Vintage/old tripods for V system that will still work well?

ChrisBCS · Mar 23, 2017

Any suggestions? Instead of spending a fortune on a brand new tripod and head, I figured I would try to stick with the theme of old, well-made stuff. Any recommendations for good tripod/heads that can be had for a relative steal on eBay that would be good for outdoor photography using a 500 C?

Sirius Glass · Mar 23, 2017

I recommend that you check to see what Dead Link Removed has. They have a good return policy and they will stand by their products. eBay can be a craps shoot.

Rick A · Mar 23, 2017

This looks like a decent deal from KEH
Dead Link Removed

Leigh B · Mar 23, 2017

I use Majestic tripods for all my cameras. Massive overkill for the Hasselblad.

I also use them to support my car when doing an oil change.

- Leigh

BrianShaw · Mar 23, 2017

Here's what I use for mine, with lens up to a 250mm. Light enough for field work and steady enough too. These are affordable new and have been around long enough that used should be even more affordable.

https://www.manfrotto.us/collections/supports/190-series

I think the alternative designation is 3001.

Sirius Glass · Mar 23, 2017

I use the carbon fiber Induro CT214 tripod with the PHQ-1 head for my Hasselblad Tele-Tessar f/8 - 500 mm C lens, which weighs 2.1 Kg or 4.6 pounds plus the weight of my 503 CX and the PME prism. http://www.indurogear.com/

I bought my new, but its light weight makes it worth the cost.

Alan Gales · Mar 23, 2017

How about a vintage Marchioni brothers or Leitz Tiltall tripod? The head comes attached to the tripod and you can pick up nice examples for less than $100.00.

ac12 · Mar 23, 2017

Tiltall is nice. Though I have sometimes had trouble unlocking the screw down legs, when I have it screwed down too much. But it is nice and steady.

I have a Bogen that I got used (via Craigslist for $75), with a head. Serious overkill, and heavy. I use my 4x5 on that tripod. There are smaller Bogen (like 3001) that will do the Hasselblad just fine.

If the tripod does not have a quick release plate (as some of the Bogens do), then get the Hasselblad quick release base, and you are set.

Alan Gales · Mar 23, 2017

Leigh B said:
I use Majestic tripods for all my cameras. Massive overkill for the Hasselblad.

I also use them to support my car when doing an oil change.

- Leigh

You own a Nikon F, don't you, Leigh? Do you ever mount the F onto a Majestic?

I've got a tiny Fujifilm X100s digital camera. I've been thinking of taking it out and putting it on my Ries A100 just to see if I get any looks!

Leigh B · Mar 23, 2017

Alan Gales said:
You own a Nikon F, don't you, Leigh? Do you ever mount the F onto a Majestic?

Hi Alan,

I own several Nikon F3 cameras, and an F2, but no original F model.

I have used these on the Majestic, but not often.
Generally that's used for long exposures as in night or very low light situations.

- Leigh

bdial · Mar 23, 2017

Thalhammer wooden tripods pair with Hasselblads nicely, and are usually available for very reasonable prices on ebay and other sources. They are light but sturdy and very versatile because you can spread the legs to almost flat if you need to get very low. It's my favorite of all the tripods I own (which is several).

info about them here;
https://onerustynail.wordpress.com/2014/03/01/old-hollywood-cinema-tripod-by-craig-thalhammer/

Alan Gales · Mar 23, 2017

Leigh B said:
Hi Alan,

I own several Nikon F3 cameras, and an F2, but no original F model.

I have used these on the Majestic, but not often.
Generally that's used for long exposures as in night or very low light situations.

- Leigh

Time exposures make plenty sense. Your F2/F3 cameras won't blow in the wind on that Majestic!

My only 35mm camera is my Stereo Realist. I always shoot it hand held. The same with my Fujifilm digital. I bought a Mamilya C220f recently. I'll use it on the J100 for portraits with my studio strobes. No sense buying a lighter tripod for around the house. I did have a nice Leitz Tiltall that I picked up for $75. My daughter confiscated it for her OM-1 outfit.

Moopheus · Mar 23, 2017

I've got a Bogen 3033 w/3047 head a while back because the 3001 I had was clearly not adequate for an RB67. The 3033 is a lot more stable. i use it with my 4x5 as well. And anything that will hold an RB67 should be okay with a Hasselblad.

