Majestic "Bencher" Tripod gear head. Why not go all out?

So,

Struggling for support... and there it was:


The Majestic "Bencher" Tripod studio head. Crank it! Crank it!

I just think the world should know about an inappropriate stigma attached to these giant tripod heads. I bought this one to support an 8x10 camera that made regular tripods feel like they were made of jello. With the "Bencher," things became instantly rock solid. Compared with more fashionable alternatives, the price is good too.

The one thing that people don't seem to know is that these heads are quite reasonable in weight, and only have a mild possibility of maiming a helpless bystander. This is all relative, mind you.

I used this thing outside of the safety of the studio for years, and it was great with the 8x10, various 4x5s, and especially the Pentax 6x7s. The crank adjustment is particularly fun. Makes you feel like a machinist, and makes fine vertical adjustments weirdly satisfying. There is always a supply of them, so you can sell yours if you need the space, and not worry about being able to get another one.

Only thing to watch out for, apparently, is when the gears get worn, and some play appears, like the steering box of a 1970s Camaro. I can't imagine what camera could do that though, and being that this thing appears to be bigger AND more rugged than a detroit steering box... Hard to imagine in any case. Maybe that's just a rumor.

Worth a try.

Next week blatherings about a lesser known, but surprisingly magnificent 4x5 press camera. Oh, joy!