4X5 tripod..............Carbon fiber or Aluminum for hiking???

John Wiegerink · Feb 24, 2017

I've recently posted that my 4 3/4 X 6 1/2 aka. 4X5 Toyo Field camera is up and running with new bellows and tune-up. Now the question of tripods? The camera with lens and holder weighs 7lbs. I'm looking for a tripod that collapses to around 15 to 18", doesn't weigh a ton and is a sturdy enough platform for field work. Oh, and here's the catch.........costs under $150.00 used. I'd love Carbon Fiber, but for the distances I'll be hiking it won't make much difference. I know we're most likely talking used, which I have no problem with. Here's what I have now. My work horse is a Bogen 3033 with a large German Kaiser ball head, which is just way to big and heavy to backpack for this 67yr. old fart. Two Bogen 3001's, which might work, but might be a tad on the light side. I was looking at a used Benro flat traveler as it would handle over 17lbs., folds flat and collapse short. They have no center column, but I don't really care about that much. Any other suggestions in the "used" $150.00 range? I'm sure this question will get chewed on and spit out my some on this forum. Hey, opinions appreciated!

Ronald Moravec · Feb 24, 2017

As you age they only get heavier. Aluminum pods are garbage except for Getzo which would be like carrying a dump truck. Wood like Ries or Berlbach are best and spike into the ground. Ain`t cheap or light.

I have a 3 section Getzo Reporter, my son a four section. He found his at KEH.com used for $100. Mine is carbon, his is basalt or carbon, I forget.

Watch your weight limits and remember a view with extended bellows is a wind catcher and can end up on the grounds easily. Plenty of cameras are destroyed that way, even 35 mm.

Be sure it goes high enough so you can stand straight without using a center column . Center columns defeat the purpose of a tripod. Ries or my Berlbach do not have them. I can not imagine being hunched over behind a short pod adjusting a camera. This of course makes them bigger, heavier, and more expensive, but is the only way with a view camera. This explains why Weston, I think, said if it is more than 500 feet from his truck, it is not photogenic. Adams had a platform on top of his Harvester travel-all. View camera work is difficult and tedious. I have a two wheel photo cart with large fiberglass box to move my LF gear. It has large 8" wheels to go anywhere there is pavement or trail. Small wheels do not work. Backpack or more rustic hiking.

Adams took "Clearing winter storm" from a car park .

John Wiegerink · Feb 25, 2017

I plan on getting just a bit further away from the car, at least more than Weston did. I should have mentioned that I also have a black Leitz Tiltall tripod, but would probably rather use the Bogen 3001. My pack would contain three lenses, 8 holders, roll-film adapter, camera and dark cloth. The tripod attached to the side.

jeffreyg · Feb 25, 2017

Why not test with the Tiltall? A number of years ago I took my Toyo Field 4x5 on two trips with my Leitz Tiltall and it worked just fine. As mentioned wind could be a factor but I never had that problem as there was no heavy wind. Also consider keeping your gear in a proper camera backpack ad get a tripod shoulder strap. Check the Op/tec brand. My Tiltall collapsed is 24 inches.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

wiltw · Feb 25, 2017

Can't afford a carbon fiber beast for 4x5, the only choice is WOOD!
Aluminum is ghastly heavy if you want anything in aluminum with a modicum of resistance to vibration and with stiffness.

John Wiegerink · Feb 25, 2017

jeffreyg said:
Why not test with the Tiltall? A number of years ago I took my Toyo Field 4x5 on two trips with my Leitz Tiltall and it worked just fine. As mentioned wind could be a factor but I never had that problem as there was no heavy wind. Also consider keeping your gear in a proper camera backpack ad get a tripod shoulder strap. Check the Op/tec brand. My Tiltall collapsed is 24 inches.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

It's actually a toss-up between the Leitz Tiltall and the Bogen 3001. Size and weight wise the Bogen is a little better, but the Tiltall might just be a little more sturdy. Still very close. I have thought about wood, but they are hard to find used and new is out of my price range for the amount of use it will get. I might just give both the bogen 3001 and the Tiltall trial runs and see how they work. As to high winds? If it's that windy you won't see this frail old fart out 'cause I don't want to blow over either.

Alan Gales · Feb 25, 2017

I picked up a nice used wooden Berlebach off Ebay for $150.00 once. Check around on Ebay and see what you find.

John Wiegerink · Feb 25, 2017

Alan Gales said:
I picked up a nice used wooden Berlebach off Ebay for $150.00 once. Check around on Ebay and see what you find.

