Which Tripod?

[Tim Myers]

Also, a suggestion for one of the Lowepro or similar Camera bags would be welcomed.

I use a Pro Trekker AWII which I personally find very comfortable, but I'm aware of some people who don't find it so. At an event recently in Calumet in Manchester a friend (who finds his Pro AWII slightly uncomfortable) and I looked at the Kata 502 which looks very well built, like it would hold a decent ammount of LF gear, and very adjustable.

[Keith Tapscott]

The MF3 was exceptionally 'springy' too. Get the legs out at 60 degrees and you could push the camera down and watch it bounce up and down a little. It also exhibited an unnerving oscillation at some wind speeds.

Yes, the Gitzo is expensive, but it's a real different beast. The 055 MF3 isn't that much lighter than the Al ones anyway, if the price is an issue then you can't go wrong with an 055..

The Gitzo Tripods mentioned are still on my hotlist, just that they are on the expensive side.

[Joanna Carter]

The MF3 was exceptionally 'springy' too. Get the legs out at 60 degrees and you could push the camera down and watch it bounce up and down a little. It also exhibited an unnerving oscillation at some wind speeds.

Yes, the Gitzo is expensive, but it's a real different beast. The 055 MF3 isn't that much lighter than the Al ones anyway, if the price is an issue then you can't go wrong with an 055..

The Gitzo Tripods mentioned are still on my hotlist, just that they are on the expensive side.

Keith, I would agree with Tim that, if price is a concern, you should just get a Manfrotto 055 ProB; it is a superb, entrance level, tripod that is well capable of doing all that you are likely to need. I had long envied the Gitzo except for the problem of the legs rotating when you tried to tighten the clamping collars. Now that the legs no longer rotate, I succumbed to the temptation, getting a reasonable offset from the part-ex of the 055.

[George S]

Another vote here for the Berlebach Report series wooden tripod. Mine arrived nicely packed and incredibly stable and relatively lightweight. Btw, the Nutwood colour is gorgeous!

[Apple]

Another vote here for the Berlebach Report series wooden tripod. Mine arrived nicely packed and incredibly stable and relatively lightweight. Btw, the Nutwood colour is gorgeous!

George,

I don't know which model you went for but how does the "high grade plastic" stand up to life? I like the look of the 8033 model if I'd got the money. The Uni models have metal top plate etc but a corresponding jump in mass and price for the performance that I think would be over the top given the spec of the Report series.

I'm wary of plastic fittings as I had a Slik 88 tripod many moons ago (before they went stupidly expensive) and that needed constant nipping up on the threads to get it to hold - until the plastic split

Wolf tripods look to be a similar design and just happen to have the same models numbers as the Berlebach's - wonder if there's a coincidence with them both being German?

Andrew

[Charles Twist]

I would be very worried about the wood splitting or cracking when I knock it. My present tripod is the mid-range Calumet: it has needed some customisation and the screws rust far too easily, but it's solid and has been knocked quite hard against rocks once or twice. When the leg clamps seize, a subtle application of the boot usually solves the matter. I know it will survive travelling in a plane's hold, etc. It's one kg heavier than the Gitzo carbon fibre tripod but it is £500 cheaper - that's a lot of money for one kg. So I don't mind so much if it does get damaged or goes missing. Surely the more sensible route even if it is less glamorous. Just need to customise the leg clamps now...
At the time of buying it, I looked at several tripods in the shop, and the Calumet one was the only one that seemed not to wobble in that price bracket. Although I can't remember the exact models, I was very unimpressed by the Manfrottos considering their high-profile name. The centre columns were always far too loose for my liking.
Charles

[Apple]

I might be sticking my neck out Charles but I think the Calumets are rebranded Manfrottos, just as the Giottos are Gitzos - look at the styles of clamps, finishes, fixtures etc.

I like some of the ideas of the Gitzos but the price puts me off - I'm not likely to be climbing Everest so the last 5mg is not too much concern and as has been said, they might not be that much lighter than the aluminium version anyway. What is a concern with carbon fibre is the ease of greenstick fracturing it or putting a scratch in it which creates a stress-raiser and leads to failure. Just look at what happened to my umbrella shaft in Glencoe... It would be very easy for me to crush a leg in the car boot when loading up to go on holiday etc with all the gear. Up until a couple of years ago when he got his 055, Dad used a wooden tripod without any hassle but it wasn't as sturdy for outside use - OK in churches as you hope they won't move too far or the wind blow through...

