Berlebach tripods?

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Hello fellow photographers,

I recently acquired (for free) a Berlebach wooden (ash) tripod. It is made in Germany, feels very solid and has a built in ball head (with level) capable of supporting cameras as heavy as 20 lbs.
I was wondering if anybody here at the forum know anything about these tripods.
The only thing I know is that people on Arctic expeditions have liked them because of their fairly light weight, flexibility and durability. Not a bad sign, but still - I'm not likely to go on an Arctic expedition anytime soon... Although it gets really cold in Minnesota where I live. I'll be grateful for the low thermal conductivity wood has.

Thankful for enlightenment,

- Thomas
Saint Paul

 

[bmac]

San Jose is hardly "arctic", but I love my bach. It supports my 8x10 and didn't kill my wallet. Sean has one too.

 

[galyons]

Great tripods. A solid foundation for both 6x6 SLR and 4x5 field cameras. Have used mine for nearly 3 years in all conditions...wet, dry, muddy, salty, all iterations of snow. Hose off, a little old fashion floor paste wax and it looks near new!!

Cheers,

Geary

 

[John Koehrer]

Another great thing about a wooden tripod is the ability to dampen vibration in addition to the fact you won't freeze to it in the winter.

 

[mark]

Hello fellow photographers,

I recently acquired (for free) a Berlebach wooden (ash) tripod. It is made in Germany, feels very solid and has a built in ball head (with level) capable of supporting cameras as heavy as 20 lbs.
I was wondering if anybody here at the forum know anything about these tripods.
The only thing I know is that people on Arctic expeditions have liked them because of their fairly light weight, flexibility and durability. Not a bad sign, but still - I'm not likely to go on an Arctic expedition anytime soon... Although it gets really cold in Minnesota where I live. I'll be grateful for the low thermal conductivity wood has.

Thankful for enlightenment,

- Thomas
Saint Paul

Don't believe the others. It is a piece of crap. You should get rid of it right now. Just because I am a nice guy I'll even pay the shipping, to myself of course, just so you won't have to use such junk.

 

[Eric Rose]

Add me to the list of happy users.

 

[Mongo]

I got mine as a present for my birthday earlier this year, and I love it. It supports my "Green Monster" (Calumet C1 8x10) very well...a combination that's sturdy even in windy conditions with the bellows racked out.

 

[Tom Stanworth]

You are rather lucky. I want one. This reminds me of the time I bought a car for £1500, the engine went bang and cost £1000. I then found out a mate gave away an identical car to another friend for the princely sum of £200. That one was reliable.
That hurt!

Lucky you!

Tom

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Well,

thanks everybody who contributed to this thread! I have now tried it out. Whether I'm using my 4x5, Rollei 6x6 or 35mm, it is sooooo easy to set up. It's very steady, plus it's actually fairly light. Works great! I'd recommend it to anyone who has a 20lb camera or lesser.

- Thomas