Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: MattBurt on October 28, 2016, 12:15:03 pm

Title: Wood tripods
Post by: MattBurt on October 28, 2016, 12:15:03 pm: I've been toying with the idea of a nice heavy wooden tripod for my 645D. I generally don't carry that system far anyway and my CF Manfrotto 190cxpro is probably a little small for that camera.
I'm trying to keep costs low so I'm watching eBay and KEH but thought I'd see what you folks would suggest too. I'd probably put a modern geared head on it but if it came with a decent head I wouldn't mind.

I'm hoping to find something like a sub-$200 old one that someone just wants to be rid of. I figured I'd check the local thrift store too. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: NancyP on October 28, 2016, 01:21:21 pm: Craig's list, ebay, swap meets.
Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: degrub on October 28, 2016, 02:06:29 pm: Used surveyor's tripod
Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: John Nollendorfs on October 28, 2016, 02:13:55 pm: Just Google "diy wooden tripod camera"
Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: Colorado David on October 29, 2016, 10:50:30 am: Years ago when the television station where I worked was updating some gear, they replaced all the news photographer's wooden Peter Lisand tripods with aluminum Gitzos. The surplused wooden sticks were put up for grabs. I kept thinking I'd get one, but put it off. No one took one and eventually they were thrown away. These were tripods that could hold a thirty pound load and had a 100 mm bowl. I'm really sorry I didn't get one.
Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: Herbc on October 29, 2016, 12:12:24 pm: If you don't mind the cost, Reis makes what in my opinion the best. They have a small size for medium format. Wood does not transmit vibration like plastic and metal do. I used them for years in LF
Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: donbga on October 30, 2016, 10:21:48 am: Quote from: MattBurt on October 28, 2016, 12:15:03 pm
Any suggestions?

Purchase a carbon fiber tripod. Why schlep a heavy tripod around? IMO there is little benefit to that and I'm a big tripod advocate.

Don Bryant
Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: MattBurt on October 30, 2016, 10:43:04 am: I guess one reason is cost but I also like the charm of wood and don't mind the weight for what I have in mind. I already have a cf tripod for hiking if it's that kind of outing.

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Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: donbga on October 30, 2016, 11:16:29 am: Quote from: MattBurt on October 30, 2016, 10:43:04 am
I guess one reason is cost but I also like the charm of wood and don't mind the weight for what I have in mind. I already have a cf tripod for hiking if it's that kind of outing.

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The charm of wood? I've owned wood tripods in the past and never found them to be charming. Sorry, I'm not trying to sound argumentative but after decades of photography I have no romantic notions regarding gear. In that regard I'm a total pragmatist.
Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: MattBurt on October 30, 2016, 12:15:17 pm: Fair enough. I won't try to talk you into one. :)

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Title: Re: Wood tripods
Post by: Herbc on October 30, 2016, 12:55:02 pm: Matt, it just dawned on me I have a wood tripod you can have cheap. Email if interested-it is not a Reis, fyi. 8)