tripod

Hi folks.

I am looking to buy a new tripod. Ideally, I need something sturdy enough to take my 5x4 view camera (see here for that) but also, if possible, flexible enough for very low level macro photos. I used to have a unilock tripod (copy of the Benbo) but one of my team drove his landrover over it...

Any recommendations?

Thanks, Kris.

How portable does it have to be - how heavy? How long? The more leg sections (So Shorter when folded) the more unstable. What's the maximum weight it needs to carry? What head will use on it?
All important thing to think about when buying a new tripod.
I spent ages researching before buying a Velbon Sherpa Pro CF630. Tall enough to us without a centre column, short enough to use nearly flat on the ground once the centre column is removed - I have the ball head directly on the tripod, the column is around somewhere, though off hand I can't think where. I was going to by a Manfrotto 055, but when I tried the two in the shop the Velbon just felt so much more stable with the Bigma on it.
It is fairly light to carry but a pain to pack to go on holiday as it is quite long when folded. I can live with that though.


Edit: Meant to add try some out in a shop once you have an idea of what you want, as one you like in theory may not work in practice As i found out.

It has to take about 12.5 pounds in total. I was planning to buy a pan and tilt head, ball and socket heads are not so good with the view camera. I am not planning to climb mountains with it on my back, but it needs to be portable enough to move around in the great outdoors. It needs to go up to a good person sized height. I have a little mini tripod already which is OK for what I got it for but rather limited.

Cheers, Kris.

This is the one I have: http://www.velbon.co.uk/newvelbon/pages/CF630.html

Of course a lot depends on what you want to pay for it too.

My ballhead is not a Velbon head btw but a Markins.

If you want to come over and try out this lot, you are quite welcome to come over to Aylesbury and have a play!

I may well take you up on that when I get back from the US.

Thanks for the info and links all.

Best wishes, Kris.

A crane for the 5x4

Visit Unlocker to try out his kit

and run the Landy over it's hopeless driver!

I used to have a Benbo which was great for flexible positioning, but I hated the single lever locking system and it was also somewhat unstable, especially in high winds, and lacked rigidity.

I now use a Gitzo 2220 and find it just as flexible positioning wise.
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It's amazingly stable and rigid and should easily handle your Horseman provided you use a suitably sturdy head.

I use either a Gitzo offset ball head
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or a Manfrotto Junior geared head link

I also have heard very good reports about the Feisol range of tripods and heads which is now imported into the UK by Pro Photographer John Nevill. You may want to give them a look. link