5 Tripods for 4x5

[Nicolasllasera]

I need to purchase 5 tripods for 4x5 field cameras. They need to be on the cheap side as I cant afford 5 Gitzos. I own a few tripods already but this is for some students and need 5 exact setups. Tripod and heads dont need to be 10x carbon fiber or super tall, or go down to the ground. Just hold the cameras and not be too bad. I know the forum is full of information on tripods and gear but my approach is something good enough and that wont break the bank. Thanks in advance. I have checked the Benro with a head for 150$. Screen shot included.

[jon.oman]

You can buy a surveyor's tripod at Home Depot for about $100.00. There are adapters available online to attach the camera to the legs. They cost about $20.00. No head, but many do not use one for large format.

[Mark Sampson]

If your cameras are lightweight wooden ones, you might look at the Tiltall sold by B&H. A classic design, I have used my ancient (Marchioni) Tiltall to hold my 7-pound Zone VI.

[Bob Salomon]

If your cameras are lightweight wooden ones, you might look at the Tiltall sold by B&H. A classic design, I have used my ancient (Marchioni) Tiltall to hold my 7-pound Zone VI.

Today's Tiltall from China have very little to do, except for shape, with the Marchioni or the E Leitz version. The construction changed with Star D many, many years ago.

[seezee]

Today's Tiltall from China have very little to do, except for shape, with the Marchioni or the E Leitz version. The construction changed with Star D many, many years ago.

Originals abound on the big auction site with prices averaging around $100 USD. It would be trivial to get 5 of them for a reasonable budget before the OP's class starts.

[Jim Jones]

I haven't tried the Chinese imported Tiltall copies, but have owned the Marchioni, Leitz, and Star D versions. All of them gave fine service with up to a 5x7 B&J with a 500mm lens (in calm wind).

[jp]

I've used a tiltall from about ten years ago and it seems better than most $150 tripods. I've owned the Leitz and Marchioni ones and think highly of them for an affordable and simple tripod.

The Benros are probably decent, but I personally don't like using a ball head with LF. Some people don't mind.

[Jim Andrada]

I never much liked ball heads either but I tried one of the FLM's and really quite like it because you can lock the side-to-side and tilts separately, but for the $$$ the OP is wanting to spend ball heads are pretty much it. Of course you can always not use a head and just control tilt with the tripod legs, but in a class setting that's probably too hard.

[Vaughn]

When I was checking out tripods to students, we went with all Bogan/Manfrotto solid, and as I carried several different sizes, relatively the same size to size. I prefer a tripod that is a little on the heavy side...heavier than the camera, at least.

This is what I would consider minimum for students: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ipod_with.html

I think students need a solid base to work from -- for better images and for the sake of the cameras. It has been awhile since I have had to buy tripods...I am afraid the above might be above your price range -- but they do last and spare parts are available and relatively easy to repair yourself.

[Rick A]

I used to have one of these for my 4x5. I sold it, now have a much heaver set up that I bought for for my 11x14 and now holds my 5x7. They are good tripods and not too heavy, good build quality.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...es_Tripod.html