A light tripod for 810?

[G Benaim]

Hi everyone,

I've been using a KMV on a large ries tripod and a250 head for years and would like to try a lighter rig. I'm considering the 810 intrepid and was curious which lighter tripods you have used successfully in the field. For reference, my camera weighs 13 lbs as do the tripod and head together. Ideally I'd like to keep using the Ries head, but on a lighter pod. Thanks.

[paulbarden]

I use an aluminum Manfrotto that weighs about 7 pounds, and find it perfectly adequate for even my 8X10 Deardorff.

[Oren Grad]

I use a Gitzo 340 leg set with 1370M three-way head for field cameras up through 8x10. IIRC the combination weighs around 9 - 9.5 pounds. My heaviest 8x10 field camera is ~8 pounds; add a holder and a lens to that and the total load is generally less than 12 pounds.

I know there are carbon-fiber leg sets that weigh less and can match the load rating of the 340/1370M combination. But I've always been nervous about having a setup that's too top-heavy, particularly when I need to work on a surface other than hard, level pavement.

[tgtaylor]

For several years now I've been using a Gitzo G1348 http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...hp/product/150 with Arca Swiss Z1sp for my Toyo 810MII (15 lbs without lens, holder, etc) with no problem. I even used it a couple of times with the Toyo 810G (17lbs) but now have a dedicated Gitzo G1500 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ex_tripod.html with Gitzo G-1570M Rationnelle head for the G.

Thomas

[Lou Baleur]

Believe it or not, I've been using a tiltall with a zone 6 field camera for almost 20 years.

[f9likethekey]

I have been using a Feisol CT-3471 and the Manfrotto 229 head. Right at 8.5 pounds totall and solid as a rock with the Chamonix 8x10.

[Greg]

Have been using a BENRO TAD28C "Adventure" Carbon Fiber tripod with a Ries head for my 8x10 Chamonix. Legs have lever locks and I can easily extend all the legs out in 12-15 seconds. Weight is only 3.2 lbs. ands folds down to 20.7" minus the head. Easily resides on the side of my backpack. To stabilize the tripod I almost always hang a rock or my backpack from the bottom of the center column. Cost a fraction of a carbon fiber Gitzo and I actually prefer my BENRO over a Gitzo.

[Drew Wiley]

There's really no substitute for the sheer bully mass of a wooden Ries in wind and muck. But I do have a Feisol CF around 6 lbs that easily supports my 8X10, collapses more compactly, and looks less lethal. But I modified the top into a simple platform with a 3/8-16 turnbolt thru it, just like the Ries.

[Greg]

There's really no substitute for the sheer bully mass of a wooden Ries in wind and muck.

Totally agree... When working from the back of my car or a short distance from it, my large Ries is always my tripod of choice.

[Whir-Click]

I have been completely satisfied using an FLM CP30-M3S with an 8x10 Kodak 2-D, 8x10 Intrepid, and even 11x14 Korona. The FLM products are light, sturdy, and come with exemplary customer service courtesy of Ari here on the forum. Highly recommend.