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Thread: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

  1. #1

    Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    Hey,

    I have just gotten into large format photography and I am looking at a tripod system for my Linhof Technikarden, mostly field work, wide angle landscape and portraiture.
    I am actually a filmmaker and have been shooting video for many years, i currently have this tripod for my video work

    http://www.dsvideo.tv/sachtler_2319.php

    it has a payload of up to 6kg, (Its actually more) with decent legs (with spikes) and spreader.

    Has anyone any experience using these kinds of tripods with large format cameras?

    I am wondering about dampening qualities, stability and vibrations. I know it's heavy, but I am used to lugging it around by now along with around 25kg of video camera gear.

    I could fork out money for a good geared head or monoball and decent set of wooden or CF legs, but i would rather not to be honest.

    thanks,

    Chris

  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Re: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    I don't think you'll find a better tripod and head than the Sachtler. In fact, that is exactly the setup I would buy if I had a thousand pounds lying about somewhere.

  3. #3

    Join Date
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    Hell's Kitchen, New York
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    Re: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    As Struan says, it will make an excellent tripod for LF work. I have bowl adapters for my 75 mm Miller and 150 mm Ronford Baker and mount the camera directly onto the adapter. The bowl adapters (in combination with leg adjustments if necessary) give all the movement I require most of the time, so another head or the fluid head isn't necessary. That keeps the bottom of the camera very close to the top of the legs.

    Best,
    Helen

    Link to Manfrotto 520BALLSH 75 mm bowl adapter. Fits all standard 75 mm bowls.
    Last edited by Helen Bach; 9-Jun-2010 at 05:01. Reason: Added link to bowl adapter to clarify what I mean.

  4. #4

    Re: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    I would have thought that you could easily shoot with a LF camera on this tripod. Once you have leveled the head and balanced the camera I imagine it would offer more than enough stability, quite possibly better than my gitzo mountaineer/arca swiss B1 tripod but at the cost of being so much heavier.

    Also as you are already familiar with the tripod it should make setting up the camera quick and easy. I would certainly give shooting with it a try and see how it performs in the field.

  5. #5
    Downstairs
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    Re: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    Like Helen, I use video tripods exclusivly with large format outdoors. With the cup&ball and a swivel plate there doesn't seem to be much need for a head.

  6. #6

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    Re: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    I prefer video heads for tripod work.

  7. #7

    Re: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    @ Helen,

    thats an interesting idea, I might have a look for one of those adapters for the satchler legs, will save on weight as well.

    thanks

  8. #8
    Resident Heretic Bruce Watson's Avatar
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    Re: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    There's no reason I can think of that you can't use a video tripod for LF. It'll work.

    You might not want to -- that leg set weighs 5 Kg all by itself. The spreaders might actually interfere with odd setups on rocks and in the restricted spaces that I often encounter doing landscape work.

    I suspect as video cameras continue to shrink that video tripods will follow. At least I hope they will. Then maybe I can get by using one tripod for both applications. But until then I'll keep my very light weight carbon fiber tripod for backpacking with the LF and leave the video pod with the video camera.

    Bruce Watson

  9. #9
    the Docter is in Arne Croell's Avatar
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    Re: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    What Struan said...

    Christopher Burkett uses a Sachtler http://www.christopherburkett.com/pa...hnauzerslg.jpg for his 8x10. If it is good enough for Burkett...

  10. #10

    Re: Video Tripod Systems for Large Format

    I cant see what head Christopher Burkett is using, but it looks like its a video 60, or something similar, about £7k + VAT if you include the legs, weighs more than 15kg alone, used for big HD broadcast cameras usually.

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