Strange Ballhead

[Wes Medlin]

Okay guys, this one has me stumped. Found a tripod at a thrift store, and the ballhead is like nothing I've seen before. Been using tripods for 35 years, and this is a new one on me. No brand name anywhere on the head or the tripod, and this massive spike thing where the tripod thread should be. And no, it does not unscrew. Wish it did. Any idea what this thing was for?

 

[leica M2 fan]

Wes, try turning the little handle counter-clock wise and see what happens?

 

[daveleo]

It may not be a handle. It looks like a tapered spline that something fits over. You would tap it down tight. Not intended for a (typical) camera.

Possibly a model maker's kit? How big is the tripod? Tabletop?

Speculation on my part.


EDIT: look at this .....
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-104693.html

 

[Wes Medlin]

Dave, thanks for the link to the other post. My ball head is very close to that one, though not quite identical. Obviously made for the same purpose. Pity no one seems to know what that purpose is. The best guess is some sort of lighting gear.

This is off of a small tripod. Well made, but not quite like anything I've seen. Small, but fairly heavy, and well made. Not a Gitzo, Bogen, Slik, Velbon,or anything else I've ever seen. And no name or model number on the head or the tripod.

I've tried unscrewing the spike from the ball head, but it seems to be all one piece from the spike to the ball. Pity, it's a nicely made ball head, and I could use another good one.

Thanks, guys. I knew RFF would be the place where someone would know something.

Wes

 

[rumbliegeos]

Just a guess here, but I would not rule out a possible pairing with some kind of optical field surveying instrument similar to a Brunton Pocket Field transit. Especially if the head seems to be quite well-made. The pressure-fit, auto-centering characteristics of the mount would make for fast attachment and detachment, unlike full transit and larger instrument mounting systems.

 

[Thud]

Its R2D2's son