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

[blee1996]

3021 Pro Tripod Legs (Chrome) with 3433 (501) Legs Specs​

Load Capacity	9.9 lb (4.49 kg)
Leg Stages/Sections	2/3
Minimum Height	8.6" (21.84 cm)
Maximum Height	57.4" (145.80 cm)
Maximum Height with Column	73.5" (186.69 cm)
Folded Length	29.8" (75.69 cm)
Weight	8.7 lb (3.95 kg)

Source: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/220407-REG/Manfrotto_3021_Pro_Tripod_Legs.html/specs

Max height is 57.4" without center column. Thus I wouldn't call it a tall enough tripod from your previous requirements.

 

[abruzzi]

One thing that is frustrating about this, is the inability to get reliable information. I saw a feeBayblisting for a Gitzo 340, headless, which said the maximum extension was 76 inches. When you add the height of a head and a large format camera, that’s plenty. However, I looked up another store site and it had the 340 without the head listed as 59 inches. That’s a pretty big discrepancy. Which one is correct? Really hard to say without seeing the tripod. I saw one tripod listed, where the guy that actually put a tape measure up against it so you could see all the dimensions. I wish anybody selling a tripod would do that.

If you're looking at a 3 digit Gitzo (i.e G305, G340, G500, etc.) this Gitzo catalog is what I reference:

https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01406/01406.pdf

It lists the G340 as 60.5 inches max height and (unless added after the fact) it should have a flat plate at the top, not a center column.

I don't have anything like that for the 4 digit Gitzos.

 

[Grafmatic]

Thanks abruzzi. If it is 60" to the mounting plate. I would expect a head and a 4x5 to add another `12" give or take, which would be usable.
Kudos to Linhof for replying after I sent them further info from the above eBay listing. They say the following is the successor to the Rekord Profil above:

Twin Shank Pro Tripod | Linhof

(003317, 003333) Extremely rigid, lightweight tripod for professional requirements. Load capacity 12 kg.

linhof.com

Thanks for all the support, everybody, As I said, I have had a lot of tripods over the years, which is why I'm trying to choose very carefully now. I only want to do this once if possible.

 

[Besk]

Just to add some actual numbers:

My Gitzo 1340 with the flat plate is 60 inches measured. I am 6'. Add a head and a monorail camera on the tripod and it is too tall for me with the legs fully extended.

I also have a Gitzo Studex Performance (300 series.) with a center column. It is only about 43.5 inches tall without raising the column but adding a Sinar head gets it to 47.5 inches. With the camera installed, I only have to raise the center column about few inches for the camera to be at a comfortable height.

 

[Focomatter]

Thanks abruzzi. If it is 60" to the mounting plate. I would expect a head and a 4x5 to add another `12" give or take, which would be usable.
Kudos to Linhof for replying after I sent them further info from the above eBay listing. They say the following is the successor to the Rekord Profil above:

Twin Shank Pro Tripod | Linhof

(003317, 003333) Extremely rigid, lightweight tripod for professional requirements. Load capacity 12 kg.

linhof.com

Thanks for all the support, everybody, As I said, I have had a lot of tripods over the years, which is why I'm trying to choose very carefully now. I only want to do this once if possible.

I have the earlier version of the non-dampened version in the link. Legs are aluminum colored (i.e. clear anodized) rather than black with Linhof beige painted joints. Just set it up with the Linhof pan-tilt head (about 2" tall); the Sinar clamp that is attached is at my chin (I am 5'11") with column at zero (not extended). This is the tripod I attempted to describe earlier in this thread. Quite OK for view camera use.

 

[abruzzi]

Thanks abruzzi. If it is 60" to the mounting plate. I would expect a head and a 4x5 to add another `12" give or take, which would be usable.
Kudos to Linhof for replying after I sent them further info from the above eBay listing. They say the following is the successor to the Rekord Profil above:

Twin Shank Pro Tripod | Linhof

(003317, 003333) Extremely rigid, lightweight tripod for professional requirements. Load capacity 12 kg.

linhof.com

Thanks for all the support, everybody, As I said, I have had a lot of tripods over the years, which is why I'm trying to choose very carefully now. I only want to do this once if possible.

If you get the Gitzo with the low profile head, the head itself adds maybe 5-6 inches, then the camera itself may add a little height. I mostly shoot monorails like the Arca Swiss or Sinar, and they add some additional height. I don't have many newer Gitzo tripods, but these older ones are built like a tank, a bit heavy, and simple to repair. The sell the spare parts for most of them, and I have occasionally fixed issues with some reasonably inexpensive parts. @Besk 's G1340 is really just a newer G340 (I believe. I'm not sure what the added first digit means) so his measurment of 60 inches lines up with what the catalog states for the G340.

EDIT: to add another question--I've never owned tripods where the legs have braces to the center like the Linhof you linked to. I've worried that they might not work as well on uneven ground where many of my shots are made. As an example I once too a shot of a small waterfall standing on a small boulder that was too small for me and all three legs of the tripod. I was able to extend the legs and change their angle so I could get it mostly level. I don't think I could do that on the linhof, but I don't know since I don't have one to try out. Do other like having those braces?

 

[blee1996]

EDIT: to add another question--I've never owned tripods where the legs have braces to the center like the Linhof you linked to. I've worried that they might not work as well on uneven ground where many of my shots are made. As an example I once too a shot of a small waterfall standing on a small boulder that was too small for me and all three legs of the tripod. I was able to extend the legs and change their angle so I could get it mostly level. I don't think I could do that on the linhof, but I don't know since I don't have one to try out. Do other like having those braces?

