Wehman 8x10 - Lightest, Smallest Tripod Possible

[thomashobbs]

Hi, I recently purchased a Wehman 8x10 camera and I'm now shopping around for a tripod. My principal requirement is that the tripod fold to under 20" so I can fit it and the camera into a carry-on bag. I live in South America where, unfortunately, baggage handlers have a reputation for theft.

I've got a clunky lens [Nikon 300mm f/5.6] which pushes my total weight to about 13lbs. I've been looking at the Feisol 3441 and the Gitzo 1541. In theory both of these tripods should work as they're rated for 15lbs and 16lbs respectively. My question is this: Am I pushing it? Can I really use the Wehman on such small tripods?



Links:

Feisol CT-3441SB:
http://www.feisol.net/feisol-ct3441sb-with-cb30c-ball-head-center-column-qp144750-plate-tripod-p-37.html

Gitzo 1541
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/548364-REG/Gitzo_GT1541T_GT_1541T_Traveler_6X_Carbon.html#specifications

[vinny]

The weight isn't the issue so much but the sheer size of the camera hanging over the center of the tripod will cause it to wobble in any breeze or movement when you trip the shutter. I use the gitzo 1325 (replaced by new model) with the wehman and lenses out to 600mm. The camera has a bit of play already at those extensions and I wouldn't dare go any lighter on the tripod.

[Dan Schmidt]

I use a 3401 feisol and feisol ball head as my travel tripod with my wehman. Is is just fine.

[Ed Richards]

I tried a Gitzo 1541 (for sale on the forum) with my Ebony 4x5. I do not think the weight would be an issue, in fact it would make the tripod more steady. I went back to my old Gitzo because I found that when I was shooting outdoors in heavy brush, I needed a tripod with spikes to get a good setup. (No spikes on the Gitzo 1541.)

As Vinny says, the problem is not rigidity, but the overhang of the camera versus the leg spread of the tripod. The lighter tripods have a slightly narrower stance, which makes these a little less stable than a bigger tripod. Means you need to be more careful to not knock the camera over. If you can get the feet on firm ground, and there is not a lot of wind, it should be stable. If there is wind with an 8x10, you better get an umbrella anyway. The real question is what sort of footing you will have. On hard surfaces, a small tripod can work fine. On uncertain surfaces, a bigger tripod with spikes works much better, but you are not going to carry it on.

[Peter De Smidt]

Ed made good points.

[jeroldharter]

Hey, I am in the same boat.

I have a Feisol 3342 (the same as the one you mentioned except mine is the 3-piece leg version) which I use for an Arca Swiss 4x5.

I just received a Wehman 8x10 this week and I am trying to get by with the same tripod. I have an Arca Swiss Z1 ballhead. A standard size plate for the quick release is definitely too small. I bought a Feisol plate that is about 6 inches long and has two mounting screws to attach to the camera. That helps alot for a stable connection. I would say that this tripod/head/camera combination is the absolute lightest I would be comfortable with. I would definitely use some weight on the center hook for stability and it does come with optional spike feet.

I would be more comfortable with the new Feisol 3472 though and I might buy one eventually.

I don't really like the Arca Z1 head with the 8x10 (so far my only experience is piddling around the house). It is a bit too small even though it can handle the weight. I would like a light, compact, pan-tilt head with a large quick-release plate, that costs less than $300. But I don't think that exists. Seems like these handy guys who build cameras could manufacture something like this. So given the alternatives, the Arca Z1 is a functional lightweight option and it is very compact. It also fits within the legs of the Feisol tripod when the legs are inverted for transport.

[Kevin Klazek]

I also have the Feisol 3342 with a Manfrotto 410 head. I am using this combo with my 6 1/2 pound Dorff 5x7. Other than being a bit top heavy the setup works very well. You have to be more careful on uneven ground and as suggested, anchoring with the center hook is a good idea on some setups. The pod easily handles the weight. In fact I have had my 13 pound 8x10 Dorff on it and it doesn't flinch, but it is definitely top heavy. While this pod is incredibly strong and rigid, you need to be careful on setup and be aware of stability issues.

