Need advice for buying a tripod + head

[Rainer]

Hi all!

I´ve been using an older Manfrotto 055 (Bogen 3011) tripod with a heavy 229 3D (Bogen 3039) head so far - not a perfect combination of course. The tripod is far to lightweight for this heavy head.

I like the 229 (3039) head very much but would like to get a new tripod very soon or a new tripod/head combination.

I´m using an Arca 4x5 F-Line with lenses from 58 to 450mm and do mostly architecture and landscape.

I´m NOT willing to spend >1000,- for a Gitzo Carbon plus Arca B2 Ballhead and I do NOT exactly look like Arnold Schwarzenegger - so a 12lb Gitzo Geant 1504 is not a good idea ... ;-)

Thanks for your suggestions!

[Nick_3536]

I bought the Giottos 9180. It's relatively cheap. Rated at 26lbs I think. It's not that light but not 12lbs either. With the 329RC4 head on the top it's handled everything from 5x7 to a 15 lb 8x10.

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

Rainer. You could consider a wooden tripod. Since you put it clear that you do not want an expensive carbon-fibre tripod, look at the various manufacturers of wooden tripods.
For example I use a Berlebach # 8013, weight is 2.4 kg without head and it will hold 8 kg. The ratio between the load capacity and the tripod weigth is excellent with wooden tripods.
Probably you'll ask for something slightly stronger, but you prabably do not need a centre post, avery adjustement can be done with the legs and tripod head.
After you've saved money on the tripod, since you mention architecture, may be you could consider the Arca Cube C1 as a tripod head ;-);-)

[Ted Harris]

When it comes to solid tripods a limited budget and lightweight are at least partially mutually exclusive. But a couple of suggetions that do not totally break the bank:

1) One of the best an dmost precise heads around is the Majestic. You can find them used for less than $100. Only drawback they are large and heavy!

2) Think beyond Gitzo and Bogen for tripods. While you are looking for the Majextic head you will also find lots of Majextic pods with heads already mounted. Again not light but you will find nothing sturdier. Look at Berlbach wooden 'pods. Look at the Linhof 3414 ... it is a relatively light 'pod that easily takes up to 20 lbs and is rock solid. I normally usea Linhof 3414 with an Acratech head for everything up to 5x7 and it takes my Canham 5x7 racked all the way out and all is well. Your total outlay for that 'pod and head new will be around 700. Used a lot less.

[Mark Sawyer]

I have two main tripods for 8x10, and recommend them both. My classic wooden tripod is an old Ries; 15 pounds, but a super strong support. I also have an old Bogen 3021 aluminum tripod with a 3057 head. The tripod is only rated at 13 pounds, but it holds my weight (about 200 pounds), so I figure it's okay for an 8x10. (The 3057 head is rated for 26.5 pounds.) The tripod/head together weigh just under ten pounds.

[Ellis Vener]

for my 4x5 Arca rig I regularly use a Gitzo 1325 (aluminum) tripod with an Arca-Swiss B1 monoball head. A decent alternative head is the Manfrotto/ Bogen #410 Mini-geared head but it isn't completely ideal.

[Miguel Curbelo]

Ellis, the only tripod head I have had is the Manfrotto/ Bogen #410 Mini-geared head. Out of curiosity, in what sense is it not ideal? I'm not suggesting it is, I'm simply wondering -since I am not acquainted with any other head- what shortcomings you feel it has.

[Alick Crossley]

I have the same camera, and just purchased the bogen 410 head and the gitzo 1410 legs, with rapid column. Which, despite what others say, really isn't that heavy. I would like to get carbon fiber too, in the future, but I like the extra weight of metal for stability. You will need a column for this combo though, to get full movement out of the head. I got some Optech leg covers too, which I haven't put on yet. Total price is around $600.

[Eric Woodbury]

A tripod that is seldom talked about that I like very much is the Paillard Bolex tripod. (Not the praying mantis type.)They come up for sale on ebay regularly. Not heavy. Very strong. I've used them for 810 and 57. I don't like the heads that come with them as they are intended for 16mm movie cameras. I put a low profile Gitzo with a large platform on mine. Good news is they are cheap. Always under a $100. There was just one that didn't sell and the minimum was only $24.

[Gem Singer]

Hi Ranier,

Take a look at the Bogen/Manfrotto 475 tripod legs with the 329RC4 head. The new RC4 quick release plate is a teriffic improvement over the old hex-type QR plate. For a little more money, the 475 legs are also available in a black finish. The 475 seems to be a good balance between size and weight, and it easily supports my 8X10 Tachi with a relatively heavy weight lens mounted on it.

