New tripod purchase suggestions

[removed account4]

get a older tiltall.
they cost less than 100$
and can easily take your mf camera.
i use a speed graphic
and graflex slr on mine, and when i had a graphic view II
i had not trouble using the tripod with that camera as well.
cheap and sturdy ... and worth every penny spent ..

 

[nsurit]

Wish I hadn't sold my Tiltall from the late 60's/early 70's. The weak point on the Tiltall was the material on the piece where you attached your camera. Seems like it was thin blue plastic that didn't hold up well and required replacement with something more substantial, like a piece of old inner tube. Bill Barber

 

[removed account4]

Wish I hadn't sold my Tiltall from the late 60's/early 70's. The weak point on the Tiltall was the material on the piece where you attached your camera. Seems like it was thin blue plastic that didn't hold up well and required replacement with something more substantial, like a piece of old inner tube. Bill Barber

hi bill

i got mine in 88'
it seems that they changed the material on the mount plate (?)
it is rubbery-hard-plasticy-stuff. i never realized one of the legs
unscrewed from the rest and the screwmount underneath the center column
screwed into the leg to use as a monopod until maybe 2 years ago when
i lent it to someone and he told me

another reason to get a tiltall - free monopod

john

 

[John Koehrer]

hi bill

i got mine in 88'
it seems that they changed the material on the mount plate (?)
it is rubbery-hard-plasticy-stuff. i never realized one of the legs
unscrewed from the rest and the screwmount underneath the center column
screwed into the leg to use as a monopod until maybe 2 years ago when
i lent it to someone and he told me

another reason to get a tiltall - free monopod

john

The single leg feature is only on newer the newer Tiltalls.
But Tiltall is one of the best values on the market. I just don't care for the head.

 

[Andrew Horodysky]

Well, I went ahead and invested in an aluminum Gitzo and Gitzo pan/tilt head. I think this combo will last forever.

 

[Q.G.]

It will. Congrats!

I have just this week taken three of them (about 30 to 40 years old) apart and put them back together again after cleaning off the old lube and applying a helping of new grease.
Apart from the paint chipping, not a thing that would show their age.

What model?

 

[Andrew Horodysky]

The GT-3330 aluminum leg set and G-2271M 3-way Rationnelle "low profile" head.

Although costlier than some of the other models (brands) I looked at, this particular tripod felt solid (not rickety) with my camera attached to it in the store, as did the leg adjustments. The store staff even allowed me to put on an RZ67 demo, for size, as well. I chose the 3-way pan/tilt, only because if felt good making independent adjustments with both camera sizes/formats. This doesn't detract from the use of ball heads; I'm more comfortable with the 3-way, that's all. I spent a lot more that I had planned, in the beginning, but don't regret the purchase; it was a solid choice, for me. I truly appreciate everyone's suggestions and preferences. Thanks, again.

 

[Q.G.]

I have one series 3 Gitzo too (an old one, from before they gave the series 3 interchangeable center columns).
Though not quite as 'unyielding' as the massive series 4 and 5 (if you kick a series 3, it will move a tiny bit. Kick one of the higher series, and the only thing that happens is that your toes start to hurt ), very stable.
Only when extending the center column will it begin to shake a bit at the top. The new column with increased diameter and larger lock (compared to the 'ancient' version) should fix that.

If you spread out the cost of the set over the years you can expect this thing will serve its purpose, these thingies are next to free.