Looking for a tall, solid, PORTABLE, well-featured tripod for 645 and 4x5

Ulophot · Jul 15, 2017

Undoubtedly my question has been answered previously, if I could locate answers. I use have a Mamiya 645 Pro, and am also in the process of replacing my 11.5 lb (5+ kg) studio 4x5 with a 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) field 4x5 for portability. Both cameras to be used, primarily, for location portraiture.
My tripod is currently a Manfrotto 3251, which weighs 13.6 lbs (6.2 kg) plus the 3047 head. rock solid, excellent, but I'm not as robust as I used to be. It's not what I call portable any longer.
So, I am looking about for something with the same approx. height, not including center shaft extension, about 63" (1.6 m). I'm less worried about using the center shaft for 4x5 than 645, due to the latter's focal-plane shutter vibration. I'd like a tripod that I can use for both cameras, including for standing portraits with the camera near eye level. Camera bag hung could add weight for stability, of course.
Ah, but then comes the financial question, and the answer, at present, at least, is that
1) I may be able to get only $150 for my 3051 legs (ouch), and that
2) I don't have a lot more to spend for a replacement. Carbon fiber is, I think, only a dream for me.
So, who knows of any make and model with similar height, significantly less weight, adequate stability as well as good leg spread feature for low shooting, that I might be likely to find used in my price range? Am I on the wrong planet, or, perhaps, in the wrong century?
Thanks in advance.

Vaughn · Jul 15, 2017

Old Gitzo Reporter (aluminum) would work fine for you.

No connection or other knowldge of this sale: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gitzo-tripod-/142419438623?hash=item2128dc2c1f:g:SgsAAOSwwvZZR7fC

eddie · Jul 15, 2017

There's an old saying about tripods:
Everyone looks for 3 things in a tripod. 1-sturdy. 2-lightweight. 3-inexpensive. But, you can only get 2 out of the 3...

btaylor · Jul 16, 2017

I also have a big heavy manfrotto tripod and needed something more portable. I bought a Berlebach Report wooden tripod, I've been very pleased with it. Even a Calumet C1 was well supported. I like it for 4x5 and it's great for medium format too. Not too expensive either.

Arklatexian · Jul 16, 2017

Ulophot said:
Undoubtedly my question has been answered previously, if I could locate answers. I use have a Mamiya 645 Pro, and am also in the process of replacing my 11.5 lb (5+ kg) studio 4x5 with a 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) field 4x5 for portability. Both cameras to be used, primarily, for location portraiture.
My tripod is currently a Manfrotto 3251, which weighs 13.6 lbs (6.2 kg) plus the 3047 head. rock solid, excellent, but I'm not as robust as I used to be. It's not what I call portable any longer.
So, I am looking about for something with the same approx. height, not including center shaft extension, about 63" (1.6 m). I'm less worried about using the center shaft for 4x5 than 645, due to the latter's focal-plane shutter vibration. I'd like a tripod that I can use for both cameras, including for standing portraits with the camera near eye level. Camera bag hung could add weight for stability, of course.
Ah, but then comes the financial question, and the answer, at present, at least, is that
1) I may be able to get only $150 for my 3051 legs (ouch), and that
2) I don't have a lot more to spend for a replacement. Carbon fiber is, I think, only a dream for me.
So, who knows of any make and model with similar height, significantly less weight, adequate stability as well as good leg spread feature for low shooting, that I might be likely to find used in my price range? Am I on the wrong planet, or, perhaps, in the wrong century?
Thanks in advance.

Why don't you keep the tripod that you have which will do everything you want it to do except be as portable as you need. For less money than a different tripod might cost, you can buy a two wheel cart that will carry your camera equipment AND your Manfrotto 3261 tripod. On one that I own, the wheels fold into the cart so you can hang it on a wall, out of the way. You might also look for a luggage cart designed to carry suitcases with no built-in wheels. You can probably find one of those for almost nothing. I prefer using the one made for heavier loads, however...............Regards!

Alan Gales · Jul 16, 2017

Vaughn said:
Old Gitzo Reporter (aluminum) would work fine for you.

