Correct tripod kit for my Tachi 4x5?

[kalvino67]

Hi all,

Well I finally decided to buy a Tachihara 4x5 (thanks to you all for your advice!) which should arrive in the next week or so.

I also needed a tripod for the camera and I purchased a Gitzo 2530LVL tripod plus a RRS BH-40 ball head plus B2-Pro-II QR clamp.

However, not being able to try the camera or tripod kit prior to purchase, I am concerned that either a Gitzo series 2 tripod or the BH-40 head may not be sturdy enough for 4x5.

Can anyone confirm if this was a sensible or stupid tripod choice for the Tachi?

FWIW, I will be using a 90, 150 and 210mm lens. Possibly adding a 75mm in the future.

Thanks for any advice.

[Joanna Carter]

There has just been another discussion about tripods and I mentioned that I have a Gitzo 2530LVL with a Manfrotto 410 head; this has proven to be a perfectly adequate solution for my Ebony SV45Te, much more stable and lighter than my previous Manfrotto 055ProB.

[Matus Kalisky]

I have used my tachihara with 125, 210 and 400(tele) lenses with Benro M227 (Gitzo 1227 clone) and two heads: Novolfex Magicball 50 and Linhof 3-D that I use now. The tripod is stabil enough so I guess that new Gitzo will be more than enough. The Magicball (~ 550g or so) by itself was strong enough but without quick release I was not able to tighten the camera strongly enough. The Linhof 3-D is more than enough and is rock solid (and cheaper than BH-40, weight is reasonable 800g).
The only stability issue comes now froom the camera itself when used close to full extension with the tele lens, but is still perfectly usable. But if I were you I would spend a bit more and get the RRS BH-55 which is stronger and adds friction control (or some other ballhead for that matter)

Just a comment - I guess yuo are new in LF and would mention that using LF camera with a ballhead is a bit different that with 35mm gear. It is perfectly fine with landscapes and lenses upt to 210 (I have only experience with Tachi) as if you would go with longer lenses than the camera becomes nose-heavy and is uneasy to adjust the position. It is doable but not so comfortable as with 3-way head (I guess that geared Manfrotto 410).

For architecture I would definitely go with pan-tilt head.

Anyway, good luck - it is a lot of fun to use LF.

[Daniel_Buck]

oops sorry for posting in that other thread, this must be the correct one :-)

The Tachi is probably similar to the Wista I'm using. I have been using a Ries J100 tripod and J200 head. Being my first wooden tripod I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I have grown to really enjoy it! In fact, I'm even using it with my digital 1Ds2 (with a different head though, my old ball head)

I don't know if this would be any more (or less) 'correct', but it's nice having a wooden tripod to go along with a wooden camera. To be honest at first I was a little skeptical about a wooden set of legs, but under recommendation by a family member I went for it, and I have been very pleased with it!

[Michael Heald]

Hello! I use a Sunpak lightweight tripod for landscape work with my Tachihara. I use a 210mm Sironar N and 90mm Super Angulon. It's not rock stable, but the few times I've shot with the wind, I haven't had any problems. If needed, in that case, I'd probably do something additional to stabalize the system, such as using an umbrella. Best regards.

Mike

[Brian Ellis]

I have a Tachihara and the B40 head but I'm not familiar with your tripod. I use the B40 on a Feisol carbon fiber tripod for hikes and not usually with the Tachihara. However, I've put the Tachihara on the B40 a few times and it's seemed fine so you're probably o.k. though I would suggest avoiding big lenses in Copal 3 or similar shutters. If you had it to do over again the next larger size RRS ball head probably would have been a better choice but I think you can get by fine with the B40. I don't normally use the B40 with my Tachihara just because I don't care for ball heads with large format cameras. Most of the time I use a Bogen 410 geared head for large format.

[Walter Calahan]

What IS correct?

What works for your situation is best. Easiest solution is to physically check them out to see which one you like.

[Sheldon N]

I think you made a great choice and the tripod will be a good match for the camera.

A heavier camera, heavier/longer lenses, or a heavy wind might make the GT3xxx series or 13xx series a slightly better option, but the reduced weight + rigidity of your chosen tripod/head setup is a good match for the Tachi and the lenses you mention.

You probably chose the best lightweight tripod ballhead combo available in the "price no object" category.

[TenOx]

Have that tripod, 2530LVL, looking for a good ballhead that doesn't break the bank. Thinking about the Markins M-10. The tripod is rigid and seems to dampen vibrations well, very impressed after seeing results of time exposures. It does seem awkward to setup at first, with the unusual side-mounted column. But after a while, it still seems a bit strange, but gets more usable with practice. The odd column does offer advantages in tabletop and macro, and the design seems like it can be tapped for other uses as well.

/..

[kalvino67]

I think you made a great choice and the tripod will be a good match for the camera.

A heavier camera, heavier/longer lenses, or a heavy wind might make the GT3xxx series or 13xx series a slightly better option, but the reduced weight + rigidity of your chosen tripod/head setup is a good match for the Tachi and the lenses you mention.

You probably chose the best lightweight tripod ballhead combo available in the "price no object" category.

Thanks Sheldon and everyone else for your comments.

Hopefully everthing should arrive by next week...can't wait!!!