RZ67 tripod suggestions

endneu913 · Dec 29, 2009

So ive been looking for a few days... comparing and contrasting the different ways to go... I need something lightweight ( carbon fiber would be nice) and i want a 3 way head NOT a ball head. Money of course is a factor, but i am easily swayed by more experienced users... What ive come up with is: Cheap legs and a medium priced head in the Manfrotto 804RC2 3 way or the 3030 3 way, either which can be had for $50-$70 respectively. The 3030 has a max weight of 13.2 lbs, while the newer 804rc2 has a max weight of 8.82 lbs.

The legs im looking at are an "ebay special" that i saw mentioned here on APUG by being used by fellow members, this is the Fancier FT6824T. It is carbon fiber and only weighs 2lb 11oz, with a max load of 18lbs. Cost is $89 shipped.

So for under $160 it seems that lightweight yet stable setup could be procured for my RZ67.... Which ive just weighed with my biggest lens (180mm) and the heavy prism finder, which i never use.... at a total of 7.8 lbs. but respectively ( with the WLF, at 6.2 lbs )

Shoot holes in this please! ( and im not kidding )

- grae

removed-user-1 · Dec 29, 2009

I have Bogen 3021 legs with the 322RC2 "grip action ball head." I didn't like this with my RB67 at first, because the friction dial was pretty loose and the camera would flip forward when I used a long bellows extension, and the QR plate tended to twist a little. Once I tightened up the friction dial and switched to a QR plate with a 3/8" screw (instead of a 1/4" screw and a bushing), it worked great. I would prefer a lighter tripod but my platform is very stable for the 127mm and 65mm lenses, even at maximum bellows extension that I often use. I don't own and haven't used the 180mm... I had a prism but I prefer the WLF.

moouers · Dec 29, 2009

I have the 804RC2 head and use it for my recently acquired RB67 with WLF and 90mm lens. It's firm as firm can be with no sagging. As for legs, I use the 055XPROB legs, but those seem a little heavy for what you want. In short, my tripod system and camera system are equivalent to what you will be purchasing and I don't have any complaints about stability using such a heavy camera. The rotating back helps with using lighter capacity heads, as you don't need to have the camera at 90 degree side angles to get that orientation.

2F/2F · Dec 29, 2009

My favorite "lightweight" and "cheap" and "good" tripod is the Bogen 3033, which is no longer made. It is not light compared to a carbon fiber tripod, but it is light in my book, considering the sturdiness and quality. IMO, it is the best balance of sturdiness, quickness, lightness, and cost. I would describe it as a "medium-format version of the 3036". Same basic construction, but lower capacity, and different ways of spreading and extending the legs. The 3033 is much quicker to set up, because all three legs spread at once, being connected to a sliding collar on the center of the tripod. It is also a bit quicker because the extension clamps are quick-action ones that only require a mild flip of a few degrees, while the 3036 camps are stiffer and require a full 90 degree flip. I find it far superior to the 3021 and 3030, which I do not like at all because the legs are not connected with struts to the center of the tripod. I can't stand this type of tripod design, myself.

As for weight, the first time I picked it up, it felt like a feather to me, being used to my 3051 and 3036. It seems that my definition of "light" tends to be different than most, however. Personally, I say that the 3033 is light enough to take hiking without "feeling it". (I hike the San Gabriel Mountains here in CA frequently, FWIW.) I have hauled my bigger tripods on hikes, but only short ones (a few miles tops), and I definitely "felt it", and did not feel agile enough to do the type of climbing I would normally do with the 3033.

I have used the 3033 for 4x5 cameras, and it worked just fine, though I would use a 3036 or 3051 if I didn't have to haul the thing long distances.

The head you choose will affect the weight and carrying comfort significantly. I suggest getting the legs with a standard 3047 head. This is a good head to have for general purposes, and the tripod will likely come with one at little additional cost on the used market. However, I would also go in to a shop and try different ones as well. There are others that are lower in profile and in weight, and will support an RB/RZ just fine.

I got my 3033 with a 3047 head for $60 in very clean condition. They are one of the best buys around, IMO.

moouers · Dec 29, 2009

2F/2F said:
I find it far superior to the 3021 and 3030, which I do not like at all because the legs are not connected with struts to the center of the tripod. I can't stand this type of tripod design, myself.

