Tripod for chamonix 45

..the tripod I’m currently using is a Manfrotto 74 with a Gitzo Rat 2 pan and tilt head. It’s pretty heavy. I’ m thinking of replacing it with something lighter like the carbon Manfrotto 055 3-section, but retaining the GR2 head. Ìs this a good idea? THanks.

Stability will an issue with a tripod so light...but if the carrying weight is a more important factor, it can be worked around easily enough.

I have a off-brand carbon-fiber tripod and ballhead that weighs 2.7 pounds...just a touch more than my 2.5 pound (with lens) 4x5 rail view camera. Being tall and 71 years old, bending over that much to focus and compose is unnecessarily uncomfortable... and any slight tug on the darkcloth threatened to move the whole camera/tripod. Trying to use its center column just made it worse. For me, it turned out worthless as a 4x5 tripod -- but a perfect match for my Rolleiflex and its waist-level finder.

When recently buying a tripod to take to Japan to photograph for several weeks with the 4x5, I bought a little heavier tripod (5 lbs w/ ballhead) in exchange for added stability and ease-of-use. No center column, 5-sections, 63" tall (ground to ballhead QR plate), and only 22" long packed down. Worked great -- a little over-kill, capacity-wise, for my light 4x5, but it is perfect for my wood and brass 5x7.

So if the Manfrotto 055 3-section tripod's height (without raising the center column) is sufficient for you I see no issue with it. If at all possible I suggest getting your camera on one before buying one just to see how stable it feels while under the darkcloth and such.

I also have a Chamonix F1 4x5, and use Manfrotto 055 carbon fiber legs and a low profile ball-head regularly. Stability is not a problem, but I have never been to really windy places.

Another possibility is iFootage Gazelle TC7 carbon fiber legs, which was made popular by yourtuber Thomas Heaton. It has a fast action bowl to level the base, also a bit taller without center column. Then I use a heavy duty 2-way head on top. It can handle much more camera than Chamonix 4x5. e.g. I use my Intrepid 8x10 on this combo.

I'm using my medium-format (Mamiya RB67) 40-year-old Gitzo tripod with my Chamonix 45H-1. At 9 pounds including the pan and tilt three-way head, it's overkill. But it takes an earthquake to move it.

I had been using the FLM CP30-L4 with the Benro 3 way geared head (currently used for a Rolliflex and Hassel) but found that with a lens over 180mm the camera was not stable, specifically with a 240mm and 300mm. I'm 6'3 and at 70 was hoping to keep the weight down, it's why I purchased the Chamonix 4x5.

If you intend on shooting wide angle to 180mm you're good. I've had to use my 8x10 tripod an FLM CP34-L4, it may be overkill however all the images are sharp and there is no camera shake.

I found the carbon tripods too light since the camera with a dark cloth attached takes on a 'kite like' performance when the wind blows.
Check out the Berlebach wood tripods, you can get them stained to match the colour of the camera.
-Rob

Maybe this video would be useful. It's everything I know about tripods...

In 1986 I bicycled in New Zealand for 6 months with my lightweight 4x5 (mentioned above) and a Gitzo Studex with a Gitzo Ballhead No.2. I easily could have saved a pound or so and gone with the set of Reporter legs Rob was recommending in the video...but enjoyed the stability to having a solid pod weighing 3x the camera. Fortunately, back then my annual schedule was working 6 months building trails, packing mules, fighting fires, and such; and then winters playing basketball and making photographs, so a pound extra or so was never a problem.

But for the 8x10 and the 11x14, the Ries tripod and head is a sweet set-up for me.