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1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

hay all

WHATS your favorite Tripod for 23 or 4x5 maybe your 5x7

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

banjo, I've had a Berlebach 8023 for around 10 years. It replaced an ancient Bogen 3221/Manfrotto 055. I prefer the Berlebach to the Bogen/Manfrotto because it is much more rigid in torsion.

The problem with the B/M and all other tripods with tubular legs and collars to hold them tight is that the bearing surfaces between leg sections are quite small. This isn't a problem with short lenses, but with long lenses its very hard, sometime impossible, to get the steadiness required. Their platforms will all rotate relative to the ground.

Re the blanket assertion, before I bought the Berlebach I visited B&H and swung from all of their floor-model tripods. The only one with tubular legs that was solid enough was a $900 carbon fiber Gitzo.
My Berlebach has long bearing surfaces between leg sections.

Coupla months ago I came across an ancient Ries Model C Tri-Lok (that's what the platform, "crown" in Ries-speak, says it is). $30, so I grabbed it. After I tightened it up I think it's very competitive with my aging Berlebach, but it is harder to set up.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

banjo, y'r question inspired me to go looking. I don't know if this http://minnesota.backpage.com/AntiquesForSale/75-ries-model-c-tri-lok-tripod-schiansky-munchen-made-in-germany-head/7842713 is still available or whether it will suit y'r needs/budget, but it looks like a very good deal.

1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

hey
what made me ask the ? I just got a Ries it maybe a J100?
but I was looking at there sit they say that wood does not
have any VIBRATION to it as does a tube tipe do!
as I have never thought it BUT out doing water fall shots
shots some at slow shutter speed they are not SHARP using
a Bogen 3231! as the air mite have a sonicwave in from the
water fall thrugh the air make the Bogen have a VIBRATION???!!!

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

banjo, the 3231 is a monopod. Unstable as can be. Is that what you have?

I've read that "wood tripods are better damped than metal" many times. When I was looking for a replacement for my 3221 I spent $10 at a yard sale for a pretty K&E surveyor's tripod. Took it home, cleaned it up, put a head on it, tried it out. The wretched thing rang like a bell, even after I tightened it up. Some wood tripods are poorly damped.

I've been meaning to toss the K&E. If my wife hasn't put it out with the trash and you want it, its yours for postage, which will be a bit.

Give your Ries a fair trial. I don't know what condition yours is in, when I got mine some of the screws were loose and allowed play. Easily fixed with my Swiss Army knife.

1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

hey Dan
when you say thing rang like a bell ! is it a metal one?

my Ries looks almost NEW but its from the 1940

OK its a 3231, 3020, 3124, & a 3231 monopod

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

My infernal K&E? Wood, that's why I bought it.

You named two Bogen tripods and one monopod. Which is problematic?

I had to check leveling ball and head's tightness from time to time, still do. Many are the ways parts of the assembly to get loose.

1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

hey Dan
what would the postage be to 67880-1848

for the the K&E.

banjo

Billy Canuck · Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 165 Location: Calgary AB Canada

I was lucky to find a big old Ries tripod (marked Made in Hollywood) with a simple tilt head, not the Tri-Lok head on the one Dan Fromm linked to. It may be heavy, but it's a king among tripods: holds my 13-lb. Ansco 8x10 rock steady, not to mention my Speed 4x5.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

Billy Canuck · Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 165 Location: Calgary AB Canada

I stand corrected.

SYNCHROJAMES · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 38 Location: SAN DIEGO CA

I picked up an 8023 Berlebach "report" for the same reason-my Manfrotto was not as rigid, plus if you go out early on a winters day, an aluminum tripod is so cold it hurts. My current head is the Manfrotto 808RC4, though I think I might have preferred the 3275 410 gear head instead. save my allowance I shall.
James

Henry · Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:57 pm Post subject:

The 410 Bogen-Manfrotto medium geared head is a winner; I wouldn't use anything else on my Bogen 3001 tripod (no longer in the catalog AFAIK). It makes set-up a snap with my Century 2x3.

SYNCHROJAMES · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 38 Location: SAN DIEGO CA

As luck would have it I was passing by the Calumet store in Escondido, CA. Went inside and they were having customer appreciation day, and there, perched atop a tripod was a Bogen 410. THE ONLY ONE. for $25 off. Guess whose tripod it sits on now. I'll donate the RC4 to the church auction. Off tho the Arboretum I go!
James

Henry · Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:08 pm Post subject:

You're gonna love it! Let us know how it works for you.