[jeroldharter]

I also have the Feisol 3342 with a Manfrotto 410 head...

I looked up weights and noticed that this tripod head weighs almost a much as the tripod. Seems like that would be quite top heavy.

Does that contribute to the "tippiness?"
Does the head seem matched well with such a lightweight tripod?

Thanks.

[mandoman7]

I am using that combo also, the 3342 with a 410 head, and yes, the head adds weight in a high place. I like its operation enough, though, to overlook that shortcoming. I've used other heads extensively, and this one is superior IMO.It was purchased for use with a 4x5 chamonix and its a very light outfit.

I have used it with my 8x10 Deardorff, though, and found it to be surprisingly workable. I have a 3036 Bogen and the 8x with that is unpleasantly heavy in the field. I can take the Feisol and lose about 10 lbs if I'm going far from the car. If I had a spare $300 I'd go for the heavier legs but its working OK right now.

[Robert Oliver]

This has helped with my 4x5 in breezy conditions. It should help with undersized tripods and oversized cameras, but I would still be very careful and attentive to gusts. I wouldn't use my 8x10 burke and james with my Feisol 3342, but that camera is a different beast...

I use either a lightweight tent stake or anything heavy like a rock and one of these doohickeys... to cinch the legs down to the ground slightly.Takes me no more than a couple of seconds.

http://www.niteize.com/productdetail.php?category_id=29&product_id=158

I use them for line tensioners while backpacking and take them with me when I go on shooting excursions off trail. They weigh almost nothing and come in handy for pitching my ultralight all-in-one Poncho/Tent/Tarp contraption during unexpected thunder storms. I use the small ones.

I usually carry the poncho tarp in my bag if I venture more than a mile from my car. Anything closer and I usually use my heavy wooden legs.

[Kevin Klazek]

As noted the 410 head is a joy to use so I accept that it adds weight high up contributing to the tippy factor. I think it works very well with the 3342. Robert notes he uses an anchoring system. I do this also with a tent line tensioner and can either stake the line down or use rocks as ballast. It actually works very well. The 3342 has a hook under the head mounting area for this purpose. There are always trade offs or pros and cons when you step out of the standard practice and get into ultralight setups. You trade off weight for stability issues. The stability issue can be overcome fairly simply.

[Archphoto]

Stupid question: how much weighs the Wehman 8x10 ?

I use a Manfrotto 055 with the 410 and it the 055 can hold 7kg according to the spec's.
The advantage of the 055DBX is that you can spread the legs an extra notch, thus avoiding "tipping".
It will reduce the hight of the set-up though.

I use it for my DSLR, Mamiya RB67; for my Sinar P2 8x10 it would be too light.

Peter

[MIke Sherck]

The 8x10 Wehman weighs 8 1/2 lbs (3.86 kg), more or less.

[Archphoto]

So in that way you could have a look at the Manfrotto 055 XDB with 410 aswell........
The 055 XDB weighs-in at 2.2kg.

I have been on a shoot with these for the last couple of day's and it worked great, easy and precize.

Peter

[oris642]

I hang my Photobackpacker from the hook of my Feisol 3342:

That extra 10-15 pounds bearing down makes a huge difference!

[Chris C]

Though I only shoot 4x5, if I'm ever in a precarious situation in high wind, I'll just be mindful of the fact and even something as simple as a bit of foot weight on the lightest loaded leg (pretty sure that's stunning English skills there!) has always been enough to prevent any tipping, and hasn't shown any amount of camera shake.

So long as the tripod will take the weight, the rest of the short comings in extreme situations can generally be overcome by an aware mind.

[jeroldharter]

I just picked up the larger Feisol 3472 in addition to my existing and smaller 3342. I paired it with a Gitzo 1570 pan tilt head. The total weight is ~6.8 total which is less than my Berlebach tripod without a head and I think more stable. The Feisol is a rock and I could eat dinner off the platform of the Gitzo.

So I for my Wehman 8x10 I have this tripod setup:

Feisol 3342 with Arca Swiss Z1 ballhead and long Feisol quick release plate as an ultralight walking setup and absolute minimum for the Wehman (~3.8 lb).

