Tripod recommendations for 4x5 camera?

HepcatWilly

HepcatWilly

Just trying to be Hepful
Hi all,
I have a project I'm working on, converting a Newton rail camera for pinhole/zone photography. It's cast aluminum, so fairly heavy.

I'm unfamiliar with large-format tripods, it seems that you buy legs and a head separately?

If you have experience in large format, can you list good used tripod/heads for under $200?

The used Star-D Pro at $75 with head or the Manfrotto 3021 with 3047 Head at $160 look pretty good. Link to EPLevine listing:
http://www.eplevine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=TRI

Any help would be great, thanks!
 
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I bought my Bogen 3021 with the 3047 head over 20 years ago for my 4x5 camera and I still use it and it has served me well for all the years. I even used it when I had my Agfa-Ansco 5x7 camera several years ago. Yes, there are better tripods but for the money this tripod is a good bang for your buck. Sturdy enough for my all metal Wista 4x5 SP field camera and not too heavy.
 
The big Manfrotto (Bogen) that my wife uses for her rather substantial Swarovski 80mm spotting scope is probably beefy enough for a 4 x 5. Not sure which model it is, though. Maybe the above-mentioned 3021. We have two Manfrotto tripods; one is less robust and used for 35mm/digital and the smaller/cheaper spotting scope we have.

Dunno about an appropriate head, though.
 
I use Manfrotto pods and heads myself and nice ones can be found used for your budget, Another brand to consider if you can find one used is Benro. This Asian brand makes the worlds highest quality knockoffs of Bogen/Manfrotto tripods and heads for half the price.

Mike
 
Just looked (since it's 5 feet away from this computer)... Our big Manfrotto is a 3021, and the head's a 3030.
 
Look into Berlebach Wooden Tripods from Germany

http://www.berlebach.de/?sprache=english

Amazon carrys a few models

I have one I use with my Long telephoto's and my Canon Film gear and I can tell you nothing beats one for steady and being vibration absorbing. The 2 section leg version would be ideal for a 4X5.

Plus them nice flat wooden legs carry so nice on a cold morning.

No sticking to the metal or the stupid cost of carbon fiber.

Just my two cents.

OH and the customer support is amazing. Mine arrived with the little column locking lever broken and I emailed them about it with a photo of the damage and I got an email back within 8 hours (they are approx 10 hours ahead of me time wise) and 2 days later via Fed EX I recieved the new part from Germany to Oregon!!!!! Now that's customer service.

I was then emailed to ask if it had arrived and if all was well!!
 
We've got little padded thingies on the legs of the scope tripod; you NEED that in the wintertime 'round here. All you really need is to buy some of that split foam water line insulator stuff at the Home Despot; works a charm. We have some commercial product that's just the same but with a nice stretchy fabric cover.
 
I have the same thing on my metal tube tripods. Except we went a step further we put the foam on them and the wife stiched up some fannel covers with velcro to wrap around the foam.

I still carry the big wood pod most of the time.
 
I was thinking about a wooden tripod. Vibration damping is key here, as the exposures are super long.

A friend of mine has one, they are beautiful, sturdy as can be. If I can't get that, the Bogen/Manfrotto seems like the next best bet.

Mark, did you have to buy a separate head for that?
 
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