No connection or other knowldge of this sale: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gitzo-tripod-/142419438623?hash=item2128dc2c1f:g:SgsAAOSwwvZZR7fC

+1

sportster44 · Jul 16, 2017

My travel tripod is the Mephoto tripod.... don't remember which one, but tall, sturdy enough for the RZ67, and folds down to fit in a carry on suitcase.

chassis · Jul 16, 2017

Bogen 3011. I use this with an RB67 and am very satisfied. 5 lb tripod weight, less than $100 on craigslist and can achieve a camera-on-the-ground position with the center column inverted. It has a maximum height of 54" which is less than your requirement of 63".

E. von Hoegh · Jul 16, 2017

Tiltall.

chassis · Jul 16, 2017

Bogen 3221. This is now my main tripod. It is heavier and taller than the 3011. It meets all of your weight, height, cost and stability requirements.

John Koehrer · Jul 16, 2017

Tiltall but not the last Chinese version. Original was Marcgioni Bros. in NJ, second was Leitz.
the head's not interchangeable though.

M. Axel Wikstrom · Jul 17, 2017

Very happy with my Berlebach wood tripod. Far better than the Manfrotto 3221 that it replaced and about the same weight.

jspillane · Jul 17, 2017

It's very much worth keeping your eyes on the forums here and on KEH.com and B&H's used section. Sometimes one can find quite good leg sets for a considerable discount from new. I got a very nice carbon fiber Induro tripod that I use as my 'field' unit- sturdy, high quality, fairly light and was obtained for <$150 used. New it would be closer to $600! I think if you are on a budget it's better to keep your eyes on specs and not worry so much about brand name - the modern Chinese-made tripods are often very well crafted but don't hold their value on the used market.

There are enough 'cheap' modern CF tripods that I largely think tiltall's aren't worth investing in unless you really like the aesthetic and head (or find a very good deal). I used to use one a lot, but especially for extreme temperatures the metal is less the pleasant compared to CF. I tend to prefer the feel of the older Gitzo's but they are not as light for the same capacity.

Sirius Glass · Jul 17, 2017

Induro Carbon 8X CT 214 and PHQ1 head. Carbon fiber, light, portable and a whole lot cheaper than the big brands.

Peter Schrager · Jul 17, 2017

Slik...AMT...i use it for up to whole plate
$120 new...could you hear that???

Ulophot · Jul 17, 2017

Thank you for all the great suggestions. I found a floor sample of the 3221 legs for under $100 with return privilege so that I can try it out. With the extra leg height, it looks like just the ticket.

Vaughn · Jul 17, 2017

Sounds fine to me.

Ulophot · Jul 20, 2017

The Manfrotto 3221 arrived today, and I've made a quick check of features and thought I'd report for others' benefit.
This was a display model, so it's in like-new condition. This model is black and has a short center column, which adds about 5.5 inches to the height and is quite solid when extended.
I have seen various heights given for this model. The legs at full extension in the most-closed of the three locked positions raise the plate to 55" (without center-post elevation) and my 4047 head adds another 7 inches -- adequate for nearly eye-level standing portraits of people who are not height-exhuberant. In fact, I was surprised to see that the working height is comparable to that of my 3051. This model does not metal have spikes, just rubber feet; fine for my uses.
At full leg-extension, torque -- that is, lack of it -- is, in my opinion, very good-to-excellent for a tripod of this weight (about 5 lbs). As the legs are retracted a bit, it gets even better. The legs lock very securely.
Given the short center column and the third, wide-spread leg position possible, the camera can make images from a very low angle.
As originally mentioned, this replaces my heavy-duty 3051 -- a great tripod with excellent features but not terribly portable. Although I haven't field tested the 3221 yet, decades of experience with other tripods indicate to me that this is a worthy instrument destined for as many years as I can use it.

chassis · Jul 20, 2017

Glad you like it. I'm using a 3221 tonight in NYC for architecture images with the 4x5.

Looking for a tall, solid, PORTABLE, well-featured tripod for 645 and 4x5

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