A Sturdier Tripod?

[timparkin]

After having seen a bit of movement in my 8x10 Toyo mounted on a BH55 and Gitzo GT3541XLS, I've been thinking about how to make things a bit sturdier or buy a more solid tripod/head combination.

I've recently written a biog of Christopher Burkett and noted his quest for a better 8x10 tripod. He's moved from big old studio pods to surveyers tripods and finally is using a £4k Sachtler tripod and head - a bit outside my budget at the moment.

Two problems I've noted are a vibration in the column of the ballhead (common to any head of this design?) and so I've been thinking about a Senior Manfrotto geared head or possibly the new Arca Swiss D4. Also the Gitzo systematic looked pretty solid (http://www.dentonimages.com/page.php?id ... ead_Review).

As for tripods, I think the GT3541XLS is pretty solid but I need to test that somehow - alternatives considered at the video tripods (possibly Miller) and the woodies, Berlebach and Reis.

I'd love to know people's comments on the quest for stability and wind handling?

Tim

[IanG]

Tim, back around mid 2008 I acquired a big professional Hydralok cine/TV tripod, made in Australia by a company called UNIVERSAL FLUID HEADS (AUST.) PTY. LIMITED. It had been in storage for a few years and when the local college needed space I was offered it for £50.

It's perfect for a 10x8 camera, it'd carry Jim Fitzgerald's new 17x14 with ease What's nice about it is the huge ball type swivel the column can pivot in, and it's very smooth & easy to use. It's a bit heavy though

There's many similar tripods just sitting idle in storage, tucked away, it's how to find them.

I did buy a Gandolfi tripod for my 10x8's but they are awful, luckily it was cheap, the locks etc for the head aren't good enough, and you could see the camera creeping, tilting the head to a point where eventually balance is lost and the whole lot falls over !!!!!! I stopped using it rather quickly.

Ian

[AbsolutelyN]

I was quite happy with a Gitzo 5541 and a Kirk BH1, generally fairly solid but that camera is a bit like having a sail at the top of your tripod! Good luck. Tristan

[dave_whatever]

Could you get away with a levelling head instead of a full ballhead?

[David Rees]

Consider a Burzynski ballhead. They are not common, and are not cheap, but due to their design, they are extremely rigid, at least compared to other ballheads. I have two, mounted in (note: in, not on) my G1548 and my G1548GT, and I'm very happy with them. They work well with long lenses, and also with my 5x4 and 6x17 systems. I'm confident they are good enough for 10x8 as well -- still waiting to buy my first 10x8, so cannot speak directly from experience, unfortunately.

[Dave Tolcher]

I am happy with the 3 or 4 section gitzo 5 series CF. Having swapped the 1548 for a 3 section 5531 I would prefer the 4 section for its extra height. Even with a BH-1 I found it a little on the edge for the whole plate & 10x8 cameras I had.

Dave

[Acheron Photography]

I am happy with the 3 or 4 section gitzo 5 series CF.

Dave has a good point I think - each section is potentially a cause of slightly wobbles, so fewer longer sections are better. I have a 3 section Gitzo CF and am very happy with it with my Arca 5x7 and a Linhof levelling head.

I've recently written a biog of Christopher Burkett and noted his quest for a better 8x10 tripod. He's moved from big old studio pods to surveyers tripods and finally is using a £4k Sachtler tripod and head

I really really wish that I had not found out about those Sachtlers - they do look good...

David

[Trevor Crone]

I use a Gitzo 3 section Systematic with aluminum centre column and Manfrotto 405 geared head with my Ebony SLW810. I've been using it for a few years and it has performed well on many different terrain. Quick to set up and rock solid.

[timparkin]

With various advise, I've decided to have a go with a manfrotto senior geared head - sounds like they're pretty damn stable with very little flex (though very heavy). Sachtler tripod in the future somewhere

Tim