Tripod Legs -Tall-

Devin@RFCo · Feb 17, 2019

My first post on Photrio! (If you do not count the Free Ads)

Currently I have a slew of tripods collected over the years.

I do not really like any of them for one reason.

At 6ft tall I have to extend each leg fully and use a great deal of center column to get the camera up to my eye level without bending over.

I have a slew of heads already, from small to large ball heads, video fluid head, and my go to Manfrotto 3030.

I am looking for a heavy set of legs that will get my closer to eye level without using center column and that will not break the bank. I do not need carbon fiber or twist lock leg extensions. I plan to use it with both my cameras and telescopes.

Any suggestions!?

Nokton48 · Feb 17, 2019

I just bought a second FOBA C40 which is infinitely extendable using FOBA combitubes. It is a beast to transport.

Fujicaman1957 · Feb 17, 2019

Look for an original Majestic tripod from the 1950-early 1960's With the double center collom it will reach 8 feet.

Devin@RFCo · Feb 17, 2019

My tallest tripod is about 46in without head or column. Its also one of my lighter tripods (Induro AT014). It works fine for the smaller cameras.
My heaviest tripod is 38in without head or column. (Manfrotto 3001) It works ok with the video head.
In the middle I have one at 42in without head or column. (Slik Pro 340DX) Its fits right between the two.

I feel something that is more around 58in without head or column would be a world more comfortable. Max load is about 8lbs give or take.

Any have a clue what a older Bogen/Manfrotto Model number with taller legs might be? I am pretty fond of my sturdy but short 3001

wiltw · Feb 17, 2019

DevinRFCo said:
I am looking for a heavy set of legs that will get my closer to eye level without using center column and that will not break the bank.

Find a used Bogen (Manfrotto) 3036/Manfrotto 475B at 9.5 lbs.which extends to 64" without center column extended. Current tripods include

Manfrotto 028B Triman at 9 lbs. and extends to 70.5" without center column extended
Manfrotto 161MK2B Super Professional at 14.5 lbs. which extends to 92" without center column.

Devin@RFCo · Feb 17, 2019

The 3036 is a good option. If I had to be picky, I could do without the center column altogether. Especially a geared one.

At 475B prices (250$+)

I think I would opt for the Berlbach Report 903 at just under 300$ new.

I was hoping to stay under 175-200$ with older models. The 3036 fits that pretty well.

mshchem · Feb 18, 2019

Look for used. There's tons of old Bogen/Manfrotto stuff out there. The enormous ones usually go for cheap on Craigslist because they are so heavy. Be careful what you wish for this stuff gets heavy. I picked up a Hercules tripod goes over 8 feet tall, with a video head, the guy wanted rid of it so bad, paid 25 bucks.

Rick A · Feb 18, 2019

I use an Induro AT313 leg set with a PHT2 Pan head. With legs fully extended, but not the center column, height of my camera is 73" to center of lens. These are no longer produced, but a used or NOS set can be found online for reasonable money. The weight limit on this setup is 26.5lbs, I've had my 11x14 Century sitting on it out in the field on a not so nice day with no problems. My 5x7 lives on it full time.

Nokton48 · Feb 18, 2019

Devin,

Look at the lightweight Zone VI. I have one I bought thirty years ago brand new. Wooden (Ash if I remember correctly) and gets better with age. Fits yur budget. Put a Manfrotto head on it. I've hiked for many miles with this tripod slung over my shoulder. Roll up a towel for a pad. My favorite field tripod. You could fire a howitzer off of this thing. I've had it in three oceans.

Zone VI Leightweight by Nokton48, on Flickr

Dennis-B · Feb 18, 2019

As some earlier posters mentioned, there are a slew of used Bogen/Manfrotto, Gitzo, and Majestic out there that people no longer want because they are too big.

Bogen has the 3051, a two section with auto-extension that's rock solid, and there's the 3068 (video version). I still use the 3051, 3035 (same as 3036), and a Manfrotto 475B. They have acceptable column extensions which are braced to minimize vibration.

Gitzo has a number of used models made of aluminum, with and without center columns.

You may also want to consider a surveyor's tripod. They're sturdy, most don't have center columns, and can be easily adapted for a ball, or other tripod head.

Nokton48 · Feb 18, 2019

FOBA C40 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

NOW I have two FOBA C40's. The tripod designed for Sinar Norma by Sinar and Foba. See Norma on C40 ^^^
UBER expensive in the day. Now cheap-cheap. Not lightweight by any means.

