questions about gitzo studex

[Anders Korhonen]

Hello,

I've inherited a gitzo studex tripod propably from the 70's or 80's, and I'm in the need for a sturdier ballhead to accomodate a 4x5 or, if possible, in the future a light 8x10 field. The 4x5 weighs about 10 lbs. The question is what kind of ballheads will fit the studex?

Any suggestions? The head should have precise movements ( I have also a manfrotto with a 029 (bogen 3047) head that I don't like too much) and levels, and somewhat affordable.

Thanks,

Anders

[Peter De Smidt]

I use an Arca Swiss B1 on my Tele Studex. The large Really Right Stuff ball head, BH-55 I think, would also be a good choice. I've never come across a ball head that wouldn't fit on a Studex. The question will be whether they are strong and smooth enough for your application. The two I mentioned certainly are, but there are no doubt others as well.

[Walter Calahan]

I highly recommend a plate head for 4x5, and especially 8x10.

A ball head on 8x10 will drive you nuts attempting to level it.

[Archphoto]

I would go for a geared head from Manfrotto, their 410 or 405.
I have the 410 and love it: great for up to a heavy RB67 or TC, a bit too light for my Sinar P2 esp. when I use 8x10".
For that kind of gear I would go for the 405, which is heavier.

Geared heads allow you to setup your camera fast and presice esp with leveling.

Peter

[Anders Korhonen]

thank you everbody!

I think I'm going to go for the manfrotto 405, atleast it looks like the solution I've been looking for, though the price is at the limit.. It's as valuable as the camera.. :)

Anders

[Peter De Smidt]

Make sure that the 405 isn't too bulky for you. Like Archphoto, I have a 410, which is very good with 4x5 field cameras. One of the places I work has a 405 in their studio. It's got bigger knobs than the 410, and it's a little smoother, but it's definitely bulkier.

I agree with the comments preferring pan/tilt heads over ball heads for 4x5 and 8x10 use. But you asked about ball heads :) The Arca B-1 is great with slrs and medium format rangefinders though.

[Lee Christopher]

I've been using the Swiss made FOBA Super Miniball for some time now on my 35mm sized equipment, and recently tried my 15lbs+ 4x5 on it. I was quite surprized that it worked like a charm and locks effortlessly with the entire camera pointing up and down, but then again, I did read somewhere that the Super Mini is able to take loads exceeding it's specs and of some folks using it for their 4x5s.

CHEERS!

[Robert Opheim]

I use a #5 series low profile head on my #3 gitzo legs. They are fairly cheap used and have 3 way adjustments. I use it with a monster 8x10 and also with my technikardan.

[lenser]

Anders,

Here's another vote for the Manfrotto 410 as opposed to the impossible to level (for me anyway) ball heads.

I have a Studex with the 410 and have used it for about twenty years for everything from Nikons up to my Zone VI with heavy lenses and occasionally with my very heavy Cambo SCX.

Adjustments are fast and easy and very precise. I just bought a second 410 head for my Bromwell wooden tripod so I don't have to keep switching the heads back and forth.

Terrific piece of equipment for anything under 8x10 and even that in a pinch.

[boris]

try this
http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/site/bius/pid/6780?kindOfProductCollectionRequest=productDetail&productCode=GH5380SQR&productDescription=SER.5%20SYSTEMATIC%20BALL%20HEAD%20QR&curBrandId=BGI&market=MKT1
i just got mine with a gitzo gt4330ls tripod. cool toy :)

[Peter De Smidt]

Boris, that's an interesting looking head. Please let us know how you like it in use.

[boris]

because the tripod and the systematic head are rather new ( 2008+2009) i will wright a few words about the whole set in a new thread.