Tall Large Format Shooters *(Over Six Feet) : What Tripod/Head Are You Using?

[Grafmatic]

I tried, and tried, and tried to join that forum to no avail. All I got was a the same errormessage, labeling me as a spammer. I did a little googling and reached out to one of the webmasters there who told me to use the ‘Contact Us’ link to reach out. There was no such link, which I documented with a screenshot which I sent to him. He added the button to the page and told me that if I inquired through that link, someone would take care of the matter. I sent a message through the link and never got a reply. I tried joining again to see if that process was fixed, same result, same error message. When I looked a few days later, the contact us link was gone again. So I don’t know WTF goes on at that forum, I have never had that kind of problem joining a forum before or since, but I did learn that apparently if you have a problem over there, don’t expect much help. (If this reply violates any kind of ‘dirty laundry’ policy, feel free to strike out the offending portion.) I finally gave up and came here where I found not only a registration process that works, but a helpful and welcoming environment. PS, I tried to follow your link to the thread, but got only a password challenge screen, which put me right back where I started.

 

[Grafmatic]

My big $$$$ recent purchase is a Gitzo GT5563GS - the giant of the 5 series systematics. It’s a very expensive giant carbon tripod. Like 8ft approx without a centre column. It’s incredibly well built. I am 6ft but I like shooting certain projects from height. This thing is quite special and quite specialised. Unique. I now need to find a ladder.

I have a smaller Gitzo systematic for air travel, and also a Gitzo 3 series 3543 xls. It’s the best all-rounder I have. I can stand straight underneath the apex, and yet it’s light enough and can easily hold a 4x5 with a 210mm lens solidly in the field fully extended. It’s a total ‘buy once’ solution. Often I shoot at ‘normal’ height with only the wider upper sections extended which is even more stable.

15 years ago I went to that NYC superstore and physically compared the feel of the different brands on display. Back then there was a clear difference in the flesh in build quality between Gitzo and all the Chinese brands. Had to go with Gitzo then. I imagine these brands have narrowed the quality gap (and of course there are great non-Chinese brands like RRS and FLM) but as my Gitzo(s) are ‘buy once’ products I have never even thought twice about checking out the alternatives.

Don’t skimp on tripods if you are shooting LF. The lenses are longer, the camera bodies are more vibration prone, and at f22 your exposures are longer. Film is too expensive per shot to suffer any vibration doubts.

My best advice is to get to a store where you can try options before buying. Specs are not that useful once you’ve narrowed your choices. Feel is very important.

All good advice. When I had the Linhof tripod (eBay listing referenced earlier) (I think it is the same one) I used the center column sparingly, and only to make fine changes to the camera elevation, which I found easier than making three or more separate adjustments, one to each leg, to accomplish the same thing.

Buying a tripod used is an aggravating process because hardly any listing contains the information that would help me make a decision and even the pictures generally don’t provide much in the way of useful references. I do know that if I can spend six to $800 on the tripod, I will be able to get something like what I seek. I am hoping to avoid that though.

 

[Grafmatic]

A shorter tripod and camp stool is also an option, and a very comfortable way to shoot. And might provide a more interesting perspective than eye-level.

Two things to carry instead of one…. It would work, in certain circumstances, anyway, but it sounds a little cumbersome… Also a little limiting.

I’m pretty sure the tripod I posted the link to and post number 46 is the tripod I had but is misidentified in the listing. It was very light, had no rigidity problems that I could detect, needed at most a few inches of column rise to fine-tune elevation, and handled a 6 pound monorail with a Bogen 3047 head, no problem. Hands-down, the best tripod I’ve ever used. Just haven’t been able to find one, except for that one which is beat to hell and I wouldn’t give him half of what he’s asking for it.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Large Format Photography Forum

A discussion forum on large format phtography http://largeformatphotography.info

www.largeformatphotography.info

A good tripod and head combo at very good price from a reputable LFF member.

Great! That is a good place to find equipment as well as the Photrio Classified.

 

[MTGseattle]

I did a quick scan through some Wasington DC craigslist. There's a Linhof, but the seller is asking $675 obo. There's a decent looking Bogen 3246 for $100. There are a few others which may work.