Light weight tripod for Chamonix 4X5

John Wiegerink · Apr 6, 2022

While I'm waiting for my Chaminox 45N-1 to be made, I thought I'd do some shopping for a new/used tripod. I'm going to enter into the carbon fiber world of tripods and wondered what folks were using with their 4X5 field cameras. I've been using a Bogen 3051, which is overkill for my Toyo 4X5 and a Leitz Tiltall when I walk any distance from the car. The Tiltall is a little on the light side for the Toyo, but I can make it work. I've done a little research into some of the Chinese carbon fiber tripods, and a few brands are highly regarded quality wise. I have my eyes open for a used Gitzo carbon fiber tripod also, but haven't found one at the price I want to pay yet. There is one Chinese tripod that seems to be a good bang for the buck and should work just about perfect with the Chaminox. It's a Sirui AM-284 carbon fiber tripod with no head, which is what I want. Here are the specs:

Stability: With high-strength carbon fiber and professional technology, the AM-284 tripod is of great stability—15kg/33.1lb load capacity. Meanwhile, a hook is provided to hang additional weight for increasing stability when shoot in windy condition.
The tripod itself weighs in at slightly over 2.6 lbs, which sounds good to me. Sirui gets excellent reviews on their tripods also. Anyone here have any thoughts on the subject of carbon fiber tripods? Maybe someone has a link or site that might help. JohnW

{Moderator's edit - thread title corrected}

jimjm · Apr 7, 2022

I needed a lighter tripod for my 4x5 Shen Hao a few years ago and ended up getting the Sirui EN-2204 (discontinued), which appears to have similar specs to the one you're looking at. It's just over 3 lbs, but the price was reasonable and the reviews were all good. I've been really happy with it and have ditched all my smaller tripods and am using this for all formats up to 4x5. It's more than rigid enough for 4x5 and is proving to be very durable. I'm able to do longer hikes with this kit and having the lighter tripod strapped to the backpack, or held in my hand makes a big difference.
FLM tripods are also a very good value for the money, so you might want to look at those. I bought a larger FLM for my 8x10 Deardorff as I needed more rigidity and load capacity, but it's a lot lighter than my old alloy Giottos.

5150Bronco · Apr 7, 2022

I like Gitzo and Really Right Stuff!

otto.f · Apr 7, 2022

Compare with the Rollei C6i if you like, I use that in situations where I can or will not bring my Gitzo. It is a bit cheaper than the Sirius, but it has a removable column and a monopod built in, which can be usefull (I used it as a walking stick in difficult terrain ). With this Rollei I feel I’m really at the edge of what I find acceptable for LF, I also have a Rollei Rock Solid, which is better before I take my best, the Gitzo. Depends also on whether I fly or drive on travels, the C6i is never impossible in a plane. I have never been sure whether Sirius has the best price-quality balance, but I never wrote a thesis about tripods.

I must say btw, that I learned that a high maximum length of a tripod is less important for me, in landscape, than I thought it would be when I bought my Gitzo. But I do like a comfortable height when focusing. So either I sit on the ground, I’m not going to carry a stool, or stand when focusing and doing all the other necessities before the shot. 120cm is too low for me to stand comfortable.

jeffzeitlin · Apr 7, 2022

I use a Gitzo carbon tripod for all my LF gear. It has had a number of different size ball heads depending on what size LF camera I was using at the time. The range has been 4x5, 8x10, and currently 5x7. Great tripods.

Trail Images · Apr 7, 2022

I have a Feisol carbon fiber I've had for 15 years now. I use it alternating on outings with both a Wista 4x5 and an RB67 ProSD with the best of results overall. I got one of the first units that had the now standard steel locking sleeves and non-rotating legs.

ic-racer · Apr 7, 2022

3051 Bogen is a great 4x5 tripod.

Dennis-B · Apr 7, 2022

I'd ditched all my Bogen/Manfrotto (3033, 3036, 3251, 3046, 055. and Gitzo aluminum tripods in favor of a Bogen 055 Pro CF, and an Induro CT-303. For lighter carry, I got a screaming good deal on a Gitzo GT1540G Mountaineer. The capacity of the CT-303 is rated @ 44lbs. I have a number of heads usable with both units. I've already mounted and used my Linhof Technika III, and it's absolutely rock solid. Out-the-door from B&H the Induro was about $500. It has two columns included, tools, spike feet, and a case. It has quarter-twist-lock legs, and the top legs are over 33mm in diameter. On the Induro and Manfrotto tripods, I have Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W heads installed. Total weight of either tripod is just over 6#.

The 055 Manfrotto is no slouch either, although its stated capacity is "only" about 19#. The Gitzo also has a 19# rating, and I don't have a single camera of any format which exceeds the recommended load capacity of any of these three.

John Wiegerink · Apr 7, 2022

ic-racer said:
3051 Bogen is a great 4x5 tripod.