[Mike Davis]

I second the Berlebach recommendations. I bought myself a Berlebach 3032 for Christmas. It is the model with the leveling ball rather than a center column and I use it without a head for both my 5x7 B&J and my Toyo View G. I really like this setup. Its lighter than my heavy film tripod, heavier duty that my System 1 with ball head, and works for my style. It lets me get very low to the ground (3 inches). I don't go that low often but I do use it quite a bit at 30 of so inches.

As for the Arnold comment, 12lbs, that's not heavy. Hulk my bogen 3033 legs and fluid head around for awhile, especially with a 16mm Arri in the other hand. :-) After over a year of this monstrosity as my standard tripod for LF, the Berlebach is a great alternative.

[Harley Goldman]

I have the same camera and the same lens range. I use a Gitzo 1325 and an Acratech ballhead. I can tighten down the ballhead and throw the whole rig over my shoulder and hike around. The camera does not budge on the ballhead. For me, that is the ultimate test of a ballhead's ability to hold without slipping. It also a very lightweight ballhead and not too expensive.

[Frank Petronio]

Asthetically, I never liked the idea of putting a high-tech CNC-made black Arca onto a classic wooden tripod or a clunky (but excellent) heavy-metal Majestic. Really, a Gitzo is the best the way to go, and since you've already demonstrated that you are crazy enough to spend the big bucks on an Arca and a rack of 58mm to 450mm view lenses, now is hardly the time to think cheap. Especially when a solid tripod will be the single most important factor in getting sharp photos (compared to buying more expensive lenses.)

If you need to save money buy the Gitzo 326 I have on eBay right now ;-). I'm going the other way and opting for a CF wonder, as the cold winters and metal tripods are really a detriment to going out photographing.

That 1504 is probably the right tripod for the 450mm, sad to say. Based on what I've read here, alot of folks are under tripoded - aren't some of you nuts using little Gitzo 1227s with 8x10s?!?

[Scott Fleming]

What Frank said!

Stop kidding yourself. Spend the money.

[Steve Hamley]

What Scott and Frank said:

Don't under tripod yourself. The tripod is as important as the lens. Gitzo without a center column: I use an Ebony SV45U on a Gitzo 1348 without a center column, and get incredibly sharp pics.

Steve

[Scott Rosenberg]

hello rainer...

my 'field' tripod is a bogen 3031 with a 410 junior geared head. the 410 recently replaced my 468 proball head, which was VERY stable (rated to something like 36 pounds) but a but overkill for my TK45S. i find the geared head to be far easier to use, as you can make fine adjustments to one axis without disrupting the other two... one of those things i wish i bought a long time ago!

good luck,
scott

[neil poulsen]

I purchased the 3039 head, and it's by far the best head I've ever owned. It's the upscale version of the venerable 3047 head and is rated for 26 lbs. Even Bogen's 3057, 4.5 lbs heavy-duty head doesn't match that spec.

I think this head makes an excellent combination when used on the Bogen 475 Pro Geared Tripod. I have an Arca Classic F, and it works great with this combination. The 475 is an improved version of the old 3036. The center column is more sturdy. Like the 3036, the 475 has legs that can be independantly locked to any angle. This makes this tripod excellent for landscape, where one is usually faced with non-flat terrain.

In addition, the 475 also has a center-brace system for the legs. One problem with the older 3036, was that it took a bit of adjustment for each leg every time one wanted to use the tripod on a flat surface. This center-brace eliminates this problem. While they discuss it, the Bogen site doesn't really show a photo of this center-brace system. It's a significant improvement.

[Jeff Morfit]

I have to agree with Neil. I recently purchased a Bogen 475 with a 3039 head because my old 3041 is really starting to show its age. You can buy them as a set from B&H where I bought mine. I have tried it out with my Cambo SC 4x5 monorail camera and the 475/3039 combo is very steady and versitle. Another reason that I purchased the 475 is because I also shoot Mamiya 645 medium format. This includes the 500mm f5.6 telephoto lens which weighs about five pounds. The tripod is rock steady with this lens as well as the 4x5 equipment.

