“Tripods for Bipods” (John Sexton new tech tip video)

[Michael R]

Enjoy

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BbHyFAnQrQ4

[David Schaller]

Nice. Thanks for posting.

[Bernice Loui]

Another take on setting up a tripod, Surveyor Style.. Foto folks can apply many of the same basics of setting up a Surveyor tripod with a Foto tripod.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C78SuqmLPDE

Appears for many fixed lens, box based camera folks there persist an allergy to using a tripod mixed with the desire for lowest weight, smallest size and least "in their way" tripod which often results in a tripod that is unstable, vibration sensitive and all those image quality problems an iffy tripod produces.

Remain un-convinced saving a few pounds (carbon fiber is about 30% less than aluminium, with both being no where near as abuse tolerant as high quality wood) is worthwhile in the overall weight/size bulk of the LF view camera system.


Bernice

[John Layton]

Until more or less recently...I, too, preached the gospel of overall weight - that in the scheme of things, a few extra pounds would be more than justified if this meant that the overall experience, and/or the chances of getting "better" results could be improved by accepting a heavier load. Indeed this line of thinking fit into what would have been my own advertising scenario were my Layton L-45A camera (which weighs 7.25lbs) to have entered the marketplace.

While I still believe the above generally...I must admit that as my bones grow noticeably wearier there are now times when weight can be the absolute determinate as to whether I even choose to have my gear with me. These days, if I plan to walk any distance (especially with significant elevation gains) with an LF camera, I find myself reaching for my 4x5 Gowland Pocket-View, and my Feisol "Tall Traveller" tripod. Not ideal by any means...but with practice a decent work around.

As for John Sexton's video - he communicates the foundational knowledge perfectly...and while to some he may seem a bit ponderous and repetitive...he knows (as do most good instructors) that bad habits can be hard to break...much less to even notice!

[Alan9940]

While I still believe the above generally...I must admit that as my bones grow noticeably wearier there are now times when weight can be the absolute determinate as to whether I even choose to have my gear with me. These days, if I plan to walk any distance (especially with significant elevation gains) with an LF camera, I find myself reaching for my 4x5 Gowland Pocket-View, and my Feisol "Tall Traveller" tripod. Not ideal by any means...but with practice a decent work around.


Same here, John, except mine is a Toho FC-45X and a different albeit similar flyweight tripod. I always figure it's better to be out there with something vs not! ;)

[Vaughn]

Went backpacking last week with the 4x5 (Gowland PocketView). Took the Bogen pod to save a couple pounds. I survived, but having a pod that is too short was a drag.

[John Layton]

But...if you're tripod's too short - can't you just lift it up and hold it really still :confused:

[Bernice Loui]

Some of the workshop notes about how foto folks relate and use their tripods is just wozzers... Question is, where did these tripod habits and ways come from?

Speaking of tripods, just ordered a Berlebach wood tripod for the Linhof TK23s. Tired of using the decades old Bogen 3021 that has seen younger days. No center column, Gitzo G1270 Pan Tilt, Low Profile Tripod Head gets moved over once the Berlebach tripod arrives. Weight difference between the Berlebach -vs- Bogen is not significant enough. All this is related to achieving a lower weight and smaller view camera package. 6x9 or 6x7 via 120 roll film negates the need for sheet film holders which is weight/bulk added per sheet film holder. Lenses in shutter on Technika boards are smaller/less weight (47mm or 65mm, 127mm, 203mm, 300mm or 360mm/500mm) than lenses on Sinar boards (105mm or 115mm/120-125mm, 210mm-250mm, 300mm/12",450mm/500mm_Sinar shutter). The other bits are some what similar, light meter, dark cloth (plan to make a smaller one specific to the TK32s) loupe, and ...

Overall, the linhof TK23s outfit is lower weight/smaller than the 5x7 Sinar Norma with the modified Dutch Hill surveyor's tripod with Sinar pan/tilt head by maybe 10 pounds. Film is easier to manage with 120 roll film compared to sheet film. The Linhof TK23s became the only option as it is the only monorail of it's variety. Given the way any view camera is used and images to be made, tolerance for a field folder is nil. At some point, the hope and idea is to go back to using the 5x7 Norma & Dutch Hill outfit as recovered abilities allow.


The importance of a GOOD tripod properly and fully used is often un-appreciated by those new to this LF view camera stuff.

Bernice

[Vaughn]

But...if you're tripod's too short - can't you just lift it up and hold it really still :confused:

I had forgotten my sky-hooks. My arms get tired and start to shake if I have to hold all that weight up.

[Alan9940]

Overall, the linhof TK23s outfit is lower weight/smaller than the 5x7 Sinar Norma with the modified Dutch Hill surveyor's tripod with Sinar pan/tilt head by maybe 10 pounds.

