17 replies to this topic

[Luna Tic]

Hello, All,

This is a nice problem to have: or rather a situation, as I expect there may exist a range of solutions to it.

I've acquired two pairs of older big binoculars: a Nikon 20x120 II and a Fuji Meibo 25x150. Each needs a vintage tripod that's man enough; or rather Iron Man enough: all-metal is my preference. Any ideas, please?

The binoculars are missing their u-shaped yoke mounts so I'll need to source those, too, or suitable replacements. And to make things even more erm, interesting, I contrived to be in the UK. If you could point me in the direction of a source of spares or a fabricator that's used to dealing on-line, please, it'll be a great help.

And for my next trick, lifting the blessed things. . . !


L. T.

[Mark9473]

Manfrotto 117b carries 18 kg, is that sufficient? What do those instruments weigh?

[edwincjones]

I use a losmondy G11 for my fuji 25x150s-with a UA Sirius P-Mount

they are "man iron" enough and Larry at Universal Astronomics can make an adapter to fit either  your binoculars

 

edj

Edited by edwincjones, 15 January 2015 - 07:30 AM.

[Gordon Rayner]

Tripods made for heavy studio TV cameras of yesterday have served me well for decades. Houston Fearless, CECO, National camera, etc. all metal tripods.

They will hold 300 pounds, or more. All have the industry standard interface for the classic Mitchell film cameras from decades past.

I put Fuji 25 x 150 I, about 65 pounds, on those, and Nikon I and II 20 x 120, year after year at RTMC.

Essentially the same thing continues to be made by Quick-Set.

Did Vinten in UK make something comparable?

[kcolter]

Luna Tic

     I am interested in what you come up with for yokes for these two binoculars.  I am inclined to think that suitable tripods may outnumber people willing to make yokes for them.   Is your Nikon 20X120 the version II or the most recent version III?   (They require different yokes.)  I can send a photo of a "frame" that was made for my Nikon 20X120 version II to hang it from a UA Millenium mount.   I still find it uncomfortable to observe above about 45 or 50 degrees with this set up.   I have tried turning the "frame" and binoculars upside down and using them on a Hercules Quick Set that I have, but still find it awkward to get very high in the sky.  I am interested in what solution you come up with.   In fact, I'm interested enough that if you come up with an excellent solution for the yoke for the Nikon 20X120 I might want to approach whoever made it for you about making another.   Thanks for posting.  

[Vondragonnoggin]

Hello, All,

This is a nice problem to have: or rather a situation, as I expect there may exist a range of solutions to it.

I've acquired two pairs of older big binoculars: a Nikon 20x120 II and a Fuji Meibo 25x150. Each needs a vintage tripod that's man enough; or rather Iron Man enough: all-metal is my preference. Any ideas, please?

The binoculars are missing their u-shaped yoke mounts so I'll need to source those, too, or suitable replacements. And to make things even more erm, interesting, I contrived to be in the UK. If you could point me in the direction of a source of spares or a fabricator that's used to dealing on-line, please, it'll be a great help.

And for my next trick, lifting the blessed things. . . !


L. T.

You should call Markus at APM telescopes, Germany. His binoptic spacelifter tripods and fork mounts would probably handle the weight.

[Luna Tic]

Hello, Everyone,
 
Thank you for your suggestions. I'll answer each in turn.
 
Hi, 'Mark9743', Gordon Rayner beat me to it as regards the Fuji Meibo 25x150 (of which he has extensive experience hence direct knowledge) and its avoir dupois: it's a beast. You're – or rather, I'm – looking for a tripod that can take approx. 30 kilos of binoculars and goodness knows how much else for the necessarily whopping great yoke-mount.
 
And again probably from Gordon's insightful posts do I understand aright that the later versions of the 25x150 shed (some of) the brass of the earlier ones hence a few pounds? I theenk mine is one of these; though am not sure as I bought it sight unseen and had it shipped straight to its restorer. (No technician I, alas.)
 
'edj', thank you for your recommendation both of the tripod you've found to be more than iron-man enough and of the actual man who could make me a mount for either of my pairs of big binoculars. I appreciate it very much, your sharing your own experience.

 

Gordon, thank you for all that you've written before about the Fuji Meibo 25x150 binoculars; and for the names of makes of tripod you've used to keep them airborne. That's a good tip, too, about Vinten. In an earlier career I used to pick my way around film-sets and the like, saw the name often enough and can't for the life of me think why it didn't occur to me now. I'll get looking.

