Mini Tripod for 4x5 Field Camera

[Darryl Roberts]

Hi,

I'd like to do some very low, ant-like, perspectives with my new 4.5 lb Chamonix field camera.

Will you recommend a tripod to use?

I'm wondering, though, for example, the Really Right Stuff Pocket Pod says it can handle 15 pounds, would it be suitable?

Thank you.

​

 

[MurrayMinchin]

My preference would be a tripod with no centre column, and independent legs that could spread out to horizontal, or past horizontal.

For a right on the ground position...maybe sandbags that you could position and 'push' the camera into so it wouldn't move if handled carefully?

 

[Dan Fromm]

How low is low? I ask because with the lens on the camera's optical axis it will be several -- sorry, I don' know your Chamonix' dimensions -- inches above ground level.

To put the lens' axis as low as possible I've attached a Graphic with a Spiratone Mirrotach (the rectangular one, not the circular one) on the lens to an inverted center post. Fiddly, hard to use, but with a little digging it will put the lens' axis at ground level.

Failing that, I've used a small Benbo tripod.

 

[Sharktooth]

With many tripods you can switch the head from the top of the column to the bottom, or insert the column from the bottom. This would allow you to mount the camera "upside down" from the bottom of the column. In theory, this would give you ground level shooting capability. The downside it that the legs may get in the way of easily viewing the ground glass. The big advantage is that you don't need to carry additional accessories.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

I second the suggestion of finding a larger, sturdy tripod that has a reversible center column. Mounting the camera upside-down on the column between the tripod legs can get you right to ground level.

Some wooden tripods have legs that will splay out completely flat. Those would work well too. Just setting the camera on the ground has worked for me a time or two as well.

If you make a habit of "worm's-eye view" photography, a 90° reflex viewer is really handy.

Doremus

 

[blee1996]

I use the following tripod with a small ball head. The center column can be converted to horizontal easily. It is quite light overall yet still sturdy enough for my Tachihara 4x5 wooden field camera. I got the tripod legs used, so not that expensive. The aluminum version is also less expensive and have the same design.

Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 Carbon Fiber Tripod​

 

[nosmok]

I have a small wooden Berlebach that supports an 8x10, so it would probably work for your purpose. It's the 'Mulda' model. I got it on evilBay.

 

[Laurent]

I'd go for the mini Berlebach, don't remember the name. I had one "regular" berlebach when I was doing LF, and it was the best tripod I ever owned (never tried Gitzo, so don't hit me, Gitzo lovers ;-) )

 

[DREW WILEY]

Don't use a lightweight "pocket" version tripod. You'd be better off attaching a quick release system directly to a solid wooden box or block or something like that. It won't be fun to focus and compose, however. I've been on my belly on a frozen lake, with my 8x10 set up on my big Ries wooden tripod with its legs splayed nearly completely out, and its top only about a foot above the ice. Thank goodness for the spike feet.

 

[Vaughn]

Reversed the center column and had the 4x5 upside down. Gowland PocketView at 2.5 lb with lens. Worked---not very comfortable position.

I have also used a 2 pound tripod with the Gowland...not enough weight to be very stable. I worked with it...carefully.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

Reversed the center column and had the 4x5 upside down. Gowland PocketView at 2.5 lb with lens. Worked---not very comfortable position.

I have also used a 2 pound tripod with the Gowland...not enough weight to be very stable. I worked with it...carefully.

Very nice.

 

[MTGseattle]

Somebody makes a flat machined aluminum (tripod) it's about the size of a 5x7 film holder and has various machined holes for attachment points. The one I saw was anodized red. I cannot remember the name. The Platypod "ultraplate" seems like the thing but I don't remember the one I saw being quite so odd shaped.

 

[LibraryTroll]

Induro used to make a really neat, shorty tripod that I really wanted to buy but never got around to purchasing before I found out they got absorbed by Benro. I believe they were made of carbon fiber and could really hold some weight. They were not cheap!

A quick search just now shows that Benro makes something similar in aluminum. The description claims it will hold 165 pounds! There are times that I really wished I had something like this when you just don't want to splay out the legs of a full-size tripod to go low. That option is a big footprint and I tend to trip on the outstretched legs in tight spaces.

Now, I'm putting this on my birthday or Christmas "Wish List."

Benro 75mm Hi-Hat​

BH #BEHH75AV • MFR #HH75AV

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1236881-REG/benro_hh75av_video_hi_hat_75mm_bowl.html/overview?ap=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7ri52oyQhAMV1jbUAR0bWAaLEAQYASABEgKFnfD_BwE

 

[Vaughn]

Very nice.

Thank you. I forgot to mention that the tripod used for the above photo was an aluminium Gitzo Studex w/ Gitzo Ballhead #2. About 7 pounds, but its been awhile. No bells nor whistles...the minimum height was pretty high. I was 6'4" (193cm) and this set-up was marginally tall enough (without using the center column). Any taller models would have been over-built for my needs (a lot extra weight). Used for general landscape and bicycle touring/backpacking with my 4x5 in the 1980s, then eventually 5x7 in the 90s.

 

[John Koehrer]

I've used the weight from a floor lamp & put a 3/8x16 screw into it from the bottom.
With a ballhead it's the thickness of the base ~2" + the head.

 

[MTGseattle]

Thanks a lot @LibraryTroll Now I "need" that mini tripod. I think the Induro version can be had from the ebay.