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Leitz Tiltall Tripod
Jul 19, 2021 17:06:05   #
pendennis
 
I've primarily been a Manfrotto/Bogen tripod fan since the mid-70's. Although I've picked up a Vivitar 1321, and an early SLIK along the way. However, my motto was always, "Everyone Should Own At Least One Tiltall". I visited my local dealer to pick up an eBay purchase, and while looking at some used equipment, I found this Leitz Tiltall sitting next to a Star D copy. Looking at the two, there's absolutely no comparison; the Leitz is head and shoulders above the Star D copy. The Tiltall has a bright satin finish, and what looked like some damage turned out to be a bit of stubborn dirt, removed with a clean wipe.

Now, the great part is that this jewel left with me for $35.00. Prices for any Leitz or Marchioni Tiltall seem to run as much as 5x what I paid.



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Jul 19, 2021 17:18:54   #
sirvive Loc: South Louisiana
 
Nice pod. I noticed you mentioned the Vivitar 1321 (Pro).. I have one standing by my desk that I use for just about anything around the house and yard. I purchased it in the early 70's and it is still a favorite tripod. it still works just fine and is a very smooth operating piece of equipment. I thought I was the only one still using it. Thanks for your posting.

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Jul 19, 2021 18:11:47   #
Quixdraw Loc: x
 
Congrats on a great bargain!

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Jul 19, 2021 23:29:06   #
pendennis
 
sirvive wrote:
Nice pod. I noticed you mentioned the Vivitar 1321 (Pro).. I have one standing by my desk that I use for just about anything around the house and yard. I purchased it in the early 70's and it is still a favorite tripod. it still works just fine and is a very smooth operating piece of equipment. I thought I was the only one still using it. Thanks for your posting.


The Vivitar also had been on my list of desirables. Another local dealer had one for $65, and I grabbed it a couple of years ago. I use it for my 4x5's.

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Jul 20, 2021 08:49:44   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
I have two of those. They are remarkably good tripods. Though, over the last 10-15 years, I've migrated to Gitzo. I was fortunate enough to have an aluminum version offered to me for $350. Considering I shoot a lot of large format, that seemed to be the way to go.
--Bob
pendennis wrote:
I've primarily been a Manfrotto/Bogen tripod fan since the mid-70's. Although I've picked up a Vivitar 1321, and an early SLIK along the way. However, my motto was always, "Everyone Should Own At Least One Tiltall". I visited my local dealer to pick up an eBay purchase, and while looking at some used equipment, I found this Leitz Tiltall sitting next to a Star D copy. Looking at the two, there's absolutely no comparison; the Leitz is head and shoulders above the Star D copy. The Tiltall has a bright satin finish, and what looked like some damage turned out to be a bit of stubborn dirt, removed with a clean wipe.

Now, the great part is that this jewel left with me for $35.00. Prices for any Leitz or Marchioni Tiltall seem to run as much as 5x what I paid.
I've primarily been a Manfrotto/Bogen tripod fan s... (show quote)

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Jul 20, 2021 09:07:42   #
BebuLamar
 
I had the Tilltall many years ago but my was black.

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Jul 20, 2021 09:40:31   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
pendennis wrote:
I've primarily been a Manfrotto/Bogen tripod fan since the mid-70's. Although I've picked up a Vivitar 1321, and an early SLIK along the way. However, my motto was always, "Everyone Should Own At Least One Tiltall". I visited my local dealer to pick up an eBay purchase, and while looking at some used equipment, I found this Leitz Tiltall sitting next to a Star D copy. Looking at the two, there's absolutely no comparison; the Leitz is head and shoulders above the Star D copy. The Tiltall has a bright satin finish, and what looked like some damage turned out to be a bit of stubborn dirt, removed with a clean wipe.