Don't see this tripod name appear very often. I have a Dutch Hill with a Gitzo G1570M head on it that I've used for many, many years for 8x10. Not as sturdy as my Ries A100, IMO, but certainly easier to move around.

[Drew Wiley]

Sounds like he's seen it all. I once stumbled onto him doing a workshop, and he privately expressed his exasperation with some of his students who showed up with absurdly expensive equipment, yet zero hands-on experience yet - gear right out of the box, literally. And I remember an incident where I had to nearly leap to rescue a new 8x10 camera and hyper-expensive lens from crashing on the ground due to a totally untenable tripod setup by a beginner. So that it a good topic to start with.

Reminds me of a long day on the trail, or actually off trail, and finally reaching the trail and a small lake where a horse packer had led a group of beginning fly fishermen for the day. I laid back on a log, just like the packer himself, for couple hours of utter amusement. They caught everything but a fish - logs, each other, hats, their own butts. Once in awhile the line actually landed in the lake. Learn the basics first.

[Steve Goldstein]

Does anyone know if the Gitzo center-column level in John’s video will fit the old 1227 MkII? I've also sent this question to Gitzo.

[ericantonio]

I carry a studio Saltzman tripod and head. I also do bench presses and squats with it (with my camera on it!). I haul that thing in my Hummer H1.
I kid you not, I once, in my younger studio assisting days, had to pick up a studio saltzman that looked like it was embedded in concrete or something like that. We had 3 guys, we had to call for a 4th guy to help carry it.

Seriously though, I want to start saving my pennies after I pay for gas (no not gear gas but like varoom varoom clutch shift varoom), for a carbon fiber big 'nuf for my Kodak MV. I'm wondering if that combo may be to top heavy? I do like the thread about the golf bag, gonna look into it next time I'm at goodwill.

Also, John Sexton has a very calming voice. I had no idea!

[Doremus Scudder]

... Also, John Sexton has a very calming voice. I had no idea!

It was a bit monotonous for me. I had to play the video a 125% speed before it even sounded normal, and it was still soporific. I think they must have inadvertently slowed it down.

[domaz]

Went backpacking last week with the 4x5 (Gowland PocketView). Took the Bogen pod to save a couple pounds. I survived, but having a pod that is too short was a drag.

I actually have a 8x10 Gowland (not-so PocketView). It's very light, the problem is the 8x10 film holders really add up in weight fast. Not to mention the lenses are heavier (although there are many lightweight options still). I wish there was a viable Grafmatic-like option for 8x10.

[Vaughn]

My 11x14 is lighter than my 8x10. I use the same pod and head with both, and the same lenses -- but the holders make it a different story! :cool:

Doremus -- I could not watch it for the same reason. Don't think we were the target audience by a few decades...

[Mark Sampson]

It could be that Mr. Sexton has considered that many of his watchers do not speak English as their first language.
Speaking slowly and clearly never hurts with comprehension... it wouldn't help if his delivery was that of a NYC comedian in a nightclub.
Cut the guy some slack. Apart from his photographic accomplishments, he's been a successful teacher for a long time.

[Drew Wiley]

Different audience. Most of us already have our battle scars from learning things the hard way, and certainly plenty of scars and old war wounds on our tripods! A Ries isn't a Ries without some honorable scars. I accidentally dropped one off a 300 ft cliff once and split a leg. They replaced the leg section for free, even though I told them up front it was my own fault.

Even my ole Gitzo original Reporter 3-ply CF is still going strong after decades of rough use. I modified it somewhat when new, including permanently removing the center column. Their current equivalent model is slightly lighter in weight due to thinner 2-ply CF; but I've seen one of those break in pieces on a short fall. Going 2-ply to reduce weight also drowned a crew member of an America's Cup Team when a mast broke and pinned him under the sail in the water. Talked to him just two days before when he brought me samples of all the kinds of CF material they had available. I sold them most of their fabrication equipment and supplies, but not any CF itself. Much of that was entirely custom and even Kevlar reinforced. But a simple dent or gouge on 2-ply risks it snapping, despite incredible tensile strength. Tripods are no different, except are even weaker.

The local camera store has a huge tripod selection; but every single one of them I'd classify as "toy" goods. Once in awhile something serious shows up in the Used dept.

[Vaughn]

...
Cut the guy some slack. Apart from his photographic accomplishments, he's been a successful teacher for a long time.

Cut us some slack, please. We are complimenting him on knowing his audience. A sign of a experienced and competent teacher.

[John Layton]

Especially when trying to break some bad, well-established habits...spelling things out really slowly and clearly certainly helps!