Please recommend a good tripod...

[david.elliott]

Peter and ederek -

Thanks guys! I think I will definitely go for that model gitzo.

I currently have a manfrotto 190xprob and while I like it a lot, it can be a bit heavy to lug around in the summer heat all day. The humidity here is pretty awful. I have the manfrotto junior geared head on it. I think that makes it around 7-8 pounds total.

I figure having a lighter gitzo and ballhead will be great for my macro photos (e-p2 and 50/4 takumar) and should also support my leica and even my rolleiflex.

I'll keep the manfrotto in case I get a hasselblad - which is probably too heavy for the gitzo traveler?

Ideally I'll have (1) a lightweight tripod and ball head for carrying around in the heat and also for traveling and (2) more sturdy tripod and geared head for when I need more stability and precision.

 

[FrozenInTime]

The Gitzo traveller is okay with light Hasselblad setup e.g a SWC or a 500 series and 60/80/100mm lens and WLF.

I remember the Flexbody with 150mm being right on the edge - and I had use my bag as a weight on the hook to keep it grounded.
I normally use a 1228 with the acrotech level base for this.

 

[david.elliott]

Nice - that's good to hear about the hasselblad setup. Thanks.

Doesn't really seem to be any love in that thread for the bh-30. Barely discussed even.

It looks like for the markins q3t, you can't just use rrs camera plates directly because it has the markins lever release clamp on top. You'd have to remove it and replace it with a rrs lever release clamp. Is that correct? If so, I'll probably just go with the bh-30 even though the ballhead doesn't have any drag when released.

edit - I think I was mistaken above. It looks like you can use rrs plates on the markins clamp. So what was the point in that thread of replacing it with a rrs one?

 

[peter_n]

It looks like for the markins q3t, you can't just use rrs camera plates directly because it has the markins lever release clamp on top. You'd have to remove it and replace it with a rrs lever release clamp. Is that correct? If so, I'll probably just go with the bh-30 even though the ballhead doesn't have any drag when released.

edit - I think I was mistaken above. It looks like you can use rrs plates on the markins clamp. So what was the point in that thread of replacing it with a rrs one?

David, the Arca Swiss quick release system is unfortunately not a dimensional standard. So while some clamps will work with many plates, others will not. RRS clamps will only work with RRS and Wimberley plates - there is content to this effect on the RRS web site. I believe this is a business decision; RRS want you to use their plates. The RRS products are of very high quality but the L-plates in particular are very expensive. Yes you can put an RRS clamp on a Markins ballhead. Why would you do that? Because RRS makes "the best clamps/plates". Just like Leica makes the best cameras and Gitzo the best tripods. It's the brand talking. OTOH I'm sure that if you have an RRS clamp and plate combination you'll have a very secure connection; as I said RRS products are good.

My personal preference is for screw knob Markins clamps, I was buying them long before their ballheads became seriously good. Both lever and screw Markins clamps will work with a variety of plates - I have 5 or 6 different brands. If you decide on a Markins Q3T ballhead and a different brand clamp you should know that Markins uses red Loctite to seal the clamp onto the ball stem stud. They will remove it for you prior to shipping; they are very customer oriented. I do recommend this ballhead, the way the ball tension/lock works has to be experienced to be understood; there's really nothing like it in it's size/load range.

 

[Roger Hicks]

You can have cheap, light, solid and well made, but not all four. The best compromise in my view is a redged TSC-424 carbon fibre (www.redged.com), preferably with Novoflex or small Arca-Swiss head, and a QTop as the icing on the cake.

Cheers,

R.

 

[funkpilz]

Manfrotto 190x pro b. Couldn't be happier, it's the ideal compromise between weight and stability. It's rock solid with a 35mm camera and even a heavy TLR, but anything upwards of MF SLRs is probably a bit much.
But then there's the problem of which head to get…

 

[FrozenInTime]

David, the Arca Swiss quick release system is unfortunately not a dimensional standard. So while some clamps will work with many plates, others will not. RRS clamps will only work with RRS and Wimberley plates - there is content to this effect on the RRS web site. I believe this is a business decision; RRS want you to use their plates. The RRS products are of very high quality but the L-plates in particular are very expensive.

RSS are right ba****ds. They have engineered their clamps to close slightly less than everyone else's.
I never has a problem mixing and matching Arca style plates and clamps until I bought a RRS head.
The RRS would clamp okay on RSS and Kirk plates but not Novoflex.
The RRS plate worked fine on RSS, Gitzo with GS5160CDT, Kirk and Novoflex.

I sold the RRS head - and in the future don't intend to buy from them.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Manfrotto 190x pro b. Couldn't be happier, it's the ideal compromise between weight and stability. It's rock solid with a 35mm camera and even a heavy TLR, but anything upwards of MF SLRs is probably a bit much.
But then there's the problem of which head to get…

Stable, sure, and well made, but HEAVY. Then again, (relatively) inexpensive. Everyone's compromise is different. The truth is that any good tripod will last for decades, so it's just a question of how much you want to pay per year. One of my Gitzos, I bought new 30 years ago.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ederek]

<snip>My personal preference is for screw knob Markins clamps, I was buying them long before their ballheads became seriously good. Both lever and screw Markins clamps will work with a variety of plates - I have 5 or 6 different brands. If you decide on a Markins Q3T ballhead and a different brand clamp you should know that Markins uses red Loctite to seal the clamp onto the ball stem stud. They will remove it for you prior to shipping; they are very customer oriented. I do recommend this ballhead, the way the ball tension/lock works has to be experienced to be understood; there's really nothing like it in it's size/load range.

