Tiltall Tripods!

LMNOP · Jul 30, 2015

I've heard this recommended several times on here, but they don't seem to be for sale on the major sites.

I found a used one on Craigslist for $100 - is this the type of model you would use for LF? ideally, it would support an RZ67 or Calumet CC400. This doesn't appear to be super supportive, but I keep hearing the Tiltall name come up on APUG. Whats so great about them?

LMNOP · Jul 30, 2015

jimrohrer · Jul 30, 2015

I would probably go with something sturdier for LF, but for medium format (like a Rolleiflex) the Tiltall is just fine. $100 seems a little high, but it's been a long time since I bought one. Good luck!

Rick A · Jul 30, 2015

I have owned several over the years, all incarnations from the Marchioni Bros original, Leitz , and a few black ones like the one pictured, even a video model. They were the recommended tripod by Calumet for the cc-4xx model cameras, they are stout enough. I think $100 is a bit much for one, but you can always try to dicker. I sold my last two for $75 each, they were the modern ones, even had a QR adapter with one. Check this out:
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/calumet_3.html

Ken Nadvornick · Jul 30, 2015

LMNOP said:
Whats so great about them?

I own the same black unit (and bag), purchased to augment a beat-up silver Star-D variant that I have used continuously since the 1980s.

The Tiltalls are basic but very good tripods. Probably the best bang-for-the-buck one can find. Mine easily supports all of my cameras up to a Wista 45-DXII 4x5 field. The tripod leg with the logo on it can be unscrewed and used as a serviceable monopod in a pinch. These aren't the lightest, strongest, sturdiest, coolest units one can buy. But they're pretty good in all of those categories combined.

The only camera I own that the Tiltall cannot support is my restored Calumet C1 8x10 Black Beast. For that I use a Zone VI heavy-duty wooden tripod to which I have securely adapted a beautiful 1980s NOS Majestic gear-drive head with the 6x7 platform plate. The tripod is a strong surveyor-style design, and the Majestic head could mount the Titanic securely, if it had to...

Ken

Dan Fromm · Jul 30, 2015

Whether a Tiltall will do for you depends on how you work and on what focal lengths you shoot.

Focal lengths. I have an all-metal Star-D imitation Tiltall in the closet. With a long lens (for example, Questar 700 on a Nikon, 70 mm and longer on an S8 camera) on it clamping the tilt or pan down tight shifted the point of aim more than I could live with.

Working. The Tiltall head is a three-axis head. Many people prefer these to ball heads. But it doesn't have a leveling base, so when you pan with it the horizon will move up/down. When I was shooting movies I found this intolerable. I now have two tripods that I use -- what they are doesn't matter -- and each has a three-axis head with a leveler under it. Because of the way the Tiltall is built, putting a leveler under the head is impossible.

Tiltalls and imitations will do very well for most users and applications. Not for me and mine, but I'm an outlier.

Alan Gales · Jul 30, 2015

I've got a used black Leitz Tiltall that I paid $75.00 for. It's great! They are a lot of bang for your buck for most applications. They get recommended a lot because people on forums often ask, "What is an inexpensive tripod that will work with my camera?".

Like anything, there are people who don't like them.

Sirius Glass · Jul 30, 2015

For less money and about the same quality I found that Induro Carbon Fiber Legs CT-214 and the Induro Magnesium Pan Head PHQ-1 are worth buying. Also consider the Induro Magnesium Ball Head BHM-2.

Jim Jones · Jul 30, 2015

I've owned five Tiltalls. One was sold overseas rather than tote it back to America. One was a gift for a friend who deserved the best. One, a Star D, was lost after a tumble into a creek. One, sold by Leitz, is kept in the house. Another one, a Marchioni Brothers original, is kept in the car for convenience. The only problem with the four that saw considerable use was a broken plastic piece on a knob on the Star D, which would have been an easy repair had I not been content to use it as is. The others had all metal knobs rather than that plastic part. The largest camera I've used on a Tiltall was a 5x7 B&J flatbed with a 20" lens. It worked, although that might be pushing one's luck in many conditions. Yesterday I used the Leitz to support the rear of a 800mm lens on a small digital camera with the front of the lens supported by a fence post. There was no motion blur. I didn't even try that without the fence post. All but the first one were bought secondhand for up to maybe $70.

bdial · Jul 30, 2015

I've used a CC400 on one and it was fine. You may not want to extend the center column much, but other than that it will support it.
They are sturdy dependable tripods that are relatively cheap, not a common combination.

shutterfinger · Jul 31, 2015

According to http://tiltalltripod.com/ shows the max weight limit of the Origional Titall to be 20kg it should handle the weight of your Calumet cc400 which http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/calumet_2.html says is 8 1/4 pounds.
Check ebay, you can get one there for less shipped to you.

Kirks518 · Jul 31, 2015

I'm using a Marchioni 4602 (original Tiltall) on my Calumet CC-401, and it has no problems keeping things solid. I do think $100 is way over the top for one though. I paid $40 for mine (craigslist), and you can get them on the 'bay for about $70 shipped all the time.

www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tripod-Tiltall-Marchioni-4602-With-Pan-Tilt-Head-/121716808444
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-C-M...ssional-Aluminum-Tripod-72-Nice-/191649093417

GKC · Aug 1, 2015

The Tiltall in your photo lools like the smaller one to my eyes. These aren't for LF but they will handle a 35mm SLR, maybe a light weight MF. You'll be wanting a full size Tiltall---those are quite a bit longer when folded and can handle a CC400/GV2 and even a 5x7 Speed Graphic (I know---that's what I use!) Look for a Marchioni (sp?) or Leitz $70+ buck-ish ought to get you one.

darinwc · Aug 4, 2015

Hmm where can I get a fencepost in California? Or are they better priced on bh? Do they come in carbon fiber?
Sounds like just the thing.

Jim Jones said:
I've owned five Tiltalls. One was sold overseas rather than tote it back to America. One was a gift for a friend who deserved the best. One, a Star D, was lost after a tumble into a creek. One, sold by Leitz, is kept in the house. Another one, a Marchioni Brothers original, is kept in the car for convenience. The only problem with the four that saw considerable use was a broken plastic piece on a knob on the Star D, which would have been an easy repair had I not been content to use it as is. The others had all metal knobs rather than that plastic part. The largest camera I've used on a Tiltall was a 5x7 B&J flatbed with a 20" lens. It worked, although that might be pushing one's luck in many conditions. Yesterday I used the Leitz to support the rear of a 800mm lens on a small digital camera with the front of the lens supported by a fence post. There was no motion blur. I didn't even try that without the fence post. All but the first one were bought secondhand for up to maybe $70.

Luis-F-S · Aug 20, 2015

I've got a Leitz black one that I bought new. Hate to think what I paid for it. I've used it mostly for 35 mm cameras. For MF & LF I've got Berlebach and Ries tripods. Also have a huge Gitzo when I need the height and weight capacity.

John Koehrer · Aug 20, 2015

I don'y know but think 20kg may be a little optimistic on their part. I have to use an engine hoist
to lift my 45# camera.

It's a decent tripod for the money and $100 isn't really out of line if it includes shipping.
I'm not real fond of the head on it and would use a shorter head.
Others with similar capabilities would be the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 or a Gitzo Reporter. Those
both have interchangable heads.

Tiltall Tripods!

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