Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: cyron123 on July 03, 2013, 11:05:23 am
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Hi guys,
I am new in the mid format business and a ask me: what kind of heads and tripods do you use for your mid format system? Do you use gear heads for landscape?
Thank you.
Cyron
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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
Hi guys,
I am new in the mid format business and a ask me: what kind of heads and tripods do you use for your mid format system? Do you use gear heads for landscape?
Thank you.
Cyron
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I use arca swiss cube or monoball z + gitzo legs.
ball head or gear? it depends on your preferences. You can also look at "hybrid" head D4 from arca.
I have the legs-very old and heavy. I've never had problems with quality. These legs can be bought for very little money. But the heads really worth investing.
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Cyron,
I use a series 3, carbon fibre Gitzo with the Arca-Swiss Z DP monoball and an Arca-Swiss D4 geared head. Both heads are really fine and work superbly with my medium format gear as well as 35mm with telephotos up to 300mm 2.8. I've had a variety of heads over a 40 year period, and the Arca-Swiss are the only ones I have been completely satisfied with.
Good Luck in your search,
Ed
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Gitzo series 2 and Linhof Micro 3d. The recommendations from here may seem expensive, but its because most have gone through all the less expensive gear and found it lacking. Hard to swallow but true.
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Hi,
A lower cost alternative I did like was Velbon CF 630 and Acratech Ultimate ballhead. I also have Gitzo GT3541LS, but I feel that the RRS are much better made.
Best regards
Erik
Gitzo series 2 and Linhof Micro 3d. The recommendations from here may seem expensive, but its because most have gone through all the less expensive gear and found it lacking. Hard to swallow but true.
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Hello everybody,
very intereseting that the most of you use geard heads! But not the cheap Manfrotto 410 or 405. Buy cheap buy twice? :)
I am very excited to know what others use...
Thank you.
cyron
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Hi,
I don't know. Manfrotto QR's are terrible but I know that "Heinar" makes an adapter so you can use Manfrotto geared heads with Arca QR plates.
The advantage with geared heads is precision, very valuable with long lenses.
Regarding legs I have not been impressed by Manfrotto and Gitzo. Velbon is nice, but not really high end. RRS smokes Gitzo, little question in my mind.
Best regards
Erik
Hello everybody,
very intereseting that the most of you use geard heads! But not the cheap Manfrotto 410 or 405. Buy cheap buy twice? :)
I am very excited to know what others use...
Thank you.
cyron
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While a geared head is convenient for a MF camera, it should be pointed out that MF cameras do not always require bigger/sturdier tripods and heads than 24x36 SLRs. They are not much heavier and, the ones which have a lens shutter produce less vibration when you use the mirror up function.
This being said, I just bought a Manfrotto 400 geared head myself (used), but I am not sure it was a good idea. It is quite heavy.
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The Manfrotto 410 might be cheap(er) in price, but it's a well-made head. The gearing is precise and stable. And each gear / movement has a quick release so you can rotate/pan/tilt faster if you want.
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I use Gitzo legs (3540GT). For a ballhead I think the Burzynski head is the best there is. I recently replaced it with a Cube. I found the geared head suits my type of working better.
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Hello everybody,
very intereseting that the most of you use geard heads! But not the cheap Manfrotto 410 or 405. Buy cheap buy twice? :)
I am very excited to know what others use...
Thank you.
cyron
I disagree with you here. I use a Manfrotto 410, and it's far and away the best head I've ever had. It replaced a Gitzo which was twice the price - and wobbled. I'd recommend a Manfrotto to almost anyone - it's very robust, and seems to be able to do almost anything. Biggest camera I've ever used on it was an RB67 - no problem, even though that's heavier than Manfrotto say the head is designed for. The QR is fine. I'd recommend one of these to almost anybody - I have found no drawbacks or limitations with it at all.
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I use Gitzo series 2 explorer carbon fibre legs and a 405 geared head, I also use a series 1 mountaineer with a 410 for jobs which require a lighter setup, flying, walking long distances etc.
Both my heads have Hejnar Arca Swiss conversions.
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I really like the RRS tripods----and opted for the TVC-24 with the Arca Swiss Cube. A RRS quick release allows me to swap the Cube out quickly for other heads, or to use the Cube on other platforms.
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Hi,
I essentially agree, unless shooting in windy conditions. Eliminating vibration reduces need of steady tripod.
Putting a heavy head and camera on a lightweight tripod makes it top heavy.
Best regards
Erik
While a geared head is convenient for a MF camera, it should be pointed out that MF cameras do not always require bigger/sturdier tripods and heads than 24x36 SLRs. They are not much heavier and, the ones which have a lens shutter produce less vibration when you use the mirror up function.
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Hi guys,
I am new in the mid format business and a ask me: what kind of heads and tripods do you use for your mid format system? Do you use gear heads for landscape?
Thank you.
Cyron
Hi, it all depends on what you are looking for. Generally the top manufacturers produce quality gear. So the choice is quite personal since everyone has different priorities in regards to size / weight, function and system.
I have three tripods and three heads. (Gitzo and RRS). I use the arca style plates and rrs panning clamps. I go with the light tripod for extended hikes, I use a series 2 for a lot of things but take the series 3 gitzo if I can most of the time. Its a 4 section and when extended its quite tall which helps in uneven terrain when one leg is further downhill than the others. The center column is also removable if desired. Over the years you hone your technique and you know what you like to have in your gear. Thankfully today there are many high quality choice and lot's of options.
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Hi,
I'm using a Gitzo 3531 LS with a Manfrotto 400 Geared Head. Both are very good, although the setup is heavy. I know the Cube is a better geared head, but the Manfrotto does the trick for me.
All the best.
Richard Naismith
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Hi
I use a Rally Right Stuff 34L with an Arca Swiss Cube fitted with a RRS clamp. My cameras all havecRRS L plates. I also use an old Manfrotto studio tripod with a Manfrotto geared head when I have to use equipment which cannot be used with the L plates such as the Hasselblad HTS and the Stackshot.
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Just to be different :D, I use a Berlebach Report 2042. This is a nice German-made wooden tripod with a ball-and-socket mounted centre column that eliminates the need for a head about 90 percent of the time for me (mainly landscape or portrait work). A bit heavier than carbon-fibre, but the absence of a head partially makes up for that, and besides, it's sturdy, well-damped, relatively affordable and very good looking!
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Hi Cyron,
Whilst I've used a Cube a few times and love the way it allows me to work, I've more recently been using the Manfrotto 410 with the Hejnar adapter.
It's a great set up, allowing me to use a selection of rails to put my camera in places I can't always get a tripod in to. I think it totaled a little $350.
It's gearing isn't as fine as the 405 of the Cube, but for the majority of purposes it's pretty good.
I've recently been using the shown Induro AT413. It's heavy, it's rock solid. What I don't like about it are the twists on the legs. They can be very hard to turn and by the end of the day I get sore hands. Not good in the twilight hours when I want to move fast....
What I do like about this is it's height.....With the 410 mounted it's over 1.8M to the clamp. With the column extended (very rarely do I use this) it's over 2M.
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?
I hope this helps.
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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.
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- 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)
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- 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
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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...
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.