Feisol 3472 with Gitzo 1570M pan-tilt head for home and car (~6.8 lb).

[Ed Richards]

You could put a Manfrotto leveling head on a 1541 and have a very solid head without much weight. You do not need much movement in an 8x10 head.

As for hanging weight - I was under the impression that unless the weight is resting partially on the ground, that you just get a big pendulum and make movement worse, at least if there is any wind at all.

[bbauer]

another vote for a Feisol -- I'm using it with an Arca ballhead, but only because it's easier to just leave it on for use with long lenses on the Canon.

[thomashobbs]

hi all,

So I got the camera and all is hunky dory. I ended up buying the Feisol CT-3441S tripod. The camera fits just fine on the tripod. It's probably not suitable for extreme natural situations but for the urban stuff I do it's just fine. Here's a couple of pictures of the new toy in action:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashobbs/3994384636/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashobbs/3993622395/in/photostream/

ahh, camera porn :)

btw, here's the picture i took with that set-up:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashobbs/3971057886/in/set-72157622088061682/

[pardon the crappy "scan"]

[jeroldharter]

Wow, you really went light. Looks like you opted for no head and just screw it on the center column? Do you have to spin the camera or does the screw spin?

[thomashobbs]

Jerold,

Screwing the camera directly on the tripod was an oversight on my part. I forgot about the whole "head" thing. I traveled to the US and realized I had no tripod head to use. Screwing it on the tripod sans-head was a bit of an improvisation but it worked. Leveling the tripod, however, was absolute hell, as you might imagine. Trying to calculate which of the 3 legs to lower or raise was a real pain.

FYI, I still haven't really found a suitable head. Ball heads are just impossible to level. Quick Release heads are also trouble because the surface area is too small to properly support the area of the camera. I'm still using this bulky, heavy Slik head. I'm still searching for that magic unicorn of a head; mid-sized, light-weigh, and large plate area. And yes, I want a pony with that!

cheers!
Thomas

[jeroldharter]

Well I have settled on this Gitzo head and by now I have some well earned experience with it:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/170918-REG/Gitzo_G1570M_G1570_3_Way_Head.html

I have always used quick release mechanisms with ball heads so I was worried I would hate fiddling with the screw mount and pan tilt mechanism. In fact, it is easier than trying to line up the quick release plate - or about the same. Someone advised me to flip the head so that the screw is horizontal. Holding the Wehman vertically by the strap makes it very easy (and easily visible) to line up the screw with its socket. Plus, the thing is rock solid. I could probably sleep on top of it (but I would not try). On paper it is heavier than I would like but it balances well with my larger Feisol tripod. The handles easily unscrew for compactness when travelling. Not quite silky smooth operation but quite smooth and overall I am very happy with it.

[Rick Moore]

This is the same head I use. I also mount my Canham 8x10 in exactly the same manner in which you describe. This head on a decent set of legs (Gitzo 1410 in my case) provides a very steady platform for an 8x10 field camera.

[Rory_5244]

Gee, I've been going along merrily using an AS B1 ballhead under my 8x10. I sometimes look at the Ries J250 but I'm too poor to buy and see if it will work better and I'll never be able to re-sell it in my country if it doesn't work out (digital-only people here.) I dunno.

[jeroldharter]

Gee, I've been going along merrily using an AS B1 ballhead under my 8x10. I sometimes look at the Ries J250 but I'm too poor to buy and see if it will work better and I'll never be able to re-sell it in my country if it doesn't work out (digital-only people here.) I dunno.

I have an Arca Swiss Z1 ball head for 4x5. It works great with my Arca Swiss camera. But I thought that the 8x10 outmatched it so I looked for an alternative. The Arca head will easily support the camera weight but the small camera platform is the problem, especially with relatively light legs. The Gitzo has a relatively huge platform and even two screws if you want to use both.

[Rory_5244]

Thanks Jerold. I will have a close look.

[Steve M Hostetter]

G1325,,, no center collumn!