Tripod Thread Adapter Size Needed for Super Ikonta 530/2

[btvarner]

I figure this question has already been asked and answered somewhere here, but I cannot find it.

I have a Zeiss Super Ikonta 530/2. I am told that the size of the two threaded spots on this camera for a tripod are metric. I have a standard (US) tripod. I need to know:

1) What size adapter to get?
2) Where can such a configuration to found?

I have looked on eBay without success. Thanks!

 

[summar]

I use a standard 3/8" to 1/4" adapter on my Moskva 5 (faithful copy of the Super Ikonta), also on my European-version Leicas. These fit perfectly without any metric-imperial conversion, go figure. They're easily found on eBay:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1-4-to-3-8-C...431?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a4198a9df
The only trouble I've found is that the male end of the adapter is usually a bit too long
and sticks out beyond the camera bottom, so I have to do some judicious filing.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

For years I've thought these two threads were 1/4 and 3/8th Whitworth and have never been aware that any variation existed in the adapters. To add to the confusion I've seen Whitworth on sale (but years ago) labelled as though it was metric but they were nuts and bolts not tripod bush adapters.

I guess the answer is to find an elderly screw gauge and see what I see but I've yet to see a new camera with the larger size in use, so wear and tear will confuse the issue further...

Regards, David

PS And as Leitz made microscopes and Whitworth was a standard microscope thread used years ago according to the RMS I guess that will also confuse the issue.

 

[oftheherd]

Freestyle also sells them: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/1489-Manfrotto-1-4-20-to-3-8-inch-Reducer-Bushing-Adapter-Set-of-5

 

[sevo]

It never was metric. Prior to some time in the 1930's it was Whitworth. It got gradually changed to UNC by the early fifties. You can safely use Whitworth screws in UNC nuts, but not vice versa - the one thing to beware of is using a modern tripod (or modern adapter!) on a very old camera. YMMV with the Super Ikonta - it sits right between the dates, so be careful and don't force anything.

 

[daveleo]

If this is what you are looking for, it's a $2.49 item:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/769749-REG/Oben_OB_1039_3_8_16_to_1_4_20_Reducer.html


I just realized that the freestyle price in previous posting was for 5 of these items.

 

[David Hughes]

It never was metric. Prior to some time in the 1930's it was Whitworth. It got gradually changed to UNC by the early fifties. You can safely use Whitworth screws in UNC nuts, but not vice versa - the one thing to beware of is using a modern tripod (or modern adapter!) on a very old camera. YMMV with the Super Ikonta - it sits right between the dates, so be careful and don't force anything.

Hi,

Thanks, I'd forgotten UNC: the joys of old age etc, etc...

Regards, David

 

[btvarner]

Thanks all! I ended up going probably the most difficult route, but I now have what I need. I did obtain some of the 1/4" to 3/8" adapters and ground them down so that they did not bottom out in the channel of my Super Ikonta C (530/2). After doing so however I noticed that because the tripod holes are off-set and the somewhat raised tripod hole on the camera, it did not seem to fully seat on the top of the tripod. I was very worried that the pressure of being off-set would easily bend the camera. So I approached the problem from a different angle.

I recall seeing a factory piece made to Kodak Retina's that placed a metal plate under the center of the camera to help support it do to the fact that it also has an extremely off-set tripod hole. I decided to fabricate on myself.

I obtained a piece of thin steel. Cut it to size. Placed cloth electrical tape on the bottom side so the piece would grip the top of the tripod. Cut a piece of thin grip foam, and glued onto the top side that the camera set on.

This served to help support the center of the camera while also providing a substance to firmly ride against the bottom of the camera when tightened and help pull the whole camera bottom firmly again the metal plate.

Work wonderfully when the camera is in either horizontal or vertical position. Here are some images for better understanding. Below that is a link to another thread of mine that better shows the actual camera.......

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147944

Thanks!