Legs are infinitely extendable, using FOBA Combitubes.

jim10219 · Feb 18, 2019

I have a Bogen 3036. I'm 6' 2" and I understand your struggle. I have a love/hate relationship with that tripod. The good points are it's tall, the center column is actually really sturdy (unlike most tripods), it's rock solid, it's cheap(ish), and it's very adjustable. The down side is that it's extremely heavy. If you don't mind the weight, it's one of the best tripods out there (especially for the money). But if you take it on a long hike, you might change your mind.

They also tend to be kind of old, so it's not unlikely that you'll need to replace some parts on them. The good news is replacement parts aren't impossible to find and easy to swap out yourself.

Keith Pitman · Feb 18, 2019

A Ries tripod is pretty tall by itself, but you can also get extension legs for it.

Trail Images · Feb 18, 2019

I have used a Feisol 3301 for years now. I'm 6' 1" tall and find I rarely extend the center column at all. There are two columns available, short and long. I have both columns the short unit for ground macro work. I use the unit weekly with either a RB67 ProSD or a Wista DXIII 4x5.
Feisol 3301

Nokton48 · Feb 18, 2019

DSC05778 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I bought this Plaubel Profia Camera Stand for a hundred bucks at Midwest Photo Exchange. Would you believe they had six of them at the time? Every studio needs a good camera stand.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 18, 2019

I have an old Gitzo Studex 340 without center extender that I use with a Mamiya RB67. It is 6 feet high with legs fully extended. Steady as a rock. Use it all the time with mirror locked up on my RB67. It's heavy about 9 lbs with the tilt head. But no extender required. Maybe you can buy a used one. Here's an Ebay picture. Mine doesn;t have the center column. Not needed because it extends to 6 feet without it. Note there are two sections on each leg which makes it easy to set up. I keep the lower section fixed when I pout it away with about 6 inches extended. Then I only have to open the main section to full extension with the big hand clamps. That way it's set to eye level every time with only opening the one section on each leg. Makes it easy to set up. Note the legs open up for low to the ground setup as well.
https://www.ebay.com/p/Gitzo-G340-Tripod/114246382

Devin@RFCo · Feb 18, 2019

I found a reference sheet for all the Bogen Models and searched them out one by one.
I have the 3001 legs with the 3030 head. I think I could use the 3021 legs? Anyone have a set they can measure? (w/o column ext)

The more I look at the Berlebach and ZoneIV it has me drooling.

My 3030 weighs a little over 2 lbs. My 3001 weighs 4 lbs. It feels light to me, so another 2-3 lbs should not be an issue.
It will spend a good time in the belly of a canoe, trunk of my car, and less so on my back.

The old SLIK 340DX is a pretty nice tripod, about a pound lighter than the Bogen 3001 it gets about 3-4in higher as well.
Im currently searching out old SLIK leg models... I think the next up was the 700DX gonna try to find dims. on it.

Devin@RFCo · Feb 18, 2019

I have also found a old/vintage Gitzo Reporter 224 legs, which are perfect at 56in with no column ext or head mounted. Prices seem to be under 150$ legs only.

Not that heavy either at about 5 lbs add the 2 lb 3030 and its only 1 lb heavier than my short 3001/3030 combo.

Think Ill wait and see what the March Swap Meet has available. I might get lucky and there will be some old Bogens and Gitzos on site to try.

wiltw · Feb 18, 2019

Devin@RFCo said:
I found a reference sheet for all the Bogen Models and searched them out one by one.
I have the 3001 legs with the 3030 head. I think I could use the 3021 legs? Anyone have a set they can measure? (w/o column ext)

3021 Maximum height w/o Column Extended 57.0"

Devin@RFCo · Feb 18, 2019

Thanks~!

That puts it between the Manfrotto/Bogen 3021 legs and the Gitzo 244 legs. Similar weights and heights. Now its between knob or twist locks.

alentine · Mar 25, 2019

SKU 161MK2B
SKU 058B
Both Manfrotto are very heavy but versatile.
But, why you do not look to your local used market?

Devin@RFCo · Mar 25, 2019

I actually ended up with a Black Leitz Tiltall.

Fits me perfect and the price was right.

Rick A · Mar 25, 2019

Tiltalls are great tripods, I've owned several over the years. Do yourself a favor, take the handles off and clean the hollow stem with some brake cleaner (or similar) to get the built up gunk out. Your tripod will work better and tighten up easier for it.

Tripod Legs -Tall-

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