Belerbach with ball/socket head

[john biskupski]

For Deardorff 8x10 you would need a tripod from Belebach's beefier Uni range (like Ries A100 series), they have a wider top plate too, and which would match a big ball-head you would need with that camera.

I mount my Rittreck metal 5x7 on a lighter Report 2032 (ie no centre column), with a 60mm top plate. The tripod weighs 2.9 kls, and is rated up to 15 kls load factor. I have the levelling ball, it needs a lot of tightening to block the camera, and I wouldn't fancy a heavy 8x10 on it, maybe a Canham.

I wish I had got the 2032P with rotating panoramic plate, but you can still pan the camera without loosening the ball lock a la Ries, ie slightly unscrew the central tripod screw underneath while turning the camera. It's a fine tripod, made of ash so should resist water well.

In my view it sits between the Ries J100 and J-100/2 for sturdiness. Same ease of use 2-section sliding legs. For many uses the levelling ball is fine. However for ease of mounting the camera to the tripod I got a Berlebach quick release system, their plates can mount a mix of 1/4 and 3/8 screws (which Arca Swiss don't have).

[Bob Salomon]

"I got a Berlebach quick release system, their plates can mount a mix of 1/4 and 3/8 screws (which Arca Swiss don't have)."
Novoflex, Giottos and Berlebach Arca compatible plates are all available with both 1/4 and 3/8" thread screws and many of the Novoflex and Giottos plates are supplied with both screws.

[Tim Povlick]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with using a Belerbach tripod with the ball/socket only. No head. I'd be using it with a deardorff 8x10.
Thanks, Rich

Hi Rich,

I have used the 1032 for several years with Canham Traditional 8x10. Solid tripod and it resists any rotational torque. I use the built in ball head, for landscape it's all that I need. This way the camera is close to the tripod. The 1/4" screw is more than adequate and has a knob under the ball head for tightening. I twist the camera an 1/8 of a turn and it's solid to the base.

Using a heavy (1.85 Kilo / 4 lbs) 480mm lens is not an issue. In fact with this tripod one can easily setup a monopod to tie the front of the camera to the tripod to prevent any 'teeter toter" motion.

Not sure about dunking it in the water. Suggest a good coating of wax before doing this. The joint where the feet and wood come together would have to be sealed. I think that would be the main concern, water penetration in the wood where it joins the metal and can't properly dry out.

_ .. --
Tim

[lbenac]

I have used the 1032 for several years with Canham Traditional 8x10. Solid tripod and it resists any rotational torque. I use the built in ball head, for landscape it's all that I need. This way the camera is close to the tripod. The 1/4" screw is more than adequate and has a knob under the ball head for tightening. I twist the camera an 1/8 of a turn and it's solid to the base.

Same good experience here with a 2032 and 4x5. The only think I would do differently is purchasing the 3032 instead of the 2032. I am 6' and the tripod is too short. It is however perfect for a waist level finder on my Hasselblad.

Cheers,

Luc

[Barry Kirsten]

I recently bought a 2042 for my Kardan JBL. It has two-section legs, a 50 cm centre column and built-in leveling ball which gives 30 degree movement in all directions. I also bought the 57 mm quick-release coupling to make it more user-friendly.

So far I haven't found it limiting in landscape work, but can imagine some situations where not having a three-way head would be a problem. I'll see how it works out over time before parting with another 500 hard-earned bucks. On the matter of height, I'm also 6' and find it plenty big enough with the column fully extended, which would not often be required. I also bought a 10 cm centre column to allow working closer to the ground. So far I think it's a very satisfactory tripod, beautifully made, and I'm looking forward to giving it more work.

Barry.

[ki6mf]

still use one and went to a 3 way over the ball head as its easier to level the camera than a ball head.

[john biskupski]

Many three-way heads are top heavy on a Berlebach Report tripod (even on the 2032 or 2042 which have among the best load rating). The tripod top plate diameter is only 60mm, whereas even Berlebach's (strong and heavy) 3 way head is 90mm diameter to match their Uni range tripods. The Linhoff 3663 3-way head is a better fit, lighter and with only a 75mm diameter. It also has the easy to use clamp-in quick release system. The best ball heads for LF (say Arca Swiss and RRS amongst others) also have a wider diameter of c. 75mm, so they also overhang the Report tripod, but are not quite so top heavy on these tripods.

[Two23]

Jerold,
How well sealed was the Berlebach against water? Did you ever put it in standing water (rivers, lakes, ocean ,etc)?

I've used my Berlebach a few times in standing water. I just wiped it down well after using and applied a little oil to any bare metal. Main thing to watch out for is beavers.


Kent in SD

[Bob Salomon]

Berlebach special sale items:

http://hpmarketingstore.com/index.ph...p163uh091eg7g6

[jschaeff]

Jerold,
How well sealed was the Berlebach against water? Did you ever put it in standing water (rivers, lakes, ocean ,etc)?
Chris

i have been owning a berlebach report 3032 for the last 3,5 years and altough i just recently (august 2010) have been getting into largeformat, i have been using the berlebach quite intensly over the time with a dslr with lenses from 10 to 600mm in for various occasions in various locations - including heavy snow, heavy rain, hard frost, lakes, sea, rivers, torrents. i am not to careful with handeling my tripods, since i regard them as tools. i stood in partly frozen rivers, while the air was well below zero degrees, i put it between rocks, used it as a support while climbing down, had it standing in lakes for hours.

but to the day my berlebach is as rugged as it was when i bought it. owning a sinar system, i now try to avoid using the collum, since it is not too vibrant-free, altough nice to compose (especially when the enviroment does not allow for completely liberated choice of place; e.g. in rivers, lakes, on rocks etc.)

pm me if you want further information (but since i do nottoo regularly check my computer, it can take some days).


regards,
jonathan