Paul Howell · Mar 23, 2017

My old Husky Quick Set, 4X5 no problem.

John Koehrer · Mar 23, 2017

Alan Gales said:
How about a vintage Marchioni brothers or Leitz Tiltall tripod? The head comes attached to the tripod and you can pick up nice examples for less than $100.00.

This is one of the most highly recommended classic tripods. I've seen pictures of Ansel Adams standing atop his car with a 4X5 on a Tiltall*
The first version made in NJ by the Marchioni brothers is the classic. Leitz had them made for a while and currently
they come out of China.
*If you look for one the first two versions are good quality. the Chinese versions not so much.

Rick A · Mar 24, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I use the carbon fiber Induro CT214 tripod with the PHQ-1 head for my Hasselblad Tele-Tessar f/8 - 500 mm C lens, which weighs 2.1 Kg or 4.6 pounds plus the weight of my 503 CX and the PME prism. http://www.indurogear.com/

I bought my new, but its light weight makes it worth the cost.

I use an Induro A413 leg set with PHT2 head for everything up to 8x10, I held my 11x14, but I wasn't too sure of the stability in a breeze. I bought a Majestic 4800 leg set with 1200 geared head with 6x7 top plate for the 11x14, what a monster set up, I swear it could hold my 200+ lb body extended to it's full eight foot height.

Jim Jones · Mar 24, 2017

Another vote for the original Tiltall, not the later imported ones. I've owned five of them: sold one rather than bring it back from overseas, lost one, gave one to a good friend, have one that's loaned out to another friend, and use one 90+ of the time despite having other tripods, large and small. These were branded Marchioni, Leica, and Star D. Features varied slightly, but all worked fine.

jeffreyg · Mar 24, 2017

Plus on for the Tiltall. I've had my Leitz version for about forty + years.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

BobMarvin11225 · Mar 24, 2017

Another vote for a Marchioni Bros. Tiltall. Mine is both the cheapest and the best tripod I own. At about 7.5 lbs. it's also pretty light weight for its size.

Kodachromeguy · Mar 24, 2017

Another + vote for the Tiltall. I like the Leitz version in black.
Another suggestion: a Cullmann Titan tripod. The Titans were Cullmann's premier grade tripods in the 1980s-1990s. I am enjoying the CT100, with a pneumatic center column. The locks are on the top of the leg, so you do not need to bend over. But beware that the Titans are a bit heavy.

benveniste · Mar 24, 2017

The main advantages of newer tripod legs are a few convenience features and more stability for a given weight and height. From that it follows that older tripods can work perfectly well if you are willing to tolerate some extra weight and maintain the hardware.

Tripod heads, on the other hand, have changed a bit more. I consider the Arca-Swiss system to be a major advantage, and ball heads, gimbals, and even geared heads have advantages over the traditional 3-way system.

Sirius Glass · Mar 24, 2017

Heavy tripods increase their weight exponentially as the distance from the car increases linearly. If you need a physical fitness program then sure go ahead and by a wooden or steel tripod.

Brett Rogers · Mar 25, 2017

ChrisBCS said:
Any suggestions? Instead of spending a fortune on a brand new tripod and head, I figured I would try to stick with the theme of old, well-made stuff. Any recommendations for good tripod/heads that can be had for a relative steal on eBay that would be good for outdoor photography using a 500 C?

Try an old Linhof. If all the fittings are present and undamaged one of their better models will be good for years to come. They may not be ideal for low level imaging (depending on the model) but once you get over about 2 1/2-3 feet, they're wonderful.

mgb74 · Mar 25, 2017

Moopheus said:
I've got a Bogen 3033 w/3047 head a while back because the 3001 I had was clearly not adequate for an RB67. The 3033 is a lot more stable. i use it with my 4x5 as well. And anything that will hold an RB67 should be okay with a Hasselblad.

I will, on occasion, use my 3001 with my 500c. But never with the legs fully extended. So not so bad if using WLF but would prefer something beefier.

My go-to tripod for 35mm and MF is (as many others have said) the Tiltall.

ac12 · Mar 25, 2017

You can put an ArcaSwiss clamp onto a Tiltall. Now it's a modern tripod

Vintage/old tripods for V system that will still work well?

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