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View Full Version : "Light" tripod recommendations for 7x17 camera ?



Daniel Grenier
11-Nov-2005, 08:20
I have three tripods and none of them really fit the bill for my Wisner 7x17. One is just too heavy (Manfrotto with Majestic head) , another too light (Ries J-100), and the last one useless as the legs don't lock (Zone VI heavy weight).

Any suggestions for a light, sturdy, and very solid tripod to hold the 14.5 pounds 7x17? (Carbon fibre, maybe ?)

Thanks

evan clarke
11-Nov-2005, 08:34
Hi,
1325 Gitzo...EC

Wilbur Wong
11-Nov-2005, 08:35
Is price an object? The best "light, sturdy, and very solid tripod" I have seen and handled is the Sachtler's And some of them are rated to over 200 pounds!!

They are listed as pro-video tripods at B&H, so you won't find them under still camera listings. Christopher Burkett uses one with his 8 x 10 and some monster lenses up to 1200mm. As I recall he retained the video fluid head and attached the QR plate to his camera.

robert_4927
11-Nov-2005, 08:50
Most tripods will take more than their rating. The J100 is rated at 16lb. Now with lens and filmholder weight considered you may put your 14.5 camera a little over the limit but I would think the J100 should handle it without any trouble. You could go with the J100-2 that is rated at 25lb or move up to the A series. But I think you would be OK with what you have there.

Donald Hutton
11-Nov-2005, 08:57
I use a Gitzo 1325 with a light 12x20 (just under 20 lbs)... It's a great tripod - light and sturdy. Head options are a little more tricky.

Scott Davis
11-Nov-2005, 09:35
Gitzo 1415 with 1570 low-profile pan-tilt head. While the 1415 is an aluminum/composite legset, it only weighs 8.5 lbs by itself (no center column). It holds my Calumet C-1 8x10 perfectly, even when fully extended (over 30" of bellows draw). The C-1 weighs 14 lbs, toss on the 14" commercial Ektar and you're into the 18-20 lb territory. There are days when I wish for a center column, if I want to make minor height adjustments, but when I remember what used to happen to the C-1 on my Bogen 3036 legs any time I extended the center column more than 2" or so (twitching like a willow in a stiff breeze), I'm glad I don't have one on that tripod.

Kevin Crisp
11-Nov-2005, 09:40
gitzo 1325, great tripod

Jimmy Peguet
11-Nov-2005, 09:52
I don't know the weight of the Wisner. I use a Berlebach 3012 single-leg extension on my 7x17" Korona, it should also be OK for my future Canham. Weighs 2.9 kg, given for a load capacity of 12 kg (they are optimist :-)). Looks thin and light, but works nicely on my 8x10 and 7x17 cameras, and not expensive.

Jimmy

Michael Jones
11-Nov-2005, 14:27
Daniel:

I used two of your three tripods for my long format Koronas. I used the J-100 /J-250 setup for the 7x17 and the Zone VI HD with a Majestic head for my 8x20. I liked the little Ries for my 7x17 and never had a problem. Beyond that, you can always step up to A-100 Reis legs with either the A-250 head or a Majestic with the 6x7 inch platform (my favorite). Good luck.

mike

michael Allen
11-Nov-2005, 20:49
Berlabech w/majestic head, rock solid for my 11x14. The entire rig is shouldered while walking.

e
11-Nov-2005, 20:55
Ries J-250. Just about as perfect as it gets for my Wisner 7x17. A tad heavy though. I'm thinking of a Backpacker Reis for lighter weight and easier transportation. Anyone use one of those for a 16lb outfit ? Emile.

Michael Jones
12-Nov-2005, 06:14
Emile:

I used a Backpacker for my Phillips (8x10 and 11x14) and while it worked, I prefered and felt more comfortable using my one piece leg Reis tripods. And we're only talking about a weight of 8#. I did not like the 2 piece leg and sold it. I did use it to support heavier cameras while I was working on them, but this is one I would respect their weight recommendation on.

michael

robert_4927
12-Nov-2005, 06:28
Can anyone tell me the differences in the ries a100 and a100-2? Will only weighing 2 lb. more the a100-2 is rated at 60lb as compared to 25lb. for the a100. Ries doesn't show any pictures of the two together on their website.

Walt Calahan
12-Nov-2005, 07:16
Robert

I've always wonder that myself.

I own both an A100 and a J100, both with leg extensions, but I've never ventured to ask Ries what is the difference with their "-2" models.

The people at Ries are very open to questions. E-mail or call them about the "-2" models and share their answer!

Inquiring minds want to know? HA!

Ries' wooden tripod are excellent. I own Gitzo metal and carbon tripods as well, but I never use them on anything bigger than medium format. My LF gear always sit on a Ries.

William Blunt
12-Nov-2005, 07:24
I have the J-100-2 with the J-250 head that works great for my heavy Zone 6 8x10. The j-100-2 has the same crown as the J-100 but the legs are much heavier. I have been using this combination for everything from 4x5 up thru 8x10 until recently. I just purchased a smaller version, the H-100 for my 4x5, 5x7 and 4x10 and an acratech ballhead. The Ries tripod is great but the ballhead is something I don't think I'll ever get used to. The H-100 with the J-250 head is a great combo for my smaller formats. Didn't realize how much of an "overkill" the J-100-2 was for the smaller formats until I got the H-100, it should work fine with the 7x17.

robert_4927
12-Nov-2005, 10:03
Walter, I emailed Ries and ask them the differences between the two. I also asked if they could send a photo of both tripods side by side. I know that may be a lot to ask But I gave it a try. I'll report what I hear from them.

robert_4927
14-Nov-2005, 15:17
I just received an answer from Ries about the differences between the A100 and the A100-2. I quote " The A100-2 is more substantial in metal and wood parts so it can carry the heavier weights. Debby, Ries Tripods." I don't think this was answered buy a design engineer. So now I'm going to call them and ask for a few more specifics.

Christopher Nisperos
27-Nov-2005, 15:06
"Berlabech w/majestic head, rock solid for my 11x14. The entire rig is shouldered while walking.

--michael Allen 2005-11-11 19:49 PST"

Michael, could you tell us which Berlebach model are you using?