The 055CLB I have has the centre column as standard but its very rare I use it. The standard height with all the legs open full length and the standard angle is just about at eye level / fractionally high for me. it wouldn't bother me to have a tripod without a centre column (apart from having to find somewhere else to attach the strap.) Not having a centre column should make ground level stuff a lot easier. Technically, i's possible with the 055 but stripping the head off with a screwdriver and untying the strap from the low level adaptor is awkward to say the least when in the field.

Andrew

[BarryWilkinson]

Just to correct a couple of points re Berlebach tripods: -

I would be very surprised if the wood on Berlebach was to split. They are made of Ash which is extremely rugged. Also the mouldings are not plastic, they are a cast alloy, like most tripods.

I have a 'UNI' model for my heavy 10x8. It is huge and far too bulky to carry very far. But he 'report' series are small and light.

Barry

[Ole Tjugen]

I decided to buy a "travel tripod" recently, since all my "regular" ones are too big to fit in a suitcase. I ended up with a Manfrotto 055CF, which turned out to be more than good enough even with a Speed Graphic with "jumping" focal plane shutter.

It's going with me this weekend too, I'm taking my 7x5" Gandolfi Traditional to a christening in nothern Norway (midnight sun!).

My other tripods are a swedish "Stabil" wooden tripod, and two (!) Gandolfi Minors...

[Keith Tapscott]

I might be sticking my neck out Charles but I think the Calumets are rebranded Manfrottos, just as the Giottos are Gitzos - look at the styles of clamps, finishes, fixtures etc.

I like some of the ideas of the Gitzos but the price puts me off.

Andrew

What are Giottos? I`ve not noticed that brand before, sounds like a good alternative if the price is right.

[joolsb]

I've been hearing some good things about Feisol CF tripods. They're built in China but don't let that put you off. They're nearly as good as gitzos and a lot cheaper...

But don't take my word for it. This is what people are saying in the 'other' LF forum: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ ... hp?t=26328

and this is their website:
http://www.feisol.com

[dennis]

For what it's worth I have found the Gitzo 1325 + Gitzo low profile head + Manfrotto hexagonal QR fitting fine with a Toyo 45A; my wife does not complain too much about carrying it anyway. I have fitted walking stick rubber 'feet' over the original hard plastic ends since the latter were wearing & I could not see how they could be replaced easily.



Be positive - PANIC!

[Apple]

I might be sticking my neck out Charles but I think the Calumets are rebranded Manfrottos, just as the Giottos are Gitzos - look at the styles of clamps, finishes, fixtures etc.

I like some of the ideas of the Gitzos but the price puts me off.

Andrew

What are Giottos? I`ve not noticed that brand before, sounds like a good alternative if the price is right.

Keith,

Try www.giottos.com

I'm not saying they're exact likenesses but I sometimes think there's sufficient similarlities to make me wonder about badge engineering / using the same parts bin etc...

[Keith Tapscott]

I might be sticking my neck out Charles but I think the Calumets are rebranded Manfrottos, just as the Giottos are Gitzos - look at the styles of clamps, finishes, fixtures etc.

I like some of the ideas of the Gitzos but the price puts me off.

Andrew

What are Giottos? I`ve not noticed that brand before, sounds like a good alternative if the price is right.

Keith,

Try www.giottos.com

I'm not saying they're exact likenesses but I sometimes think there's sufficient similarlities to make me wonder about badge engineering / using the same parts bin etc...

I followed the link and they seem to be good products. The UK dealer is Johnsons Photopia.

http://www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk/Products_48.php

[George S]

Andrew,

The Berlebach model I went for was the Report 3032 (no centre column) and it has a levelling head of +-30 degrees. The head does not feel at all 'plasticky' and the ash wood feels strong.

I originally made an enquiry about Stabil tripods in Sweden and phoned the chap who makes them but since his English was as good as my Swedish we just couldn't get the deal done. The Stabil tripods are made of American Oak and metal and look quite sturdy. Ole Tjugen swears by them.

Regards,
George S.