I've own a Bogen 3021 for over 30 years. It's battle scarred and still has bits of gaff tape stuck to it. It's like an old friend. I broke the old locking levers off of it and had to replace the knobs with a different set. It's really made for 120 cameras, but I used it with my Sinar F2 4x5 on it until I could afford a larger Bogen tripod. I sold the original head with the octagonal plate and replaced it with an Arca Swiss ballhead. It was a stretch to buy it while trying to pay for college, but it was a great investment. Can't go wrong with Bogen. I work at university photography and filmmaking department and that's all I buy. I keep a collection of replacment parts because the students are really rough on the gear. Lots of broken knobs, lost plates and bent legs. The transport our tripods on their bikes, skateboards and on public transit. Bogen by far, it's the most durable and easy to repair and maintain.I'd get a used Bogen 3021 with 3047 head. Or their newer Manfrotto versions. Nice combination of height, weight and cost.
The Tiltall was first made by Marchioni, then Leitz. The Star-D is a poor imitation, a real Tiltall is probably the best bargain tripod available.Second the Manfrotto; they have a very nice selection of sticks and heads. They are very rugged, but the larger models can be very heavy.
Added bonus; they appear often on the used market and as Tom suggests, replacement parts are easy to obtain.
Short of that, a nice Gitzo Tiltall, or Star-D copy of a Gitzo tripod, might do the trick for you and they are relatively inexpensive.
Replace a knob on this one and replace the cork on the head, and you'd have a serviceable tripod.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Star-D...209924?hash=item4668fe5844:g:tB4AAOSw8VJZij3F
Why did I NOT see this coming. LOLHere's Man Frodo. https://goo.gl/photos/TEBmm2f9xHwga7RGA
a mid-sized used Manfrotto will do the job nicely.Have both a Mamiya RB67 and a speed graphic which both are very heavy cameras. Was looking to get a nice tripod that will support both of these while not breaking the bank. Don't really know much about tripods and was looking for some advice/recommendations. Thanks
The Tiltall was first made by Marchioni, then Leitz. The Star-D is a poor imitation, a real Tiltall is probably the best bargain tripod available.
Even the Star-D was a decent tripod with some plastic where the others used metal. I used and abused one for years.
Even the Star-D was a decent tripod with some plastic where the others used metal. I used and abused one for years.
It (the Star-D) was decent until those plastic knobs broke.
Those round leg, aluminum, unsexy Bogen/Manfrotto tripods can go fairly cheap if you shop carefully. Another point to consider is how much height you need. Even the lowly Manfrotto 3001 would work for those cameras (in a pinch) IF the legs aren't extended.
I ended up finding a Star D for 30 bucks so bought it to use for now until further down the road can buy a nice Bogen. Now just figuring out how to use it. HaThe Star D variants I have are all aluminum; no plastic at all.
It should be a serviceable tripod until you figure out your specific requirements. I'd rather start with an inexpensive tripod and discover it's limitations for what I want to do and THEN purchase a nice one with all the features I need. You CAN buy a very expensive tripod that is totally unsuitable for what you want to do; which can be a very expensive learning experience.I ended up finding a Star D for 30 bucks so bought it to use for now until further down the road can buy a nice Bogen. Now just figuring out how to use it. Ha
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