Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Ghaag on January 07, 2019, 01:16:09 pm
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I was hoping to get some insights/recommendations for a new tripod & tripod head. I would like a tripod that weighs 4.5lbs or less, no center column, max height near 60" or more, min height 8" or less. For the Tripod Head, this is for landscape photography (including pano's), really need some help here. I am open to ball heads or something like the Arca-Swiss C1 Cube. I have researched and feel like I am in a fog at the moment, any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Greg
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I use an H4D camera. To my surprise, I found that a cheap and light tripod was all that was needed, because the camera central shutter produces far less vibration than a 24x36 focal plane shutter. So that is a datapoint.
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Thank you for the feedback, I also shoot with the Hasselblad.
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I did a lot of research for the same question and came up with a solution I'm very happy with. For a tripod, I got the Feisol CT-3441T Traveler Rapid Carbon Fiber. It weighs about 2.5 lbs and holds something like 44 lbs. Cheaper than a Gitzo 2 Series but has specs comparable to a Gitzo 3 Series.
For a head, it really depends if you want a ball head or a larger, more precise head like the Cube. I already have a Linhof 3D micro geared head for a more precise, heavier option, so for the Feisol tripod I got a ball head with a leveling function, so that once it's level, you can rotate / pan it anywhere and it remains level. It's the Arca Swiss P0 head. If you get the "Monoball P0 with Panning System," you can add a Really Right Stuff clamp to it, which will then clamp to an RRS L-bracket on your camera. It's an overall great solution. The head I got is this one:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/658802-REG/Arca_Swiss_801211_Monoball_P0_with_Panning.html?sts=pi-ps
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Ethan, thank you so much for the detailed response, it is very helpful!
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Just because a tripod will hold something doesn't mean it is a good choice. A too light one will vibrate in the wind. A gitzo series 2 is as light as I would go. I use a series 3 unless hiking in the mountains or flying.
Kent in SD
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Thanks for the reminder Kent, which tripod head do you prefer?
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I use an H4D camera. To my surprise, I found that a cheap and light tripod was all that was needed, because the camera central shutter produces far less vibration than a 24x36 focal plane shutter. So that is a datapoint.
Ditto. If you upgrade to an X1D there is no movement. You only have to worry about wind in slow shutter speeds.
The last two times I took a tripod overseas I hardly used it. I now just carry a light carbon fibre with ball head.
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Thanks for the feedback Bob. My situation is a little different, I almost always shoot on a tripod and often with longer exposures.
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I use the feisol elite 3472. It weighs less than 4lbs but the leg diameters are huge all the way down. Does amazing even in running streams and rivers. Very solid and can get to absolute ground level pretty much with legs at any angle even upwards. I’ve had it almost inverse on rocks.
I use a bh55 ball head from rrs...but it weighs too much if you want to keep it light in the field. You can get away with a bh40. I do recommend a nodal slide like for panoramas though. I like to center my camera weight over the ballhead, it adds stability. The nodal slide lets you adjust any camera and lens, not just ones with lens collars.
The feisols are surprisingly affordable for what they offer compared to the gitzo or rrs equivalent. Just as solid.
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Tony,
Here is what I was leaning toward, I will take a look at the items you mentioned. Thank your for taking the time to give me your input.
Greg
I am leaning heavily towards the Arca Swiss D4 Geared Head, still a little uncertain on the tripod.
Arca Swiss D4
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/966748-REG/arca_swiss_870103_d4_monoball_fix_geared.html
Tripods
Gitzo GT3533LS Systematic Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod (Long)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328244-REG/gitzo_gt3533lsus_systematic_tripod_ser_3_3s.html
Benro TMA38CL
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1157821-REG/benro_tma38cl_mach3_9x_carbon_fiber.html
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I have used the RRS TVC33 and the BH55 for several years and I'm very happy with it. I'm shooting a Phase IQ3-100 and feel I need the weight for stability given the variability of field conditions. Personally, I would rather take one less lens than potentially risk instability due to a smaller tripod.
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Thanks Cam, I agree.
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I’m using a RRS TVC 34L MK II with an Arca-Swiss D4 geared head that has had the clamp replaced with a RRS lever clamp. After many years of messing about with ball heads, this is far and away the best tripod/head combination I’ve ever used.
