Tripod recommendations for Hasselblad 501CM

[newyorkerforever]

Looking for the best options for a stable tripod and head for my 501CM. Thank you in advance! All the Best!

 

[jeffreyg]

Which lenses, is weight and price an issue?

 

[newyorkerforever]

Which lenses, is weight and price an issue?

Thank you for your reply! I currently have a 100mm and will probably also get a 250mm inthe future. Weight is not necessarily an issue and while I don't want to spend an exorbitant amount, I do want a high quality tripod and I am willing to pay for high quality.

 

[logan2z]

After lots of internal debate, I went with an RRS tripod and ball head for my 500 C/M. They're expensive but great quality and I figure I'll never need to buy a tripod again.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Oh, oh, now you've done it. You'll start the "I use XYZ and it is perfect because I own it" responses. I think you need to decide first:

1. Go high end or cheap.
2. Aluminum, carbon, or wood legs.
3. How high do you want the legs to reach?
4. Attached head or removable.
5. Head: Pan, ball, or geared.
6. What type of quick release, if any.
7. Flip lock or twist?

 

[newyorkerforever]

After lots of internal debate, I went with an RRS tripod and ball head for my 500 C/M. They're expensive but great quality and I figure I'll never need to buy a tripod again.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[GregY]

For lots of tripod for the money.....a used Tiltall.
For lots of tripod for more money.....a Gitzo.... personally i'm not fond of ball heads ....

 

[Pieter12]

You might want to look at the tripod and head tests at thecentercolumn.com

If you are on a budget, Leofoto and other asian companies make pretty good copies of the more expensive US/European manufacturers' items. I prefer a ball head, some like other styles. A quick-release system is very convenient. The Arca-Swiss system--it doesn't need to be made by them, just compatible-- is the most common and quite good, but Hasselblad also has their own proprietary mount that you might want to look into. One way or another, buy the sturdiest tripod you can afford and afford to carry practically if you plan on using it in the field or for travel.

 

[newyorkerforever]

You might want to look at the tripod and head tests at thecentercolumn.com

If you are on a budget, Leofoto and other asian companies make pretty good copies of the more expensive US/European manufacturers' items. I prefer a ball head, some like other styles. A quick-release system is very convenient. The Arca-Swiss system--it doesn't need to be made by them, just compatible-- is the most common and quite good, but Hasselblad also has their own proprietary mount that you might want to look into. One way or another, buy the sturdiest tripod you can afford and afford to carry practically if you plan on using it in the field or for travel.

Thank you!

 

[bdial]

My main tripod is an older Gitzo carbon fiber mountaineer, paired with an Arca Swiss P0 head. It works well as do many other choices, much depends on your preferences.

 

[newyorkerforever]

For lots of tripod for the money.....a used Tiltall.
For lots of tripod for more money.....a Gitzo.... personally i'm not fond of ball heads ....

Thank you!

 

[newyorkerforever]

Oh, oh, now you've done it. You'll start the "I use XYZ and it is perfect because I own it" responses. I think you need to decide first:

1. Go high end or cheap.
2. Aluminum, carbon, or wood legs.
3. How high do you want the legs to reach?
4. Attached head or removable.
5. Head: Pan, ball, or geared.
6. What type of quick release, if any.

High end
Carbon fiber
60+ inches
Removable so I can exchange different heads
Haven't decided between pan, ball, or geared (considering the pros and cons)
Quick release (considering using the proprietary Hasselblad quick release)

Thank you for your reply!

 

[newyorkerforever]

For lots of tripod for the money.....a used Tiltall.
For lots of tripod for more money.....a Gitzo.... personally i'm not fond of ball heads ....

Thank you!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use a Induro Gear carbon fiber tripod which can take Arca-Swiss system components. At a lower cost than the big name tripods.

 

[newyorkerforever]

My main tripod is an older Gitzo carbon fiber mountaineer, paired with an Arca Swiss P0 head. It works well as do many other choices, much depends on your preferences.

Thanks!

 

[kozesluk]

Manfrotto 055 in carbon w/ 3-section legs? Just a thought.
I had 190 carbon in 3 sections and I am just swapping for 290 carbon, 3 sections again, just because it is tiny bit lighter and seems sturdier (thicker leg segments). 055 should be even more solid.

I use 460MG head as it is very compact (important to me) and it seems solid enough to keep Bronica ETRSi/Pentax 645N with 50mm/55mm lens on it. With detachable plate (and the plates are cheap).
Sure Gitzo would be nicer but I am skint.

 

[newyorkerforever]

Thank you!

 

[Dan Daniel]

OK, another combo to throw out.

Feisol, CT3442 Tournament Carbon fiber. Steady. Many options for center column. Sturdy, 12 years no issues.
Manfrotto X-Pro. 3-way head. I like three way heads. This one has handles that slide in, nice for room in storage, car, etc. Strong, sturdy design.

I put an adapter on the Manfrotto to take Arca-Swiss plates.

Both the Feisol and Manfrotto have gone up a lot since I bought them. I think I paid $110 for the Manfrotto head eight years ago! Maybe $325 for the Feisol. Ack.

Advise- take the hit, pay the bucks, and get on with shooting. Cheaper tripods and heads rarely work out well.

 

[lecarp]

Look for an original Tiltall. Strong, stable, durable and serviceable. Oh! and no kidney sale required.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Look for an original Tiltall. Strong, stable, durable and serviceable. Oh! and no kidney sale required.

Amendment to my post- Cheaper tripods and heads rarely work out except for original Tiltalls!

There are adapter for either Manfrotto or Arca quick release plates that can be screwed onto simpler tripods like a Tiltall.

 

[Eff64]

Another vote against ball heads. Too hard to make fine adjustments.

Leofoto make a great product at a reasonable price point.

Get a tripod that does what you want to do, get a quick release head of some sort.

Acratech makes a foot that will screw right on to a 500 series body.

https://www.acratech.net/categories/quick-release-plates/hasselblad/3-8-16.html

 

[Pieter12]

Look for an original Tiltall. Strong, stable, durable and serviceable. Oh! and no kidney sale required.

Nice, but heavier than a modern CF tripod. No options as far as the head. Its is integral to the tripod.

 

[Pieter12]

Another vote against ball heads. Too hard to make fine adjustments.

Leofoto make a great product at a reasonable price point.

Get a tripod that does what you want to do, get a quick release head of some sort.

Acratech makes a foot that will screw right on to a 500 series body.

https://www.acratech.net/categories/quick-release-plates/hasselblad/3-8-16.html

If the friction setting is correct on a good ball head, the camera should float almost weightlessly and can easily be adjusted. For super-fine adjustments, you can use a pan-gear head like the Arca Swiss P0.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Which lenses, is weight and price an issue?

Bogen/Manfrotto is where you want to look;2nd hand is fine.

 

[Disconnekt]

Depending on how much you want to spend/your budget, I recommend Leofoto (leofotousa.com). They do send out discount codes (usually 10% to 20% off) alot of times (when you sign up, they show it on their site too). They do have a special sale section (stuff is 20% off) & a open box section (~28-30% off)