I know next to nothing about tripods. Seeking tips suitable for Pentax 67

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I am in need of a tripod for my Pentax 67. I actually have never owned a tripod given no previous need for one. I do not need anything spectacular and would prefer to keep cost down to no more than US$200 for a used tripod (if possible). Can anyone recommend a specific make and model for something that can cope with the weight of a 67? Ideally a ball head. Sure, I have looked at multiple makes and checked their weight capacities but would appreciate a real world use recommendation. It does not need to be light weight since I would never really travel or hike with it, just after an affordable tripod that can cope with the 67 for general use.
 
Heavy is vital, with a good spread at the base, the 67 when tilted into portrait orientation with lens can seriously unsettle a tripod.

I use a Manfrotto 055XPRO3 with MXPRO-BHQ2 ball head. It copes with the 67 and my Linhof. I think I paid about £150 new for it in the UK last year, but as to secondhand availability where you are, no idea!
 
I use a Gitzo G-340 with Arca Swiss ballhead with quick release plates . You can control the friction of the ballhead which is ideal . I bought it new in 1997 , but I think you won't find it easily secondhand .
 
It takes a serious ballhead to handle a Pentax 67. That's a lot of weight leveraging out from the center. So a large RRS, Arca, Acra- run you $300-600 just for the head? Using a ballhead that isn't capable of handling the weight will drive you crazy- keeping any movement to just one axis is tricky.

Leitz Tiltall-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiltall-Le...389630&hash=item1cc47d6ea4:g:r84AAOSwNqRcG~qa

Ignore the seller's note about there being no head. The head is built in. Sure, no bells and whistles. Just a solid, simple 3-axis tripod. You can add a Manfrotto or Arca quick release adapter onto the top plate if you want; these will run $10-40-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/QR-120-Cla...581629?hash=item1a5db9683d:g:Rh0AAOSwwZxcCWGL


Look for an Arca L-bracket for the Pentax 67 if they make one (or use a general purpose L-brakcet if it will fit). I've found this to be the best way to handle sideways camera orientation rather than hanging the camera off the side of the head. Something like this? You'd need to check dimensions for your camera to see if the screw hole will work-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genesis-Ba...104468?hash=item25f9585054:g:308AAOSwFURb0ydi

I'm just grabbing things from Ebay, not checking to see if they would actually work in your situation.
 
Another Manfrotto 055 sugestion, I have owned mine for years over twenty I think and have used it with everything upto 10x8. I use an old head with each movement controlled by a seperate knob don't know which one it is though. I bought mine used aswell and I think you can find them easily on the auction site, just a case of finding one near you so you can collect as it may cost a small fortune to post.
 
If you don't mind buying an older/heavier tripod look for a suitable Gitzo. Their early tripods are very well made but a bit heavier being aluminium. I still have my Gitzo Reporter bought secondhand in 1980 and still use it - no spares to date, just periodic cleaning and lubricating. There are Studex amd similar models from Gitzo which command quite reasonable prices and which will hold a Pentax 67 easily. If you want something lighter/newer you will simply have to spend more.
 
Do you have a grip on that Pentax? The grip completely transforms the camera and makes it wonderfull to use handheld. Even at very slow speeds. I shot Pentax 67 for a decade and love the camera.

It´s not a tripod camera IMO
 
I recommend saving up a bit more and getting a gear head with Arca quick-release plates. The heavier the gear the more valuable a gear head becomes. Very small changes in tilt are easy to achieve. The gear head saved me a lot of time and frustration. I will never us a ball-head again. However, I used my tripod 3-6 times a week for gigs. For occasional use a less expensive head may make sense.

A bubble level is also indispensable. The bubble level can be on the gear head or it could be located on the camera. I never used the bubble level located on my tripod.

Many mentioned a sturdy tripod, which is great advice. One advantage is you can attach external lens flags, and, or square-filter systems.
 
i don't think there are any tripods that meet your requirements ($200, ballhead, good for a pentax 67).

what would you rather compromise on: price or ballhead?
 
As others have said, look at the Manfrotto 055 series tripods. The basics haven't changed over the years so an older used one is fine. You need a decent head. Cheap ones sag a little after you adjust them - which will drive you nuts if you're a pedant about framing!
 
Another vote for Arca-type quick release plates (e.g. Really Right Stuff, Kirk...), and the L-plate if you want a stable setup for vertical shots. I don't use a Pentax 67. My biggest camera for this type of use is a Mamiya 7. My heaviest camera is square format, so no vertical orientation needed.

From a post above "I use an old head with each movement controlled by a separate knob don't know which one it is though." These are good and probably findable second hand. A QR plate can probably be fitted.

The advantage of the Arca-pattern QR plates is that they are a firm fit to the body unlike some that have rubber or cork (presumably to protect the finish of the body) but they allow slight movement.
 
I use a 1980s era Gitzo Inter Pro Studex tripod, model 1340. It easily supports the Pentax 67. Made of aluminum and quite heavy, it has 3-section legs and wing lock-offs on the platform and top tube. Legs can be individually set at 3 different angles, great for uneven terrain when shooting outdoors. You might be able to find one used somewhere. Try to find one with a center post, as these were sold separately from the legs.

I've tried various heads, and always found a ball head frustrating to use with any precision when shooting with the Pentax 67. So I use a Manfrotto 410 3-way geared head, modified with a Hejnar Arca-type conversion to accommodate Arca-Swiss style plates that mount to the base of the camera.

Good luck, and have fun.
 
Ball heads really aren't great for heavy cameras. You need a heavy pan-tilt head like a Manfrotto 3047. Manfrotto makes some great aluminum tripods that will hold the 6x7 well. I have an old Manfrotto 3011 with the 30147 head that I bought new when I was 15 years old. That's 28 years ago! It still works perfectly today, and i have used it for heavy hasselblads and monorail view cameras with absolutely no issues. You can get a used set like that for less than $100 if you shop carefully.
 
I've got some tripods around here that are older than Chris, and I've had them just about as long. But their problem is they don't have quick release plates, so that's something you need to consider.

See if you can find one with a hook to hang your camera bag from so it won't topple when using a long lens, or in high wind.

I found a Manfrotto 3221 with a 3047 head (which takes the six sided quick release plate) just before Christmas, and it was only $85, so bargains can be had.

PF
 
I think the value of a quick-release head depends on the shooting style of the photographer.

In my own case, when I shoot on a tripod, I shoot on a tripod. I don't go back and forth between tripod and hand-holding, so quick-release has no advantage for me. It may or may not be important for the OP.

- Murray
 
Good points Murray. I can see the advantages, but it is yet another piece of kit that can get mislaid, or left on another camera. It is also a royal PITA when you have a Hasselblad that also has a quick release plate, so you end up with two unnecessary things to cart around.
 
If you are OK with the Leitz Tiltall ideas above, there are also knockoff copies available.
I bought a Star-D Tiltall copy at a camera show for $25. Works great with my Hasselblads.
Irving Penn used the Leitz Tiltall with his Rolleiflexes.

There is something to be said for ease of mobility in this size. As long as it is solid.
 
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