You are right, but.....................weight! I use my 3051 with a Kaiser ball head, which is pretty much the same as a Kirk BH-1. I used to have the Kirk BH-1, but sold it for a good profit and bought two German Kaiser ball heads with had money left over. The Kaiser ball head is just as good in my opinion, but heavy at about 3 1/2 lbs. I also have a 3047 Bogen three-way pan head, but that's around 3 1/2 pounds too. You add the head to the 3051's weight, and this 72 yr old guy does not want to get very far from the car. That's why I'm going for light, but rigid. I have a couple other tripod heads to try on the new tripod, but I have a feeling I'll be picking up a new lighter head also. I'll keep the Bogen 3051 and the heavy heads for when or if I want to drag my 8X10 Burk & James out. JohnW

John Wiegerink · Apr 7, 2022

otto.f said:
Compare with the Rollei C6i if you like, I use that in situations where I can or will not bring my Gitzo. It is a bit cheaper than the Sirius, but it has a removable column and a monopod built in, which can be usefull (I used it as a walking stick in difficult terrain ). With this Rollei I feel I’m really at the edge of what I find acceptable for LF, I also have a Rollei Rock Solid, which is better before I take my best, the Gitzo. Depends also on whether I fly or drive on travels, the C6i is never impossible in a plane. I have never been sure whether Sirius has the best price-quality balance, but I never wrote a thesis about tripods.

I must say btw, that I learned that a high maximum length of a tripod is less important for me, in landscape, than I thought it would be when I bought my Gitzo. But I do like a comfortable height when focusing. So either I sit on the ground, I’m not going to carry a stool, or stand when focusing and doing all the other necessities before the shot. 120cm is too low for me to stand comfortable.

I wonder which Chinese company makes the Rollei tripods or are they really German? I'll have to check into those and see what they are like. I agree about height. I want something in at least the 4 to 4.5 foot range and can go to near ground level. I prefer a three section since I think they are slightly more rigid, but seem harder to find. .JohnW

MurrayMinchin · Apr 7, 2022

I used to use a Zone IV 'lightweight' tripod which weighs somewhere around 14 pounds. I got it in my early 20's so didn't really care about how heavy it was. Young & stoopid.

Now I have two options, a Sirui W2204 carbon fibre tripod with waterproof gaskets on the legs so they don't freeze up when used in creeks during winter, and a Berlebach Report 9033 (in nut brown colour) for when I feel like it or on windswept beaches where the camera might get blown over.

The Berlebach I got is a tad heavy (they make lighter ones) but it is undeniably beautiful. I use the Sirui with the centre column taken out so it can hug the ground and it's still tall enough that I don't have to hunch over when the legs are fully extended...I'm 5'10".

https://www.siruiusa.com/index/photographic/w.html?cid=2&id=9

https://www.berlebach.de/en/?bereich=produkte&kategorie=1

John Wiegerink · Apr 7, 2022

jeffzeitlin said:
I use a Gitzo carbon tripod for all my LF gear. It has had a number of different size ball heads depending on what size LF camera I was using at the time. The range has been 4x5, 8x10, and currently 5x7. Great tripods.

I would use Gitzo for everything too if I could find a used one at a real decent price. I really don't like buying Chinese, but from everything I've read, and that's a lot, the better Chinese tripods are very, very good now. JohnW

John Wiegerink · Apr 7, 2022

MurrayMinchin said:
I used to use a Zone IV 'lightweight' tripod which weighs somewhere around 14 pounds. I got it in my early 20's so didn't really care about how heavy it was. Young & stoopid.

Now I have two options, a Sirui W2204 carbon fibre tripod with waterproof gaskets on the legs so they don't freeze up when used in creeks during winter, and a Berlebach Report 9033 (in nut brown colour) for when I feel like it or on windswept beaches where the camera might get blown over.

The Berlebach I got is a tad heavy (they make lighter ones) but it is undeniably beautiful. I use the Sirui with the centre column taken out so it can hug the ground and it's still tall enough that I don't have to hunch over when the legs are fully extended...I'm 5'10".

https://www.siruiusa.com/index/photographic/w.html?cid=2&id=9

https://www.berlebach.de/en/?bereich=produkte&kategorie=1

I'm still leaning towards the Sirui AM-284 ($199.00) or AM-254 ($169.00) brand new. Seems like a lot of tripod for the money to me, but I could be wrong. JohnW

John Wiegerink · Apr 11, 2022

Well, I almost bought Gitzo Series 3 Systematic that needed a plate and all three leg locks repaired, but changed my mind. The selling price was right, but buy the time I bought all the parts, it wouldn't be a cheap tripod. It was also pretty beat up. Instead, I just now went to the Sirui Store site, and they just announced a sale on the AM-284 and the AM-254. I clicked on the AM-284 and got it for $159.00 with free shipping. I'll use it with my Kaiser Ball Head for now, but might want to switch to just a little lighter head setup later. At least I'll be ready when the camera gets here. JohnW

otto.f · Apr 12, 2022

John Wiegerink said:
Well, I almost bought Gitzo Series 3 Systematic that needed a plate and all three leg locks repaired, but changed my mind. The selling price was right, but buy the time I bought all the parts, it wouldn't be a cheap tripod.

good decision. Apart from what you write here, I swapped this tripod for another Gitzo because the legs are too long which is highly unpractical for storing in your backpack, and ‘in’ is always the best way anyhow. What you need is a 50cm length or not much more when folded.

