Want to travel more with my 4x5 -- searching for a tripod

[JaZ99]

Hi, I'm on the lookout for the travel tripod, and I thought I'd ask for advice to avoid mistakes I've already made.

My main tripod is Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 and I'm very happy with it. The only problem is that it doesn't fit the carry-on bag.
I'm looking for a sturdy tripod that is not longer than 47 cm (18.5 in) when folded.

Until now I've tested:

1. Benro Travel Flat (the Finger Biter), but it was a toy, not a tripod (it took virtually no space in the bag). Broke it after 2 weeks of usage.
2. Manfrotto Befree, but it is cumbersome to set up and it is not sturdy (barely adequate for Mamiya 645).

There are tons of tripods on the market. I'm considering FLM (love the name) CP26-M4S and Sirui T-2204X, but I failed to find trusted review on the net.

I'd appreciate any tips.

JaZ

[Leszek Vogt]

Why not a duffle bag ? This way you can accomodate your reg tripod. Anyway, that's what I ended up doing.

Les

[JaZ99]

Because the airlines are getting greedy:
162408

[Thalmees]

Hi, I'm on the lookout for the travel tripod, and I thought I'd ask for advice to avoid mistakes I've already made.
My main tripod is Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 and I'm very happy with it. The only problem is that it doesn't fit the carry-on bag.
I'm looking for a sturdy tripod that is not longer than 47 cm (18.5 in) when folded.
Until now I've tested:
1. Benro Travel Flat (the Finger Biter), but it was a toy, not a tripod (it took virtually no space in the bag). Broke it after 2 weeks of usage.
2. Manfrotto Befree, but it is cumbersome to set up and it is not sturdy (barely adequate for Mamiya 645).
There are tons of tripods on the market. I'm considering FLM (love the name) CP26-M4S and Sirui T-2204X, but I failed to find trusted review on the net.
I'd appreciate any tips.
JaZ
Hello JaZ99,
If you need a tripod just to carry, by your self, go with the lightest possible.
If you need a tripod to carry your camera system, in the field, go with the lightest possible.
If the purpose is only carriage, No serious tripod(of any size), will collapse under the heaviest camera.
But if you need a tripod that serves as a tripod(sturdy & stiff), go with the heaviest possible, or heaviest practical in case of travel. Of course, you wish to go light as possible, but you do not wish to return from your trip with lots of film that ruined by vibrations.
A tripod that could not support itself weight in the field, will not support other elements attached to it.
In general, I suggest not to go below the equivalent of series 2 RRS tripods. Of course, series 1 RRS(considerably shorter than your requirement) and equivalent tripods, will not collapse under your camera. But, for a really stable system, and for travel, my opinion goes with the equivalent of series 2 RRS tripods, at least.
In this digital era, market is stuffed with feather weight tripods that made of fancy materials. Those very light tripods are just helping customers to carry their tripods(only), NOT helping photographer cameras to take sharp photos. Weight of the tripod(alone) is still necessity for physics to work as we wish, otherwise it will continue to work, BUT, in the opposite direction. What can do good with a light weight digital camera, is not necessarily doing the same with a heavy or large film camera.
Assuming that you have a wood field 4X5 camera(not metallic, not monorail), series 2 RRS tripods and equivalents, are just enough(not more than enough). But, the shortest one is half an inch or 1.5cm longer than your requirement(TVC-24, not the long version), when folded, without head(19.1" or 48.5cm).
Another option, you may put your present tripod diagonal in the bag, without head.
Third option, is to look for a sturdy tripod bag, send your tripod with the luggage. You have already the equivalent size tripod(may be!!! 055CXPRO3). I do not feel well with this option, unless you chose a very rigid tripod case. That should be extra weight, but in the field you may adopt small straps to tighten your tripod to your backpack.

[macolive]

Hi JaZ99,

You might want to check this out.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?131803-FLM-The-Ultimate-Travel-Tripod-on-Indiegogo

[Peter Lewin]

The FLM CP-Travel mentioned on Indiegogo is now in production AFAIK. Send a PM to Ari (Ari Tapiero) who is on this Forum. I have the CP-Travel, purchased for the same reason OP mentions, and it is excellent. Compact, but not super-light. I have been experimenting locally with a very stripped-down kit (Canham DLC with 150mm mounted, holders, t-shirt for a dark cloth, and a spot meter, plus the CP-Travel), and it works well; biggest issue is finding a tripod head which is light, compact, and easy to work with. I haven't really solved that one yet, I'm using an older Gitzo ballhead whose only advantage is that it was one of the four heads I already owned. I also tried a 3-way (also sitting around) which worked better but didn't pack as conveniently. But contact Ari about the CP-Travel - highly recommended.

