What tripod head and legs do you use for your RB67 in the field?

[GregY]

I no longer have Mamiya RB67....but if i did i'd use my Ries LF tripod head with the nice big platform....

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I have a Monfrotto 410 head, with quick release. Love it. It's mounted on a HEAVY Gitzo, that I've been humping around since 1992. I'd love a carbon fibre version, but too darn expensive...

 

[igzabeher]

Either an Induro CT213 tripod with an Induro PHT1 3 way head, or a Gitzo Explorer (2531EX?) tripod and a Gitzo 2570QR off center ball head.

 

[GregY]

I have a Monfrotto 410 head, with quick release. Love it. It's mounted on a HEAVY Gitzo, that I've been humping around since 1992. I'd love a carbon fibre version, but too darn expensive...

Andrew..... it's not the Gitzo. The Pentax 67 & Mamiya RB67 were my impetus to go LF

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Andrew..... it's not the Gitzo. The Pentax 67 & Mamiya RB67 were my impetus to go LF

I use that Gitzo for LF and ULF. I swear I could jack up a tank, and change its treads with it.

 

[GregY]

I use that Gitzo for LF and ULF. I swear I could jack up a tank, and change its treads with it.

& you could use the RB as a tire chock too
BTW i still use an aluminum Gitzo..... happily....
i don't carry enough insurance for a 4x5 or nice MF wobbling off a CF tripod in the wind...

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

& you could use the RB as a tire chock too
BTW i still use an aluminum Gitzo..... happily....
i don't carry enough insurance for a 4x5 or nice MF wobbling off a CF tripod in the wind...

 

[k.hendrik]

Manfrotto 028B + 808 rc4 aka HEAVY but steady !

 

[Certain Exposures]

Thank you everyone. I am reading through slowly.

Question: Have any of you already tried the "Manfrotto 055XSCC Shorter Center Column for Select 055 Series Tripods" on a set of Manfrotto 055XB tripod legs? I am unsure if they are compatible. I may order one because I just fixed a pair of 055XB legs and they could be sturdy enough for the job. I just need a center column and a tripod head.

Manfrotto's spares site no longer has the original center column in stock.

Answer: Manfrotto support said it would fit.

 

[reddesert]

Thank you everyone. I am reading through slowly.

Question: Have any of you already tried the "Manfrotto 055XSCC Shorter Center Column for Select 055 Series Tripods" on a set of Manfrotto 055XB tripod legs? I am unsure if they are compatible. I may order one because I just fixed a pair of 055XB legs and they could be sturdy enough for the job. I just need a center column and a tripod head.

Manfrotto's spares site no longer has the original center column in stock.

I don't know because I am unfamiliar with the newer iterations of the 055something tripods, only with the older aluminum Bogen 3021 / Manfrotto 055 tripods with a round center column. However, I recommend to spend some time looking at bogentripodparts.com, https://bogentripodparts.com/parts.html , which is maintained by a shop that is a Bogen/Manfrotto service center, and has really detailed information about the different generations of a very large number of Bogen / Manfrotto models.

 

[xya]

I use an old wooden Berlebach 2-way since ages. Solid as a rock and not heavy. These were not expensive years ago as they are used a lot in road construction for levelling instruments. There's a hype about them now and they became more expensive, but you can look for an old one. They are indestructible.

 

[Luftfeder]

I use a 3 Legged Thing Leo 2.0 with AirHead Pro Lever ball head. I chose this because it is light and packs well (which can not be said of the RB67) - I have found the ball head friction setting is more than capable for this heavy camera and the friction setting easily enough to adjust to get the camera level without risking it flopping around. I use the waist level finder and so I often don't extend the last leg section. I have had a 2 axis head in the past on a different tripod and believe that if I were in a studio setting I would probably go for the pan/tilt head instead of the ball head but the ball head is just so much more travel friendly. I use a longer Acra Swiss plate and scoot the camera back slightly so that the center of gravity is over the center of the ball and this makes adjustments easier as well.

 

[DanielCTracht]

There is an RB67 quick-release plate for Arc Swiss releases. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2127-REG/Arca_Swiss_802224_Camera_Plate_for_Mamiya.html I tried it with the Kessler quick release, and it didn't fit properly, but it could work with another Arca-Swiss releases. My quick release is now a Kessler setup (not shown in the picture). Good luck with whatever you decide.

I do not recommend this plate. As I wrote in a review on B&H, the plate does not provide the proper support for the RB since the two side pins are not on the same plane as the central screw. Instead, I highly recommend getting one of the Mamiya AQ701 quick releases. A little uncommon, but they pop up on eBay from time to time. Works across the RB, RZ, 645, and Mamiya TLRs.

 

[djhopscotch]

I use Feisol 3 section carbon legs, and usually the Benro 3-way geared head.

THe Acratech Arca-Type Quick Release Plate for Mamiya 645, 645AF, RB, RZ works well on the RB, I have used it on both the Benro head and a Feisol ball head.

​

 

[Certain Exposures]

Thanks, everyone. I will have to revisit this thread a few times over this week to finish reading all the replies and make a decision. I will share my choice and follow up in a few weeks after using it if anyone is curious .


@Luftfeder which plate specifically do you use with thatAirHead Pro Lever ball head? I read a review that the plate it comes with is poorly designed because it will start to wobble after you lock it. Travel friendly matters in for my use.


I purchased this center column I mentioned in the meantime:

Thank you everyone. I am reading through slowly.

