Is a pan head a necessity?

[DREW WILEY]

Well Vaughn, you know that we old mtn goats tend to take a little different
perspective on the world. But I just noticed that he was using a Sinar.
All I ever needed was the ordinary Sinar rail clamp. Used it that way in
the mtns for maybe thirty years. But now I've replaced even that with a
simple bolt down attchment directly to the Ries, at least for very long lens
work. Makes it even more stable. You know... that damn wind on the ridges around here all the time. For airline travel last time I toted a 6X7
I just put a little stainless machined L-bracket in the kit for vertical compositions, and no tripod head at all. But since this next trip to Maui is
really the wife's vacation, speed of composition is a bit of a priority. Think
I'll take the 4X5 and shoot a maximum of 6 or so shots, and even then I'll
pay dearly by having to spend an afternoon in a mall to make up for it.

[Vaughn]

You have a wife that puts up with you?! Good on her!

Hauling a 4x5 to Maui for 6 images...sound about my speed. Next trip into the Yolla Bollys I think I'll leave the Rolleiflex behind and just take the Gowland 4x5. Can't afford carbon fiber, but the old Gitzo Reporter and a small ballhead should not break my back. I usually take too much food -- that's the trouble with packing mules for so long...one gets bad habits. Between the weight of the Rollei and cutting food weight down by a third, the pack should weigh about the same.

Pack maybe 6 holders (no changing bag and no other film) and make one or two images a day for the week. Make each one count! A reason to look forward to June!

Vaughn