Rand
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If you can deal with the limited adjustment range, the new Arca Swiss L60 "leveler" head is compact, light and, in my opinion, just as solid as the Cube. It is essentially the P0 ballhead without the ball and stem. I mount it on a RRS leveling base that essentially doubles the range to about 30 degrees.
But, you need either an L bracket or some similar method of getting to portrait orientation.
Dave
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I’m using a RRS TVC 34L MK II with an Arca-Swiss D4 geared head that has had the clamp replaced with a RRS lever clamp. After many years of messing about with ball heads, this is far and away the best tripod/head combination I’ve ever used.
Rand
Rand,
It seems the Arca-Swiss D4 geared head best fits my needs. I am trying to decide between the RRS TVC 34L MK II and the Gitzo GT3533LS Systematic Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod (Long). Do you have any experience with Gitzo? Thanks for your insight!
Greg
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Between gitzo and rrs it is personal preference in my opinion. Rrs makes some amazing products overall and have great phone staff and support overall.
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Rand,
It seems the Arca-Swiss D4 geared head best fits my needs. I am trying to decide between the RRS TVC 34L MK II and the Gitzo GT3533LS Systematic Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod (Long). Do you have any experience with Gitzo? Thanks for your insight!
Greg
I agree with Tony, above. I've owned and used both Gitzo and RRS in the past. I prefer the RRS, especially the MK II versions for overall fit, finish, etc. over comparable Gitzo tripods. But I must say that both are very well made. If you do go with the Arca-Swiss D4 geared head, I can heartily recommend getting the clamp swapped out for a RRS lever clamp. Two reasons. First, lever clamp for Arca is very fiddly, IMO, and the screw in clamp has "two tiers" of jaws that I very much disliked. Second, I think the RRS lever clamps are the best that can be had. Easy to use and keep clean / adjusted, and VERY secure when locked. Here's a video where a fellow is demoing his D4 head w/ the RRS clamp:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxxQACUOTbY
There's some debate on whether you can swap the clamp out on your own. But in an abundance of caution, I sent mine to Precision as did the presenter on this video.
Rand
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Tony and Rand thank you both for your help. Rand and spend what feels like way too much time making this decision, I think I want the exact setup you have. It seems well suited for my needs. Thanks for your help.
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Thanks for the reminder Kent, which tripod head do you prefer?
I use an AcraTech Ultimate ballhead. Main reason is it won't jam in the winter. It's also very light but strong.
Kent in SD
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Thanks Kent
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Thanks to everyone for their help. I thought I would let you know what I wound up doing.
Gitzo GT3533LS Systematic Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod (Long)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328244-REG/gitzo_gt3533lsus_systematic_tripod_ser_3_3s.html
Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head with Lever-Release Panning Clamp
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1301055-REG/really_right_stuff_bh_55_pclr_bh_55_ballhead_with_lever_release.html
I think my first choice would have been RRS TVC 34L MK II with an Arca-Swiss D4 geared head, but it was about $1,000 more and I just could not justify the extra money for my needs. I hope this system works well for me. Thanks again for your help!
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I hadn't seen this thread before, so I was interested to see what you ended up with. It turns out to be exactly what I shoot with every day for the past ten years :)
I like the three-section "long" Gitzo over the 4-section, though I know lots of people who like that one too. I do have the center column but I leave it off most of the time. The BH 55 is an excellent ball head.
Hope you get a lot of good use out of it.
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Thanks Ken! Everything came in today, and I'm very pleased with how it looks and feels. Honestly, I was afraid the RSS BH-55 might feel a bit bulky and heavy, but that was not the case at all (tripod feels great as well). I found it all the choices a bit overwhelming, I am glad to have that behind me.
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Thanks Ken! Everything came in today, and I'm very pleased with how it looks and feels. Honestly, I was afraid the RSS BH-55 might feel a bit bulky and heavy, but that was not the case at all (tripod feels great as well). I found it all the choices a bit overwhelming, I am glad to have that behind me.
Good solid choices! Should serve you well for a lifetime. As ball heads go, I think the BH-55 is both beautiful and functional. RRS’s design esthetic is quite lovely, IMO.
Rand
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Gitzo Carbon fiber GT-2542Carbon Exact. Tried all the other tripods at B&H and this one had the least residual vibration that I could feel.
Then found out they had a used one for about half price. Only thing was missing was one of the leg angle adjustments, actually not missing just a piece of it was chipped off.
Lightweight and sturdy, less weight than my head ;)