most durable tripod

[Tom Green]

Can anyone comment on a reliable tripod that is plain and simply and most of all will not behave like a drunk, but most inportant hold L/F gear rigid, I am fed up with scrawny tripods, and fancy attachements " ADVICE PLEASE" TOM,G

[Paul Mitchell]

When I can afford it I have earmarked the Gitzo 3540 XLS as my preferred LF tripod, having to make do with a Manfrotto 440 & 410 head at the mo.

Paul

[Emmanuel Bigler]

There are many good tripods on the market but let me put another vote for a Gitzo.
I have a series 3 classic aluminium tripod ; the model I have, ref. 1312 has a geared centre column and is now discontinued but some equivalent models like the G1320 are still listed on the catalog.
weight : 3.3 kg (without head) carries 13 kg ; this is probably overkill for a light weight 5x4" camera + a reasonable lens (I mean, something subtantially smaller than a 1000mm apo-ronar )
Look here for the current Gitzo catalogue

Gitzo will repair old tripods without any problem for years and so far has a good stock of spare parts, so you can seriously consider a second-hand model.
The centre column might not be really useful for a view camera since you can make adjustments in framing and composition using shifts on the camera itself. As far as I have read in reference photo books, the less you raise the centre column, the more you avoid vibrations.
Hence no column at all is even more rigid

Other options are recent carbon fibre tripods but they are usually quite expensive.
An affordable alternative of very stable tripods are wooden tripods like the Berlebachs.
I have a Berlabach 8013 without column, weight 2.4 kg without head and rated for 8 kg.

As far as tripod heads are concerned, since the question wil be raised soon, I have a Gitzo 1370 3-way (discontinued, but the slightly bigger 1570 still exists) and an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead (also discontinued but the new Z1 is smaller, cheaper and stronger)

So I can combine according to the mood of the day, metal or wood ? 3-way or ball-head ?
Not kidding, the combination of the Berlebach 8013 + the A/S B1 is extremely compact ; this is what prefer for backpacking.
The Gitzo series 3 + 3-way head 1370 is my choice when I agree with Edward Weston who is supposed to have said some day : "Anything more than 500 yds from the car just isn't photogenic" -

[Joanna Carter]

Provided it's not something huge like a Sinar (hi Ben ), then you can get away with something like a Manfrotto 055 with the 410 head. I used one very satisfactorily for a couple of years before splurging out on the Gitzo GT2530LVL. In fact, you would have seen the 055 in action when we went out on the Wirral.

[Tim Myers]

If you're considering the Manfrotto 055 I'd strongly advise against the carbon fibre models. They simply aren't stable.

[Joanna Carter]

If you're considering the Manfrotto 055 I'd strongly advise against the carbon fibre models. They simply aren't stable.

In my opinion, the O55 CF simply isn't worth the money for the very small weight saving.

But tell me Tim, do you think that the CF is less stable than the aluminium one ?

[timparkin]

I've just bought the 3540XLS and it's a stunning tripod. The extra length on the legs has been handy on multiple occasions so far, particularly in Gower where I had to see over some gorse to get a good view. The initially ridiculously long legs are perfect for working on slopes or on ridges, where the legs need to extend down a hill.

The 3540 is also very light (comparatively) and the ability to use spikes instead of feet adds considerably to stability in most conditions..

The new 6x leg lock seems substantially better than the old design (the legs can got from lock to release in about 30 degrees of movement).

You need to be carefull with spikes though. Apart from the obvious pointy danger, they also can get stuck in cracks and the long lever of the legs can cause a lot of stress... Fortunately, when I was flustered and bent my tripod over, the thing that failed first was the glue holding it in the leg (realising what I had done, I worked out that a LOT of force was applied - I'm lucky it was repairable).

Overall, costly but good.

Tim

[Tim Myers]

But tell me Tim, do you think that the CF is less stable than the aluminium one ?

Absolutley. You may remember I used to use an 055MF3. The tripod legs simply didn't have the rigidity that an aluminium 055 has. If you had the legs spayed you could push the camera down and watch it rebound and resonate. Also one of the leg locks sharrted internally once (an exceptionally flimsy piece of plastic) and the blasted thing almost dumped my SW45 in to a very cold loch.

Anyway I repaired the 055 myself (cheaper than sending it back for repair under warranty), flogged it on fleabay and have been the very happy user of a Gitzo 1325 for some time.

My only gripe with the 1325 is it's lack of availability of spiked feet, however Markins once made titanium spikes for the 1325; I've just found the very last set available in Europe and ordered them.

The other option for spiked feet (if I really do decide I want those incredible 3" gitzo spikes) is to replace the bottom leg section with that from the 1325V - at £33 a leg it's an expensive do!

[timparkin]

But tell me Tim, do you think that the CF is less stable than the aluminium one ?

Only if it weighs more but even then the CF is stiffer so I'd take a 3kg CF over a 4.5Kg aluminium.. If you want stable though you're after a 20Kg Cast Iron.... so it's all about compromise - The 3540XLS weighs about 4Kg with Head and the camera weights about the same (which is supposedly a good thing). A lighter tripod than camera is supposed to be bad..

Tim

[Steve Bell]

I use a Manfrotto 055P minus its centre column with an 029 head. Not featherlight but perfectly stable with my Toyo 45. I lost a rubber foot from it a while ago, got stuck in some mud, temp replaced with a walking stick rubber foot. I'm quite happy with these legs and head.

[joolsb]

I've also had an 055 MF3 with Manfrotto ballhead - which is now relegated to use with my 645 kit (or maybe even a DSLR when my resolve eventually cracks... ). It's been replaced with a Gitzo 2530 (non-levelling) and a 410 head. So far, no worries even though it's heavier than my previous rig. The 410 is a joy to use and the Gitzo is simple, elegant and superbly engineered. The 055 looks and feels positively agricultural in comparison.

[Justin]

Another Berlebach recomendation - its not the ligtest tripod ever, but its very stable, and wood doesnt give you cold hands in winter.

[Tom Green]

To one and all many thanks for all your feedback and personel likes and dislikes,you have given me plenty to work on,Kind Regards. Tombo from Wirral now.

[Apple]

Another Berlebach recomendation - its not the ligtest tripod ever, but its very stable, and wood doesnt give you cold hands in winter.

I'll second that - I got one with the levelling head and without a centre column so it would be more rigid and also get closer to the ground if needed. Berlebach adjusted the leg lengths for me to match my 055 as setting that to full extension at std spread angle was spot on for looking through the g/g.

[Thingy]

Is the Manfrotto 410 head more suitable for the Ebony 45SU than the 405, were I to use the latter with an extension back in the future? Robert White have recommended using the Manfrotto 405 head with a Gitzo GT3531 tripod for the 45SU.