Little tripod, big camera

LMNOP · Feb 21, 2015

Hey folks,

I cannot locate a sub forum specific to this type of thing, but it directly pertains to my RZ67.

What is the lightest/smallest tripod you've used for medium format cameras? I am talking about an rz, maybe rb, and 645 cameras. I typically use a manfrotto set, that is sturdy and perfect, but not exactly something you want to leave the house with every day. The main thing I've seen, besides the expensive gitzo stuff, are the MeFOTO products, specifically the road trip. My concern is that these will not be stable enough for a 1-30 second exposure. Anyone experience MeFOTO gear with heavy cameras?

any other portable suggestions?

thanks!

elekm · Feb 21, 2015

I will tell you that I mounted a Rolleiflex SL66 to a Manfrotto carbon-fiber tripod with a ball head, and it was barely stable. Heavy cameras require a very sturdy tripod. There is a point where you can have too much tripod, but that is really about what you are willing to carry.

LMNOP · Feb 21, 2015

That is good insight, thank you. I would estimate that weighs around a 645 camera, so I am starting to think my instincts were correct on mefoto, as appealing as they may be,

Oren Grad · Feb 21, 2015

I don't use ultralight tripods with heavier cameras, no matter how solid the tripod is, because the combination is top-heavy and unforgiving. Especially out in the field where conditions can be unpredictable and setups sometimes have to be made in a hurry, there's too much risk of making a mistake and inadvertently knocking over the tripod.

Slixtiesix · Feb 21, 2015

Oren Grad said:
I don't use ultralight tripods with heavier cameras, no matter how solid the tripod is, because the combination is top-heavy and unforgiving. Especially out in the field where conditions can be unpredictable and setups sometimes have to be made in a hurry, there's too much risk of making a mistake and inadvertently knocking over the tripod.

My opinion exactly.

BrianShaw · Feb 21, 2015

Witha a Hassy and up to 250mm lens I use a lightweight - older Manfrotto 190 - but never with extension beyond what the legs allow. This has worked out to be a good combo for me when in the field.

heespharm · Feb 21, 2015

CF tripods are very stable if you weight them on the bottom with your bag...

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Trail Images · Feb 21, 2015

CF tripods are very stable if you weight them on the bottom with your bag...

I use a Feisol 3301 with a Vanguard ballhead on a weekly basis. I do ALWAYS shoot in mirror lockup mode with the RB67. Otherwise I've had no issues after using this combo for a couple years now.

Sirius Glass · Feb 21, 2015

Much more important than the size is the weight. I took a very sturdy steel tripod on a hike at 10,000 feet [~3300 m] and it got heavier every step.

Get a light sturdy tripod, preferably carbon fiber rather than aluminum, with a good head. A weak floppy head is the pits. Pay the money for these three requirements and you will buy one tripod. Save money and you will end up being unhappy and spending more in the end.

LMNOP · Feb 21, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Much more important than the size is the weight. I took a very sturdy steel tripod on a hike at 10,000 feet [~3300 m] and it got heavier every step.

Get a light sturdy tripod, preferably carbon fiber rather than aluminum, with a good head. A weak floppy head is the pits. Pay the money for these three requirements and you will buy one tripod. Save money and you will end up being unhappy and spending more in the end.

I purchased a Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W and Manfrotto 055XPROB - this combo has been reliable for me, and worked great for a while for the RZ and 645AF. I am starting to think that if anything, I should have an even more sturdy HOME tripod, and use the current rig for travel, despite its weight. If that not considered a sturdy pair?

Trail Images said:
I use a Feisol 3301 with a Vanguard ballhead on a weekly basis. I do ALWAYS shoot in mirror lockup mode with the RB67. Otherwise I've had no issues after using this combo for a couple years now.

CF is a whole new price class, I will have to add the Feisol gear to my wish list, looks great!

Slixtiesix · Feb 21, 2015

What Sirius said. I had several tripods after I ended with Gitzo nonetheless.

Alan Gales · Feb 21, 2015

An RZ needs a sturdy tripod. If you want light weight then carbon fiber is your only option.

RRS is supposed to be the best but they cost a fortune. Gitzo is pretty much the standard. Feisol is a less expensive alternative. I shoot a Wehman 8x10 and own a couple wooden Ries tripods. I know Bruce Wehman recommended Feisol carbon fiber tripods for his camera.

