Best tripod for a Medium format camera under 300 new or used? ?

[Carterofmars]

Looking for a very sturdy wind resistant tripod for my Mamiya 7 and Bessa III. Looking for suggestions/advice for a good quality tripod under $300.00USD.

New or Used doesn't matter as long as good quality.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

There are a LOT of good under $300 tripods that will easily hold a lightweight MF camera like the Mamiya 7 or Bessa III steady. Look at some of the Manfrottos, the aluminum ones. I have two 3011 leg sets and a 3021N. They've changed the numbers now, so I cannot remember what they're called, but my oldest 3011 works like new after 20 years of hard daily use. I only had trouble in wind once with my Manfrottos, and that was in a wind so strong that it actually blew ME over. The models I have are medium-weight tripods, cost about $180 for the legs plus $50-100 for a head, depending on what head you buy.

 

[Carterofmars]

There are a LOT of good under $300 tripods that will easily hold a lightweight MF camera like the Mamiya 7 or Bessa III steady. Look at some of the Manfrottos, the aluminum ones. I have two 3011 leg sets and a 3021N. They've changed the numbers now, so I cannot remember what they're called, but my oldest 3011 works like new after 20 years of hard daily use. I only had trouble in wind once with my Manfrottos, and that was in a wind so strong that it actually blew ME over. The models I have are medium-weight tripods, cost about $180 for the legs plus $50-100 for a head, depending on what head you buy.

Do you think a Gitzo GT0541 Tripod paired with a Gitzo G1077M head is adaquate for my Medium gear Chris?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/259963-REG/Gitzo_G1077M_G1077M_Magnesium_Center_Ball.html


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Gitzo+GT0541&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The head is a little lightweight for that, and the legs are pretty light ones designed to fold up small. They have 4 section legs instead of the usual 3 sections. That makes them less stable if something heavy is on them. For something like the Mamiya 645 SLRs or a Hasselblad (those are the systems I have), its definitely too lightweight. Might be ok for the rangefinders you want to use, they and their lenses are not too heavy, but in wind, I don't know. If you are buying locally where you can look at one with your cameras on it, might be ok, but I'd be afraid to buy online and find it is too light for what you want. If you get from B&H, you can return it if you see it won't work as long as you haven't actually used it to shoot with (so its not scratched up and dirty, lol). I bought a Manfrotto head from them a couple yrs ago and didn't realize it was made of crappy plastic (totally unacceptable for something as expensive as it was, the older model of it had been metal). B&H took it back with no problems.

 

[Carterofmars]

How about a Manfrotto ART 058 Tripod & Manfrotto 160 View Head? Is that over kill? I can get one locally here in NYC for about 250.00.

I will go over to B&H though... not a bad idea.

 

[bwcolor]

If you can go to B&H then problem solved. Just go...

 

[imokruok]

Yeah, if you can go and try things out, by all means! But you can get A LOT of tripod for $300 new, and even more used.

I have an old Tilt All tripod that I got for $10 off of Craig's List - it's heavy and doesn't travel with me. But for local stuff, I'll throw it in the trunk and don't care if it gets beat up. I feel like I could sit on it and it would be stable (although that might be rather painful.)

 

[peter_n]

It's a good idea to try tripods out, there are variations in design and you'll have preferences. No tripod is really "wind resistant" and it's trade-off between weight and stability. Modern tripods are pretty amazing, with carbon fiber and anti-rotation leg designs, low weight and good stability. The Chinese companies have really come along in the last few years and you can get brands like Feisol and Benro at good cost savings directly from China through eBay dealers. Try to find a tripod that's suitable for your height without too much extension of the center column and that will help with stability. Best to get a tripod without any center column if you can.

 

[degruyl]

I really like induro tripods. I have three. Good price, good weight, and excellent stability (and they use collar locks).

Their aluminum tripods are inexpensive. Carbon is competitively priced.

I'd also second staying away from undersized tripods, not because of how heavy your cameras are (they aren't) but because wind has an effect, and the beefier the tripod the better it works.

 

[marduk]

My Gitzo 1228 MkIII cost $275 used (without head), it's a classic and one of Gitzo's most popular models - make sure to check it. They pop up once in a while on the LF forum for sale section.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Light, cheap. stable: choose any two.

Check out Redged: the best compromise I know. As they say themselves, '90% as good as Gitzo, at half the price." If you can afford it, Gitzo. If not, Redged.

Cheers,

R.

 

[peter_n]

I really like induro tripods. I have three. Good price, good weight, and excellent stability (and they use collar locks).

Induro is made by Benro and is a somewhat "upscale" brand with marketing and distribution costs in the US.

 

[Matus]

I am not sure whether you can get stable AND light tripod for under $300 - in particular if you also need a head.

A used gitzo could be an option - maybe something like 1227 or some of their older alu models.

For new gear I have very good experience with Feisol and Photo-Clam ball heads. The heads are light AND strong and have very reasonable price - check over at reallybigcameras.com. I use the size 33 or 36 and it holds my lightweight 4x5 camera without problems. Your mamiya 7 would be no problem at all.

You could get a new Feisol and new Photo-Clamm for about $350 give or take. I have the CT-3442 and it is nearly an overkill for Mamiya 7 (I use it with 4x5" and it is fine). For me this is the lightest combination and the tripod folds small enough to fit in carry-on luggage when necessary (I did that already).

I have both the tripod and the head for about 2 years and they do a credible job. Steve over at really big cameras is a nice and helpful guy.

 

[Bluedog2212]

tripod

tripod

The big thing is how far you plan to carry the tripod. Chris is right about 4 section, I would say 3 section at the most.
I have several Feisols, the only one I like is the one with a hook under the center column where I can hang my backpack for more stability.

In short walks, I am coming around to the Reis, which is the best for quick setup, and, being wood, has no vibration problems. It is also quite $$.
Heavy is good for shooting, not so good for carrying.
I really don't care for the twist locks on the telescoping legs, especially in cold weather, but perfection is elusive.