lxmike
M2 fan.
its been a while since I last used a tripod, street shooting with rangefinders over the last few years meant I have not used a tripod for a while, however, now that I have acquired a Bronica SQ-A I am in the market for a tripod again. Cash is limited and I do not mind buying second hand, does anyone have any recommendations for a good tripod to look out for. Thanks in advance for any help
Swift1
Veteran
I use a Slik Pro 400 for all my cameras.
It's a little heavy, but it's never let me down in 6 years.
It's a little heavy, but it's never let me down in 6 years.
lxmike
M2 fan.
hI swift1, thanks for the recommendation, Ive seen your work and I really admire your craft, i will take a look at the Silk pro 400
kuvvy
Well-known
Got a carbon fibre one Mike. Had it about 18 months and never used it. I'll dig it out and let you know the spec and see if it's suitable for you.
Paul
Paul
lxmike
M2 fan.
hey Paul mate hope you are well, hows the picture taking going at the moment, please do not feel under any pressure regarding the tripod,
good to hear from you mate, cheers Mick
twopointeight
Well-known
After a dozen tripods over the years I'm down to two. Arca Swiss aluminum model for the studio or Canon gear. And a smaller carbon fiber one from Gitzo which I use with a Leitz ball head for my Fuji Xpro1 bodies. Sorry no model numbers at the moment. Just to say, get a great tripod, one you can love to use. For small cameras and fixed focal lenses the small but tall Gitzo carbon fibers is the way to go. Pricey!! But so is that rangefinder.
Samouraï
Well-known
I'd highly recommend a carbon fibre tripod from Really Right Stuff (RRS). Made in USA, super high-quality. A little pricey, but I think you get more for your money than you do from someone like Gitzo.
kuvvy
Well-known
Doing okay Mick. Hope you're getting on well with the Xpro. Unfortunately I had to sell my Xpro and lenses, thanks to David Cameron and pals. Now using my X100.
taemo
eat sleep shoot
I own 2 tripods
main is a MeFoto Globe Trotter, it's tall enough for me (5'8"), folds very small and can hold all my cameras from the Ricoh GR to a Toyo 45CF.
It's my travel camera and weights 3.7lbs.
however when I want to travel really light, I bought a Sirui T-025X, very small and light at under 2lbs, it can hold my GSW690III no problem so that's good enough for me.
main is a MeFoto Globe Trotter, it's tall enough for me (5'8"), folds very small and can hold all my cameras from the Ricoh GR to a Toyo 45CF.
It's my travel camera and weights 3.7lbs.
however when I want to travel really light, I bought a Sirui T-025X, very small and light at under 2lbs, it can hold my GSW690III no problem so that's good enough for me.
kxl
Social Documentary
Start with weight requirements and your budget. I would recommend a carbon fiber tripod that meets the weight requirements and fits within your budget.
First, look at products from Gitzo; secondly look at Feisol -- was an upstart brand a few years ago that had gained a foothold in the mainstream -- their products are now being sold by B&H. I have one of their travel pods.
First, look at products from Gitzo; secondly look at Feisol -- was an upstart brand a few years ago that had gained a foothold in the mainstream -- their products are now being sold by B&H. I have one of their travel pods.
leica M2 fan
Veteran
I still only use the Slik Universal 212AF I got maybe 25 years ago. It has never let me down.
I use a smaller tripod for tabletop work- the Slik Sprint Mini II and I have a Bogen monopod and a Giotto Monopad and I don't need anything else.
I use a Vanguard SBH 250 head on both tripods and the monopods and works admirably on all.
I use a smaller tripod for tabletop work- the Slik Sprint Mini II and I have a Bogen monopod and a Giotto Monopad and I don't need anything else.
I use a Vanguard SBH 250 head on both tripods and the monopods and works admirably on all.
mrtoml
Mancunian
I would also check out Slik. I have a 700 model for LF work. They are good value.
lxmike
M2 fan.
sorry to hear you have had to let the xpro go, but gald to hear you are still shooting with the x100
lxmike
M2 fan.
lxmike
M2 fan.
lxmike
M2 fan.
I remember years ago Silk made really good tripods built to last
lxmike
M2 fan.
silk 700. it seems that silk are a popular manufacturer I will definitely have a look at their product range
taemo
eat sleep shoot
both my tripods can hold my gsw690 with no problem so yes, it can hold your bronica.
but like what someone mentioned earlier, check your weight, height and budget requirement.
i had an rrs tripod prior to the mefoto and while great and solid, it was too big and bukky for my need, sold it and bought the mefoto for half the price.
but my need might be different than yours
Godfrey
somewhat colored
The Bronica SQ-A is much akin to my Hasselblad 500CM in size, weight, and vibration characteristics. You need a good sturdy tripod for these cameras... I consider it an essential.
I have 85, 120, and 150mm lenses for the 'Blad, and a 45 degree prism finder, so I needed something that can comfortably handle about a 4-6 lb camera assembly at least. I have a Kirk Photo Arca-Swiss camera plate semi-permanently bolted to the body. I don't need a huge amount of elevation since I use the camera mostly at chest to waist level heights.
My light duty field tripod is a set of Manfrotto 190CXpro3 carbon-fibre legs fitted with an Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 and Really Right Stuff lever action quick-release clamp. This is a very sturdy middle-size tripod that can handle up to 10-13 lbs without strain and folds compactly, weighs about 3.2 lbs total.
My "heavyweight" tripod is a set of Feisol CT3442 Tournament legs with the same head. It weighs in at about 1.2 lbs heavier, folds to a similar size, and gains about 18" in elevation. It can handle up to 20lbs worth of camera gear.
There are plenty of other similar quality legs on the market, Benro and Gitzo also made similar legs of high quality. The RRS legs are beautiful but very pricey, just like the FLM legs.
To me, the head is the critical part ... it's relatively easy to find legs that are sturdy enough and work well, but the head is what I have to fuss with all the time. I bought the Monoball P0 recently and I'm very glad I did: it's a delight to use and amazingly sturdy for its weight and size.
None of this stuff is cheap, but I've learned over the years that buying on price in tripod gear costs you more in the long run. Better to buy high quality and use it a lot to get the value out of it.
G