in the market for a tripod

jvoller · Oct 29, 2015

I'm looking to get a new tripod, carbon fiber, and would like to find something (less expensive than a Gitzo) that will be stout enough to hold a Cambo SC4x5 when shooting at home yet 'flexible' enough to use in the field w/ a Wista 4x5, Hassie 500, and 35mm/digital Nikons. I realize I'll need a separate head for the Cambo eventually (even my Manfrotto 3-way has trouble holding the Cambo steady, though it's workable), but would like to hear the wisdom of the list regarding possibilities, cautions, etc. (And yes, I know the ideal is a separate stout 'pod for the Cambo; I used to have it mounted on the tripod that came w/ my telescope, and that was a rock-solid beast, but the 'scope got sold.) I may be chasing a unicorn here, but thought I'd ask.... Thanks.

Trail Images · Oct 29, 2015

I've used a Feisol 3301 for more then a few years now and bought it from Kerry at Really Big Cameras. They had just released the second generation with non-rotating legs and steel leg sleeves when I bought it. I've had no issues using it on a weekly basis with either a Mamiya RB67 or Wista DXIII 4x5.

Alan Gales · Oct 29, 2015

Bruce Wehman recommended the Feisol tripods on his site for the Wehman 8x10 cameras. I use a Ries with my Wehman but someday I will probably have to go to a lighter tripod out of necessity.

From what I have researched it looks like Really Right Stuff makes the best carbon fiber tripod. They are also the most expensive. RRS is followed by Gitzo and then Feisol comes in third.

DREW WILEY · Oct 29, 2015

A lot actually depends on how many ply the carbon fiber tubes are. I have an older Gitzo model with three ply that has been extremely durable, but have seen newer two ply ones break in accidental falls. So you have to be careful with thinner tubes not to get them dented or deeply scratched. Later I bought a bigger carbon fiber tripod specifically for 8x10 use from Feisol. The same precaution applies, as thinner wall (not thinner diameter) tubes were helpful in this case due to overall weight concerns. It's just about half the weight as my wooden tripods. But I was certainly pleased with the overall Feisol quality. You bigger problem will be with heads. That's where most vibration issues begin. For heavy camera or long lens extension, heavy telephotos, etc, I don't use tripod heads at all, and certainly never a center column I just bolt the camera right atop the tripod platform, and the bigger that is, the better. Most CF tripods have to be modified to accept a turnknob from below to do this correctly, analogous to how Ries wooden tripods work.

Ari · Oct 29, 2015

Have a look at FLM tripods, they are made in Germany and in terms of quality, rank with the best anyone has to offer.
Our standard tripods are 8x carbon fiber layers; we have two tripods in the works that will be 10x CF layers.
Prices are quite reasonable, and all FLM tripods come with a 10-year warranty, the best in the business.

I've used one tripod for everything from 8x10 down to APS-C cameras, and my tripod weighs just north of 3 pounds.

Contact me if you need more information.

Btw, Dodd Camera in Cleveland is an FLM retailer, not too far from you.

Alan Gales · Oct 29, 2015

Sorry Ari. I forgot all about the FLM's. When I was doing my research back when I bought my Wehman I didn't know about the FLM's.

Ron789 · Oct 29, 2015

Why carbon? I use several tripods but the one I really love is my wooden Berlebach. It is rock solid, the build quality is superb, vibration damping is superb, it looks fantastic and I really like the idea that they are mostly hand-built by a small family company using wood from a nearby forest.

Ari · Oct 29, 2015

Alan Gales said:
Sorry Ari. I forgot all about the FLM's. When I was doing my research back when I bought my Wehman I didn't know about the FLM's.

No need to apologize, Alan; it would have been a mistake had I forgotten to mention FLM.

Sirius Glass · Oct 29, 2015

I found that the Induro carbon fiber tripods and heads were well worth the money and can handle my MF and LF cameras well. I even packed one in the suitcase when I went to France in May this year.

jvoller · Nov 1, 2015

Thanks to all for the responses to my tripod query -- I particularly appreciate learning about a couple of brands I'd never heard of before. Now for the tough part: making the decision!

xya · Nov 2, 2015

another one for a berlebach. solid and not too heavy. never let me down in 40 years. found mine cheaper in a geodetic supply store.

Jim Jones · Nov 3, 2015

A Cambo SC4x5 might be embarrassed to be mounted on a Tiltall tripod, but the several Tiltalls I've owned have served well beneath Nikons, Leicas, and up to 5x7 view cameras with long lenses. I keep one in both the car and the house for convenience.

DREW WILEY · Nov 3, 2015

Why carbon? Well in my case I'm already on the downhill side of my 60's, yet I still love long backpack trips in steep mountains with large
format gear. And yes, I'd like my knees to stay intact another decade. So if I still want the luxury of eating or not freezing to death, overall weight has to be reduced somehow, yet without sacrificing camera stability. So I own a couple of carbon-fiber tripods. Now if we're talking
about dayhiking with large format, I reach for the big Ries wooden tripods every time. But those carbon tripods are also a form of insurance
on old age too, when I might need to reduce even my day weight.

