Choosing a tripod, Induro?, Flashpoint?

GJA · Jun 26, 2009

I have a Sinar F and I am trying to choose an appropriate tripod for it.

I dont have a lot to spend so im ruling out gitzo.

For about $100, i could get the A214 Induro, which is alloy and supports 4kg (17.6lbs) which I believe will be just about enough.

Adorama offers a carbon fiber tripod, the Flashpoint CF1228 which supports the same amount and is $180.

There is a tripod i saw in the latest Freestyle catalog that was also CF, a little cheaper (154???) and a little less strong (15.5lbs??). But I seem to have lost that publication and cant find the specific model on the website.

Can anyone tell me about any of these models, better yet about using them with LF cameras?

Thanks, GJA

Mark Fisher · Jun 26, 2009

I can't comment on those specificially, but I do own a Feisol tripod (CT3401) and is is an amazing tripod for $220. It is as good or better than the Gitzos I've played with. You can buy it through Kerry Thallman at Really Big Cameras....he is easy to work with an a true gentleman. I use it for both medium format and 4x5 (small Tachihara) and it is more than rigid enough.

Mark

Laurent · Jun 26, 2009

Hi,

I owned a Sinar and used it with my Manfrotto 055 tripod.... it felt a bit flimsy event if it's not a light tripod. I finally bought a used Gitzo (old N°4, aluminium tripod) and it felt about right.

With my Tachihara I'm using a Berlebach (9033 in this case). If I was to buy a Sinar again, I'd consider a bigger Berlebach (UNI series if I remember well).

simulatordan · Jun 26, 2009

Hello GJA

4kg = 8lb 13 ozs approx : 1 kg = 2.204 lbs

So if you need to support 17/18 lbs then you need a tripod which will take at least 8 Kg ( 18 / 2.204 = 8.16..... )

Regards Daniel

GJA · Jun 26, 2009

Hi, yes, I realize that I made a mistake converting to KG. I put them in because I thought there are many people who use metric on this site. I of course am an American and we are hopeless with measures and units and especially so with the metric system. Forgive my math errors, you are right, it seems that the tripods I have been looking at are actually 8kg ones.

DanielStone · Jun 26, 2009

try to find a used gitzo all the way. i gots a series V for a steal a few weeks back with a pan-tilt head, and this thing is ROCK-SOLID! my friends 12x20 camera is right at home on this thing! its a heavy mother(22 lbs or so), and being aluminum, its great in all weather conditions. if i had more $, i'd have carbon fiber(gitzo still), but I'm saving for a good ball head( arca swiss or Linhof), used of course.

i put my f100 all the way up to my f2 8x10 on this old gal, and she's never complained. rock solid all the way

a lot of the wooden tripods are nice. berlebach and the such.... they're not cheap, but from what I've read and heard, they're EXCELLENT at dampening vibrations from wind, etc.

DanielStone · Jun 26, 2009

GJA said:
Hi, yes, I realize that I made a mistake converting to KG. I put them in because I thought there are many people who use metric on this site. I of course am an American and we are hopeless with measures and units and especially so with the metric system. Forgive my math errors, you are right, it seems that the tripods I have been looking at are actually 8kg ones.

hey, i'm as american as they come . i still prefer metric though. 5.240 doesn't seem right compared to 1.000. 10's are easier for me to wrap my brain around compared to 12's and 1/8's,etc......

GJA · Jun 26, 2009

Im planing on making a wooden tripod later this summer but cant wait to use my camera.

I think I have narrowed it down to either the Induro A214 or the Induro A414.

These are the ones that fit my budget. Does anyone have positive or negative experience with these tripods or the Benro equivalent?

Also, if I have a load under the weight limit of either, will the stronger tripod do me any good?

Dave Dawson · Jun 27, 2009

Has anyone used a theodolite tripod?
Cheers Dave

richard ide · Jun 27, 2009

I have a Wild tripod which I use for 4 x 5 and 8 x 10. I am quite sure it is strong enough to stand on.

GJA · Jun 27, 2009

I imagine that a Wild would be far to heavy for my taste. Obviously surveying tripods are built to last in rough environments and also to hold a lot of weight.

Where could I buy one cheap? Ebay doesnt seem to be filled with them.

Also, has anyone had experiance with the Tiltall TE-01B Tripod? Also cheap and looks sturdy, not light and I cant find a load limit anywhere.

c6h6o3 · Jun 27, 2009

Have a look at this. There is no better tripod. None.

23mjm · Jun 28, 2009

Go look at the Feisol tripods, They are top quality, light, and strong. Plus they are a site sponsor. I got one about a year ago and it looks and works fantastically. All my friends are very impressed with it, for the price it can't be beat.

John Koehrer · Jun 28, 2009

If the TE-01B is the current edition of the traditional Tiltall it may not be heavy enough for the Sinar.
For something on the order of a Graphic View or older Cambo monorail or light field camera which were not as heavy it worked fine.

r-brian · Jun 29, 2009

I have the Flashpoint CF1228 and have not had any problems with it. I use it with my 4x5 Tachihara, Bronica SQA and Nikon F3. The little Flashpoint B2 ballhead I got with it is tiny so I switched out a slightly larger Bogen ballhead for it when I use the 4x5 unless I want to go really light. I bought this outfit because it only weighs something like 3.5 lbs. My old Bogen 3021 was just too heavy to carry around at 8000-10,000 feet in elevation here in New Mexico. The little Flashpoint is a joy to carry.

mrlowlight · Jul 1, 2009

I have an Induro A214. Great for the money. But the dealer I bought it at warned me to be sure not to twist the locks more than a 1/4 turn, or that would "strip the bushings and ruin the legs." Easy to remember for me, but some are likely to twist away.yes?

Bill

GJA · Jul 1, 2009

I ended up getting the A214 for under a hundred including shipping. Although, after buying off of ebay it sent the wrong address (my old school) now Im going to have to drive an hour to pick it up at the post office. FML.

I can always grab another one if im unhappy. Im pretty sure that I could resell the Induro for close to what I paid for it.

Choosing a tripod, Induro?, Flashpoint?

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