P.S.: The image "Bridge in Great Swamp" in the Bridges sub-forum was from my FLM experiment; obviously you can't tell anything about a tripod from the picture, but for me it was part of my "proof of concept."

[JaZ99]

Thank you, Peter. It is interesting. How about seting up the tripod? On the YouTube it looks like the leg lock mechanism is step-less, is it true? If so, is it hard to set up the tripod when each leg has the same agle?

[JaZ99]

Thanks Thalmees, but the RSS is Really Steep-priced Stuff, even though TQC-14 fits the bill. I have to add 23% VAT and customs, and shipping.

[Two23]

I'm considering buying this one:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1043508

Also looking at the Feisol 3442.


Kent in SD

[Peter Lewin]

Thank you, Peter. It is interesting. How about seting up the tripod? On the YouTube it looks like the leg lock mechanism is step-less, is it true? If so, is it hard to set up the tripod when each leg has the same agle?
The leg angle is not stepless, the central casting has three steps for each leg: one I would call "normal" for a tripod, one significantly wider (and therefore lower), and a final position where the leg is almost horizontal (so the tripod central casting is almost touching the ground, but you have to leave about 7 inches of center column extended, there is no other place for it to go). Of course the leg section locks are infinitely adjustable, rotate to open, and rotate in the opposite direction to lock. I have only used the tripod in the "normal" position, but if I was on the side of a super steep hill, for example, it would be easy to set one leg at either a different angle or a different length to compensate.

[angusparker]

The Benro C0180T Travel Flat Tripod is super light and manages a small 4x5 with a small ball head very well. Not going to be your go to on a stiff wind day. Unfortunately it is discontinued but sometimes its for sale on the auction site etc.

[Jim Andrada]

The Gitzo (aluminum or Carbon Fiber) travel tripods are good. I have a CF version with an FLM head on it and it's a nice unit - no problem with a Technika and 500mm Nikkor Tele (and a Sinar Vario roll film adapter). I take the head off and put the tripod in my carry on bag - fits just fine.

[JMO]

I have a Gitzo CF model GT 1542T traveler's tripod with a RRS Compact Ball head (BH-30) and B2-Pro-II screw knob clamp which I have travelled all over the world with for the last 15 or so years. I use this with my Leica M and Mamiya 7ii MF rangefinder cameras, which are pretty compact (no long telephoto lenses) and fairly light in weight. So this tripod and ball head are sturdy enough for these cameras, but I wouldn't consider it nearly sturdy enough for any 4x5 camera (IMHO), and I wouldn't even feel comfortable relying on it to use with a heavier DSLR and (especially) any heavier or longer lenses. I think my Gitzo Series 1 Traveller's tripod is approximately the same size and weight of the RRS Series 1 traveller's tripod mentioned above in this thread. This Gitzo folds down to fit into a carry-on bag, and I used to store it below my business laptop computer in a wheelie computer carry-on bag (which was my small office when traveling). As was also mentioned above, unless you have a larger carry-on bag like a small to medium duffel bag, you'll need to take the ball head off these Series 1 traveller's tripods in order to fit the tripod into smallish business carry-on bag. However, the tripod with the ball head attached can easily fit into a medium- or large-size suitcase as checked luggage. Another important consideration to the use of these Series 1 traveller's tripods for shooting is that they have limited height, and so (at my height of 6ft) one must usually extend the center column fairly high to use the camera at comfortable standing height in the field. This means that the camera and lens are at the top of fully extended legs (of four rather spindly sections each) and a nearly fully extended center column. This is NOT optimal for sturdiness and avoidance of vibrations to the camera. With those caveats, if one is careful in how you use such a traveller's tripod, and don't overdo its capacity in terms of camera weight and dimensions (again, avoid long lenses), then this set-up can be functional and make a BIG difference in the quality of the images (digital or MF film) you'll have to work with when you get back home from your photo trip. Modern DSLR and mirrorless cameras and lenses have image-stabilization that will overcome modest vibration from unsteady handling or tripod gear, but if you're using a film camera you'll need to consider the limitations of these traveller tripod set-ups. ...

[Alan Gales]

The FLM CP-Travel mentioned on Indiegogo is now in production AFAIK. Send a PM to Ari (Ari Tapiero) who is on this Forum. I have the CP-Travel, purchased for the same reason OP mentions, and it is excellent. Compact, but not super-light. I have been experimenting locally with a very stripped-down kit (Canham DLC with 150mm mounted, holders, t-shirt for a dark cloth, and a spot meter, plus the CP-Travel), and it works well; biggest issue is finding a tripod head which is light, compact, and easy to work with. I haven't really solved that one yet, I'm using an older Gitzo ballhead whose only advantage is that it was one of the four heads I already owned. I also tried a 3-way (also sitting around) which worked better but didn't pack as conveniently. But contact Ari about the CP-Travel - highly recommended.

