Light tripod and head for lightweight 4x5 and short lenses

[Eric Woodbury]

OK, call me crazy now and move on.

My ailment has taken its toll on my strength. I enjoy short hikes with a camera and tripod, but the weight of any of my current seven tripods (how did I get so many?) along with gear is simply too much. Doesn't matter how I carry it, the mass is distributed through shoulders and back. It pains me. And it pains me not to make images, too.

I've minimized my camera and lenses kit to almost nothing and now I'm looking for the lightest tripod/head that will work. I'm willing to use a shorter tripod. I don't photograph in the wind, so all it needs to do is hold the camera up for a second. The longest lens used will be 240mm, not much extension.

Benro Slim Carbon-Fiber Tripod with Ball Head at 2.2 pounds looks very interesting. Have you tried this tripod or others in the two pound region? I've read the ball head may not be the best.

Your suggestions are welcome. Thanks for the help. -e-

[Ari]

I've used this tripod with a 4x5 successfully (indoors): https://www.flmcanada.com/product/flm-cp22-s4-ii/
Outdoors, it's been fine for a Fuji GX680, with this ball head: https://www.flmcanada.com/product/flm-cb-32-f-ball-head-with-srb-40-quick-release-clamp/

[urnem57]

I’ve been very happy with the Acratech head. Small, compact, strong, and will hold 25 pounds. I wasn’t happy paying for it, though. I use a dslr and a Speec Fraphic with an Aero Ektar that weighs in at nearly 10 pounds.

[GRAYnomad]

I used a Manfrotto 190 for years, mostly with a Benbo ball head.

The 190 is a pretty small tripod, technically too small I guess but if I was walking for days I couldn't justify carrying anything larger. It all worked just fine.

[Rick L]

i have Sirui A-1205 that weighs 2.2 pounds - its very compact - folds to 14" and extends to 55" and it is rated to hold 22 lbs

I have not put the 4x5 or 5x7 on it - but I have traveled with it and used it with a heavy Nikon DLSR and some beefy medium formats such as an Mamiya 645 or RB67 with out issues

i would have no worry about it with my large formats - and Intrepid 4x5 black edition weighs 2.2 sans lens (less than the Nikon or half the Mamiya 645 at 4lbs ), the C1910 wooden Kodak 5x7 weighs about 7 pounds (about the same as an RB67 with a lens)- a third of the rated load even it is exaggerated

the bulk/surface area of a large format in strong wind would be my only concern for steadiness

[Tin Can]

Get a tripod with a hook under the head, carry an empty bag

fill bag with rocks or

[Drew Bedo]

My 4x5 kit is built around a light weight Wista made Zone VI body (Wista 45DX). The heaviest lns is a Nikkor 90mm f/8. I hold it all up with a little CF tripod and ballhead: Velbon El Carmagne 540 ( discontinued) and Gitzo G177M (also no longer made).

That set-up is just stout enough if the center column is not raised.

Yeah, hang a weight on the tripod. I often just loop the shoulder strap of the LowePro magnum 35 camera bag loaded with whatever is not on the camera over the tripod for added stability.

[Richard Wasserman]

I too put together a lightweight kit. I can't help much with current tripods, I use a Gitzo 1227 I bought about 25 years ago. I don't care for ball heads with large format and use a Manfrotto 406MG magnesium 3-way head that works well for a Chamonix 4x5 with lenses up to —I assume it would be fine with your 240. It only weighs 1 pound.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553704-REG/Manfrotto_460MG_460MG_3D_Magnesium_Head.html/specs

[Mark Sampson]

A Tiltall (Marchioni or Leitz versions) will do the job- but you probably already have one.

[Keith Pitman]

When I want to go light, I use a Benro C227n6 with a RRS BH30 ballhead. Together they weigh four pounds. It’s a nice Gitzo-like CF tripod. I like it even better for medium format.

[Drew Wiley]

I use a lighter yet more stable head option than any of the above - namely, none! For my lightweight 4X5 system, just a magnesium quick-release right on the top of the tripod platform. I wouldn't waste time on a toy tripod. For only about another pound, around the 3 to 3-1/2 lb range, you can select from far more stable CF options. Any kind of ball head will be the weakest link, regardless, in terms of vibration risk. They're voodoo for view camera work, especially in the lightweight category.

[Greg]

Love my BENRO TAD28C Adventure Carbon Fiber Tripod with a large RRS head.

[r_a_feldman]

I have a Sirui ET-1204 with a Field Optics Research PH-200 pan head (a picture of it is in Post #6 in the thread at https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?162585-Field-Optics-Research-FPH-200-Pan-Head-Question. There are lighter (and shorter) tripods out there, but I like the strength of this one. The pan head adds a few ounces to the weight, but I prefer it to a ball head.

Bob

[Doremus Scudder]

I've been using the Manfrotto 056 3D "Junior" head (formerly #3025) for years now with my field cameras. Weighs 1.2 lbs, can be used with all three knobs loosened like a ball head or you can loosen just one at a time for use as a regular 3-way head. I use it for lenses up to 300mm on my wooden field cameras; no problems with vibrations, etc.

Link: https://www.keh.com/shop/tripods-bogen-3025-3-d-hd-715048.html?aid=347160-1663128&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Manfrotto&utm_term=347160-1663128&rmatt=tsid:|cid:1719678158|agid:67449094996|tid:pla-300712266710|crid:335510879501|nw:u|rnd:10441193715516992560|dvc:c|adp:&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv-T6s-eZ7wIVix6tBh378g3GEAQYBCABEgKAifD_BwE

I carry the empty bag to fill with rocks too, but usually just hang my filmholder bag on the tripod center-column lock knob.

Best,

Doremus

[Vaughn]

I flew back to upstate NY to visit my son and took a 2 lb tripod for my 2.5 pound 4x5. It worked, but the whole set-up was too light and easy to knock out of position. hanging weight would have helped, but awkward to do where I was. In 1986 I traveled with the same camera with a 7lb pod/head (5 and 2 lb)...an Al Gitzo Studex and Gitzo Ballhead No.2. That was a good steady combo.

So I would not hesitate to find a pod with a little more heft -- perhaps in the 3 to 3.5 lb range Drew mentioned. I enjoy using a head too much to give it up -- but there are leveling bases for tripods that might be of interest to you as lightweight options to a full head...get the pod as close as one can and finish off with small changes with the leveling head.

[Drew Bedo]

Anybody hqve and use a Gowland "Pockeet View"? I have only handled one once a few years ago and it seemed to weigh next to nothing.

[Vaughn]

That's my 4x5. I have the Calumet version. Non-rotating back. Weighs 2.5 pounds with the Caltar 150/5.6 on it.

Backpacking trips, 6-months on a bicycle and other fun adventures.

Not a camera for people who are fussy about things like precision adjustments, indents, full movements, and a lot of solid weight. A wonderful tool for the right person for the right jobs.

An oldie with the camera (we ended up on top of the dune eventually...highest in CA...nice having a light camera!)