Sirius Glass · Nov 3, 2015

Why carbon? Well they are lighter but I am looking for self carrying tripods and cameras.

EdSawyer · Nov 3, 2015

I've used a Manfrotto 055CXpro3 with an Acratech GP head to support a Canham DLC with no troubles. Tripod and head are < 5lbs. total.

DREW WILEY · Nov 3, 2015

For those of you having weight issues with your large format gear, may I remind you once again to invest in my helium-filled bellows patent.
The bigger the camera, the less it weighs!

craigclu · Nov 3, 2015

I impulsively bought an Oben carbon fiber (re-branded Induro via B&H) when they had a big promo going on (good on-sale price plus large rebates). I couldn't be more pleased. I had a Gitzo head that was correct for my duties so I can't comment on their combination units, though.

Sirius Glass · Nov 3, 2015

Ed Weston said to Ansel Adams something like there is nothing worth photographing more than 200 yards from a road.

Trail Images · Nov 3, 2015

Ed Weston said to Ansel Adams something like there is nothing worth photographing more than 200 yards from a road.

My recollection was 50 yards from the car, but maybe that was later in their lives.......

Sirius Glass · Nov 3, 2015

Fifty yards sound better especially if the camera equipment is heavy.

LMNOP · Nov 3, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Ed Weston said to Ansel Adams something like there is nothing worth photographing more than 200 yards from a road.

Such a sad remark, there is PLENTY on the side of the road. I guess some folks just dont draw inspiration from anything man made.

I am in the exact same market for a lighter tripod setup. Been looking at all these brands, trying to get a CF rig under $500 with a ball head.

Trail Images · Nov 3, 2015

Been looking at all these brands, trying to get a CF rig under $500 with a ball head.

There is a good selection at Really Big Cameras that can combine for various units under the $500 figure. Although I did not buy a ball head there, I did buy the Feisol 3301 a few years back now and love the unit. I did buy it with the long center column too. I do 99% of my shooting with the column all the way down, however, nice to have the extra height when needed. I think Kerry Thalman is still there and he is always helpful.

http://reallybigcameras.com/

LMNOP · Nov 3, 2015

Trail Images said:
There is a good selection at Really Big Cameras that can combine for various units under the $500 figure. Although I did not buy a ball head there, I did buy the Feisol 3301 a few years back now and love the unit. I did buy it with the long center column too. I do 99% of my shooting with the column all the way down, however, nice to have the extra height when needed. I think Kerry Thalman is still there and he is always helpful.

http://reallybigcameras.com/

I've been looking at these models quite a bit. I think Feisol is a great option, though I may want more than 22lb of support.

Dr Croubie · Nov 3, 2015

EdSawyer said:
I've used a Manfrotto 055CXpro3 with an Acratech GP head to support a Canham DLC with no troubles. Tripod and head are < 5lbs. total.

I was looking at the 055CXpro3 as well, but ended up getting the Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT.
Pretty much identical to the 055CX in every spec (including price), but the vanguard has a centre-column that can be tilted to almost any angle, not just 0/90/180 on the manfrotto.
At the time I was only a DSLR shooter obsessed with stitching panos so I got the upside-down Arca-swiss monoball P0 ballhead for easy panning (then I discovered 617s and gave up stitching).
It holds my Toyo 45G perfectly stable, pic of it in action (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

It is NOT strong enough to carry a 10kg 8x10 however. After I realised that I had to upgrade to a Vanguard Abeo Plus 363CT. No tilting centre-column, legs are a lot thicker, a bit heavier overall, but a hell of a lot more stable. Only paid $100 opening-bid on a fleabay auction that noone else noticed, bargain.

One thing that was important to me was the height, I'm 6' tall and nothing worse than hunching over to focus. Maybe I don't need that height for the 8x10 (because the screen is a good 1' from the head) but I definitely do for the 4x5, see that pic I linked above, it's at the exact right height for me.

Now I can use both the 8x10 on the Abeo and 4x5 on the Alta simultaneously (yes, I've done that for a cycling race, cable-release in each hand as they went past).
If I'm just using one or the other LF I'll take the Abeo, and anything MF and smaller goes on the Alta.

Trail Images · Nov 3, 2015

I've been looking at these models quite a bit. I think Feisol is a great option, though I may want more than 22lb of support.

I do see where the unit I have, the 3301, is rated right at 20lb capacity. However, I use a FULLY loaded RB67 ProSD with a heavy 37mm Fisheye on it almost weekly and have had no issues at all. The only weight creep I ever get is out of a very inexpensive ball head from Vanguard, but even that is acceptable to me for the price I paid. I did buy the 3301 unit with the RAL system, not sure if it has any additional strength to offer, but it is nice not having the legs rotating around during setup.

in the market for a tripod

jvoller

Trail Images

Alan Gales

DREW WILEY

Ari

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Alan Gales

Ron789

Ari

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Sirius Glass

jvoller

xya

Jim Jones

DREW WILEY

Sirius Glass

EdSawyer

DREW WILEY

craigclu

Sirius Glass

Trail Images

Sirius Glass

LMNOP

Trail Images

LMNOP

Dr Croubie

Trail Images

in the market for a tripod

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