Tripod for the Mamiya 6

clarence · 07-23-2006

Hello, in the near future (that is, when I save up enough liquidity), I'll be exchanging my Manfrotto / Bogen 055 / 3021 and 486 ball head for a lighter tripod, now that my largest and heaviest camera is the Mamiya 6. The question is: how light a tripod can I get without sacrificing stability?

I certainly needed the monster that was the 055 for my Mamiya TLR, but now that I've got an outfit that only has a mass of 1.33kg at most (850g body + 480g 150mm lens), I am considering getting a tripod that I can take around with me when I travel.

The two candidates for legs would be the Manfrotto 190MF4 Magnesium Fibre tripod, rated for a maximum of 4kg and the Slik Pro 614 CF, rated for a maximum of 5kg. I chose them because they are the smallest and lightest tripod legs available, and this factor is quite essential for me.

As for the head, I intend to get a pan/tilt head like the Manfrotto 115 3D Junior head, rated for a maximum of 5kg. The Manfrotto 460MG Magnesium head is lighter, but only by 170g, and it has a maximum capacity of only 3kg. Also, it probably costs four times as much.

I know that these ratings are always optimistic, but even a rating of 4kg is more than twice the mass of my camera and lens. The Mamiya 6 150mm lens is also not very long, and I doubt that it would offset the centre of gravity too much. Will it be safe for me to use it with a light tripod?

Thank you for the advice.

References:
Manfrotto 190MF4
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2271?livid=68|69&idx=71
Slik Pro 614 CF
http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-cfs6.html
Manfrotto 115 3D Junior head
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2334?livid=80|81&idx=82

Clarence

Finder · 07-23-2006

I have used a Gitzo Reporter with the ballhead supplied with Manfrotto's table-top tripod with the Mamiya 6. It worked well. I also use a Manfrotto 441 carbon fiber and Velbon 253 mag-alloy ballhead. I perfer that combination as it is a taller tripod and about the same weight as the Gitzo.

I would imagine either tripod you listed would work with the Mamiya 6. The head will as well, but having used that type of head, I can't recommend it. It is a pain as the camera drops when you loosen it and it is not that compact. A ballhead would be far better.

peter_n · 07-23-2006

Of the two tripods I would get the Slik as I am a fan of twist locks rather than the clip locks on the Manfrotto. Since you've chosen 4 section legs I would encourage you to look at a Gitzo G1228. Now replaced by the G1258 (I think) you might be able to pick one up reduced or even better; used. You will never need another tripod if you get one.

I also went to a ballhead from a pan/tilt head and have never regretted it. There are a lot of really good ballheads; Kirk, RRS, Markins etc. If you do go in that direction, strongly consider an Arca/Swiss compatible quick release system. Nothing like it!

sf · 07-23-2006

I use : http://www.adorama.com/SLSB.html and it worked perfectly for me since December of 2005. Used it with my Crown graphic and my RF645 without trouble. Very stable - not the rock sturdiness of the Manfrotto, but MUCH lighter, thinner, smaller, period.

Took it on my trip through Europe with the RF645 and it was a great performer.

jlw · 07-23-2006

It's not weight that counts with a tripod, it's torsional rigidity. Some of the lighter tripods made with composite materials are more rigid than the older heavyweights, so you don't necessarily have to sacrifice rigidity to get the light weight you want.

I wish there were a published specification for this. It would be pretty easy to test tripods the way they do car chassis, and measure foot-pounds per degree (or newton-meters per degree) at the mounting platform in all three axes; this would make it easy to determine which tripod has the greatest rigidity vs. weight.

clarence · 07-24-2006

Thank you very much, gentlemen, for all the recommendations.

It seems that the Gitzo tripods have a good reputation. They come with a price tag reflecting that, unfortunately. I might have to settle for a Manfrotto.

Finder: Thanks for the review of the Manfrotto pan/tilt head. I like the speed and flexibility of a ballhead, but I find that since I'm mostly shooting landscapes, I would prefer to have independent control of each axis of movement. Any other suggestions for a light manfrotto pan/tilt head?

As jlw points out, there should be a comparison shoot of tripods. I am thinking of doing just this once I finally decide on what to purchase. I could compare the new setup to the 055 + 486 Ball head commbination and look for differences.

Thank you very much!

Clarence

traveller · 07-24-2006

I use the Manfrotto 190 CLB with the head 460MG as a travel tripod and I like the combo because of the weight and it's sturdiness. You will have to consider that it has not the stability against vibrations as the 055 but a stone bag helps a lot.

A very good tripod is the Berlebach Report. Made of wood, very good vibration damping, a good load capacity, lightweight and a very good price compared to other tripods. I don't know about distributors in your country but they sell worldwide. And don't be afraid of getting wet legs because it's made of wood, a friend of mine is a nature photographer and never had a problem.

Hope that helps to complicate your decision making

Finder · 07-24-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarence

Finder: Thanks for the review of the Manfrotto pan/tilt head. I like the speed and flexibility of a ballhead, but I find that since I'm mostly shooting landscapes, I would prefer to have independent control of each axis of movement. Any other suggestions for a light manfrotto pan/tilt head?

Sorry. I find pan/tilt heads very bulky and awkward so I don't use them. I do a lot of landscape photography and find a ballhead just as accurate and quicker to set up especially with the Mamiya 6. I simply hold the camera grip and with the ball free, compose the image. Tighten the head and I am ready to go.

I did have a large Manfrotto pan/tilt head, but found it annoying. Since a tripod is usually not perfectly level in the field, moving on axis of the head requires adjustments to the other axis to straighten things out. But that is really a personal perference. There are folks who like pan/tilt heads, but I think ballheads are just as accurate. It is just a matter of the way you like to work.