matthewthompson Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 (edited) any recommendations for 4x5 tripods that are not terribly expensive? Edited October 11, 2021 by matthewthompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jose_angel Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 Older series 3 Gitzos and above are great tripods for LF cameras. Don't mind if they look used, if still functional they are good. Lightweight current Gitzos are amongst the best, but older ones are perfectly good. Cameras like heavy tripods, although users (usually) don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJG Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 I've been using Manfrotto tripods for 4x5 monorails for almost 40 years--a used one shouldn't set you back too much, and I have always found them to be good support for heavy (9-12 lb.) cameras. A ball head is usually a bit cheaper than a three way head with comparable specs, and also tends to be a little bit lighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 Definitely go for used, quality tripods. Tripods meant to be really light (low mass) are not particularly desirable. If you are worried about a tripod that is too heavy, you probably shouldn't be shooting 4x5 or other large format anyhow. Image lugging a whole darkroom, 16x20" glass wet-plate camera and such-like to mountain tops as they did in the old days. That was when cameras were wood and photographers were steel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 (edited) Actually, I saw a nice piece a while back on converting a surveyors tripod for heavy camera usage. Both antique and new can be had online for comparatively little compared to top of the line heavy duty tripods. Other than that used is a fine opportunity, got a nice Manfrotto / Bogen Tripod and Monopod for a fraction of retail. Edited October 11, 2021 by Sandy Vongries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Javkin Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 I agree with the advice to look for a quality used tripod. I was recently offered $15 by a reputable used dealer for my Manfrotto 3251, a nice, heavy, solid tripod. I wasn't going to sell it for that, so I gave it to a friend. You might not find quite as good a deal, but there seem to be many excellent used tripods available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Naka Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 A nice used HEAVY tripod. Years ago, I got a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 + 3047 head for $50, off Craig's List. That is the only tripod that I will use my 4x5 on. The old Tiltall tripod is a good option. As was said, these tripods are HEAVY. I won't carry it more than 100 feet from the car, preferably less than 50 feet. Any further and it has to be on a wheeled cart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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