Originally Posted by
Bernice Loui
Been there done this. Used a big GItzo with geared center column with a Sinar C or P outdoors, stability IS an issue once the center column is geared up a few inches. Beyond the center column stability problem the telescopic legs would stick and get covered with the great out doors causing a host of problems. Since then, went to a modified Dutch Hill Surveyors tripod no center column with film-cine-video leveling bowl and Sinar pan-tilt head. This is nice stable combo and the fiberglass three section legs do not stick, jam or have problems with the great out doors sticking to the legs.
IMO, surveyors tripods of the correct variety and properly modified are excellent in many ways.
What is not often appreciated camera weight is NOT the problem, stability of the camera-lens on the tripod under wind, un-even terrain and more IS the problem. Be ready for the tripod to take a beating if used out doors, this is the way it will be. Problem is not so bad with wide angle to normal_ish lenses, if longer focal length lenses are to be used that is when the real fun and struggle with camera support stability begins.
Wood holds up remarkably well under these conditions, fiber glass holds up good, aluminum can cause serious problems if dented or impaled with deep scratches, carbon fiber is not worth the cost. Both wood and fiber glass offer nice vibration damping qualities aluminum does not.
Difficulty with many folks who get into 8x10 with limited previous LF experience, they often want the lowest weight image making package without fully realizing the limitations and problems they will impose upon themselves under actual outdoor image making conditions. Beyond the camera, tripod, what about loaded film holder storage and all those required bits to make images with a LF camera?
Do a LFF search on this topic as it has been discussed more than once before.
Bernice
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