Tripods (Not too heavy).

[Keith Tapscott.]

My tripod is a Manfrotto Triaut 058 fitted with a 229 Pan & Tilt head, this is excellent for studio work and where I don`t have to wander too far from the car when used outdoors, it is however rather bulky and cumbersome if I want to walk some considerable distance for use with a MF or 4x5 camera.
I was wondering which tripod model to consider, that provides good stability but not too heavy for landscape work with a LF camera?
Cheers.

 

[Roger Hicks]

My tripod is a Manfrotto Triaut 058 fitted with a 229 Pan & Tilt head, this is excellent for studio work and where I don`t have to wander too far from the car when used outdoors, it is however rather bulky and cumbersome if I want to walk some considerable distance for use with a MF or 4x5 camera.
I was wondering which tripod model to consider, that provides good stability but not too heavy for landscape work with a LF camera?
Cheers.

Dear Keith,

Scour the camera fairs for the lightweight 'crutch' style MPP with the wooden upper leg and light alloy tube on the bottom. It weighs just over 2 lb, about 1 kg, without a head, and supports any 4x5 camera I own, and all the MF. It is at its limit with 5x7, though. The absence of the centre column is the secret of its lightness.

Cheers,

R. (There is now an unillustrated, but free, module on tripod choice in the 'How Do I...?' department in www.rogerandfrances.com)

 

[Dan Henderson]

I upgraded to a Gitzo carbon fiber (1325 I think) w/o center column, and a nice Kirk ball head. The investment pays off every time I wander afield.

 

[Dave Miller]

I use a Benbo Trekker under my Mamiya RB67 and Speed Graphic for field work.

 

[Dan's45]

i have been using the tripod now for over 5yrs now...a manfrotto 6001n with a pan head...for some reason don't like ball head. personal preference though. stick with what works.i work with a 45 field camera now instead of a sinar 45 f1, which got rather cumbersome in the field after long periods. but if i knew what i did now...i would have kept for studio use. oh well. in my opinion, you want a tripod that is dependable anywhere you go, one you can rely on no matter what. of course weight is always going to be an issue-but i would rather have a slightly heavy tripod than have a light one that could fall over whenever the wind blows, as i have seen some do.i need to get a new head here soon myself. but i will never switch brands!! i would like to see few things changed on my tripod , but i wouldn't trade it for the world. have a really good history together. almost feels like one of my kiddos. that is my two cents. hope it helps!

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

Dear Keith,

Scour the camera fairs for the lightweight 'crutch' style MPP with the wooden upper leg and light alloy tube on the bottom. It weighs just over 2 lb, about 1 kg, without a head, and supports any 4x5 camera I own, and all the MF. It is at its limit with 5x7, though. The absence of the centre column is the secret of its lightness.

Cheers,

R. (There is now an unillustrated, but free, module on tripod choice in the 'How Do I...?' department in www.rogerandfrances.com)

Now that does surprise me, I have one of those in my attic but would never have thought it was good enough for MF let alone LF.
The pan & tilt head on it looks very small, have you modified yours in any way?
Thanks to all who have replied.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I use a Benbo Trekker under my Mamiya RB67 and Speed Graphic for field work.

I used to have a Uni-lock which is of similar design, but couldn`t get on with it. Perhaps I will take a look at some of the Carbon Fibre models from various manufacturers. Roger`s suggestion is interesting too, I`m wondering if he is using the original head with his.
Cheers.

 

[fpjohn]

Hello:

The Gitzo 2220/7/8 series are their Benbo work "alikes" and I find the 2220 both light enough and stable.

yours
Frank

 

[Roger Hicks]

The pan & tilt head on it looks very small, have you modified yours in any way?

Dear Keith,

Yes. Replaced it with a 35mm (1-3/8 inch) Benbo ball head. You're dead right: the original P+T would be useless. But you'd be amazed at what that tripod will hold. I've just been using it with 10 lb. (4.5 kg) of Fotoman 810PS (weight including 150/5.6 Super Symmar). Nae botherrr!

Cheers,

R.

 

[Dave Miller]

I used to have a Uni-lock which is of similar design, but couldn`t get on with it. Perhaps I will take a look at some of the Carbon Fibre models from various manufacturers. Roger`s suggestion is interesting too, I`m wondering if he is using the original head with his.
Cheers.

When you look at the weight saving of the carbon fibre models - typically 1/2 kilo - and then look at the price hike, £100.00 plus, you may change your mind. The Benbo Trekker certainly takes getting used to, erecting one is a little like wrestling with greasy bagpipes underwater; easy when you have learnt how. However they are about as light as any and very versatile.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

When you look at the weight saving of the carbon fibre models - typically 1/2 kilo - and then look at the price hike, £100.00 plus, you may change your mind. The Benbo Trekker certainly takes getting used to, erecting one is a little like wrestling with greasy bagpipes underwater; easy when you have learnt how. However they are about as light as any and very versatile.

Yes you`re right Dave, I didn`t consider the higher prices of a CF tripod.
Roger`s modification of using a large B&S head for the MPP tripod is becoming more and more attractive.
Thanks.

