[LargeFormat] Large Format in Rome, Italy

[Brock Nanson]

Thanks Clive,

The age-old debate about what makes a good tripod!  I've used the 190 with
my Sinar, but not with the super graphic.  When I get a day this spring I
might try that combination.  I've found, like you say, that the smaller ones
get a little springy and a great deal of attention must be given to how the
shutter is released!  No breeze and the cable release better not be pulled
tight!  I've almost considered getting some sort of an adapter to allow a
bulb release to be used (the lense end is too big to fit against the lense
board - at least in my case) to further minimize movement.

I typically use a big Manfrotto (well, the sister company to be exact) with
the air release legs and nice points hidden inside the rubber feet.  The
stabilizing supports between the center post and the legs are what make a
tripod firm I think.  But I don't like to carry this model any farther than
I can throw a large-ish man... they are similar weights.  So finding a nice
alternative is attractive.

I don't know what the excitement about the carbon fibre is.  I find them to
have more bounce to them than the aluminum ones do.  Well, maybe not bounce,
but more of a vibration - they are stiffer after all!  But at least they are
lighter too!

For some reason I think we've had this conversation before...

Brock

| Brock,
|
| The Velbon is 1' 9" long and I also have a Manfrotto 190 which is 2' 3"
long.
|
| The Welbon is a fairly "squat" tripod and is actually a bit more
| stable than the Manfrotto. I prefer the Manfrotto is some ways as it
| is a little bit taller but the Velbon is still one of the best
| tripods I own.
|
| To make the plots a little more stable I hang the camera bag around
| the tripod when necessary. I am not totally convinced by the leg
| arrangement on the Manfrotto - it could do with more bracing between
| the legs - this is the main reason that the Velbon is more stable.
| Adding more weight in terms of a LF camera and glass to the top of
| the 190 doesn't help make it more stable - it simply places the legs
| under more lateral tension and gives them more bounce!
|
| The Velbon is fairly old and the newer versions of the same tripod
| contain a lot of plastic and are not as stable.  There are however a
| few higher end Velbons that are rather attractive....
|
| The most stable tripods I own are a top end (huge) Manfrotto and a
| couple of Majestics. Not the sort of things to take on board an
| aircraft - if they would allow it which I very much doubt.
|
| So, the Velbon still rules for 4x5 and I'm sure that model was only
| intended for 35mm and Super8 cine film use.
|
| Cheers,
|         Clive