a tripod for long hikes

Hi Folks!

Winter has come to this part of the world, and my winter gear is ready to go. But to think about my Manfrotto, well sometimes it's just too unstable, to heavy to carry on rucksack, and won't go low enough. Now, I'm thinking about one of those fancy Gitzo carbon, or basalt tripods, but would like to hear your opinion, which one is stabile enough to carry Arca Swiss F-line (5x4) with 300 mm lens?

Marko

I have a Gitzo 1548 carbon fibre tripod, it easily holds a 5x4 or 10x8 with 300mm lens. Ar 3Kg it's nice and light for carrying. I use it with the Gitzo 1370m head.

Nothing wrong with carrying carbon tripods, but be aware that they seem to conduct electricity rather good. Think about thunders storms and lightning.

G

argus said:

Nothing wrong with carrying carbon tripods, but be aware that they seem to conduct electricity rather good. Think about thunders storms and lightning.

G

Click to expand...

Well, aluminium does that to, doesn't it? In case of thunder storms, mountains are not the place to be, with carbon, wooden or any other tripod (or without one ).

1548 is a great tripod, but I would defenetely not hike with on of them (like F-line isn't heawy enough).

Marko

Alpine thunder storms don't care too much whether your tripod is metal, wood or granite. They zap indiscriminately.

I use a Gitzo 1349 with no center column and a Sinar pan-tilt head, and sometimes my Arca B1 ballhead. It holds my Norma monorail steady with my set of lenses up to 18" and keeps still in even a medium wind. The Sinar head is more rock-solid than the B1, but I have only noticed a problem with 600 mm focal lengths and more.

The 12xx and Acratech ballhead combination is a popular lighter-weight solution, but I went for the more bombproof solution because I am often photoraphing with longer lenses in windy conditions. Also, I'm all set for larger formats.

The 1349 fits nicely onto the ski pocket and side straps of my rucksack. The Sinar head flops nicely over across the top of the body of the sack, under the storm top-flap, so it's protected from rain and knocks. It's easy to hike and scramble with, even in wellies on wet rock.

I used to own the largest Gitzos (504) and while the mass and height is great when you can afford it, I found that a 1300 or 3 series is more than adequate for most field cameras and lighter monorails like the Norma or Arca. In fact, I am using my Aluminum 326 (4 section, tallest in the series) with an Arca-Swiss B1 for a light 8x10. I tried a carbon tripod but I worry about it getting nicked or scratched, which weakens the leg, plus I like some mass (I'm not a backpacker). Also, some of the early CF tripods came unglued, so be careful buying used.

I have the Gitzo 1325 and use this with Ebony 5x4 and 300mm lens happily. Mounted with either Manfrotto 410 or 405 geared heads. the 410 is much, much lighter, but the 405 nicer to use.

I would go for the Manfrotto 441 Carbon One (Bogen 3443).

Of course, it depends upon what you call a "long hike". I recently carried a Bogen (Manfrotto) 3221W on a 5 hour hike, no problems.

Marko,

I own two Gitzo carbon fiber tripods that I use for hiking, backpacking and occasionally skiing or snowshoeing. They are a modified 1227 (center column removed) and a 1325. The 1325 with an ARCA-SWISS B1 easily supports my 4x5 ARCA-SWISS F-Line with lenses up to 450mm. The total weight of the tripod and head is a little over 6 lb.

I mostly use the 1227 for backpacking with cameras lighter than the ARCA-SWISS, but on occasion I have used it with the ARCA-SWISS on long hikes. I use it with a variety of ballheads ranging from an ultralight Velbon PH-253MG up to the ARCA-SWISS B1. When used with an appropriately strong head (i.e. NOT the little 6 oz. magnesium Velbon ballhead), the 1227 legs are capable of adaquately supporting the ARCA-SWISS under reasonable conditions (i.e. not too windy). Of course, the 1325 offers more stability and would be my first choice for any camera over 5 lbs., but the 1227 (with a proper head) can pressed into service with a heavier camera as long as the conditions aren't too extreme. Just be aware that a 1227 with an ARCA-SWISS B1 and an ARCA-SWISS F-Line perched on top is a rather top heavy rig that can be toppled over in a stiff breeze.

Kerry

Hi Marko,
I have the 1325 Gitzo and the Arca Swiss Cube and it is a marvelous setup for my 4x5 and 8x10 Arcas. Very rigid and very light...Evan Clarke

Thank you, folks!

As is always with this kind of questions, spectre of opinions is very wide, but since my idea is day, or few days hike, I think that I'll follow Kerry's suggestion for 1227 plus sturdy ball head. While geared heads are fun to use, their weight and bulk is more than I would like. After all, 500 g of gear less means half a litre watter more.

Marko