Pratical side of the Pentax Copipod?

**stemked** · 12-28-2020, 01:23 PM

Years ago I picked up a Pentax Copipod. It was cool, stashes away in a nice leather container. I don't use it very often because 1) It seems it is only useful with a 50mm lens and 2) It takes a lot of maneuvering to get it to any size other than fully extended. I'd rather use a more conventional copy stand. I have used it a couple of times with a Pentax 100mm f4 A macro, but it starts to feel a bit top-heavy and I'm afraid it might topple over with its spindly legs , So I was wondering, what was the intended use of this stand? Is it really something more than just a novelty accessory or was there a wisdom to the specific extended dimensions of this devise?

stevebrot · 12-28-2020, 02:07 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by stemked

So I was wondering, what was the intended use of this stand?

The key is in the name. From the SP 500 manual:

Quote:

This new portable copying stand fits all models of the Honeywell Pentax and can be used anywhere for copying documents, artwork, photographs, stamps, etc. The Copipod consists of a lens board complete with adapter rings for 46mm and 49mm sizes, and four calibrated telescoping legs. It can be set up in seconds, and when disassembled, fits neatly into a pouch-type case which occupies very little space. Lightweight, yet extremely rigid, the Copipod is a practical accessory which will fill a need for many Honeywell Pentax owners.

Whether it is any good at its intended task is another matter. For those who are less in the know, a photo of the Copipod is below:

I would consider it a collectible novelty unsuitable for other than light kit.

Added: Pentax also made a full-on copy stand with wooden base similar to an enlarger, but with a camera mount point instead of an enlarger head.

Steve

Not a Number · 12-28-2020, 02:07 PM - **1 Like**

I think the name gives away the intended usage for this apparatus: "Copipod" = Copy. Mainly for photographing or copying documents or pages from books. The field of view on a full-frame camera at the set distance with recommended lenses probably bears this out.

Useful for lawyers, archivists, insurance people and spies in the field no doubt.

Pentax in the Movies - Page 25 - PentaxForums.com

**boriscleto** · 12-28-2020, 02:12 PM

And how is it even usable without a flippy screen?

**stemked** · 12-28-2020, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The key is in the name. From the SP 500 manual:

Whether it is any good at its intended task is another matter. For those who are less in the know, a photo of the Copipod is below:

I would consider it a collectible novelty unsuitable for other than light kit.

Added: Pentax also made a full-on copy stand with wooden base similar to an enlarger, but with a camera mount point instead of an enlarger head.

Steve

I would say you covered this item quite well.

35mmfilmfan · 12-28-2020, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

And how is it even usable without a flippy screen?

Er - right-angle viewfinder ?

stevebrot · 12-28-2020, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Useful for lawyers, archivists, insurance people and spies in the field no doubt.

Yep! Back in the day office when copy machines were uncommon, a camera was a common stand-in for use in the field.

Steve

**jatrax** · 12-28-2020, 07:32 PM

The copipod is a bit light weight for modern DSLRs but the intended use was a 50mm lens on a film camera. So a lot less weight.

I've used mine a few times when shooting stock images. I think I used K-5II with the DA 35mm macro at the time. It worked OK but there are better systems.

Steve Beswick · 12-28-2020, 07:57 PM

I suspect this would work better with a mirrorless camera than a DSLR.

**UncleVanya** · 12-28-2020, 09:08 PM - **1 Like**

Remember that film was slower and legacy lenses had less edge to edge sharpness outside of say a nice macro 50. This was a simple way to support a camera at an appropriate distance for a steady shot of the subject which was mainly text. It’s usefulness today is limited.

Steve Beswick · 12-28-2020, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Remember that film was slower and legacy lenses had less edge to edge sharpness outside of say a nice macro 50. This was a simple way to support a camera at an appropriate distance for a steady shot of the subject which was mainly text. It’s usefulness today is limited.

It could be handy for certain video tasks.

**UncleVanya** · 12-28-2020, 11:05 PM

Originally posted by Steve Beswick

It could be handy for certain video tasks.

You’ve lost me. Can you explain some that this would help with?

Steve Beswick · 12-28-2020, 11:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

You’ve lost me. Can you explain some that this would help with?

Drawing/painting videos, paper based stop animation, “how to take your phone apart” type videos. Of course if you do such things regularly this wouldn’t be ideal, but for occasional use it could work well enough.

Not a Number · 12-29-2020, 12:46 AM

Attaching your cam to a super clamp or knock off and the clamp to a book shelf or lamp or something would make more sense to me. You wouldn't have those pesky legs in the way.

It always surprises me when I pick up one of my manual focus film SLRs on how light and compact they feel compared to my K10D. Even all metal monsters like the Pentax K1000 or Minolta SRT-101.

Dale H. Cook · 12-29-2020, 10:03 AM

So far the only time that I shoot straight down from above is when I am shooting disassembled electronics in my shop with my K-70, and I built a bracket fastened to a floor joist for that purpose. I may, in the future, want to shoot documents in the field. Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced portable copy stand usable with a K-70 and a D-FA-100mm macro lens (49mm filter thread)? I could keep an eye out for a Copipod as it fits 49mm.