P.S.: The image "Bridge in Great Swamp" in the Bridges sub-forum was from my FLM experiment; obviously you can't tell anything about a tripod from the picture, but for me it was part of my "proof of concept."

Peter, I recently had the privilege of meeting Ari and his lovely wife, Susannah. Me and my wife, Cindy and our daughter, Samantha had dinner with them. Ari came to St. Louis to promote FLM products. He let me handle the FLM tripod which he was demonstrating. I'm a Ries guy but I was very impressed with the FLM product. Ari and his wife are really nice, down to earth people. Very interesting too. All of us had the best time!



For the OP here is Ari's FLM email address. Ask him anything you want about FLM. He will be glad to help you.

http://www.flmcanada.com/contact.html

[Thalmees]

For the OP here is Ari's FLM email address. Ask him anything you want about FLM. He will be glad to help you.
http://www.flmcanada.com/contact.html

Hello again JaZ99,
Indeed, I suggest to communicate with Ari, regardless of what tripod you are going to decide.
Ari is a gentleman forum mate, keen to help and provide support.
As for FLM products, I do not have special experience with FLM tripods, but I have FLM ball head for few months now.
From my experience, I can say: FLM has top rated ball head, comparable with the best in the market, if not the best.
My 2 cents in this regard.

[Thalmees]

Hello all.
For reference, hope this useful.
Regarding matching series of Carbon Fiber Tripods between RRS and Systematic Gitzo tripods, based on the First Leg Segment Diameter only:
.
---------1st Seg. Dia. ----------------RRS---------------------------------------------GITZO
--------- 40-41mm ---------------TVC-4x(series 4)-------------------------------GT55x3(series 5)
--------- 36-37mm ---------------TVC-3x(series 3)------------------------------ GT45x3(series 4)
--------- 32-33mm ---------------TVC-2x(series 2)------------------------------ GT35x3(series 3)
--------- 28-29mm ---------------TQ/FC-1x(series 1)------------ --------------- GT25x3(series 2)
.
Please note:
1. Design, other materials used in manufacturing, prices and level of precision making tripods, are not included in the table.
2. Only Gitzo Systematic tripods are included in the table.
3. Gitzo Traveller tripods, Gitzo Mountaineer, Gitzo Leveling and Gitzo Explorer tripods, are not included in the matching table.
4. The "X" in each series number, denotes number of leg segments for a specific tripod among others in the same series. TVC-34 and GT4543, are matching 4 segments/sections tripods, of upper leg segment thickness of 37mm.
5. The "1st Leg Segment Diameter", reflects the thickness of lower leg segment(diameter), which is in contact with the ground. A thicker 1st Leg Segment Diameter, means, a thicker lower Leg Segment Diameter.
6. In general, not including all series compared, each Leg Segment Diameter in Gitzo tripods(as announced by Gitzo), tends to be 1mm thicker than the corresponding segment in RRS tripods. In reality the difference may turn to be only 0.5mm only. For example, with my micrometer, the upper leg segment diameter of RRS TVC-43 is 40.75mm, while the thickness of the corresponding(upper/first) segment in GT5533LS is 41.25mm. Another example, the upper leg segment of TVC-23 looks thicker than the second leg segment(corresponding part) of GT4542LS.
7. Excluding TVC-4x and GT55x3, RRS tripod series tends to be lighter(100-500gm), than the corresponding series of Gitzo tripods, at the same 1st Leg Segment Diameter.
8. Customer service is not included in the table.
9. For Large Format Photography, of smaller size or weight, IMO, I do not recommend a tripod smaller than Gitzo series 3 or RRS TVC series 2.
10. Gitzo has smaller series tripods than series 2. Smallest RRS tripods, are TVC-1x series 1 tripods.
11. Thanks for reviewing my experience with the Leg Angle Joints of Gitzo GT5533LS(could be 1st batch only)at: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?137650-Gitzo-Systematic-Version-Mark-3-Quality-Control-Issue
12. Notes number 1, 5, 7, 8 and 9, may adopted for any other brand tripods.
.
Hope this useful.

[Drew Bedo]

My 4x5 travel kit is a little Wista-made Zone VI on a Velbon CF tripod with a magnesium ballhead. It is a little undersized but the camera is little too. I can pack the tripod into a Pelican hard case that fits into the airline over head If the center post is removed or reversed (well the Pelican case used to go up there , don't know about the new carry-on regs). Removing the center post and head also allows it to be packed in smaller checked luggage.

