Gitzo 1570 suitable for 8x10 field camera?

[Andrea Gazzoni]

Hi, is someone using this head with a 8x10 field camera?
Does it works well even with long bellows extension?

thank you
Andre

[rfesk]

I have one. I use it and feel that it is very satisfactory. Low profile and relatively lightweight.

You want to balance your camera front and aft as much as possible for maximum stability with any head.

[Andrea Gazzoni]

what camera are you using on it?

thank you

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I'm using this head with my 16 lb. 11x14 camera. It is very solid and a joy to use. I do not have a real long lens but I have extended my camera bellows to about 30 inches and noticed it was still very steady. I use both of the 3/8" screws on my camera. You need to balance your camera over the head but this should be great for any 8x10.

Jim

[David A. Goldfarb]

I used the later magnesium version of this head with various 8x10" and larger cameras for several years and thought it was an excellent choice for a large flatbed camera.

[Michael Jones]

I used the later version of this head and Gitzo 5 series legs for my 11x14 Deardorff. It supported and maneuvered 26 pounds plus of camera, lens & holder easily and with rigidity.

Mike

[David A. Goldfarb]

The one downside of the later version of this head is that it's a bit stiff for small cameras. This may not be a problem for an older one that's broken in or perhaps adjusted differently. It is probably possible to adjust the tension for lighter cameras, but the extra tension makes the big cameras or small cameras with big lenses easier to handle.

[Steve M Hostetter]

I keep a small lightstand in the truck in case I use a long bellows.. I just rest the front of the camera on the stand while still using my regular tripod near the rear

[Don7x17]

easier to carry is a light gitzo (or other) monopod for supporting the front of the camera...

[Steve M Hostetter]

Although I like Don's idea I'd have no secondary use for a monopod

[Andrea Gazzoni]

the one I am buying has just one knob for attaching the camera, is it ok or there must be two of them?
thanks

[David A. Goldfarb]

You can get a second one from Gitzo, if you need it. Having two attachment points will give you some extra stability and will prevent the camera from twisting on the head, but it's not absolutely necessary. It also depends on how the tripod holes are spaced. If they are too close together, the knobs will interfere with each other. In that situation, I've used a knob for one hole and a bolt for the other one.

[Andrea Gazzoni]

thank you David, so I must assume that the head originally came with one knob, right?

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Like I said in my previous post I use both holes to attach my 16lb. 11x14 to my head. I use the 1570M magnesium head. Everything is solid as a rock.

Jim