Spot on Peter! Was going to comment about the screw-style, then read here it is your preference. I like the speed and convenience of clamps, but the screw-style has its benefits as well.

When I bought the Q-10 ball from Markins, I requested on the order form that they not use the loctite. They did this and I removed the screw clamp that came with it and put on an RRS w/ spirit level.

I re-used the Markins clamp on a little "base-pod" that works quite well, will have to post some pics of that.

I like the look of that Acratech leveling base, I'm going to look into a leveling base for the G1228.

The Acratech leveling base is the only difference in my larger gitzo setup from yours. I also removed the center column and use the Markins base (TB-20 I think). Great setup for quick leveling, you'll love it!

Peter and ederek -

Thanks guys! I think I will definitely go for that model gitzo.
<snip>
I figure having a lighter gitzo and ballhead will be great for my macro photos (e-p2 and 50/4 takumar) and should also support my leica and even my rolleiflex.
<snip>
Ideally I'll have (1) a lightweight tripod and ball head for carrying around in the heat and also for traveling and (2) more sturdy tripod and geared head for when I need more stability and precision.

There are many great tripods out there, but I think you'll be very pleased with this choice for years to come.

I also have 2 systems, one mid-duty and then the traveler.

A note about the traveler is that when in the Gitzo case for it, it fits perfectly inside the Thinktank International Traveler (V2.0), so it complements my overall travel setup well.

<snip>
It looks like for the markins q3t, you can't just use rrs camera plates directly because it has the markins lever release clamp on top. You'd have to remove it and replace it with a rrs lever release clamp. Is that correct? If so, I'll probably just go with the bh-30 even though the ballhead doesn't have any drag when released.

edit - I think I was mistaken above. It looks like you can use rrs plates on the markins clamp. So what was the point in that thread of replacing it with a rrs one?

I removed the Markins clamp on the larger Q-10 and went with a RRS lever clamp w/ spirit level. On the Q3T, the stock Markins clamp looks great and I'd leave it as-is. The Markins clamps work just fine with RRS plates. The point may have been that at the time the post was written, Markins may not have had a clamp style available.

RRS makes some great stuff, but given the same $ and weight between the BH-30 (which was also designed to pair with the Gitzo Traveler) and Q3T, I'd go with the Q3T, as it will give you better tension when not locked down, allowing the camera to be moved with some pressure, then you can let it go without tightening the ball any more and the friction will keep it from moving.

If you want the lightest setup, the BH-25 is a great choice...

 

[peter_n]

RSS are right ba****ds. They have engineered their clamps to close slightly less than everyone else's.
I never has a problem mixing and matching Arca style plates and clamps until I bought a RRS head.
The RRS would clamp okay on RSS and Kirk plates but not Novoflex.
The RRS plate worked fine on RSS, Gitzo with GS5160CDT, Kirk and Novoflex.

I don't like this either but to be fair to RRS they are explicit about it on their web site. See the red text on this lever clamp page. I also stay away from RRS but I like their L-plates so I bought one used for my Fuji S5 dSLR for 1/3 of the price on eBay.

I like clamps that make it difficult for a camera to accidentally slide out. AFAIK only Acratech, Markins and Photo Clam make such clamps. They have a small spring-loaded detent pin that sticks out of the clamp's top surface that catches in the underside cut-outs of a plate. It's impossible for a camera to slide out of the clamp if the vise becomes a little loose. The RRS clamps have relief areas for plates that have stop screws but their L-plates are not threaded for safety stops. Carrying an extended tripod on your shoulder with an RRS clamp and a RRS L-plate is an accident waiting to happen...

 

[ederek]

<snip>
I like clamps that make it difficult for a camera to accidentally slide out. AFAIK only Acratech, Markins and Photo Clam make such clamps. They have a small spring-loaded detent pin that sticks out of the clamp's top surface that catches in the underside cut-outs of a plate. It's impossible for a camera to slide out of the clamp if the vise becomes a little loose. The RRS clamps have relief areas for plates that have stop screws but their L-plates are not threaded for safety stops. Carrying an extended tripod on your shoulder with an RRS clamp and a RRS L-plate is an accident waiting to happen...

It's an excellent point and I figured this was why you preferred the screw-style clamps. Knock on vulcanite, hope I don't have an accident.

One caution with the spring-loaded detent pin you mentioned. Last week was using the Markins screw clamp that is on the "Base-pod", and I attached the M9 w/ RRS B-9 plate (small square one). Tightened it up, and before I moved on, did a quick visual inspection. The moving clamp face had actually pushed the plate against the side of the detent pin (inside a cutout area in the plate), not the stationary clamp surface (could see a small gap). Little risk w/ the Base-pod holding camera only 2" from ground, but still....

