Tripod recommendation for medium format

[dj_judas21]

Thanks for your insights and advice. I'm aware that astrophotography is a vastly different field from regular photography, and that it is possible to sell your house to pay for tracking tripods, large telescopes, sensors and all sorts of other fun stuff. I'm not that serious about it and I find that an 800mm lens is good enough for my uses (for now, at least).

I have made some reasonably good images in the past by taking many exposures over minutes or hours from a fixed position and rotating, translating and stacking them to increase the SNR. The Manfrotto tripod I just bought is stable enough for this, whereas my old tripod wasn't. So I'm happy

Obviously I'm not taking photos like the Hubble, but having a sturdy tripod with a reasonably long lens is enough to keep me entertained. While I'm here, I might as well plug my blog a little and mention that I wrote posts about long lenses for astrophotography, and stacking software for astrophotography

 

[Leigh B]

I would highly recommend Majestic tripods. Not terribly heavy, and strong enough to support a lorry.

Given that you're in the UK, and Majestic tripods are made in Chicago, they may be relatively scarce in your part of the world.

Good luck with the quest.

- Leigh

 

[Sparky]

I'd concur with others who say that weight is everything (the heavier the tripod, the less vibration blur in your pics!)- I'd suggest also the manfrotto 055 - but I think it's WAY too light for your purposes. I've been using an 055 since 84 or so and it's great - but I'd keep it for use only with LIGHT cameras like a Hasselblad or my Fuji Rangefinder... it will HOLD a mamiya without a problem - but honestly, for your purposes I'd go with some Gitzo 5-series legs (the thickest heaviest ones) - if you look online you can often find older ones used.

If you want to do astro work -I'd highly recommend the Losmandy GM8 equatorial mount - REALLY solid and accurate.

 

[tkamiya]

It might be cheaper and more convenient to buy two... one for ultra stability and the other for portability. You have such a contradicting requirement that trying to fill both might result in selections that aren't best for either of the purposes.

I have a Manfretto that I'm quite happy with. It's quite stable but it's no where close to light and portable.

 

[scheimfluger_77]

Does anyone here have an opinion on Benbo tripods?

 

[cluttered]

Firstly, yes I'm aware that the OP has already decided and purchased what suits him. And it sounds like he made a good choice within the constraints he outlined. But this thread has evolved into an interesting discussion about tripods generally so I might as well add my unsolicited opinion

It might be cheaper and more convenient to buy two... one for ultra stability and the other for portability.

That's pretty much what I've ended up doing. I originally had a tripod which suited me well for 35mm stuff (Manfrotto 055 etc), but found that it's a bit on the light side for my Pentax 6x7 MF gear. So I'm going to keep the 055 stuff for the lighter stuff (or on long walks), and I'm in the process of buying something sturdier for MF equipment or when the weight isn't a concern (eg if I'm driving somewhere as opposed to walking).

The OP bought a 055; My 055 has been through a lot and still looks and works great. That's the good thing about buying a decent tripod, it shouldn't ever wear out, the only risk is that your needs change.

 

[benjiboy]

Does anyone here have an opinion on Benbo tripods?

I have one, the biggest one I think it's the Mark 11, it's very stable and versatile and is great for outdoor use and because the legs move independently of each other you can even put it up on a spiral staircase, you position the legs first then use a single locking handle that locks all the legs in position at the same time, I found mine at first a little awkward to erect first like learning to play the bagpipes but these are ideal tripods for landscape shooters, the legs are sealed and can be immersed in mud and water without any ill effects.
The name Benbo comes from the fact that whole idea is based on a bent bolt, they're made by a British engineering company.