Anyone recommend a tripod for a Crown Graphic?

<p>I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I want to make sure that my camera's not going to plop down face-first when I've got the bellows extended.<br>

Anybody have good luck with a specific piece of equipment?<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>Bogen 3040 will do nicely.</p>

<p>Have one leg point in the same direction as your lens/bellows.</p>

<p>The Slik Pro 700 DX leg set is decent for only $80 from bhphoto. Add a Bogen 410 geared head for $220 and you're good to go. But this won't be light, so I hope you're strong.</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/557127-REG/Slik_615_317_Pro_700_DX_Tripod.html</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/124665-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_410_410_Junior_Geared_Head.html</p>

<p>you can't go wrong with an old tiltall<br /> they last forever and they are usually less than 100$</p>

 

<p>Shop around on wePray. I picked up an old Graflex aluminum tripod for $20 a couple years ago and use it regularly at home. Too heavy for travel unless shooting near the car, so then I take either my wood Berlebach 2042 or a a Velbon El Carmagne carbon. Any of these support a light to medium weight 4x5 nicely with the beloows extended provided the lens is not too heavy. In the field I use a 203mm EKtar which is quite light, very nice on my Crown, same weight as a 127 or 135mm 4.5 lens. Bigger faster Tele lenses like the 15" Tele Raptar require suplimental support. A 10" Tele should be OK. <br>

Anyway, it really depends on what you intend to do. </p>

<p>Anything made for a 4x5. Giotto has some of the best deals on quality tripods, Linhof has the best tripods overall.</p>

<p>A Graflex Crown tripod in size #2, #3, or #4 will work fine. I have a #1 that I use with my 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Ansco view camera, but it would be too light for a 4x5.</p>

<p>Another vote for the old Tiltall. I have two other tripods that cost a lot more but still use the Tiltall regularly with my equally old Calumet 4x5 cameras.</p>

<p>Another vote for the Tiltall. This tripod was designed to work with press cameras, and that's what they do. It's always the tripod that goes out with me and my Super Graphic.</p>

<p>The Bogen 410 head is the cat's pajamas. (How long since you heard that one?) Mate it to a 3021 legset (or whatever the heck model number they have on it this week) and you're good to go.</p>

<p>A less expensive head is the 3030 pan/tilt head. Plenty of support for darn near anything 4x5; I use one with an 11 lb. monorail.</p>

<p>The Slik 700 mentioned earlier is plenty strong. I'm not sure if it has plastic in any critical spots, but it seems a good 'pod for the bux.</p>

<p>After you graduate from Manfrotto/Bogen to Gitzo, it's hard to go back. Which is why I am shocked that I am so happy with my Chinese-made Benro, which is close to a Gitzo as anything I've ever run across. A 200 series Benro will give you rock solid support at a surprisingly low price. I have a Manfrotto 410 geared head on my series 300 Benro. I think it's a 357, but you don't need such solid tripod for a Crown Graphic. </p>

<p>I am having good success with my Manfrotto 58B/3251 tripod and I use a Bogen 3047 fluid head which is very easy. I have heard that Gitzo is much better, but this manfrotto combo comes close. I was able to find an used one for $200 on ebay. It was really kind of hard to find this model for sale used, after i purchased mine I found the same combo on craigslist for about 150.00. But I know either one was a much better cost than new. I also enjoy the quick release leg release. </p>

<p>I bought a Marchioni Tiltall, which I really like, and a Bogen 3021 w/ 3025 head. The Bogen is sturdier and easier to set up. I hate the 3025 head because the little knobs that lock it are too small. I'm probably going to drill through them and slide a bolt through each one so I can have a proper handle to grasp. This head is the minimum you would want for 4x5 and a 3047 would be better, though heavier. The Tiltall ran about $90 (head's built in) and the 3021/3025 combo about $110. The Silks are also fine tripods.</p>