What tripods are good for ULF?
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What tripods are good for ULF?
You may get as many different answers as there are ULF photographers. Mine is an antique Gandolfi tripod, just as strong and well-made as their cameras. The big camera support plate is a definite advantage with wooden ULF cameras.
If you really mean ULF (i.e. bigger than 8x10"), then there is a real difficulty in finding a worthwhile tripod that you can carry any distance. I personally use 4x5" to 8x10", outside with my 4x5" Crown Graphic I find a Manfrotto 055 tripod is good if used with care, while in the studio a Manfrotto 058 handles just about anything. As the Manfrotto 058 has the "triaut" mechanism (all 3 legs controlled by a ring under the tripod head), I do not like to use it in dirty conditions (it copes OK but it needs a wash down and spray with WD40 afterwards), so I keep an old De Vere tripod as a standby for a heavy support for outdoors.
The answer is completely dependent upon the camera that will grace the tripod. If you shoot an older Korona you could easily use a Ries J100 and not have to many mobility issues. My 34# Wisner 12x20/8x20/11x14 Tech Field requires a Ries A100 that tips the scale at #13 just for the tripod. That is nearly a #50 camera/tripod combination. Aside from regular visits to the gym to lift weights you learn rather quickly to be highly selective where you drop legs. Gitzo produces a carbon fibre tripod that is interesting and very light weight.
Good Luck!
I do not shoot larger then my Sinar P8x10 but she is quite heavy and I just can recomand the Wolf tripods the strongest go up to 30 kg and are light!
http://www.wooden-tripods.com/
http://www.gandolficameras.com/ - go to "Tripods". Look at the "Major".
Since I got one (a "Medior", antique) I can't really bring myself to put an antique wooden camera on anything else. It's even sturdier than my Stabil.
Just curious, the Wolf tripods look very much like a Berlebach tripod. Are they the same, just rebadged or just very close in design?Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnArs
TIA
Two modest tripods used together may be as sturdy as one really good tripod. but what a nuisance!
I use a surveying tripod for my 8x10 field camera when I'm in the field. Indoors I use a large Gitzo.
I mounted the 12X20 Korona on a wooden surveyors tripod with a Majestic geared head. It made for a heavy combination...probably on the order of 38-40lbs.
It's not a Reis but it didn't cost nearly as much either.