Now, the great part is that this jewel left with me for $35.00. Prices for any Leitz or Marchioni Tiltall seem to run as much as 5x what I paid.
I've primarily been a Manfrotto/Bogen tripod fan s... (show quote)


In an effort to afford college tuition in the early 70s I was employed at Leitz USA in Rockleigh NJ. I remember when they moved the Tiltall manufacturing works from Italy. The Marchioni brothers used to personally instruct the machinists in the fine points of making their tripod. Mine was pretty heavy, nearly 9 lbs. I think more recent models tipped the scale at a little over 6 lbs. I got rid of mine due to center column wobble, making the whole thing unstable. The good thing is that it is not too hard to find replacement parts for the newer ones.

With the employee discount I think I paid about $40 for it. Sold it shortly afterwards for what I paid for it, since it was too limited for my use, even back then.

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Jul 20, 2021 10:22:19   #
jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska
 
pendennis wrote:
I've primarily been a Manfrotto/Bogen tripod fan since the mid-70's. Although I've picked up a Vivitar 1321, and an early SLIK along the way. However, my motto was always, "Everyone Should Own At Least One Tiltall". I visited my local dealer to pick up an eBay purchase, and while looking at some used equipment, I found this Leitz Tiltall sitting next to a Star D copy. Looking at the two, there's absolutely no comparison; the Leitz is head and shoulders above the Star D copy. The Tiltall has a bright satin finish, and what looked like some damage turned out to be a bit of stubborn dirt, removed with a clean wipe.

Now, the great part is that this jewel left with me for $35.00. Prices for any Leitz or Marchioni Tiltall seem to run as much as 5x what I paid.
I've primarily been a Manfrotto/Bogen tripod fan s... (show quote)


I used to have one. I loaned it, along with an old 4x5 camera, a lens, several film holders, etc to someone 10-15 years ago to try out large format, never heard from that person again.

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Jul 20, 2021 11:02:31   #
lacsar Loc: Columbia SC and Newland NC
 
I bought one at an auction in the 70's for $10.00. I still use it for mostly everything and love it.

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Jul 20, 2021 14:03:17   #
M1911 Loc: DFW Metromess
 
Gene,
The original Tiltall tripod factory was in Rutherford, NJ. The family had been in the states since the late 1800s.

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Jul 20, 2021 17:52:33   #
ELNikkor
 
A friend dropped . my camera in a river in Florida and gave me his black Tiltall tripod to make amends. It has served me well for 40 years. This is the first I've heard that it was made by Leitz, but that explains it's excellent craftsmanship and durability.

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Jul 20, 2021 21:27:12   #
Stonewall Loc: Pocono Mountains
 
I was gifted one of these as my first tripod which was great. I still have it but replaced with Benro carbon fiber. Is there a solution for some kind of quick attach plate for Arca Swiss compatibility for ease of use?

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Jul 21, 2021 10:31:50   #
pendennis
 
Stonewall wrote:
I was gifted one of these as my first tripod which was great. I still have it but replaced with Benro carbon fiber. Is there a solution for some kind of quick attach plate for Arca Swiss compatibility for ease of use?


You might try eBay, and search for Arca Swiss adapter plate. I found mine there. They range in price from around $12, and higher.

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Jul 21, 2021 12:49:49   #
Gundersnipe
 
Great pod. Have 3 purchased back in the 60s when he was making them in his garage in NJ. Real work horses. Not for carrying around all day.

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Jul 21, 2021 22:11:26   #
therwol Loc: USA
 
Here is the history of the Tiltall tripod.

http://tiltallsupport.blogspot.com/p/tiltall-support.html

My son in-law has my original which I bought in around 1970. I missed it so much that I bought a new one a couple of years ago. The design is now owned by someone in Taiwan. I don't see any big difference in the two. The article explains how Leitz was involved in making them at some point in time.

This is a BASIC tripod, a bit clunky to adjust, especially the height. On the positive side, it is very sturdy and can support the weight of a medium or even large format camera. Famous photographers like Irving Penn and many of the Life Magazine photographers used this tripod.

Look at the picture in this link.

http://tiltallsupport.blogspot.com/2009/11/irving-penn-tiltall-photographer.html

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