Tripod woes

Solarize · Nov 15, 2006

Hi all,

This has been done to death i'm sure but a search didn't answer my questions.
I need a tripod and head but am quite unsure what to get at the moment.
My heaviest camera is a bronica and I rarely use long lenses, I don't see myself getting anything much heavier although a light 5x7 might be nice in a few years.

I've been looking at the Manfrotto carbon fibre range and the 055MF4 stands out. Does anyone have any experience with this or similar models and head combinations? I'm able to spend about 250GBP on the head and legs, but if I can get away with less that'd be great.

It needs to be rock steady for long exposures and I don't want to outgrow it. The time it takes to set up is not really a problem.

Also, do people see a real benefit in using carbon fibre when the price is often twice that of other metals that are perhaps just 1kg heavier but that can support a similar weight? My thinking is just that 1kg is not that much to add when im already carrying the camera, film, lenses and perhaps even food or a tent. Would money be better spent elsewhere perhaps?

Thanks for your thoughts.

reellis67 · Nov 15, 2006

I've never used a carbon fiber tripod, but I can say that my Bogen 3001 leg set with a 3-way head has never failed me using everything from half frame to 4x5. I've carried on long hikes, up mountains, deep into caves, on planes, trains, and automobiles, dropped it, kicked it, hit people with it, and it's still good after 20 years. It's weight has never been a problem for me and I've never considered replacing it with anything else (carbon fiber or otherwise). But, as with all things, your experiences may be totally different...

- Randy

benjiboy · Nov 15, 2006

I have the metal Manfrotto 055 and am very happy with it, after about twenty years use, although I have never used the carbon fibre version, I would be very reluctant to pay nearly twice as much for a 1KG ( 2LB in English )weight saving.

EdR · Nov 15, 2006

Solarize said:
Also, do people see a real benefit in using carbon fibre when the price is often twice that of other metals that are perhaps just 1kg heavier but that can support a similar weight? My thinking is just that 1kg is not that much to add when im already carrying the camera, film, lenses and perhaps even food or a tent. Would money be better spent elsewhere perhaps?

One thing that you may want to consider is how (and how far) you are going to carry it. The extra 1kg might not add a huge percentage to your overall load relative to the cost saving, but once the tripod and head are strapped to the back or side of your pack and start bumping about as you walk...it might feel like more than the extra kg.

This is one area that personally I would not skimp on: I have a Gitzo 1348 which I love (although it sounds as though you and your Bronica might get away with a 1 or 2 series which would be less expensive). Some will tell you that the method of extending the legs is a pain but it works for me. It is a lot of pennies, I know, but such a vital piece of equipment which, as you say, you will not outgrow or need to replace for many years.

Whatever you decide on the legs, I really would recommend a geared head like the Manfrotto 410, especially for landscape/architectural work. It is a super bit of kit which allows minute fine tuning of your composition in all three planes. I bought a ball head initially and realised my error when someone lent me a 410. I switched immediately such were the benefits.

I'm sure that others will prefer their own set-ups, and there is obviously no one correct answer. Can you visit a good camera store with your kit and play around with some options?

Cheers,
Ed

Aggie · Nov 15, 2006

I have the Gitzo carbon fiber mountaineer beastie. On it I have a magnesium ball head, not the small one but the medium sized one. It is supposed to handle camers up to 22 pounds. It is not light weight to me. Of course I have not tried the others to compare it. I also have a berlebach(sp) tripod to handle ULF cameras with a Majestic geared head. That darn thing is HEAVY. I'm like EdR I think the Gitzo is a pain in the a** to extend. I have no problems with the ball head, I like it. I just don't like how long it takes to extend the legs and get it set up. I have an old slik tripod that I bought new in 1983. It looks like it has been through a world war. It is one that holds up to Medium format cameras with ease. I have a Littman that I put on it as well. Since I can get the Littman on it, I find that the Gitzo stays home along with my bigger set up 4x5 and I just take that fast easy to use lightweight slik and my Littman along with my MF camera almost 90% of the time. Make that 95% of the time. Aw hell the Wisner has been in the closet for 2 years now along with the Gitzo. When I have a project or a shot I really need to use them for, I will drag them out other than to keep the lenses working.

Mark Pope · Nov 15, 2006

Solarize said:
I've been looking at the Manfrotto carbon fibre range and the 055MF4 stands out. Does anyone have any experience with this or similar models and head combinations? I'm able to spend about 250GBP on the head and legs, but if I can get away with less that'd be great.

It needs to be rock steady for long exposures and I don't want to outgrow it. The time it takes to set up is not really a problem.

Solarize,

I've just bought an 055MF3. It's a very nice tripod. I use it with the 029 head (this will be changed out for a 410 geared head at Christmas ). It's used with a Shen-Hao 5x4 camera and is very stable.
If you shop around, I'm sure you could get the 055MF3/4 and 029 combo for aroud £250.
I went for the 3 section as I felt it would be more stable than the 4 section, which does have the advantage of being shorter when its folded up.

I believe that Carbon fibre is better at damping out high frequency vibrations, but this is only based on anecdotal evidence. As far as stability is concerned, I don't think you'll have a problem with this model.

Hope that helps

Cheers

ben-s · Nov 15, 2006

I have the Manfrotto 055CL with a 141RC head, which is a great combination.
I use it with everything from a digital compact up to a 5x4" monorail camera.
It's very stable, but fairly light.
If you do get the 055 series, make sure you get the 055pro - it's only about £14 more, and you can attach the centre column horizontally for use as a copy stand. That's the worst £14 I ever saved!

