Hi
I'm trying to make up my mind about what tripod to buy for my new Arca M-line 10 x8". I've been using an Arca 5x4" up til now, and find that I sometimes use add itional bellows for close-up work, and sometimes angle the camera down. I also often slide the entire monorail forwards in my B2 ball head so that I can get cl oser to a subject than the tripod legs would normally allow (hope that makes sen se) - basically I need something that's going to up to the job of holding a 10x8 " (and possibly larger) at 'funny' angles.
The only tripod I've seen that might be suitable is the Manfrotto 161 Mk2 (Bogen 3058) - weighs about 16 pounds, and will support 40 pounds. It's very tall, wi th three sections, but I doubt I would ever need more than two sections. I like the variable centre braces, and quite like the Manfrotto leg clamps, and the fa ct that each leg can be individually locked at any angle, allowing low level sho ts, and shots on awkward terrain.
I've seen Gitzo tripods a few years ago, and thought that the collet clamps were very difficult to use - it seemed to be a two-hand job, and not one I would lik e to do with a 10x8 wedged onto my shoulder. Incidently, how do you alter leg h eight on a tripod - I tend to do one leg at a time, keeping the centre of the tr ipod on my shoulder, although I'm not sure how you would do it once the height g ets to be more than shoulder-height.
I think one of the Gitzo 1500 series would probably work, but I'm not sure about the lack of the centre brace, the fixed leg angles, and those collets. The car bon fibre 1548/1549 appeals, but height is limited, there are a lot of leg secti ons, and I still find it hard to believe that the light weight makes it as secur e as a heavy 'normal' tripod. I know it might suppress vibrations better, but s urely it is more likely to topple if the camera is used at a great extension.
Now to the A100-2 Ries ? I?ve never seen one, but I?ve seen them mentioned on th is forum before. Are they really that good? I would be using it in the field a nd in the studio (until I can afford a Foba studio stand). Does the lack of a c entre brace make it less stable than a Manfrotto, and how do the leg extensions work? Is it easy to adjust with one hand, or does the freed leg have a tendency to spin in the two channels?
Finally, any thoughts on other makes such as Foba, Davis & Sandford, and Linhof, Majestic. Oh, and Gandolfi wooden tripods?
I?ll probably be unable to see any of these tripods (with the exception of Manfr otto, and possibly Gitzo) before I buy, so I?m just trying to gather all the inf ormation I can.
Thanks in advance.
David Nash
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