Light tripod for Barnack system

[presspass]

I already have more tripods than I use, but i "need" another one. I would like to find a lightweight, small tripod for a Barnack system. The cameras are IIIa and IIIc. The heaviest lens is a Canon 135 3.5 and/or a Visoflex II with a 200 f4.0. I would prefer info from people who own and use the tripod they suggest, but all suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DoxLeica]

The Herbert Keppler "ideal spec" tripod is the Velbon max I 343E with an excellent mini ball head. This is out of production but can show up on eBay now-and-then. I looked two years to find one after I gifted a friend with the one I had. A clone is the Optex DPT175 which adds a few features. It has a traditional ball head and quick release setup that, to me, just gets in the way. Either will work fine.

 

[DoxLeica]

Oops...the Optex has a traditional tripod head not a ball head. It can be replaced with any small ball head if you wish.

 

[Gerry M]

Probably not the lightest/smallest. I use a small (not carbon) Gitzo with Sirui G10X ball head. This measures 18.5" collapsed and weighs ~3.5 lbs. Very sturdy with small camera & lens. I use it with M bodies & Rolleiflex's.

 

[nikon_sam]

I have two versions of this tripod...one with spiked feet, one without...
They are fairly lightweight and very sturdy...they are old school but if you can find one they're worth it...I paid a few bucks at a thrift store...ebay might have some too...
You can't see it in the photos but the center column is geared...

 

[Livesteamer]

Don't forget the Leitz table top tripod. I have one with a small no name ball head in a leather zipper bag with a self timer that screws onto the shutter release. It has been very useful. Joe

 

[besk]

All tripods are compromises. The Sirui T-025X carbon fiber tripod with the C-105 head
is the lightest, smallest tripod I have seen to date at about 2 lbs and about 14 inches folded. Cost about $200 and well worth it. The head is nice but I have a RRS head that I like better.

Just returned from a trip to eastern Europe with one purchased just before leaving. I used it with my Rolleiflex and a small digital P&S.

 

[rbiemer]

The Herbert Keppler "ideal spec" tripod is the Velbon max I 343E with an excellent mini ball head. This is out of production but can show up on eBay now-and-then. I looked two years to find one after I gifted a friend with the one I had. A clone is the Optex DPT175 which adds a few features. It has a traditional ball head and quick release setup that, to me, just gets in the way. Either will work fine.

I bought one of these shortly after reading an article by Mr. Keppler about them. I'm still well pleased with it. I've used it with all my RF cameras over the years and it worked pretty well with my TLR cameras, too. Too small for my Arax 60 😀 and didn't do well with any bigger SLR cameras with lenses much bigger than a 50.

Rob

 

[Iestrada]

If a table top model is an option, give the Minolta table top model a look. It is very similar to the Leica table top model and it comes with a usable head on it. It can be had for a fraction of the cost of a Leica one. It was sold as an accessory for the Minolta CLE, a rangefinder.

 

[Robert Lai]

I own a Gitzo travel tripod, just for its light weight. Mine is the 1541 which is discontinued, but I there is a successor model called the 1542.

Carbon fiber, 4 sections per leg. I use an Arca-Swiss Monoball P0.
The entire setup is very rigid, and usable even for my motor driven SLRs with lenses up to 200mm. It's not rigid enough for a 300mm lens though.

The legs and ballhead weigh under 5 lbs in total, which makes it easy to carry when hiking. I use the shortened column (you can also change it to have no column), which allows you to get down to 4 inches off the ground for those macro shots. Yet, it also rises high enough to put the camera viewfinder up to my eye level. I am 5' 10".

 

[Bill Clark]

Would a monopod work. I use one when hiking.

Just a thought to help.

 

[presspass]

Thanks for the responses. I should have mentioned that I already have a Leitz tabletop tripod and ball head as well as a lightweight Manfrotto monopod. The Sirui looks interesting and I will check that out.

 

[Dralowid]

I already have more tripods than I use, but i "need" another one. I would like to find a lightweight, small tripod for a Barnack system. The cameras are IIIa and IIIc. The heaviest lens is a Canon 135 3.5 and/or a Visoflex II with a 200 f4.0. I would prefer info from people who own and use the tripod they suggest, but all suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Viso II, 200 Telyt and camera demands something fairly substantial. Is the point of balance closest to the Viso or the Telyt tripod bush (if the 200 has a bush that is)?

When I used to use such a set up I found a small bean bag/cushion really useful but it is not something you'd want to carry about on your person.

 

[besk]

The Sirui has a provision to hang weights under it to increase stability
when needed. I hung 15 lbs under mine when doing 3 shot panoramic
shots.

 

[presspass]

The Viso II LTM with a IIIa and the 200 is not much heavier than the 135 Canon. The Viso and the 200 both have tripod mounts attached. If you mount the tripod on the 200 (I think, I'll have to look at it tonight), there's a release that allows the camera and Viso to rotate 90 degrees for a vertical shot.