Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Other than macro, your needs are pretty modest. Your biggest issue will not be external vibrations, though. I would look at trying to dampen shutter (not mirror) vibrations, which are the cause of blur on cameras that do not have electronic shutters. Even mirrorless cameras suffer from this. Lots has been written about how to settle down Sony's mirrorless cameras that do not have an electronic front curtain.

What is your budget? Keep in mind that a bargain seldom is when it comes to tripods. And a heavy, old-school tripod which was intended for shorter focal lengths and bigger, heavier cameras, was fine for a 4x5 with a 135mm lens on it, (a normal focal length equivalent to a 50 mm on a full frame camera). Also, a heavy bulky tripod is less likely to be used, because it is heavy and bulky. A few years ago I sold an aluminum Bogen (3051) with a 3 way pan head (3047) which I used successfully for many years, but it had an extendable center column, and it weighed about 15 lbs. Great in a studio environment, and ok to carry for a few feet, but not really that portable. And the center column took away stability. I had trouble stabilizing a 200 mm lens.

Replaced it with a 3.5 lb carbon fiber tripod, with a 37mm top tube diameter, which I routinely use with a 150 and 180 macro, and a 600mm with a 1.4x TC - with no issues. It is rock solid and stable. Oh, and it is not a Gitzo or a RRS - both of which are no compromise brands.

BTW, I owned a Gitzo series 3 carbon, for about a month - and was completely unhappy with it. It was a great tripod, but not stable enough for a 500mm lens. I thought the Gitzo literature was being overly conservative in their rating this pod for up to 300mm focal length. They were dead-on.

So to recap - tripod weight and load capacity are not criteria for tripod selection. Stability, which is usually indicated by the maximum tube diameter (top tube attached to the camera platform), is usually a better indicator.

Not knowing which camera, I would suggest Sirui, Three Legged Thing, Feisol 3442, possibly one of the Induros, but I am not familiar with their line, and Ghiottos, and for the sake of your back, carbon fiber. Try and get a pod without a center column.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

:thumbup: :thumbup:

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

Desert Gecko I have an old Majestic tripod that is very heavy highly adjustable and can hold any camera you want to put on it very steady. Also has a roller assembly to use in the studio. I am going to put on ebay in a few days. I used it with 8x10 view camera, Beaty Coleman 907, and RB67 with a projection system. It is heavy well made and in very good condition. If you are interested I want $200 for it. Just reply back to me. I know this is not the section for selling items and I really had not planed to try to sell it here on the form but it is just what you needed so I decided to offer you first shot at it.

McHugh

ray manclark

Hi I bought a manfrotto tripod + head 25 yrs ago for an RB67 for wedding work. They were the heaviest medium format camers in the business, hence the nickname--The Brick. That old tripod is so well made, you can sit on it to rest or "fight off" a Wrottweiler with it. Those Manfrottos are built like brick shithouses, and we have a few of them left in England. Look for a used one and U won't be disappointed. buena suerte

RRS Loc: Not sure

Look up "Quick Set" and the model IV, from the mid 60's comes in black and brushed aluminum. You may find it on Ebay. I have two and still use them today, along with three other brands.

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

I have an old Manfroto that I found in a newspaper ad 20 years ago for FREE. The lady said it was her son's who left it at home when he moved out. It has aluminum telescoping legs and a cast iron head. The thing weighs about 10lbs and is solid enough to hold an older VHS video camera. It was missing the screw ihat holds the camera(that's why it was free) but that was an easy fix. I really don't want to sell it, but I'm sure there are a lot of these out there. Good hunting.

Photobud Loc: Palmetto, Florida

Take a look at the Ravelli tripod on Amazon.com
I have one, it is heavy but very stable and sturdy. Also very inexpensive. It might be just what you are looking for..............Good luck..........Photobud

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

You didn't give a model number, and there are so many variations of Majestic tripods that it's hard to say, but...

The OP would be extremely well advised to take a very good look at this. If it isn't the right one, check eBay and find another Majestic that is right. My memory may not be right, but I think a model 2500 or a model 4800 sounds right. They can have various sized platforms mounted on a gearhead.

There are issues to be careful about though. Majestic (made by Modern Builders or Bencher) has been making tripods since at least back in the 1950s. They changed the size of the column in 1970, and you need to make sure you go all the way with one size or the other. Since that time the mounting post has be 1-1/2" diameter. The gear head you want is a model 1200. (A model 1000 has a 3/8" screw mount, and the model 1900 is for a 1-7/8" post. There is also a model 1600 gearhead, but I don't remember exactly what it is.)

You can check out basics of what is available new at bencher.com, but trust that the prices indicate the quality and buying a 30 year old tripod for a couple hundred is almost identical to a new one at many times that price.

James 7 Loc: Newcastle,CA

Unless I'm missing something, you left out exactly which tripod/head combination you're now using. Thanks.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

James 7, if that question was for me, I'm using a Dolica GX650B204. Bang for the buck I'd say it's very good and I'm happy with it, but I've yet to test it in very gusty winds and I cannot handle the camera between shots without it moving. I want to complement it with a rock-solid tripod that won't break the bank (thus, I'm looking for suggestions on vintage models).

I'm still looking at all the suggestions I've gotten so far, and really do appreciate them.

James 7 Loc: Newcastle,CA

Thanks for your reply. Apologies, I wanted to know what Gene51 is currently using. He told us what he's not.

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

Get an old surveyors tripod like the ones you see at construction sites for transits. You will have to make your own plate (as I did), but they sometimes can be found as cheap as $50... And you could not knock them over with a sledge hammer...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Been using a Feisol CT3472, Arca Swiss Z1 ball head, and Manfrotto 393 Gimbal. Ballhead for everything, the gimbal for any lens with a tripod collar. The gimbal doesn't lock down, but that is not what I wanted it for, I use the ballhead when I need to lock.

I modified the 393 by adding an Arca Swiss clamp made by Chris Hejnar, a fellow photographer with machining expertise. He makes all sorts of custom plates, clamps, rails, etc.

The Feisol has gotten hard use over the past 7 years of ownership - and no issues. They now sell a "Rapid" version of this, where the legs do not rotate when you lock and unlock them. I would suggest this. But this is a long lens tripod. Their Tournament Class(CT3442, CT3342) is lighter and more compact, and suitable for up to 300mm, and costs a little less. They have a range of ballheads, and one they bundle with the smaller tripod that is reasonable enough - nothing fancy but it does get the job done. I suggest bypassing the domestic vendors and ordering directly from http://www.feisol.com/

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

I looked for the model number but did not find one. It does have a gear head to tilt back and forth and is raised with a straight line gear that is attached to the center post. The camera is mounted with the standard thread like all the cameras I have used in the past 45 years. The center post is 1 1/2 in dia. Also there is an attachment that allows the gear head to be moved to the bottom of the center post and perpendicular tho the post if needing to shoot at a very low elevation. I would be glad to post a photo if needed.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

That is almost certainly a model 2500. (The 4800 series had double rods for the legs.) A photo would be nice to verify it.

That may not be a lightweight backpacker's delight, but it is probably the most stable and versatile aluminum tripod ever made!

What size is the platform on the top. There are several available, ranging from a round ( 4-1/2" ) or square ( 3x3-5/8" ) up to 6x7".