I can't stand the legs connected to the center column, after using the independent leg tripods. I'm glad they make both kinds, so neither one of us are disappointed

Mark Fisher · Dec 30, 2009

$89 for a new carbon tripod???? I'd try to find a review somewhere of it...sounds too good to be true. If the cost is the major consideration, I'd try to find a used Bogen 3021. It is a nice pod for the money. The Feisol tripods sold by Kerry Thalmann (a sponsor of this site) represent a real bargain in a quality CF tripod. I have had both the 3021 and a Feisol and one is heavier and cheaper and one is lighter and more expensive....they both held the camera up quite well. My recommendation is to get a good tripod and head you'd use it forever and across multiple systems...and it has a big effect on how much fun you are having. Sell a lens or two (or better a picture or two) and get something nice. On the head, did you consider a Manfrotto 410 geared head? A little pricey but nice.

endneu913 · Dec 30, 2009

moouers- Thanks for that review of the 804

2F/2F- I will look into that 3033... normally i dont like the connector from the column to the legs... but i will take a peek.

Mark-- Exacty my sentiments.. so cheap! but i was recommended to me... so i took a look. They have a great return policy, so if its trash, i could go back... free shipping. The 410 head looks nice, but i find i like the heads with the large handles, or as i call them, "booms" i find they make small adjustments to the camera position very helpful.

Retail sale:
http://lumieretech.com/store/product.php?productid=16194&cat=260&page=1

Bosaiya · Dec 30, 2009

What is the intended use of the tripod? Studio or location? Seems kind of hard to make any sort of recommendation without knowing.

John Koehrer · Dec 30, 2009

Max height w/o center column is 44", add a head 4-6" so reasonable working height for the RZ.
Maximum leg diameter is 24mm so the smallest will be 10-15mm IMO that's mighty tiny & possibly fragile.
Well, we do need a guinea pig & it's your $90.
The weak point will be where the legs meet the spider, most of the better tripods will have a section that reinforces the CF tube at that point. If the CF tube just slips onto the attachment it will break pretty easily.
CF is pretty brittle when it's stressed on one surface.
I've used the 3021 & it's a little bulky but the 3021S would probably meet your needs, likely a little heavier though.

2F/2F · Dec 30, 2009

The struts are certainly a matter of preference.

Since you prefer not to have them, I'd look at the 3021 and 3030 on the used market. These ones really are light as a feather in my book...but, as I stated, I can't stand 'em, personally! Tripods simply do not feel solid to me unless they have the struts.

bbuszard · Dec 30, 2009

I'd suggest a nice US vintage Tilt-All. I picked up a good one a couple of years ago for $80. Don't buy one of the inferior new ones, though. The original and the Leitz branded ones are much better.

johnnywalker · Dec 31, 2009

I bought this one new from KEH for use with my RB67 and am very happy with it. It's very reasonably priced.

Dead Link Removed

Greg Campbell · Dec 31, 2009

2F/2F said:
Tripods simply do not feel solid to me unless they have the struts.

IMO, a properly built tripod won't need them. Also, the ability to independently raise and lengthen/shorten the legs is invaluable if you shoot outdoors in irregular terrain.

Also IMO.
A $100 ($80!) may well use some manner of "Carbon Fiber" in the legs, but I suspect that leaves very little in the budget for quality leg extending joints and clamps, a rigid triple clamp etc. Keep the receipt!

2F/2F · Dec 31, 2009

Greg Campbell said:
IMO, a properly built tripod won't need them. Also, the ability to independently raise and lengthen/shorten the legs is invaluable if you shoot outdoors in irregular terrain.

All of my tripods with struts allow me to do all that (3036 and 3051). With teh 3051, I don't even have to bend down to do it. It is my favorite tripod of all time. Solid enough for anything, and the quickest tripod I have ever used. The 3033 is more restricted in that it does not give you the ability to individually angle the legs...but it is lighter, and controlling the length of the legs with the quick flips has allowed me to use it on uneven ground quickly and easily. I almost never have the legs of my 3036 or 3051 at extremely different angles to each other anyhow, but use leg length to control things on uneven ground. I have used well built tripods without struts (the ones I suggested to the OP), and no matter how well built, they just give me a floppy, yucky feeling. (Uh oh....that sounds bad! ) While a well-built tripod may not "need" struts (hard to say "need" with any meaning if the word is used unconditionally anyhow), they do improve stability in any case.

Greg Campbell · Dec 31, 2009

Can you detach the legs from the 'struts'? That would be ideal.
I've used my slightly gigantic 700DX in narrow slot canyons where the ability to raise one or two legs to near-horizontal was invaluable.

