Pentacon 6 tripod enought for Pentax 6x7?

Halka · Dec 6, 2014

I've been looking around for a tripod that could handle having a P67 perched on top of it and not break the bank at the same time. Searching for a Gitzo Reporter I've stumbled upon an old, old model of a tripod that was supposed to go with the Pentacon 6 and related models of MF SLRs: this thing.

Has anyone had any experience with this combination and knows how it holds up? The longest lens I have at the moment is the 105mm, and I can't see myself going over 200mm in the future (more realistically, I'll probably max on a 165mm lens).

I'm also open to other suggestions, of course

E. von Hoegh · Dec 6, 2014

Well, my go-to tripod would be a Tiltall.
But that Pentacon tripod looks pretty nice! It should do if the mounting screw fits the Pentax which I believe has a 1/4" tripod screw thread. The cameras are pretty similar in size and weight.

John Koehrer · Dec 6, 2014

Tiltalls are good but are they common in the EU?

The Pentacon looks to be useful as a travel setup but at 48" it would be short for me. Well, it's compact and looks pretty well built. Much better than many similar tripods here in the US.

Curious about the price, if it's reasonable for a user, that's one thing. To a collector totally different.

Hatchetman · Dec 6, 2014

I think you'd be OK if you did not raise the center column.

BobMarvin · Dec 6, 2014

Another vote for a Tiltall–either the original Marchioni Brothers version, or the slightly later Leitz, NJ model. They're pretty common used on US eBay and, considering their usual low price ($50, or so) and very high quality, might be worth purchasing from the US, even if you have to pay duty. IMO they're as good, or better, than most new tripod/head combinations that cost 10X as much.

Fritzenpapa · Dec 9, 2014

Hi,
I am using both the Pentacon Six tripod AND the Pentax 6x7 and 67II camera. The Pentacon tripod is certainly no substitute for a huge tripod with a heavy ballhead, but it is very good when you don´t have the possibility to carry a big tripod but you still want to have something more stable with you then a monopod. The Pentacon Six tripod fits perfectly in my camera backpack with the Pentax 6x7 body and two lenses and lots of films. The tripod is all metal made and astonishingly sturdy for its size. Last June I got a sharp photo with my Pentax 6x7 on the pentacon tripod when photographing inside a narrow flume in cloudy and rainy weather with a two seconds shutter speed!

piu58 · Dec 12, 2014

I own this tripod. It is able to *hold* a P6 and normal lens, but it still slightly overloaded with that. I don't believe that you can *fire* the P6 or an even heavier camera with that tripod. It is possible using the P6 with manual exposing (lens cap method), so preventing the shutter vibrations. It may be possible to use that method with a slightly heavier lens or even a heavier body.

I do not believe that this mount can handle a P6 with a 180 mm Sonnar.

> astonishingly sturdy for its size
Yes, that is true. And it is small!

DREW WILEY · Dec 12, 2014

All depends on the lens and tripod head. I'd avoid ball heads. That big mirror has quite a kick, and for a minor canon barrel like the 300mm
lens I actually use the same big Ries maple tripods that I use for my 8x10 camera (neither cheap or lightwt by any means). With a 165 or smaller, I can easily use my carbon fiber Gitzo (Reporter sized - their very first version), along with a small Gitzo pan-tilt head. I removed the center column so the head could be mounted right to the platform. Center columns as well as ball heads are the root of all evil when it comes to camera like this. But you can handhold them under certain circumstances, namely when relatively high shutter speeds are appropriate. If you want a solid affordable tripod you can always adapt an entry-level survey tripod, though these might be considered a bit
bulky by some people's standards.

johnha · Dec 12, 2014

I wouldn't worry about a tripod designed for the Pentacon 6 - it's unlikely to be a lightweight tripod and will most probably hold a P6x7 reasonably well (at least horizontally). I've only ever shot my P67 & P6x7 handheld though.

axs810 · Dec 12, 2014

The Benro A3580F is worth checking out. It can support up to 33lbs and weighs only 5.3lbs

jwatts · Dec 13, 2014

I'm currently using a borrowed pair of legs that are rated to 16lbs. I can get sharp images even with the 200 f/4. But if I was buying id go 30lbs and up. I have a Sirui K30x ballhead which is very decent for the price.

Pentacon 6 tripod enought for Pentax 6x7?

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