Two tripods: Architecture with Chamonix 45H-1

[Gimenosaiz]

I've decided to go with the Berlebach TRIPOD REPORT 803:

• 5 pounds
• < $300
• 52 inches, collapses to 25 inches
• WOOD

Thank you all for your insightful responses.

Hi !
Great!! What head do you have for this ??

I've recently purchased a Sinar P2 and I was looking for a Berlebach, perhaps Tripod Report 332.

Thanks

 

[Gimenosaiz]

I’ve got a Berlebach Report 9033 (now called a 933) which like Mick’s has a levelling base that’s a huge time saver...no need to fuss around getting the legs juuuuust right for the camera to be level. Especially useful if panning to take several photos or taking slight variations side to side.

It goes a bit taller and is a bit heavier than the one you linked to.

Got it in the darker colour and it’s one of the most beautiful and functionally satisfying bits of gear I own.

Hi!
That 9033 (933) is a taller 332 ... the one I'd choose: I like that levelling base!

Thanks!

 

[Darryl Roberts]

I’ve got a Berlebach Report 9033 (now called a 933) which like Mick’s has a levelling base that’s a huge time saver...no need to fuss around getting the legs juuuuust right for the camera to be level. Especially useful if panning to take several photos or taking slight variations side to side.

It goes a bit taller and is a bit heavier than the one you linked to.

Got it in the darker colour and it’s one of the most beautiful and functionally satisfying bits of gear I own.

Thank you, that sounds reasonable. I'll definitely look in to that option.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

Thank you, that sounds reasonable. I'll definitely look into that option.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

Thanks to Gimenosaiz, et al., my final choice is now:

Berlebach TRIPOD REPORT 833:

• 6 pounds
• Leveling base
• 53 inches (perfect for me, the Arca Swiss head d4m, and the camera)
• Packs to 27 inches

 

[locutus]

I have both a Berlebach Report 833 and a Leofoto Ranger LS-365CEX and use them with my ShenHao 5x4, Rollei 6008, Panasonic S1 with a 150-600mm and macrophotography setup.

The Berlebach and Leofoto are fairly comparable in intended use, they can support heavy loads, have no center column but do have a levelling ball.

I'd compare them as:

Berlebach

Nice, and it really looks the part, but in practice it has many limitations;

The locking mechanisms for the leg sections are decent, but require strong force.
Its large and the very chunky boxy legs dont pack well, it also clatters a lot when you do pack it.
All the moving parts don't feel that great, setting the legs to precise angles is merely okay.
The hard rubber/plastic feet after a year of use are too smooth and slippery, the spikes aren't that great, compromising stability.
The plastics used for the knobs don't handle arctic weather, mine shattered in -25 degrees Celcius, i'll admit; this is very much an edge case.

Finally, it's just too heavy, but its cheap.


Leofoto

Terrific.

All the mechanisms are just way smoother, the ball and leg angle mechanisms are super nice, the rotating leg locks are less fidly and work better with winter gloves.
Packs significantly smaller and also critically the diameter of the packed bundle is smaller making it easier to strap to a hiking backpack.
No problems with the feet, no problem with the plastics in deep winter.


As for comparing vibration control, all tightened up with a camera triggered by a cable release both are excellent when shooting telephoto lenses with the eye to the viewfinder the Leofoto wins out.


I bought the Berlebach with the heart, the wood looks great with a wooden view camera on top after all, but the Leofoto is just superior in actual use.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

My carbon fibre option is a Sirui W-2204 (with the centre column removed) which has gaskets to keep water & dust out of the leg sections.

No complaints.

SIRUI W-2204 Waterproof Carbon Fiber Tripod

Buy the SIRUI Traveler 5CX Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod. Get a sturdy and reliable support system for your camera with our professional range of tripods.

store.sirui.com

 

[Darryl Roberts]

I have both a Berlebach Report 833 and a Leofoto Ranger LS-365CEX and use them with my ShenHao 5x4, Rollei 6008, Panasonic S1 with a 150-600mm and macrophotography setup.

The Berlebach and Leofoto are fairly comparable in intended use, they can support heavy loads, have no center column but do have a levelling ball.

I'd compare them as:

Berlebach

Nice, and it really looks the part, but in practice it has many limitations;

The locking mechanisms for the leg sections are decent, but require strong force.
Its large and the very chunky boxy legs dont pack well, it also clatters a lot when you do pack it.
All the moving parts don't feel that great, setting the legs to precise angles is merely okay.
The hard rubber/plastic feet after a year of use are too smooth and slippery, the spikes aren't that great, compromising stability.
The plastics used for the knobs don't handle arctic weather, mine shattered in -25 degrees Celcius, i'll admit; this is very much an edge case.

Finally, it's just too heavy, but its cheap.


Leofoto

Terrific.

All the mechanisms are just way smoother, the ball and leg angle mechanisms are super nice, the rotating leg locks are less fidly and work better with winter gloves.
Packs significantly smaller and also critically the diameter of the packed bundle is smaller making it easier to strap to a hiking backpack.
No problems with the feet, no problem with the plastics in deep winter.


As for comparing vibration control, all tightened up with a camera triggered by a cable release both are excellent when shooting telephoto lenses with the eye to the viewfinder the Leofoto wins out.


I bought the Berlebach with the heart, the wood looks great with a wooden view camera on top after all, but the Leofoto is just superior in actual use.

Wow, thank you very much.

 

[Jim Jones]

Too bad my brother's aluminum Tiltall was worn out by the time I inherited it. Those were the best budget tripods ever, and easily capable of handling 4x5 woodies.

I selected a new Tiltall from a good variety in a Seattle store while on the way to a job in northern Greenland in 1969. Rather than bring it home, I sold it there three years later where such items were rare. I bought 3 more used ones over the next several years. I lost one and gave another to an (obviously) favored friend. The last one has served me well for many decades. These were all American made Tiltalls, although one was branded Leitz and another branded with a lesser name. The recent Chinese imports do not share the fine reputation of the American products. Probably 4x5 and 5x7 cameras were most often used, and 35mm cameras with up to a sharp 400mm telephoto.. Even a 8x10 camera worked well enough on it. Not one of these four Tiltalls ever failed, despite arctic winters down to -60 degrees F, desert heat, and rough handling. This is not an ad for Tiltall, but honest advise for my fellow Photrio members. I wonder what Drew's brother did to his Tiltall to wear it out!

 

[DREW WILEY]

Like other students attending an expensive photo career academy, my brother bought most of his equipment used. Who knows what that Tiltall had been through before he acquired it. And then there was his own 30 years of use before I inherited it. He used it for his Linhof Tehnika 4X5, his Rollei SL66's, and the Pentax 6x7 I loaned him.