Which type of camera

[Morrie]

Joanna, I suppose I used it so often in the past it still seems easier and quicker to set up than normal tripods.

I also have a Manfrotto #029 mk2 with a couple of hex plates to use in place of the B&S head. Sturdy & quick to use but again quite heavy.

As you can see when I was younger I use to make sure my cameras remained where I wanted them to be.

With my waist level screens I like to use my 35 year old Cullmann 2910 - sturdy & fairly lightweight. Unfortunately it only goes standing height with using the centre column - hence dragging the Benbo out of the back of the cupboard.

[Dave Tolcher]

I have used a Benbo No 1 extensively for natural history work on 35mm and it was not suitable enough for my LF work. With Lf the camera has to be at eye level so you can get a loupe perpendicular to the GG. What this means is that I either tend to set up where I can sit or crouch on my knees or be comfortably near standing. Anything in between is very uncomfortable for me for the extended period of contemplation and faffing about needed to get the shot set up and focussed - my aging back cant do bent over or long time squats. The Benbo no 1 will do the first 2 fine but at 5'7in I couldnt make the latter work well. YMMV. I also found the Benbo B & S gave me issues.

You will see a lot of the long/tall version of what was the gitzo 13XX 3 section CF tripods often with spikes in the LF community. They are light and have the height and can be used without a centre column at all. I personally think it important that the tripod needs to extend to standing height without recourse to raising a centre column.

The debate on B & S vs geared manfrotto is a whole subject in itself and is entirely down to personal preference in the end. If going down the B & S route it has to be one of the top drawer heads with an excellent smooth and reliable clutch mechanism. Ideally it has to be adjusted for each set-up (lens extension) so that the camera will stay where put without locking the head for the faffing about stage. I have tried both and gone back to B & S - just prefer the workflow of using a B & S. Set-up correctly they are brilliant to use but I am very much in the minority in the LF field. If the clutch doesnt work securely & smoothly they are just about unworkable (the acratech is borderline). Joe Cornish uses B & S these days I think.

I moved up to LF from a pentax 67 and reduced my payload. I dont regret it for a minute, not so much for the absolute quality but for the workflow and flexibility. I couldnt do movements with a pentax 67 and I now believe them to be completely essential for front to back / side to side quality in the finished product. Some times DOF just doesnt cut it.

[joolsb]

I've gone through my kit with the wife's kitchen scales (she didn't find out so I'm still half sane in her eyes) and found out I'm carrying 20+Kgs

Ouch! I've got my kit down to 14kg including tripod - and I use a bog-standard 45SU, too. First thing to be jettisoned was my Pro Trekker bag to be replaced by a Mammut 'traveller' style pack. The LowePro bags are great but all that padding adds a good 2.5Kg of deadweight. I've also taken great pains to acquire lightweight lenses - Fujinon-C 300mm and Schneider G-Claron 210mm being great little performers and both take Copal 1 shutters - so maybe around 1.5Kg saved there, as well. Finally, the tripod is a lightweight 1325 without centre-column. I'd like to replace my 410 head with an Arca Cube but, lacking a rich benefactor, will have to live with the comparatively agricultural 410.

So there are definitely weight-savings to be made. At some point, I may consider getting the Photobackpacker system which appears to be better, and perhaps lighter, than my ad hoc solution.

[Morrie]

davejt3 - I obviously have the big brother to your Benbo. No height problems with my one.

However the question of tripods is a bit of a side issue at the moment. If I don't have a suitable camera system it doesn't matter which tripod I use. I also have no interest what is flavour of the month for celebrity photographers. I prefer to buy once and then use it until it wears out rather than switch when my mood changes. It's just the way I am.

I originally asked which type of camera & lenses suited my interests and mobility in order to reduce the learning curve. Based on your collective advice it appears there is no straightforward answer to my question. So it's back to square one & I'll try to sort myself out as I go.

Having found DSLRs an expensive but incorrect decision, I'm a bit wary of buying anything different, without a clear road map to guide me. At the moment using what I have seems a lot more attractive than worrying about a change of format.

Anyway, thanks to you all for spending your time to try and help me out.

[Joanna Carter]

I originally asked which type of camera & lenses suited my interests and mobility in order to reduce the learning curve. Based on your collective advice it appears there is no straightforward answer to my question. So it's back to square one & I'll try to sort myself out as I go.

It's a real shame that you couldn't make it to the Maldon workshop; it would have given you the opportunity to see what several photographers used and to even try things out. Nonetheless, there are several folks in your area; if you would like to arrange a get-together locally with someone else on the group, simply post a message here and I'm sure you will benefit from hands-on experience before making a final choice.

[Nigels]

Just a quick note to offer my take on your question.
I have had my RSW for seven years now and love it for its lightness, speed and simplicity. However, I would not recommend it if "intimate landscapes" are your thing as it is limiting in bellows draw. It is excellent for backpacking to distant locations though.
On the tripod front, I used a B&S for many years until I bought the much loves Manfrotti 410 geared head this year which I find a real joy to use.

[Paul Mitchell]

Morrie, I will be up in Southwold next week with my LF, if you want to meet up I can always show you the Chamonix. PM me if you're interested.

PS - Or if anyone else in the area is around next week and fancies a day out?...

Paul