12-28-2020, 01:23 PM	#1
stemked Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 527	Pratical side of the Pentax Copipod? Years ago I picked up a Pentax Copipod. It was cool, stashes away in a nice leather container. I don't use it very often because 1) It seems it is only useful with a 50mm lens and 2) It takes a lot of maneuvering to get it to any size other than fully extended. I'd rather use a more conventional copy stand. I have used it a couple of times with a Pentax 100mm f4 A macro, but it starts to feel a bit top-heavy and I'm afraid it might topple over with its spindly legs , So I was wondering, what was the intended use of this stand? Is it really something more than just a novelty accessory or was there a wisdom to the specific extended dimensions of this devise?

12-28-2020, 02:07 PM - 2 Likes	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by stemked So I was wondering, what was the intended use of this stand? The key is in the name. From the SP 500 manual: Quote: This new portable copying stand fits all models of the Honeywell Pentax and can be used anywhere for copying documents, artwork, photographs, stamps, etc. The Copipod consists of a lens board complete with adapter rings for 46mm and 49mm sizes, and four calibrated telescoping legs. It can be set up in seconds, and when disassembled, fits neatly into a pouch-type case which occupies very little space. Lightweight, yet extremely rigid, the Copipod is a practical accessory which will fill a need for many Honeywell Pentax owners. Whether it is any good at its intended task is another matter. For those who are less in the know, a photo of the Copipod is below: I would consider it a collectible novelty unsuitable for other than light kit. Added: Pentax also made a full-on copy stand with wooden base similar to an enlarger, but with a camera mount point instead of an enlarger head. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 12-28-2020 at 02:19 PM.

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12-28-2020, 02:07 PM - 1 Like	#3
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	I think the name gives away the intended usage for this apparatus: "Copipod" = Copy. Mainly for photographing or copying documents or pages from books. The field of view on a full-frame camera at the set distance with recommended lenses probably bears this out. Useful for lawyers, archivists, insurance people and spies in the field no doubt. Pentax in the Movies - Page 25 - PentaxForums.com

12-28-2020, 02:12 PM	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	And how is it even usable without a flippy screen?

12-28-2020, 02:18 PM	#5
stemked Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 527 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot The key is in the name. From the SP 500 manual: Whether it is any good at its intended task is another matter. For those who are less in the know, a photo of the Copipod is below: I would consider it a collectible novelty unsuitable for other than light kit. Added: Pentax also made a full-on copy stand with wooden base similar to an enlarger, but with a camera mount point instead of an enlarger head. Steve I would say you covered this item quite well.

12-28-2020, 03:02 PM	#6
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,318	Originally posted by boriscleto And how is it even usable without a flippy screen? Er - right-angle viewfinder ?

12-28-2020, 03:14 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Not a Number Useful for lawyers, archivists, insurance people and spies in the field no doubt. Yep! Back in the day office when copy machines were uncommon, a camera was a common stand-in for use in the field. Steve

12-28-2020, 07:32 PM	#8
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	The copipod is a bit light weight for modern DSLRs but the intended use was a 50mm lens on a film camera. So a lot less weight. I've used mine a few times when shooting stock images. I think I used K-5II with the DA 35mm macro at the time. It worked OK but there are better systems.

12-28-2020, 07:57 PM	#9
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	I suspect this would work better with a mirrorless camera than a DSLR.

12-28-2020, 09:08 PM - 1 Like	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,385	Remember that film was slower and legacy lenses had less edge to edge sharpness outside of say a nice macro 50. This was a simple way to support a camera at an appropriate distance for a steady shot of the subject which was mainly text. It’s usefulness today is limited.

12-28-2020, 11:03 PM	#11
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Originally posted by UncleVanya Remember that film was slower and legacy lenses had less edge to edge sharpness outside of say a nice macro 50. This was a simple way to support a camera at an appropriate distance for a steady shot of the subject which was mainly text. It’s usefulness today is limited. It could be handy for certain video tasks.

12-28-2020, 11:05 PM	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,385	Originally posted by Steve Beswick It could be handy for certain video tasks. You’ve lost me. Can you explain some that this would help with?

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12-28-2020, 11:52 PM - 1 Like	#13
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Originally posted by UncleVanya You’ve lost me. Can you explain some that this would help with? Drawing/painting videos, paper based stop animation, “how to take your phone apart” type videos. Of course if you do such things regularly this wouldn’t be ideal, but for occasional use it could work well enough.

12-29-2020, 12:46 AM	#14
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	Attaching your cam to a super clamp or knock off and the clamp to a book shelf or lamp or something would make more sense to me. You wouldn't have those pesky legs in the way. It always surprises me when I pick up one of my manual focus film SLRs on how light and compact they feel compared to my K10D. Even all metal monsters like the Pentax K1000 or Minolta SRT-101.

12-29-2020, 10:03 AM	#15
Dale H. Cook Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 174	So far the only time that I shoot straight down from above is when I am shooting disassembled electronics in my shop with my K-70, and I built a bracket fastened to a floor joist for that purpose. I may, in the future, want to shoot documents in the field. Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced portable copy stand usable with a K-70 and a D-FA-100mm macro lens (49mm filter thread)? I could keep an eye out for a Copipod as it fits 49mm.