Need advice for buying a tripod + head

[Ellis Vener]

Ellis, the only tripod head I have had is the Manfrotto/ Bogen #410 Mini-geared head. Out of curiosity, in what sense is it not ideal?

This is of course a subjective view. I hated the manfrotto QR system and after a year or two. Also it really isn't designed to hold a large relatively heavy heavy monorail camera especially if you are using long lenses. It is fine for field cameras.

If rainer doesn't mind not having lateral tilt I think the best head for a view camera at a reasonable price will be either a Sinar Pan Tilt head (if you don't mind not having lateral tilt or the versatility of a ball head -this is the best tripod head I've used) or a Linhof double tilt pan head. I've never owned the latter but it is supposedly terrific. I'd look for used models on eBay if you don't have the budget for a new one.

[Stan. Laurenson-Batten]

For my Sinar P and lighter gear gear I use the Gitzo G1345( without CC or QR) with Gitzo 1570M three way head. Will take the biggest formats. a joy to use. It has taken me years to arrive at this combination, for me cannot be bettered.

[paulr]

I've probably been spoiled by never having used an expensive tripod, so maybe I'm living in the ignorant bliss of not knowing what I'm missing.

With that disclaimer in mind, I've had nothing but good luck with the pair of tripods I've been using for years: a zone vi "lightweight" wood tripod and bogen 3021. Both of these have bogen 3047 heads, which I find to be simple, fast, smooth, and solid. You could squeak by with 5x7 on the bogen tripod; no problem with 8x10 on the zone vi. I like the quick release system a lot; I'm curious to know why some people don't.

The little bogen is strong (unlike Mark, I haven't had the guts to actually sit on it), although much less stable in the wind. I use it mostly with a small camera or if i have to carry it more than a mile. The zone vi is like a tree. Very stable. The wood is smooth, which makes it relatively easy to carry, but I still find it will bruise my shoulder if I lug it around all day. I like the wood a lot for handling in cold weather. Much friendlier on the hands. I don't know the actual weight, but I'll guess it's about 12lbs with the head. I got it used for under $200 years ago. The reis tripods look nicer, and lighter for the same strength (they don't have that "fred picker made it in shop class" vibe ... but reis also wants some money.

Does anyone have problems with Gitzos jamming in the field? A friend of mine uses one for landscape photography and doesn't recommend it ... says that the telescoping legs are so precisely fitted that it just takes a grain of sand to jam the whole works and keep it from closing. Loves it in the studio, though.

[robert_4927]

Paul, Have your friend contact gitzo about the problem . We have dragged ours through mud, sand and have even knocked one over a 150 ' ravine. After the climb down to retrieve it let me just say the tripod was in much better shape than I was. Thankfully the camera wasn't mounted yet...Never had one jamb even after the drop test.

[Frank Petronio]

The advantage of having a Gitzo is that it is field strippable, and with a tiny bit of care they will last forever. If my Gitzo's legs get dirty, I simply wipe them before collapsing them. A looser Bogen or Brand X will tolerate more grime before locking up, but thay all will be galled by grime. At least with the Gizo I can replace the bushings and be as good as new - no so with the cheaper brands.

For architectural work I've been using a giant 504 I could literally use as a ladder. I am finally going over to the hobbiest favorite 1348CF, as that beast is just too heavy and cold for everyday work.