Damn, you got the one I was after! Just kidding of course. I did check and will keep on checking since I can get by with what I have for now.

Alan Gales · Feb 25, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
Damn, you got the one I was after! Just kidding of course. I did check and will keep on checking since I can get by with what I have for now.

I sold mine a few years ago to buy a Ries. You don't want to know the Ebay deals I got on my Ries A100 and J100 tripods!

If you are patient and keep watching there are still deals that show up on Ebay from time to time. Good luck!

John Wiegerink · Feb 25, 2017

Alan,
I can get by for a while or maybe longer if I have too. It's not like I need one right this minute. Besides, I'm Dutch and when it comes to money we Dutch can be very, very patient.

bdial · Feb 25, 2017

Wood is a good choice if carbon is too expensive and aluminum too heavy.
Thalhammer tripods are nice, and can support a 4x5 with no problem, and are generally less dear than Ries, Berlebach or Zone VI, though based on my quick search just now, maybe people are catching on to them.

Tim Stapp · Feb 25, 2017

John, I'm only part Dutch. Therefore, when I'm patient and the deals come along the cash isn't available to jump on them. Occasionally I'm wrong.

Alan Gales · Feb 25, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
Alan,
I can get by for a while or maybe longer if I have too. It's not like I need one right this minute. Besides, I'm Dutch and when it comes to money we Dutch can be very, very patient.

John, I'm mostly Irish/Dutch. Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to money!

Kodachromeguy · Feb 25, 2017

Another option for wood: consider a Crown No. 4 or No. 3 wood tripod. These were made by Eastman Kodak, Folmer and Schwing, or Graflex (probably all by the same factory in Rochester, NY). The legs fold and telescope into a reasonably compact size and unclip from the head. They used to be cheap on the 'Bay", but the price has crept up. If you buy a beater, you can refinish the wood and varnish it with some spar varnish. In my opinion, the Ries and Zone VI are too bulky and heavy for convenient hiking.
If you do not want wood: carbon fiber is the other logical choice because the carbon dampens vibration, just like wood. My co-travelers on a recent trip to Cuba had Chinese-made carbon tripods, and they loved them.

John Wiegerink · Feb 25, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
Another option for wood: consider a Crown No. 4 or No. 3 wood tripod. These were made by Eastman Kodak, Folmer and Schwing, or Graflex (probably all by the same factory in Rochester, NY). The legs fold and telescope into a reasonably compact size and unclip from the head. They used to be cheap on the 'Bay", but the price has crept up. If you buy a beater, you can refinish the wood and varnish it with some spar varnish. In my opinion, the Ries and Zone VI are too bulky and heavy for convenient hiking.
If you do not want wood: carbon fiber is the other logical choice because the carbon dampens vibration, just like wood. My co-travelers on a recent trip to Cuba had Chinese-made carbon tripods, and they loved them.

The Crown No. 3 and No. 4 sound like good options. Maybe not as fast to setup, but this is 4X5 and not 35mm snap-shooter. I like the idea of a beater and a nice refinish job. Sad part is I'll be putting a metal tone finish camera on a wood tripod.
I'm not much into Chinese tripods, but I would consider one if I knew which one? I looked at some Carbon Fiber Chinese tripods on eBay, but don't know which ones would hold my 7 to 8lb. camera. They all give max. loads, but I don't know how accurate their max. load really is. Yes, I would buy a Chinese Carbon Fiber if I knew which one to buy.

Kodachromeguy · Feb 25, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
Yes, I would buy a Chinese Carbon Fiber if I knew which one to buy.

The Benro may be the premier Chinese tripod manufacturer: http://www.benrousa.com/products/photo-tripods/.
Companies like RRS Really Right Stuff have nice carbons, too, and they may well be made in China.

John Koehrer · Feb 25, 2017

Of the Tiltall and 3001 I think carrying the 3001 for a 4X5 would be, umm frustrating.
Even the revered mr. Adams used a Tiltall at one time. No problem at all with a 7# camera.

Patrick Robert James · Feb 26, 2017

Tripod stability=mass. If you can put a hook on the 3001 and hang something heavy from it, like your camera bag, then you could make it work. I have a 3001 but I practically never use it, but it isn't too bad. Not sure I would put a 4x5 on it though....