 

Hello, too, 'kcolter'. Yes, please, I would like to receive a pic of the frame which you had made for your Nikon 20x120 II so's that it can hang from a UA Millennium mount. My Nikon is that same, earlier, version. However, pointing anywhere close to zenith is not high (pun intended) on my list of needs. I just like to look at the Moon, you see, and as I keep roughly vampiric hours am usu. not in a hurry when I spot her hanging in the air. If she's at a crick-in-the-neck angle I tend to wait till she's dropped somewhat; but if it looks as though cloud or low-hanging mist will rob me of her I take out a pair of handheld binoculars, jam myself in an outdoor-chair, tilt back and drink it in.

 

So I'm a bit of a cop-out as regards a truly useful mount for these monster-bins, I'm afraid.

 

Which brings me to 'Vondragonnoggin': what a very good tip. Thank you. I'll check with Markus at APM. Perhaps he has a solution that can get either the Fuji Meibo or the Nikon near to zenith, too.

 

Again, thank you, All.

 

 

 

L. T.

Edited by Luna Tic, 16 January 2015 - 04:01 PM.

[Mark9473]

Here's a link to that Binoptic fork mount:

http://www.apm-teles....html?info=9761

 

Here's a seemingly even heavier-duty version at AOK:

http://www.aokswiss..../ayocradle.html

[junomike]

Here's a link to that Binoptic fork mount:

http://www.apm-teles....html?info=9761

 

Here's a seemingly even heavier-duty version at AOK:

http://www.aokswiss..../ayocradle.html

 

The AOK looks to be ridiculously pricey?

 

Mike

[Mark9473]

I'm not disagreeing.

It's probably a fair price though for something that takes a lot of time to make, one at a time. Pretty unique too since it can be motorized.

But far above my budget, that's for sure.

[junomike]

I'm not disagreeing.

It's probably a fair price though for something that takes a lot of time to make, one at a time. Pretty unique too since it can be motorized.

But far above my budget, that's for sure.

Ok, thank for confirming  that.  I was wondering if my currency conversion skills went "south" for the winter!

Custom or not, It seems excessive, but maybe for them It's reasonable?

 

Mike

[Gordon Rayner]

What about the Richard Berry design? It has a cantilevered, counterweighted, plywood construction which can be made, with a jigsaw being the most sophisticated equipment required. A hand drill ,screwdriver, varnish or paint.
The cantilevered form allows zenith access. If high angles are not required, which will save the neck, the cantilevering and the counterweight are not needed.

I made a fork mount from 2 x 3 x1/8 aluminum box section. The Fuji I trunnions rest in aluminum vees,sawn from thick 90 deg angle extrusions, with PVC or Teflon(treated for adhesion) surfaces glued to the vees. The az bearing I machined as fitted cylinders. But a simple disc pair with Teflon pads would work as well or better for the azimuth bearing, ff. Berry. The discs could be aluminum, plywood, oak, etc. They could be octagons, by trimming the corners of squares.
Thus, no router, sander, jigsaw, or other circle maker would be required.

The fasteners are titanium socket capscrews, JPL surplus from an early space probe. An unneeded refinement,but why not use them if they were on hand from a lucky buy (not directly from JPL) in the early 1970's.

Edited by Gordon Rayner, 20 January 2015 - 11:58 AM.

[Gordon Rayner]

I have some big aluminum tripods with Mitchell interfacing tops, Mitchell 35mm size altaz heads, and a very large and heavy Vinten altaz head, with a big male and female dovetail interface. There would be a need for an interface to either trunnions or other fittings on the instrument to be mounted. Those heads are not good for zenith access, but would serve for low altitude lunar views or scenic daytime view.

I am already well equipped/overequipped for high angle views, so much of this equipment is excess to my prospective need. Would it be suitable for the polisher/furniture market?

Edited by Gordon Rayner, 20 January 2015 - 11:47 AM.

[Luna Tic]

Thanks, All, for the continuing, spirited discussion.

And thank you especially, Gordon Rayner, for the interesting suggestion of the Richard Berry design; and for your mentioning your own array of metal tripods, about which I have sent you a PM.


'L. T.'

[Robert A.]

Here is a Richard Berry design telescope mount, in wood, finished:  https://somanyhobbie...3/09/eq2_12.jpg

 

The entire blog article. The title of this article is "Telescope Equatorial Mount part 2"  https://somanyhobbie...com/tag/tripod/

 

I don't see how it would help seeing straight up.

 

Rob.

[Mark9473]

That's not the one, Rob. He's got a more famous alt-az design.

See for example Andy's scope: http://www.cloudynig...ilt-5-inch-f12/

[Vondragonnoggin]

That's the one I've seen before. It's kind of dob styled. Great design.

 

I don't think zenith views would be an issue there.

[Galaxy_Mike]

Watch the heads. I think my Manfrotto ball head is rated for 8.5 lbs, the other one for 12 or so.