Tripod recommendations?

[Romanko]

I bought a Horseman field camera to force myself to use a tripod. Now I am inventing ways to shoot it hand-held. Do you really need a tripod for a Hassy and a Rolleicord?

 

[Eff64]

Barn Owl Cameras, in Massachusetts.

Barn Owl Cameras – Film Camera Repair and services. Specializing in Rolleiflex and Hasselblad

box5760.temp.domains

I appreciate it!

 

[DREW WILEY]

Romanko - Depends on what one has in mind. 90% of my own MF work wouldn't even exist without solid tripod usage. One can't successfully handhold for every application even in the world of 35mm cameras, much less when cameras gets bigger and heavier. Yes, a technical rangefinder camera like the Horseman can be alternately used handheld for certain limited purposes or rushed opportunities; but that's apt to be more the exception than the rule, unless you are planning to do aerial photography with it. But have fun deciding what you prefer yourself. Might as well experiment.

 

[wiltw]

A good source for information and some reviews: https://thecentercolumn.com

Very good explanations of the theory behind testing of tripod+head stability vs. the MOI of camera+lens. I would like to read about something that I first became sensitized to decades ago...
I travelled to Hawaii and set up tripod+camera+lens on hard surface (lava) out near the shoreline on a windy day...and the wind would hit the long lens and cause torsional forces that would twist everything variably with wind intensity. In order to shoot, I would have to wait for the highly variable gusts to die down so I could frame properly, focus, and shoot. IOW, the torsional rigidity had a strong role in shooting in these conditions. I hope that the Center Column could standardize a torsional rigidity test right (i.e. fixed length 'lever' against which a certain force is applied) in order to measure the angular displacement which could be minimized by different tripods (and heads tested separately) and then ranked from highest to lowest in the measured torsional rigidity.

 

[What About Bob]

My chances are better with a TLR for hand-holding slower shutter speeds. If I lock the mirror on a Hassie then chances may be slightly better but I may not get accurate composition due to the screen being blacked out.

On the Rolleicord I can do 1/10 of a second without a problem. That was the shutter speed I had used for the "Time at Tandem" image for the Time assignment.

I have done 1/4 before with the Rolleicord and the results were still on the sharp side with a tad bit of fuzzy mixed in. 1/8, 1/4 may be my holding limit. As a last resort just prop the TLR up against a wall or flat surface, brace it and yourself and make the shot. Composition may go out the window but as a last resort it would be better than nothing.

If you want absolute sharpness with slow shutter speeds use a tripod or other steady support.

 

[Pieter12]

Mark de Paola did a whole project with hand-held 60-second exposures. Gives a dreamy look. And it was a Leica M, 35mm or digital, not sure.

Works - 60 Seconds

60 Seconds delves into a realm of abstract figures, fluidity, and poetic forms, challenging and seducing the limits of motion contained within still image. With each photograph taken handheld with a 60 second exposure, de Paola has discovered the connection between his physiological make up, the...

www.depaolapictures.com

 

[alentine]

Do carbon fiber tripods have a hook for supporting minor weights? I see that the K&F one I have has a hook underneath. I have no idea how much weight it could sustain.

Usually as far as I know,
The most important issues with hanging a weight at appropriate place of a tripod are:

1. Not to exceed max nominal weight allowed for your tripod or tripod head too much(of course , with Camera weight+Tripod Head weight), otherwise your tripod legs may become like a guitar strings viable to resonance and transmission of unnoticeable vibrations.
physically, I know all tripods can carry much of weight above what's in the nominal specifications, but not at the best stability internal or external.
2. Additional weight should be along the center of weight line, not away from the center of weight of your system(camera+tripod)as usual below the tripod head and camera which is easy to do, or distributed evenly around center of weight/line which I think very difficult.
3. Be careful the weight not to move creating cyclic pendulum movements; should be stationary, to avoid consequences in No 1 above.

Thanks for your query.

 

[What About Bob]

@Pieter12: Thanks for the link. That is a pretty cool effect. Mark pulls off the technique very well.

@alentine: Thanks for your advice on the topic. Sand bags are common but I bet I could tie on one or two of my smaller weight plates. With the K&F tripod the amount of weight should be as little as possible to do its job. The hook does feel a little on the fragile side. I have 5's and 2.5's for smalls. I'm thinking no more than a 10 pounder. Could also use a gallon jug of water which is around 8 pounds. I will stay away from the 45 pounders.

 

[Ian Grant]

I bought a Horseman field camera to force myself to use a tripod. Now I am inventing ways to shoot it hand-held. Do you really need a tripod for a Hassy and a Rolleicord?

Well I do shoot 5x4 hand held with a Super Graphic, always with HP5,this was not from choice rather I when I am shooting where tripods aren't permitted. Initially I was apprehensive, but then found it is very easy, and also quick. I do prefer to use a tripod.

I don't have a Hasselblad, but sometimes do still use my Mamiya 1000s hand held when working with models. Because I'm predominantly an LF shooter if I need a tripod I shoot 5x4.

I always carry a TLR alongside my LF kit, while living in Turkey that was a Yashicamat 124, here in the UK I have a pair of Rolleiflex cameras, it's the K4A Automat goes in my backpack. I mostly use a TLR hand held with Delta 100, but will tripod mount it occasionally, if needed.

Ian

 

[DREW WILEY]

My brother would shoot his Linhof Technika 4x5 handheld in a helicopter, or in industrial shots around high vibration machinery, using a Kenro gyro. That worked well, but was quite an expensive combination. One could rent the gyro devices back then.

 

[wiltw]

Very good explanations of the theory behind testing of tripod+head stability vs. the MOI of camera+lens. I would like to read about something that I first became sensitized to decades ago...
I travelled to Hawaii and set up tripod+camera+lens on hard surface (lava) out near the shoreline on a windy day...and the wind would hit the long lens and cause torsional forces that would twist everything variably with wind intensity. In order to shoot, I would have to wait for the highly variable gusts to die down so I could frame properly, focus, and shoot. IOW, the torsional rigidity had a strong role in shooting in these conditions. I hope that the Center Column could standardize a torsional rigidity test right (i.e. fixed length 'lever' against which a certain force is applied) in order to measure the angular displacement which could be minimized by different tripods (and heads tested separately) and then ranked from highest to lowest in the measured torsional rigidity.

I tried sending an email to David of The Center Column to suggest torsional rigidity standardized testing by Center Column, but the email was returned by the postmaster with unknown addressee. <sigh>