Tripod for my RB67

johnnywalker · Sep 27, 2009

I'm looking for a tripod that will hold my RB67 and hopefully my Toyo 45D. I have a Manfrotto 075, but it's a very heavy tripod and must be overkill. I see a Manfrotto 3001 with a 3025 3-D head on KEH for $79. Would this tripod be suitable for both cameras?

DanielStone · Sep 27, 2009

b&h shows that the 3001 can hold up to 11lbs.

Personally, I'd look at something a little bit bigger, especially if you're planning on putting a 4x5 on there. If it were just the rb, no problem.

IMO, pan/tilt heads are the best for LF, but that is just my opinion. The 3025 head looks a little small for a 4x5.

keep your eyes open though, you might get something good. Watch Craigslist too

reellis67 · Sep 27, 2009

I have an older Bogen 3001 leg set with a 3-way pan/tilt head that works very well with my RB67 and with my Korona 4x5 (weighs in at about 4-5 pounds w/lens and film holder), although I do tend to use a larger tripod when I'm not carrying a heavy load on a long trail. Just the same, the 3001 leg set is quite sturdy - mine has been in constant use since 1986 and I've never had any problems with the setup...

- Randy

edit: That's the very head that I have on my setup! Mine has different knobs, but the body is the same. That's a good price for that combination I'd say - mine was considerably more than that back in the day...

Sirius Glass · Sep 27, 2009

Since the weight of a tripod on a trail grows by the third power.

y=x^^3,
where x is the tripod weight and y is tripod weight as felt by the hiker.
Note this equation works in the English and the metric systems

I recommend that you look at tripods that are:

a) Light is weight, carbon fiber perhaps
b) Can handle the weight of the RB67 with the heaviest lens that is available and the weight of any LF you might consider buying later.
c) Is strudy
d) Is stable
e) and does not have legs that are flexible enought to vibrate in the wind

Steve

John Koehrer · Sep 27, 2009

I'm of the opposing viewpoint.(#3) I think a better choice would be a 3021 or 3021S. 3011 might do but I'm of the better safe than sorry school. Tiltall would be an excellent choice for around $100
For what it's worth I'd like to have a CF pod that would go to around 60" with out using the center column and wouldn't cost as much as a Dr.'s visit.

Mike1234 · Sep 27, 2009

Velbon Carmagne 640 with their standard head.

Q.G. · Sep 27, 2009

The heaviest aluminium Gitzo you can find.
There is no overkill: the more mass there is the steadier the thing will be.
Even though it will be strong enough not to buckle under the weight of the camera at a much lesser weight.

Carbon fiber (and basalt) promise to be easier to carry, because they weigh less at similar physical sizes.
But that (being easy to carry) is not the function of a tripod.
But if you do want to compromise (i too do like things that are easy), get a lighter aluminium tripod. CF is way too expensive.

Mike1234 · Sep 27, 2009

I added a bungee cord wrapped around all three legs then run through an eye hook at the base of the center column. When I step on it this tightens all three legs together while pulling down on the center of the tripod. This is far better than carrying a 50 pound tripod, IMHO.

mpirie · Sep 27, 2009

Sirius Glass said:
Since the weight of a tripod on a trail grows by the third power.

y=x^^3,
where x is the tripod weight and y is tripod weight as felt by the hiker.
Note this equation works in the English and the metric systems

Isn't there a similar formula that applies to the photographic opportunities that present themselves and the volume of equipment carried?

Where the chance of a worthwhile photographic opportunity presenting itself is inversely proportional to the amount of equipment carried ?

Mike

johnnywalker · Sep 27, 2009

There is also a bogen 3011 with a 3029 head for $69 and a 3011 with a 3063 mini fluid head for $99, both bargain. The 3011 seems to hold virtually the same weight as the 3021, both over 13 lbs. That seems adequate, but not sure about the heads. Both seem a little small?

John Koehrer · Sep 27, 2009

Johnny, The fluid head is for video & doesn't have a sideways tilt. Still, for the cameras you're using it's not needed. The 3061 might be an advantage for you because it won't tend to flop when it's loosened & should be smoother to adjust.

Curt · Sep 27, 2009

I'm still using my wooden tripod, Berlebach, and a 3047 head and I have the 410 head with the micro movements also. I have a Mamiya 1507 that I used with my Mamiya 645 for years, it would handle up to a 4x5, I used it with a Toyo G with no problems at all. I was looking for a carbon fiber tripod a few months ago but couldn't decide on a model so I kept using what I had.

Pumal · Oct 1, 2009

I use a 3021PRO with a 3030 Head

Bosaiya · Oct 1, 2009

For tripod work with lighter cameras (under ten pounds or so) I normally use Bogen/Manfrotto 501 video camera heads on a variety of legs depending on the situation. I have some that are set up for working at standing height and some that are floor-level. Don't know the models of the legs but they're beefy enough to keep things still but still light enough to transport. I take the setup on buses and trains with my 4x5s without too much trouble.

Tripod for my RB67

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