BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I’m partial to RRS carbon fiber tripods. RRS has a BH-55 ball head that has a 55 pound weight rating, but I’m not sure if a ball head is what you want to use with a 4x5 camera.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

This is my Calumet 4x5, Dave. As you can see, it's a Bogen - Model 3050 … prior to this - it used to support my Mamiya RB67 in the Studio, on a Dolly - which I still have, but I only take the camera out as is
- the Dolly's now detached, broken apart, and stored. It's aluminum - relatively light weight, and uses knobs to fasten. It also has a quick release, which, when pressed, allows the whole thing to go down or up.

Calumet 4x5 on a Bogen 3050

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

And from personal experience that is an understatement!

daplight Loc: Kansas

I like the "anchoring to bedrock" analogy, you can also hang a sandbag to the bottom of the center column for extra stability. BTW, I have a Gitzo 505 Studux I will be selling. I had used it to support a 25lb video camera without any problems.

daplight Loc: Kansas

I like the "anchoring to bedrock" analogy, you can also hang a sandbag to the bottom of the center column for extra stability. BTW, I have a Gitzo 505 Studux I will be selling. I had used it to support a 25lb video camera without any problems.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Gitzo! I own two sets of legs and three heads. A ball for 35mm film, and digital; a three axis tilt or pan head for 35mm film and digital; and a huge pan / tilt three axis head for large format (4x5" in my case). You need the models with thicker legs for larger heavier cameras and lenses. They've changed their product naming system, but in my '80s all aluminum stuff you should get series 3, 4, up to 6. 6 is big more for studio use.

When I worked at a museum they had a HUGE steel Majestic Tripod with casters. It must have weighed close to 100 lbs.! I never saw it used but they probably used to use it with their 8x10" B&J View Cameras. You know, I think we had a Tiltall (brand), not something you might expect that we used with a 4x5" Sinar rail view camera. Don't remember what we mounted our 8x10" Sinar on, the Majestic perhaps. This was back during 1980-83!

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

I started my various careers as a land surveyor . I don't want to even think about the miles that I've walked with a 25-30 pound brass survey transit mounted on a 15 lb tripod slung over my shoulder. The survey instruments (transits and levels ) required rock solid tripod mounting and those heavy wood legs delivered. For that reason , I've always been enchanted with the idea of getting a good old set of instrument legs (from an engineering supplier?) and modifying the top (epoxy on a ball head to the protective threaded cap?) This should provide a good solid tripod. (Heavy but solid )

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

The surveying optical tools are not attached by a bolt? My father-in-law was an architect-civil engineer-building contractor but I think he rented or borrowed surveying instruments when he used them. Probably why I never got a closed look at how it was all assembled. And there were no such gadgets when he died as I remember sorting tools for my mother-in-law.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I have written previously the following kinds of opinions pertaining to tripod usage. Everyone has their favorite brands and models for a wide variety of usages and there is always the necessary discussion of load capacity, balance, wind resistance, mechanical integrity, construction materials, portability, and weight. Sometimes what is missing from the suggestion is the exact nature of the usage and the kind of camer operation that is going to be required.

There is any number of tripods that can accommodate a load of a large format camera- 4x5, 5x7, or 8x10. The final choice, however, should be based on exactly what you intend shooting with your large format gear and how you are going to operate your camera. Most sturdy tripods can provide support for a field camera or a view camera simply based on its weight. If, however, you are going to employ all the camera's movements- tilts, swings, and rise and fall on the front and back standards, you will need a greater degree of stability because you will be manipulating the camera's movements and locking mechanisms, focusing, checking focus frequently and you need the camera to remain stable e and in place. Just inserting and removing film holders inserting and withdrawing dark slides, opening and closing the shutter for focusing and making all the manual exposure setting can cause unwanted shifting of the came, the head or the couplings of all the aforementioned components.

Having done a high volume of location and studio work, architecture and even precise still-life (product) work in large format, I found that I was kinda fooling myself by using lighter weight tripods with view cameras. In the studio and even at industrial locations I did not require the mobility of a lighter tripod- I wasn't tracking spots action or shooting wildlife. So...I purchased a Manfrotto model #161- it weighs a ton but it provides all the stability I need. I can shoot more efficiently because I don't have to take time to fumble with the gear going out of alignment or the adjustments I have made on any given shot. I still have my Majestic with the gear head as well but the heavy-duty Manfrotto has more sideways tilt when required.

For work where my big monster tripod would be totally impractical, I use a Gitzo carbon-fiber model that is pretty decent. I'll post some images of the gear I am writing about.

I am not endorsing any particular make or model. I have used the suggested equipment for years with complete reliably and I am certain that there are currently, makes and models that are just as good or perhaps better. My point here is to encourage you to consider the way you are going to use you large form equipment and factor that into your choice of support gear.

The handsome fella on the platform is my assistant. The Geezer in the Gitzo shot is me with my oversized hands that overtighten all my tripods and stands. If this gear can survive me, its gotta be strong😁

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

The solid bronze top casting (to which the wooden legs attached) had a 3 1/2 inch dia x 1/8 inch male thread onto which the instrument (transit) head screwed. Each set of legs came with a cap which screwed over the male threads to protect them when no instrument was mounted. It has always seemed to me that it should possible to secure (epoxy mount?, through bolt?) some kind of camera mount (ball head or three way) to the top of the protective cap (1/4+" thick bakelite or cast aluminum )

Webguydave Loc: C'ville, Va.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Nice to see that the old Majestic still survives! Built like a tank, and weighs about as much! In my studio work, it didn't take me long to switch to a studio stand on casters , mounting the Majestic head on that. Gotta say, I never worried about tripod movement on location with that tripod...but then I generally had someone with a stronger back lug it around! A bit different situation today.

I'm not hung up on brands; I like what works, and doesn't need endless ( or any) fiddling and attention. I have one on the way from a gentleman on the list here that probably will fill the bill - we'll see... great list, and contributors!

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

You're welcome, Dave … glad you got it sorted out, already (potentially, anyway.)

robertperry Loc: Sacramento, Ca.

Look at tripods made for video. They look like you could sit on them when not in use.

Arca

webguydave

I have used a 'Gitzo' G1329 for my 'Arca-Swiss' 4 x 5 for 19 years with no problem whatsoever. It was one of the first carbon fiber tripods around, I believe. The legs have three sections and the center column is removable. I have a 'Cambo' ball head on it. The handle on it is extremely large so you can really torque it down to prevent any movement in the longer exposures, i.e. several minutes, depending on your subject.

For her birthday a few years back, I bought my wife has a 'Gitzo' GT2541. This one collapses down a little more due to its four sections per leg. It is paired with an Arca Swiss Monoball Z and quick release. She shoots a Nikon F100 with lenses up to 300 mm with no nosediving.

For my medium format Mamiya, I use a 'Gitzo' C1197 which is made of basalt, but which is as light as carbon fiber. It is attached to an AcraTech ball head with 'Arca Swiss' style quick release. That one has served me very well over the past 14 years. I left the center column in on this one. I also have a 'Gitzo' monopod which doubles as a walking stick on steep hikes.

You will have fun distilling all of the information from UHH members. Best of luck and have fun.

Arca