Justin Cormack · Nov 16, 2006

I used a metal tripod until one cold morning I discovered that even with gloves it freezes your hands painfully.

Carbon fibre being a bit expensive (and it doesnt last) I bought a Berlebach wood tripod which is cheap and lovely. Its big though, might have to get a smaller one for travelling, but big is often useful.

eclarke · Nov 16, 2006

I have about 10 Bogen tripods, one Gitzo aluminum, and enough heads for all of them. Had I found my Gitzo 1325 carbon and my Arca Cube, I would have been happy for a long time now and would have soent way less money. It supports my 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10....EC

FrankB · Nov 16, 2006

I have a Manfrotto 055-ProB. It's very solid and the leg locks work well. I'd also second Ben's advice re going for the Pro version - the extra functionality has come in very useful from time to time.

It is a heavy brute when walking in to a shoot, but whether it's too heavy would depend on the individual, the rest of the loadout, the terrain and the carrying system. Only you can tell what suits you. Weight assists with stability (or so I've always been told) so it's a bit of a trade-off.

I haven't used a carbon 'pod, so can't really comment on that. I would say that if the coldness of the metal bothers you then I find Extremities Powerstretch gloves to be an adequate solution for the range of temperatures I'm in (and I can even change a roll of 120 while wearing them!).

The Gitzo carbon Explorer range are also worth looking at, but for goodness' sake don't handle one if you can't afford one - they're gorgeous!

reellis67 · Nov 16, 2006

If cold metal is the problem, just wrap the legs with bicycle handlebar tape - it's cheap and effective. It is a heavy cloth tape that is self-adhesive and I can tell you from personal experience that it will not transmit the cold to your hands even in sub zero weather. Just don't ask what I was doing riding in those conditions...

- Randy

Bob F. · Nov 16, 2006

For 35mm and MF, it might be worth looking at the 190MF series which weighs in at only 1.6kg but would need checking that it is stable enough for your Bronica - it has a hook from which you can suspend a weight to help out. Like some others, I use the standard 055 for all formats up to 4x5. I put bicycle inner tube over the legs to avoid the cold...

Good luck, Bob.

Tom Hoskinson · Nov 16, 2006

Justin Cormack said:
I used a metal tripod until one cold morning I discovered that even with gloves it freezes your hands painfully.

Carbon fibre being a bit expensive (and it doesnt last) I bought a Berlebach wood tripod which is cheap and lovely. Its big though, might have to get a smaller one for travelling, but big is often useful.

Carbon fiber tripods don't last???

I've been using a Gitzo Carbon Fiber Mountaineer with an Arca-Swiss Ballhead since 1996-97. I've given it a lot of hard use under a variety of environmental conditions (Sonoran Desert in July and August plus ice and snow in the Sierra Nevadas) with no problems of any kind.

I use several camera types on this tripod/head combo, including my 8x10 Wehman view camera (8 - 12 pounds depending on lens) and my 16mm animation camera (about 25 pounds).

IMO the only downside to this Gitzo/Arca-Swiss combo is the price.

BTW, I also have a Manfrotto Carbon Fiber tripod with a Kirk Ballhead that I've been using since 2001 (side by side with my Gitzo/Arca-Swiss) with no problems at all.

Yes carbon fiber is a great vibration damping material. Of course, wood is a carbon fiber material too.

eclarke · Nov 16, 2006

My aluminum Gitzo is exactly the same dimensions as my 1325 carbon. The most attractive feature of the carbon model is that it is EXTREMELY more rigid and vibration free than the aluminum one. the leg adjustments are smooth and the nuts work well. On my aluminum one (I don't even use it now) the nuts bind up and are impossible to loosen...EC

Justin Cormack · Nov 17, 2006

Tom Hoskinson said:
Carbon fiber tripods don't last???

Yes carbon fiber is a great vibration damping material. Of course, wood is a carbon fiber material too.

No I said carbon fibre doesnt last. I havent had a carbon fibre tripod but in general it seems to be a nice (actually very cheap if you just buy rods by the metre) material but it will break in some conditions - its strong in some directions not others. The fixings are the difficult and expensive thing.

in terms of wood, carbon fibre is more like a bamboo tripod. Does anyone make these?

John Koehrer · Nov 24, 2006

Depending on the Way the tripod is built and the CF is installed/braced it can be both delicate or rugged. The Gitzos are in my opinion the best on the market but CF can be very brittle and crack if abused. I've seen a couple non-Gitzos break at the apex of the legs because they weren't properly reinforced. And these were not used, just display pieces on the showroom floor.

Solarize · Nov 26, 2006

Thanks for the input all. Unfortunatly I left this all a little late as i'm away for a month in a weeks time and have had no time to shop around, do tests etc.

Anyway, I went for the 055 PROB Tripod with MN-804RC2 Pan Head Set. Got it for a good price so figure that if it doesnt suit me I can sell it on in the future and probably not loose that much. My little brother is getting into photography now so he might end up inheriting it should I feel generous and able to afford carbon fibre Gitzo

Whatever my impression of it, it will be a damn sight better than the wobbly legged hunk of metal I've been lugging about before this - weighing in at around 7 kg! anything will be better.

Thanks again

Tripod woes

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