Question: Have any of you already tried the "Manfrotto 055XSCC Shorter Center Column for Select 055 Series Tripods" on a set of Manfrotto 055XB tripod legs? I am unsure if they are compatible. I may order one because I just fixed a pair of 055XB legs and they could be sturdy enough for the job. I just need a center column and a tripod head.

Manfrotto's spares site no longer has the original center column in stock.

Answer: Manfrotto support said it would fit.

 

[Certain Exposures]

I have a Monfrotto 410 head, with quick release. Love it. It's mounted on a HEAVY Gitzo, that I've been humping around since 1992. I'd love a carbon fibre version, but too darn expensive...

@Andrew O'Neill what accessories do you generally use with your RB67? Mine with a 127mm lens and the prism weighs about 9lbs (I used a scale). I also use a 250mm lens. The 410 head is only rated for 11 lbs. Does it stay locked in any position or is it wobbly? How has the tripod plate and clamp held up?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

@Andrew O'Neill what accessories do you generally use with your RB67? Mine with a 127mm lens and the prism weighs about 9lbs (I used a scale). I also use a 250mm lens. The 410 head is only rated for 11 lbs. Does it stay locked in any position or is it wobbly? How has the tripod plate and clamp held up?

It's quite solid. I also use it for my Canham 8x10.

 

[Rick A]

I used to use an Induro AT 313 leg set with Benro HD3a pan head until "someone" backed our car over it. I replaced the legs with a Benro TMA37AL Long Series 3 Mach3 Aluminum legs I have since sold off the RB, this setup is good for my 4x5, 5x7, and even my 8x10, though I have a heavier tripod set up for the 8x10.

 

[Ardpatrick]

How long is a piece of string?

Everyone has their own experience and there’s plenty of right answers.

A few thoughts in response to various comments:

1. The current Gitzo tripods are not Chinese knock-offs in my experience. Compared side by side to knock offs they are clearly superior build. Mine have never failed me. Debatably they are overpriced but they don’t lack for quality. Buy once etc.

2. In saying that Manfrotto’s (and Chinese brands) get the job done. I used a Manftotto 3221 & 3047 / 410 heads for years with RB67 & 4x5. You just need to factor in the cost of an assistant LOL!

3. The 410 is a great head. Wonderful to work with. Holds a lot of weight steadily. I like the plate system. Good choice for RB67. But it’s really heavy.

4. A lot of negative comments on ball heads above. I’m just getting into them after 35 years of all the other kinds of head, or even headless! The big positive of ball heads for me is compactness for travel. Manfrotto 3047 3 way heads, 410 geared heads etc are not only heavy, but also bulky.

I recently bought two different sizes of the FLM Germany ball heads (CB 43 / 58 FTR II). Beware they ain’t the same as what’s branded FLM in North America. The heads definitely have their quirks but the build quality is great. The unique “tilt” function- which gets cursory attention in reviews, is actually fantastically useful if you know when to use it. The head can function as a pan / tilt controlled unit, without having handles sticking out in 3 directions.

But as has been said above - if you get a ball head buy a good name and for an RB67 buy a larger size ballhead.

5. You’ve already gone through cheap stuff. Well neither film, processing, nor your time come cheap. Shooting film means the tripod needs to be a rock solid given you don’t have any question about. It’s not the place to cut corners when you’re working with 127mm and longer lenses in available light. Get a good one this time and you’ll get to be the one dolling out wisdom on tripods on here for ever more!

6. Check out The Center Column website which educated me on the physics of tripods and was helpful in eliminating the unnecessary from consideration.

A 7th point - If you can handle the weight, Manfrotto are almost always highly functional for the price.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I have an Induro (now defunct brand) CT-303 (I think that's the model number- three-section carbon fiber legs). It holds anything up to my 8x10 field camera in conjunction with a Gitzo low-profile pan tilt head. I also have a used Slik ball head that works great for digital and/or film medium format.

There are a ton of reasonably priced carbon-fiber legsets out there now - I would absolutely go that route, and go for something with a pan-tilt head rather than a ball head (although an RB/RZ balances a little better on a ball head than some because it centers the weight better until you get longer lenses.

 

[Certain Exposures]

Thank you everyone. I am still slowly rolling through comments when I have the time.

I decided to purchase the Manfrotto 410 tripod head because I plan to do studio and field work.

So my setup will be:

- Legs: Manfrotto 055XB (discontinued, aluminum)
- Center column: Manfrotto 055XSCC
- Tripod head: Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head w/Quick Release

That is 7.69 lbs total. Nice and portable for long walks in the park and trekking - just like the RB67.

I will upgrade to lighter, stronger sticks eventually. The 055XB sticks are rated for only 15 lbs.

 

[Ardpatrick]

Thank you everyone. I am still slowly rolling through comments when I have the time.

I decided to purchase the Manfrotto 410 tripod head because I plan to do studio and field work.

So my setup will be:

- Legs: Manfrotto 055XB (discontinued, aluminum)
- Center column: Manfrotto 055XSCC
- Tripod head: Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head w/Quick Release

That is 7.69 lbs total. Nice and portable for long walks in the park and trekking - just like the RB67.

I will upgrade to lighter, stronger sticks eventually. The 055XB sticks are rated for only 15 lbs.

Good choice. As I said above, if you can handle the weight, Manfrotto is great value for money. The 410 is fantastic - a perfect match for the RB67.