Best tripod head for 4x5 camera?

[rfesk]

I have used the saying that if the tripod is too heavy to take with you it will be of no use at home. For that reason I now carry a older (carbon fiber) Gitzo 1228
with a Benbo Standard head for my Busch Pressman. Plan to upgrade the head to a RRS 40 or ??. The 410 is nice but way heavy in my opinion (I had one.)

[Jeff Keller]

" light weight gear is very important to me"

Try using your current legs without a tripod head. If it is workable or almost workable, spending your money on a good carbon fiber tripod might be the best use of your roughly $650. You could add a lightweight leveling head such as the large version of the Acratech Leveling Head. Acratech heads have a nice even feel when adjusting the position of the camera.

If you ignore your budget an Arca Swiss D4 can give you the precision of gear drive and the quick response of a ball head when the friction is adjusted appropiately.

[Heespharm]

Although the tripod is a bit bulky ive always liked my berlebach with ball head...



Anybody else use one?

[Tin Can]

I recently started using a one axis QR head for monopods with my usual 4x5 Horseman HD and Manfrotto tripod.

I already had it and I wanted simplicity. I mount up and level the rig by sliding one leg until level and I like my eyeball for level better than any camera bubble.

Now I'm horizontally level and yes, I may have to tilt the horizon back and forth and then re-level, but it's working well for me. I can rotate with the elevator post. Or just pick up the whole thing.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Head_for.html

Maybe next I will actually use my mono-pod...

Not the best, but what I choose to use out of 10 tripod heads for City run and gun.

[Gary Tarbert]

Using a ball head With LF makes me utter words that i seldom use

[Patrick13]

After reading this thread I went ahead and got a 410, which is brilliant on 35mm/4x5 (crown graphic) and the table top stuff I like to mess with.

I'm hoping to use it on my old 5x7 but the tripod mounting is too deeply recessed for the standard screw the 410 comes with. Anyone know of a source for a longer screw for the quick release plate or do I have to haunt hardware stores to find something that will work?

[David R Munson]

If you go to the hardware store, it should be a pretty easy bit to find. Either 1/4-20 or 3/8-16, both easily found in the USA. Find something of an appropriate length and you're good to go for a minimal investment.

[Patrick13]

If you go to the hardware store, it should be a pretty easy bit to find. Either 1/4-20 or 3/8-16, both easily found in the USA. Find something of an appropriate length and you're good to go for a minimal investment.

Thanks, David. You just never know with photo gear if there's an unusual thread pitch or proprietary lock-in involved

[appletree]

Asked a redundant question that people already kindly answered regarding the love/hate for ball heads and LF.
Sorry for not putting a reason in the delete section. Thought it would vanish the entire post.

[sergiofigliolia]

I also use a Manfrotto 410 and find it great!