How much does this stuff weigh? Re: Tripod

I am putting together my first 4x5 kit. I am going to choose between one of two cameras: a Graphic View monorail, and a Calumet 45N. I have been told the Graphic View weighs about 8 lbs, and the Calumet 4lbs. I am probably going with the Calumet since it is easier to find lensboards, but I have both coming to look at. My question is that I am looking for a tripod that can support the camera, complete with lens and other accessories. Looking through manufacturers' websites as well as B&H, it seems that the only tripods listed as supporting LF gear have capacities of 25lbs or more. It is pretty hard for me to put enough dough in to a new tripod in that price range, I am looking at $150 or less, $200 if absolutely necessary. (In Canadian dollars) Would I be fine with a tripod of 12 or 15 lb capacity, or should I suck it up and put some of the rest of the gear on hold? Thanks for the help,

Justin

Dear Justin,

Paradoxically, you can sometimes get away with a lighter tripod with a heavier camera, partly because the sheet weight of the bigger camera compresses all the joints in the tripod and reduces wobble, and partly because of simple inertia. Our ancestors used absurdly light tripods with very heavy cameras. I cheerfully use a 1 Kg MPP with 4x5 inch, and a 3Kg tripod with 8x10 inch.

BUT -- here's the catch -- centre columns are very bad news, because they act as pendulums, and you need a really heavy tripod (such as my 10-kg Linhof) if you want to put a heavy camera on it and wind up the centre column. The two tripods mentioned above don't even have centre columns.

There's a free module on tripod selection in the 'How do I..?' strand in the Photo School at www.rogerandfrances.com. It's not illustrated -- the web-master put it up before I put the pics in, and I've not got around to fixing it -- but you might find it of interest.

Cheers,

R.

Find an old Leitz or Marchioni Tiltall--6 lbs, head included, and it can handle a 4x5" camera in most situations (exception being with long lenses or high magnification macro work). The Star D Tiltalls made in Taiwan if I remember correctly with the Leitz/Marchioni tooling are also generally considered to be pretty good. The current Tiltalls not as nicely made as the old ones. I have a nice one for sale in the classifieds, but you're better off finding one in Canada if you can to avoid excessive shipping costs. Depending on condition, they generally go for $60-125 US these days.

slik 500x

I recently bought one of these tripods to hold my wista 4x5. they are an amazingly great deal. I paid about $120 or so and I think the newer materials are just great. this tripod will hold up to almost anything and for the money can't be beat...and I used many a tripod over the years. also very light and easy to use.
comes with a quick release-not the greatest but for the money..on the other side if you really want a good tripod for the buck scour eplay for a surveyors tripod and add a head to it. I still think the slik would be a great deal for you-and it's brandy new to boot!!!.
Best, Peter

I bought one of these at auction along with one of their ballheads. The legs are 32mm CF and I have been very impressed. I mount a Toyo 45AX on it and it is really very solid. I won it for $121 plus shipping. Weifeng is a manufacturing company that makes a lot of photo accessories. Only had it for a couple of months, but it rocks so far.

http://cgi.ebay.com/WEIFENG-Pro-Car...ryZ30095QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Stew

Stew Squires said:

Only had it for a couple of months, but it rocks so far.

Click to expand...

Ummm... wouldn't a tripod that DOESN'T rock be better?

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Cheers,

R.

Roger Hicks said:

Ummm... wouldn't a tripod that DOESN'T rock be better?

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Cheers,

R.

Click to expand...

Poor choice of words, but really am impressed.

Stew

To follow up on Davids suggestion, Tiltall trripods are still available new for about $125. Try B&H, I think they carry them.

Your satisfaction with whatever you choose may have a lot to do with how you plan to make photographs. If you're shooting: in a studio, no more than a few yards from the car, no more than a couple of miles of flat terrain walking, or hiking for hours and climbing hills, the merits or lack thereof of your choice will become very apparent. You can infer the obvious from those choices, but the consequences will be dramatic if you make the wrong choice.

Of the two cameras you're considering, one is twice the weight of the other, but you don't seem to be regarding weight as a deciding factor as much as the availability of lensboards. If weight is not an issue, then get the sturdiest 'pod you can afford. Carbon fiber is wonderful for hiking, but exceedingly overpriced and unneccesary for the studio, and so on..... Good luck!