Mounting a camera onto scope/mount.

[Davo3960]

Just wondering how everyone mounts their camera to the mount/scope for tracking long exposures. And how do you level it with the horizon? I want to avoid photos like the one attached. At present I use the threaded hole on the top of the scope ring to attach the camera, but this leaves no way of rotating the camera to be level with the horizon.

[iceman]

Hi Dave
You need to get something like a ball joint tripod head, that lets you rotate the camera even after your mount has done it's dance.

I've got a manfrotto one, they're great. The only problem is the bottom thread is like 1/2" instead of the standard 1/4". (bottom of the tripod head, obviously the thread/screw into the camera base is still 1/4").

[gbeal]

Mike, without hijacking this thread, your head likely has an older 3/8" thread. This was common in times gone by, especially with the bigger heads (my Benbo ones have it as well).
You can get (although I don't know where now) a simple screw in ring that fits the 3/8" and then has a 1/4"x20 inside, to fit to some on the newer tripods. Maybe an older camera store, or older ex-photographer will have one.

[Davo3960]

You mean something like this -

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/2315?livid=80|81&lsf=81&child=2


And attach it to the scope ring? somehow?

[[1ponders]]

Ditto to what Mike said.

I have this one
http://shop.centre.net.au/index.html?&redir=shop.centre.net.au&rid=000004&it=product&prid=001117 which has both types of thread (an insert for the 1/4" )but you could make your choice from any of these on these pages.

Manfrotto Heads (http://shop.centre.net.au/index.html?&redir=shop.centre.net.au&rid=000004&looped=&orderby=&search_for=name&currdiv=1&numrecs=20&alphadiv=&it=search&strns=manfrotto_head) (4 pages) but the ball one I find is very easy to use.

[Omaroo]

My Nikkor 300ED has it's own ring mount that rotates and has detents every 90 degrees. It can rest between these of course, giving a full 360 degree-worth of positions to choose from. The camera hangs off the lens and is easy to swivel into position when needed.