berlebach tripod?

laz · Sep 7, 2005

I just spent some time in the APUG archives reading past advice/suggestions regarding tripods for LF. The Berlebach tripod came up and greatly interests me. I have a Korona 8x10 (I haven't weighed it by it's no lightweight)

Does anyone who owns one, considered one, got rid of one have anything to say about any drawbacks? I seen praise for stability is this correct?

Its price is very attractive to me as I don't want to mortgage the house for a Gitzo.

Thankx
-Bob

matt miller · Sep 7, 2005

I have the 3032 and love it. I have a bogen 3047 head on it. The model 3032 has the leveling ball which is super handy. Some folks don't use a tripod head with it, but I prefer to. It is very sturdy, but quite long with the head attached.

MenacingTourist · Sep 7, 2005

I have two older models and and have 3047 heads on both of them. No complaints and when I buy another tripod it will probably be a Berlebach.

laz · Sep 7, 2005

MenacingTourist said:
I have two older models and and have 3047 heads on both of them..

I hadn't thought about a Bogen head on a Berlebach, but now that you mention it it makes perfect sense! Are any of the Berlebach heads worth considering?

-Bob

BradS · Sep 7, 2005

I have an 8043 with a bogen/Manfroto hex plate QR thingy on top. No need for a head. It is a very nice tripod. Use it with all my larger 4x5 cameras. I'm pretty sure that this one would also be suitable for use with the 8x10...

scootermm · Sep 7, 2005

I have the berlebach tripod with the 15degree ball head built in. it works WONDERFULLY for my ancient (heavy) 8x10 and the beastly F&S 7x17.

not at the same time of course

Mongo · Sep 7, 2005

About the only drawback to my Berlebach is that I didn't get it sooner. Sorry that I can't help with any information about not getting one or selling one off, but they'll have to pry mine from my cold, dead fingers.

laz · Sep 7, 2005

Mongo said:
but they'll have to pry mine from my cold, dead fingers.

Hmmmm, so you like it, do you?

ChrisC · Sep 8, 2005

I've got an 8003 with a Manfrotto 3047 head, and like previously mentioned I can only sing it's praises. It's not as small as I'd like it to be, but it more than makes up for that with it's stability (it's rock solid with my 4x5 atop) and beautiful looks. I got mine done in nutwood colour too, and it's as close to a perfect match for my Shen Hao you could get.

TheFlyingCamera · Sep 8, 2005

I keep reading folks gushing about the Berlebach tripods, and I'm sure it would be a good match for my Shen Hao 4x5, but I've been looking for something to hold my Calumet C-1 Green Monster 8x10. I have it on a Bogen 3036 tripod, which is stable enough, but a heavy beast to take in the field. I'm using a Gitzo 1570 head, which looks to be too big for the platform on a Berlebach, but seems to be the only head beefy enough to handle the C-1 short of a Majestic or Ries (which are NOT lightweight). Will they handle that camera and head combo? The C-1 weighs 14lbs by itself. Toss on a lens and you're up near 16-18lbs.

RichSBV · Sep 8, 2005

Back when I got my 8x10 B&J Commercial View, at 16 pounds (no lens), I didn't have a tripod that would hold it. I bought a Berlebach 2042. Two leg sections, but with the center column. It held it fine. The B&J does have the tripod mounting block to keep the camera weight centered on the tripod... I think it's about the limit though. I would worry a bit if using any angles on the ball head? I did play with it quite a bit and was happy enough.

I don't use the B&J any more... But I also now have a Berlebach 4032. Two leg sections with no center column. It's quite a bit more sturdy than the 2042 and larger. I would trust that tripod under the B&J with no worries... So it depends a lot on which model you get. They make bigger ones than the 4032 also...

livemoa · Sep 8, 2005

I have two, a smaller three section one whhich I use for up to and including my Linhof 5x4 and a big monster surveyor type one which I use for my Masterview 10x8.

Can't see me buying another for a long time.

Mongo · Sep 8, 2005

TheFlyingCamera said:
I keep reading folks gushing about the Berlebach tripods, and I'm sure it would be a good match for my Shen Hao 4x5, but I've been looking for something to hold my Calumet C-1 Green Monster 8x10.

My picture, over there to the left, is me under the dark cloth of my own Green Monster, mounted on my Berlebach. Absolutely solid, even at full extension. The Berlebach is a perfect match for the C1. (The lens, by the way, is a Nikkor 480mm f/9 - not exactly a lightweight.)

Edit to add one more note: I have a 3032, and I use the leveling head that comes on the tripod. I've never needed a full-feature head for LF. (I tend not to need more than 10 degrees of tilt if I'm using indirect movements, and about 90% of my shots are made with the tripod head leveled. The bubble level in the leveling head is a nice touch, and the head that's on the tripod is plenty for the C1.)

berlebach tripod?

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