[robert_4927]

Frank, I told Deb you refered to her as a nut....lol...When my girlfriend moved from 4x5 to 8x10 she already had, I think it is, the 1228 ( four piece legs instead of three like the 1227)..I too suggested a stronger tripod, but being the tightwade she is she claimed the 1228 was more than adequate. Now granted she's mounting a 9.5lb 8x10 but I was surprised to see how well it handled it. As A matter of fact it didn't even grunt. This little 3.5lb tripod is rated at 18 lb so with lens and filmholder she is probably getting close to max. Then again I've seen her practically sit on this thing, something I won't let her do to my ries backpacker. Carbon composite is pretty tough stuff. Also, one piece of advice i will offer is forget about a center post. With a center post all you have is a monopod with legs. And if you want to lighten the pack even more, leave the head at home and mount to the tripod. You'll be surprised the movements you can do without a head, using the legs and your camera movements. But the best piece of advice any large format photog can give you is....Hire an assistant or a porter. Also good pack mule is worth his weight in gold ( and yes I mean the four legged version) Now if you're only going a hundred yards from the car buy the heaviest, sturdiest, gear you can find. I'm talking about gear that we carry on three and four day treks at times at altitudes over 7000 ft. Up there a 5lb weight savings is a little more appreciated.

[robert_4927]

Something to consider .I also have a gitzo G1340 studex 3 (I think it's called.) with a 1570 3 way pan head. Not very heavy and will hold a horse. I would stay away from ball heads, after using a 3way pan a ballhead is just a headache..( flopping around as you try to set up)..with the pan you can tilt 2 ways plus swing..Nothing more aggravating than to have your camera all level and just need a tad of tilt and then when you crack the ball head loose your 8x10 is moving in every direction.

[Ellis Vener]

Ellis, the only tripod head I have had is the Manfrotto/ Bogen #410 Mini-geared head. Out of curiosity, in what sense is it not ideal?

This is of course a subjective view. I hated the manfrotto QR system and after a year or two. Also it really isn't designed to hold a large relatively heavy heavy monorail camera especially if you are using long lenses. It is fine for field cameras.

If rainer doesn't mind not having lateral tilt I think the best head for a view camera at a reasonable price will be either a Sinar Pan Tilt head (if you don't mind not having lateral tilt or the versatility of a ball head -this is the best tripod head I've used) or a Linhof double tilt pan head. I've never owned the latter but it is supposedly terrific. I'd look for used models on eBay if you don't have the budget for a new one.

[Stan. Laurenson-Batten]

For my Sinar P and lighter gear gear I use the Gitzo G1345( without CC or QR) with Gitzo 1570M three way head. Will take the biggest formats. a joy to use. It has taken me years to arrive at this combination, for me cannot be bettered.

[paulr]

I've probably been spoiled by never having used an expensive tripod, so maybe I'm living in the ignorant bliss of not knowing what I'm missing.

With that disclaimer in mind, I've had nothing but good luck with the pair of tripods I've been using for years: a zone vi "lightweight" wood tripod and bogen 3021. Both of these have bogen 3047 heads, which I find to be simple, fast, smooth, and solid. You could squeak by with 5x7 on the bogen tripod; no problem with 8x10 on the zone vi. I like the quick release system a lot; I'm curious to know why some people don't.

The little bogen is strong (unlike Mark, I haven't had the guts to actually sit on it), although much less stable in the wind. I use it mostly with a small camera or if i have to carry it more than a mile. The zone vi is like a tree. Very stable. The wood is smooth, which makes it relatively easy to carry, but I still find it will bruise my shoulder if I lug it around all day. I like the wood a lot for handling in cold weather. Much friendlier on the hands. I don't know the actual weight, but I'll guess it's about 12lbs with the head. I got it used for under $200 years ago. The reis tripods look nicer, and lighter for the same strength (they don't have that "fred picker made it in shop class" vibe ... but reis also wants some money.

Does anyone have problems with Gitzos jamming in the field? A friend of mine uses one for landscape photography and doesn't recommend it ... says that the telescoping legs are so precisely fitted that it just takes a grain of sand to jam the whole works and keep it from closing. Loves it in the studio, though.

[robert_4927]

Paul, Have your friend contact gitzo about the problem . We have dragged ours through mud, sand and have even knocked one over a 150 ' ravine. After the climb down to retrieve it let me just say the tripod was in much better shape than I was. Thankfully the camera wasn't mounted yet...Never had one jamb even after the drop test.

[Frank Petronio]

The advantage of having a Gitzo is that it is field strippable, and with a tiny bit of care they will last forever. If my Gitzo's legs get dirty, I simply wipe them before collapsing them. A looser Bogen or Brand X will tolerate more grime before locking up, but thay all will be galled by grime. At least with the Gizo I can replace the bushings and be as good as new - no so with the cheaper brands.

For architectural work I've been using a giant 504 I could literally use as a ladder. I am finally going over to the hobbiest favorite 1348CF, as that beast is just too heavy and cold for everyday work.