Once you use a carbon fiber tripod, it is hard to go back. I have a Gitzo. Painful to buy, not so painful to carry! Life is short. If you sell your other tripods, the Gitzo won't be too painful. There may also be other carbon fiber tripods that are comparable to the Gitzo in weight. Don't be afraid of them. I am sure they are much cheaper. If I were you, I would sell all of the tripods you have and get one that is exactly what you want. Like I said, life is short, and you will probably end up there anyway.

Alan Gales · Feb 26, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
The Benro may be the premier Chinese tripod manufacturer: http://www.benrousa.com/products/photo-tripods/.
Companies like RRS Really Right Stuff have nice carbons, too, and they may well be made in China.

According to the RRS website their tripods are completely made in the United States.

Ries tripods are also completely made in the United States.

Yeah, I know how surprising it is to find anything made here anymore.

Doremus Scudder · Feb 26, 2017

John,

I've been using Bogen/Manfrotto 3205 tripods for my field work for years with fine results. It is just slightly larger than the 3001. I use the three-way 3025 head (three-way head without handles) and the entire set up is quite light and portable. I think the numbers are different now, but with a little Googling you should be find the modern equivalents. My camera is usually a Wista DX wooden folder; a bit lighter than your Toyo. The tripods are both rated at 11.1 lbs. For heavier cameras I have wooden tripods.

My philosophy concerning tripods is different than many. I just need something to hold the camera still for a few seconds (or less) at a time. Lightweight means more vibration from wind, etc., which means I have to wait for a break in the wind or shield the set-up or find a faster shutter speed sometimes. This is a small trade-off for portability IM-HO. What is important to me is a lightweight head that tightens down securely.

Best,

Doremus

John Wiegerink · Feb 26, 2017

John Koehrer said:
Of the Tiltall and 3001 I think carrying the 3001 for a 4X5 would be, umm frustrating.
Even the revered mr. Adams used a Tiltall at one time. No problem at all with a 7# camera.

John,
Actually the two are not that much different. I give the edge to the Tiltall for rigidity, but carry wise I can't see much difference. I've also been looking into the Monfrotto MT055 series carbon fiber tripods since they seem like a pretty good "bang for the buck" carbon fiber tripods. More than I really wanted to pay, but I'm willing if they are really worth it. Anyone have any experience with the MT055 series Monfroto's

Vaughn · Feb 26, 2017

I would go with a Gitzo Al Reporter. What is the weight difference between the Al and carbon fiber -- 2 pounds perhaps? But I might be biased. I carry a 17 pound tripod/head around for the 8x10, so my Reporter (for 4x5 amd 5x7) seems light to me! But you got 5 years on me -- perhaps I will be thinking carbon fiber in 5 years!

John Wiegerink · Feb 26, 2017

Vaughn said:
I would go with a Gitzo Al Reporter. What is the weight difference between the Al and carbon fiber -- 2 pounds perhaps? But I might be biased. I carry a 17 pound tripod/head around for the 8x10, so my Reporter (for 4x5 amd 5x7) seems light to me! But you got 5 years on me -- perhaps I will be thinking carbon fiber in 5 years!

I have a much heavier tripod for my 8X10 also, but use Weston's theory about not being far from the car with that outfit. I think the difference between 4lbs. and 6lbs. is trivial for the first 5 miles. That tells me I could get by just find with the Gitzo Reporter since I pretty much know I will never, as long as I live, hike 5 miles at one time. Vaughn, is that the model of your Gitzo..........Al Reporter?

Sirius Glass · Feb 26, 2017

I found that the Induro carbon fiber tripods and heads were less expensive and just as good as the high priced brands. http://www.indurogear.com/

Vaughn · Mar 15, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
I have a much heavier tripod for my 8X10 also, but use Weston's theory about not being far from the car with that outfit. I think the difference between 4lbs. and 6lbs. is trivial for the first 5 miles. That tells me I could get by just find with the Gitzo Reporter since I pretty much know I will never, as long as I live, hike 5 miles at one time. Vaughn, is that the model of your Gitzo..........Al Reporter?

Hey, John! Just got back from a couple weeks photographing in the desert. F**k Weston (or whoever) -- while I did take some images from near the van, usually I was out hiking with the 8x10 for several hours at a time (hard to use 'miles' since I was off-trail, climbing in and out of washes, over dunes and all that). I just happen to like walking and the process of discovery that I can not get when driving.

"Al" is just aluminum, not part of their nomenclature. I have an older Reporter Performance -- has different settings to spread the legs out...don't use that function much. I use a Studex (300 series) for my Norma 5x7.

4X5 tripod..............Carbon fiber or Aluminum for hiking???

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency