Gitzo 1127 vs. 1227 tripod and QR choices for Bronica SQ-Ai

[lawrence_title]

Although previous posts have partly addressed part of this

question, part are not specifically answered.

 

I am trying to decide on a lightweight Gitzo carbon fibre tripod

(1127 vs 1227) and ballhead with QR system to use with a

Bronica SQ-Ai. The tripod will be used alot during walking or

hiking tours in Europe etc. So weight restrictions are more

important than cost. The Bronica will be used primarily with the

AE SQ-Ai metered prism, with the 50 and 80 mm lens. I have no

intention on getting a longer lens for now and I will probably

never be using lenses longer than 250. So the system weight

will not be extreme. Will the 1127 suffice to save a few grams of

weight or should one go with the larger 1227 ? The second

question relates to ballheads and quick releases. Would the

Acratech ultimate ballhead or Arca-Swiss B1 be overkill for this

system, or would cheaper ballheads suffice and provide equal

performance ? I would like to go with a light weight ballhead

with a quick release clamp and I am not sure who makes a

quick release plate that fits on the Bronica SQ-Ai. Looking on the

Kirk, RRS and Acratech webpages I don't see any mention of a

specific Bronica plate. Would a universal QR plate from these

companies work ? How would the plate affect handholding the

camera (i.e. would it be a pain to have the metal plate resting in

your palm ? Could the QR plate be used together with the

speed grip or motor drive unit ?

[jarrod_connerty]

$ not the object & lens not being longer than the 80mm...<p>1127 tripod<br>Acratech Ultimate Ballhead with just the 3/8" screw<br>Ideesign Q-Top quick release system.

[nicholas_fiduccia]

Lawrence,

 

I would defintely go for the larger 1227 with your medium format

camera. The ballhead is a harder choice but the ARCA-swice B1

is a bit top heavy for my 1127 (but I'm sure many would argue

with me on this one) so I use a Linhoff Profi II. I do not have

any experience with the Arcatech so I can't comment.

 

Give RRS a call and talk to rhe owner (Bryan??). He is very

informed and is happy to talk with you. I have found their catalog

to be a wealth of tripod information. Good luck!

[nicholas_fiduccia]

Hi again Lawrence. I meant to say that the B1 is a bit top heavy

with the 1227, not the 1127 (which it is most definitely too heavy

for)!

[joseph_ho]

what i know is that the gitzo 1276 is plenty good for a pentax 645n and 150 2.8

 

with that in mind, i do believe that a B1 would be more than plenty for a 645-66 slr and small lens.

[ShunCheung]

I have both the Gitzo 1227 and 1228. Those are pretty light tripods. I have seen the 1127 and 1128. As far as I am concerned, those are too light for my comfort, especially if you are putting medium-format cameras on them. I would rather over-engineer a bit to be on the safe side. It only takes one fall to damage your expensive camera and lenses.

[scott_dordick]

Hi lawerence, Your camera will not fall with either the 1127 or 1227 they just are not as stable as the bigger heavier tripods especially with the motion of the large mirrors in medium format SLR's. I would go with the 1227, our Acratech ballhead (it is much lighter than the B1 and balances well on light tripods) and if we don't have a plate that fits your camera we will make one. When hand holding the camera the quick release plate will not cause any problems. The plates are compact and have radiused edges.

[robert_segal1]

This may (or may not) be of interest: I have a comprehensive survey of tripods for travel in the works. Both the G1127 and G1227 are included, although I wasn't specifically focusing on MF use. It's temporarily posted at <a href="http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2gkrc/Tripod-Test.html">http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2gkrc/Tripod-Test.html</a> Cheers!