What size IS my tripod bowl? Gearnex related...

[S M Lambrecht]

Old O'Connor 50 head and a Birns & Sawyer VGM 200 tripod- the bowl measures about 120mm across. Am I measuring this wrong? I have a Gearnex geared head on order and need to decide on a 100 or 150mm bowl adapter for that. The Gearnex itself is a mitchell mount. If the tripod bowl is some odd non-standard size what are my options for marrying the two?

Bret from Gearnex thinks it may be an old 125mm bowl that should work with their 150mm adapter. If anyone can save him a trip to the attic to dig up old equipment (lord I hope it doesn't look like my attic) please chime in!

Thanks,
Sean

 

[Douglas Underdahl]

It's THE OLD OConnor bowl, meaning that it has a modest size (like 125mm) but huge radius. Like, you grab a large sphere but only at the very bottom, like near the south pole. The idea was to put the axis of the tilt close to the center of the lens axis.

I've sold a bunch of 7 jibs to folks with this unique bowl size over the years. I take my 100mm bowl on the end of the jib and cut a very flat angle on it on the lathe so that it will accept both 100mm heads head and the old OConnor. Newer OConnors went to standard 100mm and 150mm like everyone else.

Probably you should get both bases from Gearnex and return the one that doesn't work as well. Gearnex would probably like to know which is best and would like to see pictures of each one?

 

[Joseph Mendoza]

Hi Sean,

I am Bret's business partner. Did you purchase a GearNex yet? If you have, we made three 125mm ball for Research & Data purposes and we can send you one of those if you want. It will sit a little lower until the optional risers are available.

 

[S M Lambrecht]

Hey everyone- sorry about the delay on my end, I've been out with a back injury. Woe is me...

Joseph- I purchased on April 22nd, order #240868643135154. I received a response from an O'Connor rep who said it was a 120mm claw ball, so the 125mm R&D spare sounds like the way to go for me. Sent a direct email to your cinetoys address also.

Thank you both for your responses!
Sean Lambrecht