- excellent three legged companion for many years.
Familiar with Julius Shulman...an occasional visitor and demi-god when I was a student at Brooks Institute of Photography in the '70s.
UNfamiliar with the Norma Sinar so thanks for that.
Most of all, greatly impressed with your skill and ingenuity !
Click to expand...



Thanks for that Canyongazer 🙂

I wish I had more time to devote in a typical day, but I'm enjoying retirement!
 
MrFujicaman said:
It seems the Marchioni brothers used aircraft grade aluminum in making them. That seems to be why they outlast the Star-D copies-better materials.
Click to expand...

No question about it from my direct experience with Star-D. Firstly I tried adapting it with the metal block, and it wouldn't sit tight and straight on the Star-D. Also I think I would have stripped out the threads if I didn't stop trying. I put it back to original Star-D configuration and will use it that way. $25 at camera show

The aluminum is WAY harder and denser on the original silver Tiltalls. No question about it. BTW Cal told me he will dumpster dive for any he sees in Manhattan and send them to me, what a great Guy.
 
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