I have a Wisner Traditional and was wondering if anyone out there has ever had stops put on the front and back rails to stop them from coming off the tracks when yoiu run out of rail extension? When I shoot straight down using a heavy lens it is awkward when the rail comes off the track. This only happens with maximum extension but still is very annoying.

Thanks, Ken

-- Ken (photo@osbornephoto.com), December 19, 2000

Answers

Try putting in small screws at the end to act as stops. Having a camera without them is more than aggravating. You might check with Ron Wisners factory folks & see if he has them available or if they will put some on for you if you send it to them. This is something that should have been there from the factory.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), December 19, 2000.

I smashed my Wisner Traditional this way when I swung the camera over my shoulder and the front shot off, taking the back with it. I found the back stiff enough I didn't need a stop but I easily made one for the front - I used some thin brass sheet material (available at hobby stores), about 1/2 inch by 2 inches. I put a slight curve into the brass before I attached it with a single round head screw and mounted it on the flat bed, at the side, and in such a position that when pushed down, the front came off, the brass fitting nicely in a small notch in the front standard back piece but when left alone, it stopped the camera at maximum front extension. It was light, cheap and totally effective.

-- George Barr (george.barr@home.com), March 25, 2001.