My old Gitzo does have the braces for each leg. They are totally independently adjustable, so not difficult at all for uneven terrain.

On the other hand, I saw some heavy duty video tripods that have the braces linked at the center. This is probably for faster setup. Besides, you can still adjust length of each legs with one of the sections.

 

[Grafmatic]

EDIT: to add another question--I've never owned tripods where the legs have braces to the center like the Linhof you linked to. I've worried that they might not work as well on uneven ground where many of my shots are made.

The braces on the Linhof are detachable from the center column (you just spread them laterally a small amount ) which allows the leg angles to be adjusted individually as needed. Clever. One of my favorite features of that particular tripod.

 

[MTGseattle]

It may or may not be funny due to the search you are on currently, but one of those huge Linhof tripods was for sale locally out here (pre-covid) for a really good price. I liked the "look" and the specs I could find of the beast, but I always have hiking in the back of my mind, so I didn't pursue the thing. I agree that a ton of images can be made quite close to where the car is parked, but I like to get farther afield which spilled me into the carbon fiber realm.

 

[Grafmatic]

I like to get farther off the beaten path too, used to take my kit off the beaten path more but I’m 68 and facing reality that I can’t ‘schlep’ like I once did….

Manfrotto has a tripod with 105” peak height but it’s $800, nearly twice the cost of the camera. Getting kind of discouraged.

 

[brancaleone]

Hi
I don't know if it has already been mentioned, but I have a second hand Manfrotto 058b that use with my 4x5 and 5x7 Sinar P. It is sturdy, tall, quite heavy to carry around but perfect in studio. It has I quite unique (I believe) way to rapidly release the legs and set the height of each of them quickly that is extremely convenient. I believe mine is the first version, maybe now they released mark II model. I use a Manfrotto 029 3 way head with it.

058B Triaut Camera Tripod Black

The versatile, practical and reliable studio tripod. you can't go wrong with the 058B Triaut Camera Tripod. This is a stand built for any situation and any terrain, for serious professionals. Giving you all the scope and control you need to create beautiful pictures regardless of the...

www.manfrotto.com

 

[Grafmatic]

Seems like it’s coming down to three or four options:

• Used Tiltall, seems to run typically ~ $100
• New Tiltall with a warranty ~ $199
• This Slik, spacs fairly similar to Tiltall but has QR plate https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/131427-REG/Slik_615_315_Pro_700DX_Tripod_with.html
• Pay $500-$800 for a tripod that checks every box (especially height) for me (Not practical)

Slik, over all similar numbers to Tiltall but has some modern touches like a QR head, They been around and B&H customer ratings are good,

 

[MTGseattle]

There was another older Bogen model I remember large format folks using. Again, not light, but it had the leg braces and was reasonably tall. Bogen 3036 maybe?

Usedphotopro has that Slik 700dx for $91

 

[Grafmatic]

Ooh, Thanks!

 

[Grafmatic]

Anybody have any feedback on that tripod or Slik in general. All I know about them is they been around a long time.

 

[MTGseattle]

I had operated under the misconception that Slik was very budget minded stuff. I think they had/have both bargain stuff and good stuff. I recently tried a pan/tilt tripod head of theirs ( Slik SH-909). On paper, it could handle most 8x10 cameras. It is a reasonably heavy head made in Japan. The workmanship seems just fine, and the controls lock it up securely. based upon that head, I would consider other Slik products if I were shopping.

 

[Vieri Bottazzini]

I am 6'1", and I love and use a FLM 38-L4 II tripod for my 4x5" work (and digital MF work before that). The tripod is 68.3" (173.5 cm) which, when adding the camera on top, allows me to use it with no problems even when I have to place a leg down the side of a hill or in river / lake water when standing on the shore, and so on. Minimum working height is 3.6" or 9 cm, which is great for low compositions. The tripod is relatively light at 4.9 lb or 2.2 kg and is very sturdy, I think it was rated second sturdiest tripod by some tripod reviewing website.

FLM 38-L4 II

Edit: forgot about the head, to me the most genius of all is the Arca-Swiss P0, which I reviewed on my Blog here:

https://www.vieribottazzini.com/2016/08/arca-swiss-p0-monoball-review.html

Hope this helps! Best,

Vieri

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

You do not want your camera too high as you will want to place an eye right up to the corners of the ground glass frame (cut-out) to check for vignetting. I am 3" shorter than you are and generally do not use all of the leg extensions on my compact size Gitzo series 5 tripods when shooting 5x7 and 8x10 vertically.

Good point. Also, when you want to check focus at the top with an eyepiece magnifier.

 

[Ardpatrick]

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.

 

[Ardpatrick]

I realise you’re looking for an affordable option. Buy used of course which probably precludes in-store testing. But even buying used, don’t skimp. The height / weight / stability / price matrix is hard to get around. Maybe some of the better Chinese brands, used, might be affordable. The Gitzo systematic are never cheap but invariably great.

 

[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, Not my first rodeo with LF so I recognize the wisdom in your words. I'm trying to stretch resources which can oly stretch so far.

 

[blee1996]

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.

 

[beemermark]

The taller the tripod the lest stable. Buy a little foot stool for $20.

 

[Chuck1]

Milk crates are very useful

 

[Grafmatic]

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.