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Thread: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

  1. #1
    Kirk Gittings's Avatar
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    Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    I haven't looked at buying a new tripod in twenty+ years.

    What is the lightest tripod I can get that will take a Bogen 3047 head (I need interchangeability with my monorail setup) and adequately hold a 4x5 field camera.

    I need to really travel light for my England trip and the VC conference is a good opportunity to view a few and get some bargains.
    Last edited by Kirk Gittings; 5-Jun-2006 at 09:23.
    Thanks,
    Kirk

    at age 73:
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep"

  2. #2
    Eric Biggerstaff
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    Re: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    Kirk,

    I use a Gitzo 1325 CF and a Bogen 410 geared head for my Zone VI and I have really enjoyed it. The Gitzo says it will support up to 26.5 lbs ( who knows, but I have no problems). The Bgen 3047 head should work fine as I used that head for many years.

    This is a nice light system for me.

    Have fun in England.

  3. #3
    tim atherton's Avatar
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    Re: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    Kirk - I also use a Gitzo 1325 (along with a markins smallest sized ballhead) for 8x10 up to about 10lbs and quite easily with a Techikardan or Toyo 45

    In fact fofiled use wih the 4x5 stuff, it's far more than adequate and I could get away with a lighter/smaller gitzo set
    You'd be amazed how small the demand is for pictures of trees... - Fred Astaire to Audrey Hepburn

    www.photo-muse.blogspot.com blog

  4. #4
    Kirk Gittings's Avatar
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    Re: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    Has anyone used the Gitzo G-1257G Mountaineer Reporter. is it too light? The compressed size is very attractive at about 2 feet.

    I like a tripod that sets up about at eye level without the center column extended.
    Thanks,
    Kirk

    at age 73:
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep"

  5. #5
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    Re: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    Kirk, at the moment I have my 3047 attached to a Bogen 3001 leg set. I put them together for a trip - I was able to fit the legs and head (as separate pieces) into my roller suitcase along with my other junk. The 3001 leg set certainly isn't the most robust in the world, but it's reasonably solid. I've used it in the field with my Horseman VH, which is a load comparable to what you'd have with a lightweight 4x5 wood-field like a Tachihara. And it's light (< 4 lb) and cheap (< $100).

  6. #6
    Eric Biggerstaff
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    Re: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    I got the 1325 as I wanted to make sure it would support most anything I would place on it in the future. I am 5 foot 9 inches, so the extended length of the 1325 is fine for me. I very rarely extend the center column when I photograph but when I do I find the non-geared column works well. I think all of these tripods are very nice and would work for you, I wish the anti-rotation tubing was available when I purchased mine (perhaps it was and I did not know, but it seems like a nice feature).

    I switched heads from the 3047 that I used for years as I wanted something that did not have handles sticking out as they would snag when I packed the tripod. The Bogen 410 fit my way of working fine and it is nice and compact. If you are buying a new set of legs you might want to consider looking at a different head as well ( even though I know your current head is great).

    Have fun!
    Eric Biggerstaff

    www.ericbiggerstaff.com

  7. #7
    Ted Harris's Avatar
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    Re: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    Kirk,

    Search earlier threads on this subject and specifically on the Linhoff Profi II. I got one at Bob Salomon's pleased. It meets my primary requirement of being short enough to transport inside a rollaboard carryon case and it easily supports my Toyo AII. It's only drawbackis that it is a bit short fully extended without using the center column but a good tradeoff as far as I am concerned.

  8. #8
    Kirk Gittings's Avatar
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    Re: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    Eric,

    I like all my equipment to interchange without much effort or thinking. The KISS principle always. I like the big hexagon hex plate of the 3047 for eveything, my rail camera, the field camera, hassleblad and 35mm. I have used the 3047 for 25+ years or so and love it. When traveling out of a suitcase, I just unscrew the handles.
    Thanks,
    Kirk

    at age 73:
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep"

  9. #9
    Eric Biggerstaff
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    Re: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    Well there you go! :-)
    Eric Biggerstaff

    www.ericbiggerstaff.com

  10. #10
    Kirk Gittings's Avatar
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    Re: Light weight 4x5 field tripod.

    I used a 3021 for a few years (till a pack horse in Canyon de Chelly decided to ram it into some passing rocks renduring it unusual), but found it lacking in many ways.

    I curently use a Bogen3251/3047 for commercial work and wouldn't trade it for anything.

    What about the Bogen carbon fibers?
    Thanks,
    Kirk

    at age 73:
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep"

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