Vintage tripod inherited--anyone know anything about it?

[skydragoness]

My co-worker wants to sell me her late husbands' Tiltall-Leitz Tripod, it's a #4602 w/ retractable spikes and a pan-type head.

I was wondering if I should buy it off of her and sell the heavy Slik Pro 700DX I just got or should I give it back? I do like the spikes (the Slik doesn't have them).


I went to a camera shop today and found that a Manfrotto quick-release plate will screw onto the thread just fine, but it isn't 100% secure (the nut underneath the plate is meant to come undone unless i superglued it or something )

I know nothing of these tripods and I was wondering if the heads can come off and maybe I can put a more modern head on them.

Here's a pic from someone's auction on ebay. It looks like this except there's not quick release plate (that's an add on). It has a circular plate instead w/ some padding that's losing its adhesive


Here's another view of a newer Tiltall, but the design is basically the same as the one I got:


So what do you guys think? Should I buy it and add stuff onto it? I don't even know if it can support the hefty K10 and a telephoto and I can't seem to find any load capacity or any info at all about this company and the tripod.
But I love the build quality and it's lighter than the Slik

[skydragoness]

Meh.. the more i think about it, I think i'll keep my Slik. It's heavy (not backbreaking) and it already has spirit levels and a quick release. Just no spikes, i'll have to make some :lol

[borno]

I've got an old tiltall made in new jersey- I think newer ones are imports. It is really solid but clunky to use,I put 2 more screws to hold the head to the center tube. If you unscrew the nut on the bottom of the tube you can invert it. I got mine when I did 120 film stuff, I'd get something easier to use but I've got to watch my spending (my wife does the bills )

[skydragoness]

Yeah, the only reason I'm considering it now is because the guy at the camera store did bring up the valid point that if the tripod is lighter i'll be more apt to use it a lot. But maybe I could just lift my Slik tripod instead of weights and then i'll be ready.

[calicojack]

I just did a couple of quick google searchs. The old Tiltall weighs 6lbs. Your Slik Pro 700DX weighs 3.2 Kg (about 6.5lbs ?). Not much difference. Get or make a shoulder strap arrangement and you wont be able to tell which one your carrying. In the "good old days" the tiltall was considered a wonderful tripod. It was used by lots of 35mm, and medium format shooters. I even used to know a guy that used one for his 4X5 field camera (certainly weighs more than the K10D). I'm sure either one will be just fine for your purposes.
Happy Easter,
Brian

[Heathglen]

I've had and used a Tiltall for over 40 years. It's heavy and durable. The Leitz version is considerably better constructed than the new imported versions, but it does not offer the option of unscrewing one leg and using it as a monopod.

I've found that light cameras require heavy tripods to avoid swaying in the wind - and the K10D is light compared to MF and LF cameras.

Larry in Dallas

[newtmaker]

I have a Tiltall that I have used for over 30 years and it still wotks fine.

Walt