2F/2F · Dec 31, 2009

Yes, that would be ideal...but can't be done on the tripods I mentioned.

endneu913 · Jan 8, 2010

Weeeel..... the verdict is in! DONT BUY the Fancier models trips off ebay. Ive done the homework for anyone whom might be as silly as me. The mechanism that stops the legs from spreading farther than the "setting" is garbage. With enough use, that thing would slide spread eagle on a smooth floor. Returning to seller.. continuing my shopping. At this point carbon fiber is out of my price range, so i will have to go with aluminum, and used perhaps.

Screwdriver · Jan 8, 2010

I use a Bogen 3021B and 488RC0 ball head. This tripod combo has served me well through many cameras including a RB67 and a Meade 80ED refractor with heavy 2" EPs....The Meade resides on a 501HDV fluid head btw.

endneu913 · Jan 8, 2010

I guess im stuck on it being black too.... call me goth idk. All the older used ones i find on Fleabay are aluminum in color. Im looking at this one here, Its got 11 lb weight cap. Could i trust it? It would be with a 3047 head i already purchased.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/manfrot...erness-trpd-w-leg-protectors-spiked-feet.html

OR

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...lassic_Aluminum_4_Section.html#specifications

oR

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...fessional_Aluminum_Tripod.html#specifications

John Koehrer · Jan 9, 2010

I don't think you can go wrong with any of those three. Do you like twist lock or flip lock legs? everything else being pretty much the same.
Keep in mind if you do low level work, none of them go as low as specified with the ORIGINAL center column.
The Manfrotto is relatively short & you might need to raise the center column to be comfy and raising the column will affect the stability.

Greg Campbell · Jan 9, 2010

I don't think anyone's mentioned the Slik 700DX in this thread yet...
The 700 is well regarded as one of the best deals around. The legs are very good - reasonably light, rigid, and sturdy. They will easily support your RZ. You can buy the legs for just over a hundred dollars, US.

The tripod is also sold as a kit, with a Godzilla-class tilt/pan head, for around $140. This head is all metal, and quite well built, cinching tightly and rigidly, but it also weighs half a ton. (If attacked by wild animals, you can pull the central post out of the triple clamp and wield the head as a cudgel.) Also, the head's tilt axes have a limited range of motion, occasionally making 90 degree use problematic. (Not a problem for you, just rotate the back.) Most people I know eventually replaced the stock head with something a little lighter and more ergonomic.

Anyhow, it's probably worth a look.

-Moo

Ektagraphic · Jan 9, 2010

I have a Tiltall Tripod and I love it. It holds my 4X5 Calumet Monorail camera okay so I would assume it could hold an RZ67 okay too. I also use it for my Mamiya M645 very often.

endneu913 · Jan 9, 2010

.... thanks, ill take a peek at those. I wa sin a Kits today and got to play with a Manfrotto 190-- that was rated at 11lbs. I was shocked at how sturdy it felt! even comapared to the bulkier Quantaray/ Sunpak cheapies they had.

I received my head today ( the bogen 3047) THIS THING IS HUGE! and heavy. uh-oh. It feels so nice an solid tho. But if i have to strap it to my pack, the handles will have to come off.

endneu913 · Jan 10, 2010

Should i be looking for a tripod that had a weight cap of the camera AND the head? If so, the head and camera are 10lbs flat.... seems that an 11lb capacity leg setup would be too close for comfort. Im whittleing it down to a few models... some are 11lb cap, others 22 lbs cap, which sounds much sturdier- but weigh more in total. For instance:

The Slik mentioned above has a 22lb cap, but weighs 5.88 lbs, has 3 leg warmers, and is only 99 shipped.. sound like a great deal, but at least 1.5 lbs heavier than:

The Benro a-258ex, which has the same 22lb cap, but weighs only 4.4, one leg warmer and is $121 PLUS shipping OR:

The Benro A-158EX has a 13.2 cap, and weighs only 3.4 lbs, but only 1 leg warmer and is 102 plus shipping.

Benro a-198ex has a 13.2 cap, and weighs 4 lbs, 1 leg warmer, AND the tilt arm at $134 plus shipping.

The Cullmann Magnesit 525, has the same 13.2 cap, weighs 4 lbs, 3 leg warmers and is only $89 bucks. Anyone have any idea if this is a reputable company? THey are sold on b+h.

Shopping shopping............

............. i just loaded up my gear in my pack, then added a 10lb weight from my weight bench. Total weight would be 26.6 lbs... is that heavy? : )

John Koehrer · Jan 11, 2010

Cullman's been around for years. The one's I'm familiar with have all been very light & compact travel tripods, never bought one.
The Sliks that I've seen tend to loosen up over a short time. Never bought one.
Never dealt with the Benro's
Tiltall, Bogen & Gitzo have all been reliable & rugged.

RZ67 tripod suggestions

removed-user-1

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