John Wiegerink · Apr 12, 2022

otto.f said:
good decision. Apart from what you write here, I swapped this tripod for another Gitzo because the legs are too long which is highly unpractical for storing in your backpack, and ‘in’ is always the best way anyhow. What you need is a 50cm length or not much more when folded.

I might not be carrying this one in my pack. With the addition of my ball head, it will be 22 1/2 in long. My backpack is very large, but I don't see this tripod fitting in it. Of course, I won't know until it gets here. JohnW

otto.f · Apr 12, 2022

John Wiegerink said:
I might not be carrying this one in my pack. With the addition of my ball head, it will be 22 1/2 in long. My backpack is very large, but I don't see this tripod fitting in it. Of course, I won't know until it gets here. JohnW

Oh I thought you cancelled it, it'll be a good sturdy tripod anyway

John Wiegerink · Apr 12, 2022

I canceled the Gitzo and purchased the Sirui AM-284 for $159.00. At that price, it was a "no-brainer" for me. It will be about 22 1/2" folded with my huge Kaiser ball head. I read many reviews on the Sirui tripod, and they were all very positive. Some folks claim they were a little too short for their liking, but I might not have that problem since I'm closer to 5 1/2'. By the time I add the ball head and camera ground glass height, it should be fine for me. JohnW

otto.f · Apr 12, 2022

John Wiegerink · Apr 12, 2022

otto.f said:
Ok!

Take care Otto!

ic-racer · Apr 12, 2022

John Wiegerink said:
I canceled the Gitzo and purchased the Sirui AM-284 for $159.00. At that price, it was a "no-brainer" for me. It will be about 22 1/2" folded with my huge Kaiser ball head. I read many reviews on the Sirui tripod, and they were all very positive. Some folks claim they were a little too short for their liking, but I might not have that problem since I'm closer to 5 1/2'. By the time I add the ball head and camera ground glass height, it should be fine for me. JohnW

Please post your experience with that tripod! I'm very interested.

John Wiegerink · Apr 12, 2022

ic-racer said:
Please post your experience with that tripod! I'm very interested.

I just got a notice that FedEx has it and I should receive it on Thurs.. I'll test it out with my heavy-duty Kaiser head and my 4X5 monorail. My $X% Toyo field camera is up at the cottage, and we'll have to wait on that test. The monorail should give me a general idea how I'll get along with this tripod. $159.00 new makes me a little skeptical, but who knows.
JohnW

John Wiegerink · Apr 14, 2022

ic-racer said:
Please post your experience with that tripod! I'm very interested.

Well, the FedEx man dropped my new Sirui AM-284 off today. I opened the box and pulled the tripod out and just sat there staring at it for a minute. I said to myself, how the heck can something this small and this light hold 33lbs? I'll mount my 4X5 monorail on it tomorrow and see what happens. I know right now that my Kaiser ball head isn't going on this one. So, I just bought a little smaller and a little lighter Giottos ball head for it. As for build quality? Fit and finish are truly excellent. The locks work superbly also. If it doesn't work out well for the Chaminox it sure will for my medium format and Sony DSLR's. If I get time tomorrow, I'll take a few shots of the tripod with my old Orbit mounted on it. So for now the jury is still out. JohnW

grat · Apr 14, 2022

Personally, I would be surprised if it holds 33 pounds. 16 wouldn't surprise me, but many tripod manufacturers (and it used to be worse) tend to rate the absolute load limit-- how much the tripod can support without buckling. Cutting that number in half would be more likely, and of course, the head you're using is also a factor.

My Slik AL-523 is rated for 16 lbs, and that's probably accurate.

Your Sirui should hold the Chamonix with ease.

John Wiegerink · Apr 14, 2022

grat said:
Personally, I would be surprised if it holds 33 pounds. 16 wouldn't surprise me, but many tripod manufacturers (and it used to be worse) tend to rate the absolute load limit-- how much the tripod can support without buckling. Cutting that number in half would be more likely, and of course, the head you're using is also a factor.

My Slik AL-523 is rated for 16 lbs, and that's probably accurate.

Your Sirui should hold the Chamonix with ease.

grat,
I think you are right. I always figure that most, but not all, companies overrate their products or at least at the very close to the limit. I know the Sirui should take the Chaminox and my lighter lenses without a problem, but I'm curious about stability. I think I'm going to test it against my Bogen 3051 with a laser taped to the 4X5 and see how long it takes for each to settle down. I didn't mention this before, but I also purchased a used Slik Pro 723CFL with a SH-705E head when I bought the Giottos ball head. The price was right and I couldn't pass it up. I've had Slik tripods in the past and they were actually pretty sturdy tripods. It's rated at 11 or 12lbs.(can't remember for sure). I thought would be fine for my Hasselblad/Pentax 67 + the Sony DSLR's. Now I have all Carbon fiber and just have to sell off my other tripods. I might just keep the Bogen 3051for my 8X10 since it is adequate for that. No more tripod buying until my camera arrives. JohnW

Light weight tripod for Chamonix 4X5

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