Years ago, before 9/11, I had a tripod case made from a cut-off length of 8 inch PVC pipe. Three feet long with screwed in end caps and handles bolted on. Into it went a large metal LF tripod for an 8x10. I shipped it as checked baggage . A baggage handler boarded the plane and they called my name . . .so I pushed the button overhead. He came over and wanted to know what was in it I told him and said they could open it up, but he seemed relieved that I looked harmless (not sweating, low blink-rate, clear speech) and thanked me. We took off on time. Today the tripod case would have been x-rayed, CAT scanned and had an MRI . . .and I'd have gotten a cavity search!
'm sure.

[Robert Brazile]

I also have the CP-Travel and really like it. Sturdy and quite definite and precise in its settings and movements, and it, with a Travelwide (w/BLIK and TEWE onboard) on an Acratech ballhead weighs barely 5lbs/~2kg.

Robert

[JaZ99]

Thank you all for your input. Appreciated.

[Slowhands]

Hi,

I travel with the previously mentioned Feisol 'Tournament' CT-3442. I have to remove the head, but it will fit in any standard maximum-size carry on (my bag of choice is the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45, but it will certainly fit in many other bags). I fly quite a bit across the east coast of the US for work, often on regional jets, and I haven't found any issue getting the bag to fit. There is some flex, as expected of a 4-section tripod, but it hasn't affected my pictures to any noticeable effect. I think this is a fantastic choice for a medium-size travel tripod, and certainly for LF work while travelling. It's no Gitzo or RRS legs, but it also costs a third of that price.

Obviously, if you can check a bag, your set of possible choices increases dramatically. In that case, you can take your choice of the lot of the hundreds of quality CF legs out there.

[rfesk]

For travel I want the lightest tripod I can get. Otherwise I can't/won't take it.

This is the way I look at it: The issue of how heavy the tripod is not so important if you can hang weights from it. The shutter on the typical lens for a 4X5 camera doesn't induce much vibration in itself. Therefore if the legs are stiff enough (and CF legs usually are) and they are spread sufficiently to resist the vibration from the shutter in line with the axis of the legs, then only the weight of the camera/tripod (and any other weight added) will need to resist wind and other sources of vibration.

In all cases it is important to keep the camera as low on the tripod as possible. That is where a leveling head is very useful.

[Cor]

I use this (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?36782-Show-off-your-Large-Format-camera!&p=1271185&highlight=Galvin#post1271185) when on the road. Its a very basic Amazon tripod (https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Tripod-Ball-Inches-Aluminium/dp/B00DHPCVQG/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1490189387&sr=1-5&keywords=AmazonBasics+tripod) with a tiny ball head, which works surprisingly well for it's specs and price.. Obviously my Galvin is lightweight...

best,

Cor

[v.kapoor]

Which head do you use with your 3442? And which camera normally are you traveling with? Considering this model myself!


Hi,

I travel with the previously mentioned Feisol 'Tournament' CT-3442. I have to remove the head, but it will fit in any standard maximum-size carry on (my bag of choice is the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45, but it will certainly fit in many other bags). I fly quite a bit across the east coast of the US for work, often on regional jets, and I haven't found any issue getting the bag to fit. There is some flex, as expected of a 4-section tripod, but it hasn't affected my pictures to any noticeable effect. I think this is a fantastic choice for a medium-size travel tripod, and certainly for LF work while travelling. It's no Gitzo or RRS legs, but it also costs a third of that price.

Obviously, if you can check a bag, your set of possible choices increases dramatically. In that case, you can take your choice of the lot of the hundreds of quality CF legs out there.

[LabRat]

The only thing I will add is that some smaller 'pods that you MIGHT be able to carry-on might be strong/steady enough when used at lower heights, but bets will be off if you expect to extend the camera to heights generally where the center column is needed to extend it further up... If you are 5'5", this is fine, but Andre the Giant would have to kneel and bow to use it there...

If you put a 'pod into a paper, ABS, or PVC pipe (that does not look like a bomb), you should be able to send it below with the skis and golf clubs, but I have no idea how much they charge these days... (Don't get me started on the gall of them charging so much just to put a suitcase below now, but a duffle or suitcase that will hold one and enough clothes for more than a day or two may make it worth it...)

Steve K

[Two23]

I ended up buying a Feisol 3441T with Photoclam PC-40. Weight is about 3.4 pounds (I replaced long column with short.) Extends to 68 inches (no center column,) has four sections, carbon fiber of course, folds down to about 19 inches. It easily hold my Chamonix 045n. I've been out shooting with it a total of three days now and am quite happy with it. The 3442 would probably work too--I just snagged a use 3441t for under $200. I tie it to my camera bag for airline travel with head removed.


Kent in SD