Large Format Tripod

Marvin · Oct 8, 2013

I found two tripods up for bid a Linhof with a Linhof ball head and a Sinar that is much larger and heavier. Just wonder what these might be worth. I am not sure what models these might be but they seem to be sturdy and all locks seem to work ok. Thinking these would be a good support for 4x5.
Marvin

LJH · Oct 8, 2013

Ball heads with LF is a horrible combination, IMO.

Light Guru · Oct 8, 2013

LJH said:
Ball heads with LF is a horrible combination, IMO.

I disagree I use this tripod and have had no issues using my 4x5 on it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/302815-REG/Berlebach_BE3032_3032_Wood_Tripod_Legs.html

Marvin said:
I found two tripods up for bid a Linhof with a Linhof ball head and a Sinar that is much larger and heavier. Just wonder what these might be worth. I am not sure what models these might be but they seem to be sturdy and all locks seem to work ok. Thinking these would be a good support for 4x5

Considering you have given us no useful information about the tripods for us to go off of nobody will be able to properly answer your questions.

Model numbers?
Links to the post?

Shawn Dougherty · Oct 8, 2013

I agree with LJH. Ball heads and LF does not work for me either, though I do like ball heads with other formats.

Fotoguy20d · Oct 8, 2013

LJH said:
Ball heads with LF is a horrible combination, IMO.

I just started using a Manfrotto 168 ballhead on my 3021 legs, in place of the 3047 head for 4x5. It works for me. I'm not sure I'd like it for 8x10 or an SLR with long tele though.

dan

jovo · Oct 8, 2013

The Bogen/Manfrotto 3038 ballhead is an excellent choice for large format. When adjusted to the camera it's supporting, it's quick and accurate (two spirit levels, easily visible). I will never use a tilt/pan head for my field camera again...too fussy and not nearly responsive enough. Massive, solid ballheads are wonderful.

winger · Oct 8, 2013

It depends on the ballhead in question and the 4x5 in question. I have a Manfrotto ballhead that's fantastic for my P645 with the 120mm macro (fairly heavy and lopsided) and it's fine so far with my Chamonix F1. But it cannot handle my Cambo monorail at all (so I have a Berlebach with a pan/tilt). As far as whether I like the ballhead with the 4x5, that's still up for debate. I don't usually need to move around fast with it, so another head might be fine. But I'm fine with it so far.

Pioneer · Oct 8, 2013

I have two tripods.

The first is a wonderful, carbon fiber, Gitzo 3541XLS, on which I have installed a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ball head. This is a VERY stout setup.

My second is an ancient Majestic metal tripod complete with a geared, platform, head. It was old and beat when I received it and it certainly is NOT convenient to pack anywhere, even from the garage to the car and back.

Guess which tripod I grab when I go out with my large format gear?

PKM-25 · Oct 8, 2013

My ski / mountaineering tripod is a Manfrotto 190CX Pro3 with an Acratech GP ball head, less than 4 lbs. and works fantastic for my Chamonix 45N2 and everything else I put on it when I have no choice but to go light. Otherwise I use a 7+ pound combo of a larger set of Manfrotto metal legs with an Arca Swiss B1 head I bought in the early 90's.

I rarely have any issues in using ball heads for 4x5.

mesantacruz · Oct 9, 2013

+1 for Gitzo tripods, mine has taken much abuse... and it was second hand. depending on which one you get for different weights, and height adjustments. I like that they are easy to take apart, so when i go to the beach i have no problem cleaning, they also take 30 seconds or less to set up. high recommendation from me!

Alan Gales · Oct 9, 2013

This is like the Canon, Nikon digital debate or the Chevy, Ford truck debate. I personally prefer Nikon, Chevy and pan tilt heads for large format but if the others work for you then there is nothing wrong with them!

pasiasty · Oct 9, 2013

Marvin said:
Thinking these would be a good support for 4x5.
Marvin

4x5 cameras vary: I can safely put my Chamonix with old Angulon 90/6.8 on my lightest tripod, one designed rather for compact cameras (with no much tilt, however), but for tilting my monorail Cambo with Tele-Arton 360/5.5 something much sturdier and heavier is needed (I use Foba tripod and 3D head for this).

BTW: tripods are good for travelling as they are folding, but for studio work a camera stand, like Cambo SCS, might be better (I consider getting one).

Ian Grant · Oct 9, 2013

pasiasty said:
4x5 cameras vary: I can safely put my Chamonix with old Angulon 90/6.8 on my lightest tripod, one designed rather for compact cameras (with no much tilt, however), but for tilting my monorail Cambo with Tele-Arton 360/5.5 something much sturdier and heavier is needed (I use Foba tripod and 3D head for this).

BTW: tripods are good for travelling as they are folding, but for studio work a camera stand, like Cambo SCS, might be better (I consider getting one).

I do the same because I can put my small Slick tripod inside my backpack when I'm predominantly working hand-held. I've larger Slik, Majestic and Manfrotto tripods and use these where I know using a tripod isn't an issue. There's so many good tripods that it's just personal choice, all mine have been second-hand since the early 1970's except the small Slik.

