Head and tripod for mid format

[jerome_m]

My ideal tripod would take me well above 2M, but Gitzo seem to be the only people to make a tripod of this height.  This Induro I think will be used more and more regularly.
I would love RRS to make a TALL tripod!  Why don't more people make these?

Manfrotto has the 161MK2B, which goes up to 267cm.

[tho_mas]

- Arca Swiss D4 (geared) for MF
- Cambo leveling base for LF
- mid sized Berlebach wood tripod (3 extensions, no center column); I use this one mostly
- large Berlebach wood tripod (obove head level, 2 extensions, center column)
- small FLM Carbon (3 extensions, no center column, fits into hand luggage when flying)
- large Induro Carbon (4 extensions, center column)

[alatreille]

- large Induro Carbon (4 extensions, center column)

Thomas.

How do you find the leg locking mechs on this tripod.
Are they stiff and hard to loosen like the aluminium version I'm currently using?

cheers
Andrew

[leeonmaui]

Aloha,

Arca swiss monoball, super sweet and smooth, easy to lock and unlock.
Also i use a wimbely side kick really solid way to have easy movements plus the sidekick slips right in my bag and does not weigh much, the Arca swiss on the other hand is pretty heavy for its size...

[cyron123]

Hi tho_mas,
The arca Swiss D4 looks interesting. For MF and macro works too. Do you think the gear is exact enough for heavier cameras? How is the friction on the D4? I can not see a friction control knob?
And the D4 is cheaper than the cube! hmm?!?!
Thank you.
Cyron
 

- Arca Swiss D4 (geared) for MF
- Cambo leveling base for LF
- mid sized Berlebach wood tripod (3 extensions, no center column); I use this one mostly
- large Berlebach wood tripod (obove head level, 2 extensions, center column)
- small FLM Carbon (3 extensions, no center column, fits into hand luggage when flying)
- large Induro Carbon (4 extensions, center column)

[cyron123]

Hi Eric,
Same question for you:
Is the gear of the D4 really exact and locks in every position?
Thank you.
 Cyron

Hi,

Personally I use an Really Right Stuff Versa 3 series tripod and an Arca Swiss D4 geared head, I love them both.

Best regards
Erik

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

It is geared on two axes, tilt and rise. Horisontal rotation is not geared. Normally I use gears. You can unlock gears, so you can have fre rotation around one, two or three axes.

There is no friction control. Locking on horisontal rotation is exact.

I use it with both mf, Hasselblad 555 ELD, and FF and APS-C DSLR with lenses up to 800 mm (400/4.5 + 2x extender.

Best regards
Erik

Hi Eric,
Same question for you:
Is the gear of the D4 really exact and locks in every position?
Thank you.
 Cyron

[marcmccalmont]

I've gone through a few tripods and heads until I was happy
I ended up with a Gitzo 3 series 4 segment tripod, A RRS leveling base, an Arca swiss cube head and a RRS screw clamp
I've tried the RRS BH55/Lever clamp etc etc and the best for me is the above
Marc

[Louis Novak]

I use Induro Legs with the Arca Cube, and Induro Legs with the Induro PHQ3 5-way head. A nice little add-on with the Induro head is the Smart Flex L-Plate. It allows you to switch from horizontal and vertical shots without taking the camera off the stand, rotating your digital back, or moving the orientation of your tripod.

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

Here is some info I wrote about the D4 (with some video)

http://echophoto.dnsalias.net/ekr/index.php/photoarticles/53-arca-swiss-d4

Best regards
Erik

Hi Eric,
Same question for you:
Is the gear of the D4 really exact and locks in every position?
Thank you.
 Cyron

[tho_mas]

How do you find the leg locking mechs on this tripod.
Are they stiff and hard to loosen like the aluminium version I'm currently using?

actually I am finding the locking mechanism totally trouble-free. The locks are not so stiff... in fact they are relatively smooth.

Do you think the gear is exact enough for heavier cameras?

yes, absolutely. The D4 is rock solid.

Here's another video showing the geared and free movements of the D4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTLm5gmNXDM

[alatreille]

actually I am finding the locking mechanism totally trouble-free. The locks are not so stiff... in fact they are relatively smooth.

Hi Thomas,

Thanks so much.
I'm debating the CT414 this month and this confirms further investigation is worthwhile.

All the best.

Andrew

[Stas Wilf]

A Gitzo classic, 1325, slightly modded, plus a ballhead (Kirk BH-1, a great head, but on the heavy side) or a leveling base (Sunwayfoto DYH-66), when I anticipate long-distance hiking.