Berlebach for RB67

[DJGainer]

I am looking at the Berlebach model 8003 for an RB67. The price is right for me (around $200 + shipping), and the weight is under 5 pounds while being able to support over 20. I plan on using it for hiking/backpacking and other general use. Does anyone have any experience with a wood tripod and an RB67? Or does anyone have another suggestion for a tripod with similar characteristics as well as being able to handle low-angle work like the 8003?

 

[avandesande]

get a decent ball head for it and you will be a happy man...

 

[jeroldharter]

I use a Berlebach for Pentax 67 and Toyo 4x5 field camera. I have the tripod model with only one knob rather than 2 so it is very quick to setup and take down. I have the centerpost with the ball joint which I like. initially I thought I would buy a Really Right Stuff quick release plate and mount that on the center column to save a little weight and money. However, the cost is fairly high so I opted for an Acratech ball head with quick release plates and that works really well. I am pleased with the tripod. It opens wide for low angled work and the tripod legs have small gadgets for stringing up some twine to keep the legs from splaying when opened too wide.

 

[David Brown]

Does anyone have any experience with a wood tripod and an RB67?

I sit mine on top of a small Reis tripod most of the time. (With a Bogen 410 geared head - just for the record) Why? Because I have one. I have no doubt that the metal tripods I own work just as well. I think these things are subjective.

 

[avandesande]

with the big prism on top the ball head is very intuitive.

 

[Justin Cormack]

I am very happy with my Berlebach (with a similar size camera). I kind of wish I had got the one with a single knob even if its slightly bigger, as it would be a little quicker to set up.

 

[dphphoto]

I have 2 Berlebach's. One's so old that they don't even make it anymore. Both work fine for 4X5, so I can't see why an RB would present a problem. Dean

 

[WRSchmalfuss]

Hi DJGainer!

I am using my BERLEBACH Report tripod very successfully with my 6x6 medium format camera, and an telephoto lens of 2,000 mm. Have you ever seen a land surveyor with a metal tripod?

Cheers

 

[Curt]

Jerold, is the one knob model a single leg extension one? I have a Berlebach, model number not printed on the legs and I can't recall which one it is right now, that has two knobs, three leg extensions and is a lot of knob adjusting to setup. I also have a Slik 330DX with three leg extensions per leg but the flip locks make it a snap to setup. I bought the Berlebach model because it was a small package when folded but in retrospect I would have gotten the two leg extension model. I also have a Gitzo Studex with a No. 4 head. The only thing I can say about it is it will hold just about anything I would want to put on it, like dozen ULF's at once. It's just too heavy to take out unless it's next to the car. It's a studio model and is h e a v y.

The perfect tripod would be a Berlebach with quick acting flip locks like the Slik. I am saving for an Acratech ball head, it does look like the best one, and I am considering a larger Slik tripod to use it on.

 

[Curt]

I forgot, the Berlebach tripod is a very nice, well made tripod and I would definitely use one with an RB67. That would be a fine combination. You might want to consider the one knob models and not the two knob per leg models. Saves time in setup.

Good Luck
Curt