Ian

Marvin · Oct 9, 2013

Thanks for the info and sorry I don't have any more information on these. This is not an online auction so I don't have a link but if I get by there I will try to get a pic. The large Sinar is heavy and has the large thread on the mount. Both have bubble levels but are dried out.

TheFlyingCamera · Oct 9, 2013

Ball heads, in my opinion, are fine for 5x7 and smaller field cameras. I would NOT use a ball head for a monorail camera of any size (a Sinar head would be great, or a geared head for those). I would not use a ball head for an 8x10 or larger of any description, preferring either a pan/tilt or geared head with the larger cameras. I know of what I speak -I have everything from a 5x7/5x12 to whole plate to 11x14 and 14x17 field cameras. I'm only marginally ok with my Gitzo 1525 pan/tilt head under my Canham 14x17, as I think it doesn't have quite large enough a contact patch between the camera and the head. I'm actually thinking of getting a Majestic head to use with it just for the larger contact patch.

Regular Rod · Oct 9, 2013

PKM-25 said:
My ski / mountaineering tripod is a Manfrotto 190CX Pro3 with an Acratech GP ball head, less than 4 lbs. and works fantastic for my Chamonix 45N2 and everything else I put on it when I have no choice but to go light. Otherwise I use a 7+ pound combo of a larger set of Manfrotto metal legs with an Arca Swiss B1 head I bought in the early 90's.

I rarely have any issues in using ball heads for 4x5.

Me neither, I use the 222 joystick head on my Manfrotto for 4x5 down to 6x6 and find it quite good. I even tried it with 8x10 but it was not easy to control so now use a 468MGRC3 with the long plate. This is more sturdy and still gives the quick and easy adjustments that ball heads are so good for.

RR

Shawn Dougherty · Oct 9, 2013

Alan Gales said:
This is like the Canon, Nikon digital debate or the Chevy, Ford truck debate. I personally prefer Nikon, Chevy and pan tilt heads for large format but if the others work for you then there is nothing wrong with them!

That's right. =) Obviously there are many who like to use a ball head with large format. For me, I need individual controls for each direction when using a view camera. When I'm using a medium format camera a ball head works just fine...

Pioneer · Oct 9, 2013

If you are happy with your ball head, more power to you. I use mine a lot for smaller cameras.

The reality is, I can probably hook my little Crown Graphic or RB Auto Graflex 4x5s to just about anything and make it work.

But when I have my Deardorff or Cambo Monorail 8x10s attached to a tripod that is standing on a cliff overhanging a rushing mountain creek, and there is a stiff breeze blowing down the canyon, I personally like my tripod and camera to stay put; even while making minor composition changes.

But that is just me.

rummenigge2 · Oct 10, 2013

As I like to have straight lines in my pictures ( I'm German) I really like individual controls for every direction. I use a Feisol 3301 for some years now and a Manfrotto 410 head with a Linhof Technika 4x5.

But usually I don't need all the controls at hand for large format. So this get's me thinking, do I need a head at all? Is anybody of you using his large format camera without a head on the tripod, just a leveling device and that's it?

Marvin · Oct 10, 2013

I didn't say what cameras I would use these for but it would be Toyo 45D and 45CX and RB67.
Marvin

cjbecker · Oct 10, 2013

I'm part of the small group that doesn't use a head when shooting with a LF camera. I don't use one for my 6x6 either. Never liked them and they just cause more problems then they help.

I also don't use any leveling device. Just adjust the legs.

rummenigge2 · Oct 10, 2013

cjbecker said:
I'm part of the small group that doesn't use a head when shooting with a LF camera. I don't use one for my 6x6 either. Never liked them and they just cause more problems then they help.

I also don't use any leveling device. Just adjust the legs.

Interesting. So the camera mounts directly to the tripod, or do you use a quickrelease?

cjbecker · Oct 11, 2013

For LF I just mounted straight to the tripod. For mf I use a hasslblad QR that mounted straight to the tripod. I've found if the tripod has a spinning center column it's very easy and fast to mount the camera.

I will also normally position the camera so the lens and the front leg are pointing in the same direction. It makes it easer for leveling.

I've yet to ever have a situation where I needed a head. Yes some would have been faster to setup but never needed one. I like the extra stabality, as I'm normally shooting in the seconds range.

miha · Oct 12, 2013

I'm using a Linhof Levelling Pan/Tilt Head 77. It has limited movements but it's super stable and smooth.

http://www.linhof.com/images/003667-k.jpg

On the other hand I'm totaly new to LF so can't compare it to anything else.

Marvin · Oct 13, 2013

Outbid!!!! I was outbid the Linhof went for $80 and the Sinar went for $110. Well my Bogen will still do the job OK. That Sinar would not be good if you had to carry it any distance but I am sure it would be a stable platform. This was a local Goodwill auction that they run weekly.

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