5 Tripods for 4x5

[Patrick Gauthier]

I've been using the dolica proline AX620B100 for my Wista 45n and it has been great. They are cheap and available on amazon.com with amazon prime free 2-day shipping option (if you have amazon prime). I use it with just the ballhead fine because the Wista has a side strap to hold to prevent the camera from falling(EDITIED: when the ballhead screw is released - when it's tight the camera doesn't fall!). I've considered getting a pan head for the dolica, as they are also cheap and available on amazon (as the whole tripod+pan head).

I broke a leg at the mounting because I stuck it in knee-deep snow and foolishly did not account for the outward pressure that the snow places on the legs as they are driven deeper. I replaced the leg no problem. That is my only complaint.

[Scott Davis]

While they're BIG, look into Majestic tripods. No student, no matter how destructive, is going to be able to wreck one, and because they're heavy, they tend to go cheap even with Majestic geared heads.

[Alan Gales]

Early Tiltalls are available on Ebay for less than $100 plus shipping. Look for Marchioni or Leitz. They come with a head. They are sturdy and good for students and much lighter than a Majestic. There is nothing wrong with a Majestic though!

I did once pick up a Berlebach with head off Ebay for around $150. You might look at those also. There is of course Bogan/Manfrotto. Just be careful with the heads. Some of them are plastic crap. I know, I bought a used one from a friend for $100 and put an RZ67 on it. The head actually flexed under the weight of the RZ. I ended up giving it to my Step-son who shoots 35mm. No problem there.

[stawastawa]

I got a Vangaurd Alta series tripod with a ball head for under $200 (carbon fiber legs), Might give Citizens Photo in Portland, OR a call and see if they still have them in stock.
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