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My astronomy project:
Star Adventurer, new tripod modification


Content:

  1. New tripod
  2. Modify the tripod to be more compact
  3. Different setups
  4. Removing of the outer legs
  5. Replacing the center column

Note:
I take no responsibility or liability for what are written here, you use the information on your own risk!


3: Different setups

Now I shall weight the different items I use in different setup and compare.

Manfrotto 144 tripod to Star Adventurer

With all legs fully extended and with the center pillar full up I get the height 1.32 meter. In this position it get a bit weak and not recommended. But I have no use of this height.


Manfrotto 144 tripod to Star Adventurer

With the small outer legs folded in it get much more stable. Still a bit to high for my purpose, 1.06 meter. I don't need the outer small legs, I can remove them and its locking mechanism if I want and save some weight.


Manfrotto 144 tripod to Star Adventurer

This is the setup without the balance weight. The camera is a Canon 6D full frame and the lens Canon 300 f/4. This lens is new to me and I have not tested if this small mount is stable enough to handle this long focal length.

Item Weight Comment
Tripod 2.2 kg The weight can be reduced if I throw away the third outer legs.
Star Adventurer head 1.75 kg  
Ball head with holder 1.05 kg Can replaced with something that has less weight
Camera Canon 6D with 300 mm lens 2.15 kg  
Total 7.15 kg  

This is my standard setup of the tripod, normally impossible at my latitude of 60 degrees. But with the angled viewer it gets very practical to use the polar scope. Tested with good result with a 150 mm lens.


Manfrotto 144 tripod to Star Adventurer

This is with the standard balance weight, it's heavy but the total weight isn't very much different.

Item Weight Comment
Tripod 2.2 kg  
Star Adventurer head 1.75 kg The wedge is not stable enough
Balance weight with holder 1.7 kg Gives better control of the DEC position
Camera Canon 6D with 300 mm lens 2.15 kg  
Total 7.8 kg  

Manfrotto 144 tripod to Star Adventurer

When I cut the legs I reduced the weight a bit, from 2.4 kg to 2.2 kg. If I remove the third outer leg it will maybe reduce the weight to 1.8 kg.


Manfrotto 144 tripod to Star Adventurer

The Star Adventurer head and wedge 1.75 kg.


Manfrotto 144 tripod to Star Adventurer

Ball head alone 0.86 kg. I looking for another construction, something with hinges like a barn door. That will be more practical and save weight.


Manfrotto 144 tripod to Star Adventurer

Balance weight setup 1.7 kg. These are very heavy parts, can be replaced with something not that heavy in the future.


Manfrotto 144 tripod to Star Adventurer

Ball head with holder 1.05 kg.

Much better now with the new tripod, but I need to replace the wedge with something more stable and reduce the total weight. Maybe a lower limit will reach 4 kg not included the camera and lens, that will be a project for the future.

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