 

[Dave Miller]

Yes you`re right Dave, I didn`t consider the higher prices of a CF tripod.
Roger`s modification of using a large B&S head for the MPP tripod is becoming more and more attractive.
Thanks.

It seems a good way to go if you already have one, not too compact, but light; especially on the bank balance.

 

[bdial]

Boeing's new airliner uses a lot of carbon fiber, and they've now become the worlds largest consumer of the stuff. So much so that the supply for all other products has become limited. If your budget has limits, you may want to stick to old-fashioned aluminum.

 

[naturephoto1]

When you look at the weight saving of the carbon fibre models - typically 1/2 kilo - and then look at the price hike, £100.00 plus, you may change your mind. The Benbo Trekker certainly takes getting used to, erecting one is a little like wrestling with greasy bagpipes underwater; easy when you have learnt how. However they are about as light as any and very versatile.

Dave,

There is more to just saving weight with the carbon fiber tripods which include the strength, stability, etc. I have 3 Gitzo carbon fiber tripods which I am very pleased to use. I also have an expensive set of carbon fiber trekking poles (fixed length) that weigh about 6 ounces which are great for hiking.

Rich

 

[Matthew Gorringe]

Boeing's new airliner uses a lot of carbon fiber, and they've now become the worlds largest consumer of the stuff. So much so that the supply for all other products has become limited. If your budget has limits, you may want to stick to old-fashioned aluminum.

I'm a bit sceptical about the price of carbon having much to do with the price of CF tripods. I buy quite a bit of raw cloth/tow and also some tubular pultrusions and have always marvelled at how expensive CF tripods are given the relatively low cost of the raw material. I'm sure CF tripod prices have a lot more to do with the perception of carbon as a hi-tech, luxury item rather than its material or manufacturing costs.

Back to the question; I'm going the other way, I currently use a Manfrotto 055 for out and about shooting and am looking for an 058 Triaut for windy conditions. The 055 seems a good basic tripod, I've had mine for 15 years and it's still working very well. I see heaps of them used on *bay for very low prices.

 

[Bill Mitchell]

TILTALL weighs 6# with integral pan/tilt head, good for up to 5x7. Designed in the 1930s for Cine-Kodak, they were made for a few years by LEITZ, which come up frequently on ebay for less than $100, and these are the ones to have (stay away from the news ones, which are made in China). It will cost hundreds of dollars to save a pound or less for any of the CF tripods and a head.

 

[Roger Hicks]

TILTALL weighs 6# with integral pan/tilt head, good for up to 5x7. Designed in the 1930s for Cine-Kodak, they were made for a few years by LEITZ, which come up frequently on ebay for less than $100, and these are the ones to have (stay away from the news ones, which are made in China). It will cost hundreds of dollars to save a pound or less for any of the CF tripods and a head.

Dear Bill,

While I completely agree with the last statement, I've had a Tilltall (if I remember right it was Leitz NY who made it) and I found it overtaxed even with a 5x4 MPP if the centre column was raised more than an inch or two. Didn't like the PT head, either.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

Back to the question; I'm going the other way, I currently use a Manfrotto 055 for out and about shooting and am looking for an 058 Triaut for windy conditions. The 055 seems a good basic tripod, I've had mine for 15 years and it's still working very well. I see heaps of them used on *bay for very low prices.

The Triaut 058 is a superb tripod and I will certainly be keeping mine, but you wouldn`t want to carry it for too many miles climbling hills and valleys along with a MF/LF camera outfit.

 

[Matthew Gorringe]

The Triaut 058 is a superb tripod and I will certainly be keeping mine, but you wouldn`t want to carry it for too many miles climbling hills and valleys along with a MF/LF camera outfit.

Yes, the 058 will be for within sight of the car, even the 2.2kg 055 is heavy enough when walking.

 

[Kirk Gittings]

On my recent trip to England, I decided to update my "field 4x5 tripod". After months of investigating I chose a Manfrotto 055MF3. One of the best investments I have ever made. I hate twist knobs.

 

[epatsellis]

The suggestion of a Tiltall is a good idea, by having a bushing make to fit the top and bottom of the column and installing a ball head with a piece of threaded 3/8" rod and a locknut eliminates the center column issue completely.

erie

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

Yes, the 058 will be for within sight of the car, even the 2.2kg 055 is heavy enough when walking.

I`m seeking a lighter tripod as there are times when I like to walk quite a long distance away from my car, (sometimes quite a few miles). I already have the same wooden MPP tripod as Roger Hicks mentioned, so I will be looking for a suitable sized B&S head that fits it.
Cheers.

 

[naturephoto1]

Hi Keith,

I am not quite sure of the size of the tripod or which camera (s) you might be using. But, you may want to consider the new Markins Q3 Emille. I will be purchasing one shortly for a reduction in weight from my Markins M20. Since you are in Europe, they can be purchased from Nikonians.

Review:

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/markins/markins_2.html

Purchase:

https://www.photoproshop.com/produc...d/371?osCsid=1c49082c10247e9628652b58a1058e36

Rich