David A. Goldfarb · Feb 21, 2015

The low-cost option is to find a used Leitz or Marchioni Tiltall, which isn't as light as a CF tripod, but for what it does, it's sturdy and the best bargain out there.

What I use as a lightweight tripod is a Feisol CT-3341--

http://reallybigcameras.com/Feisol/Traveler_Class.htm

with a small Linhof Universal Ballhead 1 and Kirk QR clamp.

I've cut the center column and removed the telescoping section, eliminating what I felt was a source of instability and making the tripod even lighter at the same time. The column still has around 6-8 inches of travel, which is as much as I'm likely to use anyway with that tripod.

The largest camera I've used on these legs is my ultralight 8x10" Gowland with a 12" lens (normal focal length) and 12" of rail, but with the Acratech ballhead. The largest camera I've used with the smaller Linhof head on this tripod is a Linhof 2x3" Technika V.

Dr Croubie · Feb 21, 2015

I've got a Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT. $300 worth of carbon fibre from B+H, and worth all of it. It's about equivalent to a Manfrotto 055CXPro3, except the centre-column has more tilting-options for macro and ground-level shots.
An Arca Swiss Monoball P0 (upside-down monoball, great for levelling first and panning after) is on top.
Tripod is rated at 8kg load and weighs only 1.7kg, ballhead can take 20kg on-axis.
I bought it for digital, but then upgraded to MF which it holds great, I've still regularly use my ~6kg ToyoView 45G on it with no problems in light winds.
The only thing it didn't hold too well was my 11kg Cambo SCX 8x10. Well, it didn't collapse, but it just wobbled too much (I've since got an Abeo Plus 363CT for the 8x10, that'll hold a small child but is well overkill for MF. $600 new but I paid $100 on the 'bay).

But for MF, the Alta-Pro is no problems with even a Pentacon 500/5.6 beast on it. Easy rule of thumb is to weigh your camera with heaviest lens, then get a tripod rated for double that.

LJH · Feb 21, 2015

If weight is so critical, buy a heavier trapped and don't fit a head. That, and do some training with a heavy pack prior to the trip - preseason training if you will.

Alan Gales · Feb 22, 2015

Dr Croubie said:
Easy rule of thumb is to weigh your camera with heaviest lens, then get a tripod rated for double that.

+1 You think like I do.

heespharm · Feb 22, 2015

I have a berlebach which is what I use for 4x5 very sturdy... My feisol cf tripod does an excellent job but only if pack weight is an issue... If not I go with a tiltall I restored... Last option that does a good job up to 15 lbs is a sirui tripod (max weight is like 22 lbs) and head... Very light weight and small..

cjbecker · Feb 22, 2015

I have settled on a gitzo g1228. I use it headless for everything, so that helps for steadiness. It has seen small amounts of 4x5 (before i sold it), lots of 6x6 and it's now the tripod for my gun during coyote season. Got it because of its lightness and rigidness.

BobMarvin · Feb 22, 2015

I agree with David Goldfarb about a Marchioni Bros. or Leitz, NJ Tiltall. They're very sturdy and, @ about 7.5 Lbs., aren't all THAT heavy. The heads are pretty good too (IMO) AND there are aftermarket center columns that let you mount a more modern head if you prefer.

John Koehrer · Feb 22, 2015

Original Tiltall, Gitzo 2 or 3 series, Bogen 3021 and Quickset Husky lV all work well.

The Tiltall weighs about 6.5 lbs. Gitzo 3 series is heaviest and the others sorta kinda somewhere in between. These are the aluminum versions, CF will be lighter.

jeffreyg · Feb 22, 2015

In the past i traveled with The original Leitz Tiltall with the longer handle removed so it would fit in a checked suitcase but after having my luggage detained I bit the bullet and splurged on a Gitzo carbon fiber 1127 and their magnesium head. I now carry it on and it easily supports a Hasselblad with a 150 + 2x with no problems of course using a cable release. I'm going to test it with the 250 + 2x which should work since it would be only 8oz different. My concern would be the extra length of the lens about 2.45in.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

Sirius Glass · Feb 22, 2015

I just bought an Induro PHQ 1 pan head and an Induro Carbon Fiber CT214 tripod.

Little tripod, big camera

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