 

[ChipMcD]

Ries

Ries

They may be a bit more than you are looking for, but Ries wood tripods are great. I have one with an Arca Swiss ball head (which is an overkill head for 35mm) and have carried it all over the place. It doesn't collapse to tiny proportions, but wood is light and very stable. I've used this tripod for all sorts of 35mm and medium format cameras. They are not inexpensive, nor is an Arca Swill ball head, but both are built to last.

 

[peter_n]

One caution with the spring-loaded detent pin you mentioned. Last week was using the Markins screw clamp that is on the "Base-pod", and I attached the M9 w/ RRS B-9 plate (small square one). Tightened it up, and before I moved on, did a quick visual inspection. The moving clamp face had actually pushed the plate against the side of the detent pin (inside a cutout area in the plate), not the stationary clamp surface (could see a small gap). Little risk w/ the Base-pod holding camera only 2" from ground, but still....

Interesting point. I keep the clamps barely open to take a plate and top load them. I've also painted gold index marks on the clamps to match with an index mark on the plates. It's very quick to load and unload and I haven't had an issue like yours yet but I'll keep it in mind. Can't be too careful! 🙂

I exchanged emails with Markins a while back moaning about the lack of index marks on the clamps and they now have them on the lever clamps. They tell me that the screw clamps will have them eventually too.

 

[david.elliott]

Thanks for all the help and explanations guys! You're all awesome.

I just placed an order for the Markins Q3T with lever release. I'll order the traveler tomorrow night and also some camera plates. Very excited. 😀

By the way, do you know if the tripod and ballhead will fit in the gitzo traveler tripod case?

Thanks.

 

[peter_n]

By the way, do you know if the tripod and ballhead will fit in the gitzo traveler tripod case?

If you're talking about the Gitzo GC1201T yes it fits. There is also the smaller (and discontinued) Gitzo GE10P which I have and don't like but if you must have small Vanbar Imaging in Australia still carry it but at a ridiculous price. Finally there is the Case Logic medium tripod case which some users like. Personally I like the Domke F-427 tripod bag which is small enough for the travelers and big enough for my G1228 plus ballhead.

 

[david.elliott]

I meant the GC1201T. I'll go with that one since I have a larger case already for my manfrotto tripod.

Thanks again Peter!

 

[ederek]

By the way, do you know if the tripod and ballhead will fit in the gitzo traveler tripod case?

Congrats on the head purchase! I would say YES, it will fit.

Did a quick google search and there are images of your exact setup, folded and ready for travel, here:
http://adaynotwasted.com/2010/08/the-perfect-travel-tripod/

That link shows it will be 17 and 1/8" long when folded. The tripod itself is just over 16" folded.

I looked at the traveler sitting in my GC1201T case, and there is about 3/4 to 1" of space inside between the end of the legs and the inside of the case. I have the BH-25 which is shorter than the Q3T, so the clamp sits inside the legs (touches the rubber of the last leg extension). The Q3T puts the clamp just outside the legs, and my guess is you'll have a snug but comfortable fit - perhaps even 'perfect'. 😀

pkr - yikes! The head in this particular configuration is nestled within the folding legs of the tripod (they fold over backward over the center column and head when folded for travel). With the Q3T head, the clamp on the head will be exposed outside the feet, so there is a bit of risk to the post on the ball holding the clamp if dropped hard on the end. The nice thing about this setup is that the tripod, with head and clamp installed, should fit inside a travel case.

 

[david.elliott]

Awesome. Thanks. I like the photo at the end of that link. 🙂

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

I use a Bolex tripod. They are robust, low vibration and relatively light (under 4 kg). They were made to support a H16 cine camera--- weight ~ 2 1/2 kg for the body + objectives (including some very heavy telephotos) + motor + up to 400ft of film etc.-- and thus quite sufficient for any 35mm, MF or LF photo camera one would think of using. The rapid attachment device (quick release) on the pan head is also very quick, strong, robust and torsionally rigid. Wooden tripods are nice but much heavier.
While the current model Bolex "Super Stix" sells for around $1500 USD without a head, used Bolex tripods can be found relatively inexpensively on the 2nd hand market. Since they don't use a tubular construction they tend to hold up very well to abuse, strain and wear: there are no plastic to break, tubes to dent, guides to jam from dirt or tube locks to slip.

 

[ederek]

Thanks for the "heads-up"..

<snip>So, I was watching my lighting, tripod, long lenses, cameras, checked film and clothing in flight. These guys threw everything. My gear was okay, the cases were amazing (zero-halliburton).<snip>.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

n/p..

The terror!!! Not good when your luggage takes flight before you do! 😱 Those cases are just short of amazing. I have a Zero briefcase from my days at the 'ole Radio Ranch, hand-carrying $15k design models.

Thanks for the link, that was hilarious! The 3 airline workers, and 3 dudes in sombreros are great. Miss Irlweg is hot. Just the laugh I needed after viewing James Nachtwey images linked in the Camera Work THREAD.