11x14 Deardorff tripod

ClareH · Jan 8, 2019

Hi Guys,

I am new to this forum as of today and was hoping someone might have some advice.

I shoot 11x14 Large format, specifically Deardorff Tintypes. I am looking for a good tripod that can handle the weight of the camera but is not really expensive. Very happy to buy second hand.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

Clare

Kodachromeguy · Jan 8, 2019

Clare, I am impressed. Good for you. That is really neat. But some questions first:
1. How are you supporting the camera now, and does that support not work properly?
2. Indoors or outdoors?
3. How mobile does your kit need to be?

A couple of ideas:
1. The film industry has always had sturdy tripods for heavy equipment. In Australia, I do not know where used cinematography equipment is sold or traded.
2. Decades ago, companies like Deardorff and B&J made big wooden studio supports with casters. Finding a used one: difficult. Some people have them in their parlors as decoration.
3. Wood tripods: the large version of the Zone VI tripod from the 1980s, one of the larger Berlebach units (formerly from East Germany), or the larger Ries (made in USA) might work. Cost: probably high.
4. A used surveyor's tripod. You would need to modify the top to accommodate a camera rather then a total station or other surveying instrument. Cost: variable, possibly reasonable.

jimgalli · Jan 8, 2019

I use the Ries A100 Tripod with the classic "tilt plane" head. The ULF cameras are the only time I use this big brute, using a Manfrotto for 8X10. The Ries is the classic solution and I always feel like it could hold up a corner of my house.

Alan9940 · Jan 8, 2019

I'm sure the standard Zone VI wood tripod would easily hold your camera and I'd be willing to sell mine, but shipping to you would probably be prohibitively expensive.

awty · Jan 8, 2019

Wow! Where did you get that big beast from?
Think you will be struggling to find anything that can handle that weight and size. I use an old Miller film camera tripod with and extra tripod on my 9kg 8x10. As suggested before a surveyors tripod may work but is going to be very awkward. I take it your doing studio work? If so the best option might be to make something, every one Ive seen on the net uses 2x heavy duty tripods (which is really awkward to use) or mobile stand with 2x pillars.
Something like this wouldnt be too hard to make.

jimgalli · Jan 9, 2019

Is this a V11 or a gigantic studio camera? I assumed 1114 field camera V11

jtk · Jan 9, 2019

ClareH said:
Hi Guys,

I am new to this forum as of today and was hoping someone might have some advice.

I shoot 11x14 Large format, specifically Deardorff Tintypes. I am looking for a good tripod that can handle the weight of the camera but is not really expensive. Very happy to buy second hand.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

Clare

You are getting good responses HOWEVER you might also post your need in Photrio Classified section.

Rick A · Jan 9, 2019

Weigh the camera with lens and a film holder in it, then look at what is available that can hold 1.5 - 2 times the weight. I used to own a Century 11x14 field camera that tipped the scales at just over 20 pounds ready to shoot. I owned two tripods capable of handling it, a Majestic 4800 leg set with 1200 series geared head, overkill, and my Induro AT-313 leg set with PHT-2 three way pan head that's rated for 26+ pounds. Both worked extremely well. I sold the camera and the Majestic, still pack the Induro set with my 5x7 Rajdorff

Luis-F-S · Oct 27, 2020

If you want inexpensive look for a Magestic tripod and head. If you want to do it right get a Ries A-100 tripod

Sirius Glass · Nov 16, 2021

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11x14 Deardorff tripod

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