[jcrutchley]

Looking for a sturdy tripod/ball head combination that will hold a Pentax 6x7 or RB67, but won't break the bank. Currently looking at Manfrotto 3021 with 3047 head. Thought I'd see what sort of recommendations I can get here. Thanks for your help!

[Zivelot]

Hi, I bought a Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ (263AB100) specifically for my K-1 about two years ago. It was under £200 (tripod+ball head kit) that time, but was a recent release if I am correct, hence the price. I have been very satisfied with it, no real complaints. Holds the K-1 with a 70-200mm Sigma lens firmly.

[hypermodern]

I have a (lightly) used Benro TMA48CLB4

It’s solid, certainly more than I need, and I imagine it would be plenty for a 6x7 or RB67 too.

[murrelet]

Looking for a sturdy tripod/ball head combination that will hold a Pentax 6x7 or RB67, but won't break the bank. Currently looking at Manfrotto 3021 with 3047 head. Thought I'd see what sort of recommendations I can get here. Thanks for your help!

The 3021+3047 is a good combo for what you want it for. I have an RZ67 and use a 3001 with a generic 3D head. The 3001 is a good balance of heft and portability for my use. I also have a 3021 (the 3221, actually, which is a 3021 in black) but it's a bit too hefty for me. I would probably use it more if I had a studio setup. If you're looking to save money, find a used one; they've been around forever so should be easy to find, even locally.

[photolady95]

I believe that the 6x7 weighs a bit more than a K-1 even with lens attached.
I had a Manfrotto 3221 but mine was the wilderness model, still it was quite heavy and I finally replaced it because it was too heavy for me to tote around.

[MossyRocks]

How heavy duty and how portable do you want it to be?
I wanted ultra heavy duty for doing astro shots off of so this past summer I built my own tripod out of 2X4s, scrap 3/4" plywood, 1/2" bolts, and square U-bolts. It weights about 60 lbs and when setup is wider than it is tall but it easily has a safe load capacity of 500 lbs and will hold my K-3 with the SMC A* 400/2.4 steady in a reasonable wind (about 10 MPH is all the highest I've had it out in). I built the tripod for $50 most of which was on bolts and for mounting the head using a 3/8"x16 bolt through the top part where the legs are hinged. For a head I got a new old stock manfrotto 3047 for $30 that I use on it.

2x4s were chosen because they are the cheapest per linear foot of lumbar and they make square U-Bolts that perfectly fit a standard 2x4 that you can use as clamps to have extendable legs. Half inch bolts were use most places instead of 3/8" ones as there weren't enough long 3/8" bolts in stock the day I went to buy them and I didn't want to wait another week. So because of the cost and materials available I ended up with a silly huge safe load limit tripod. It is however extremely stable and ridged which is what I was going for. This option does require access to tools and the ability to construct something fairly precisely for good results which a lot of people don't have or don't want to do.

[C_Jones]

I have two Sirui tripods. They are excellent.

Below is a shortcut to a Sirui brand tripod listing that you may be interested in:

amazon.com : Sirui T2005X TX Series Tripod Legs 5 Section 61?tag=pentaxforums-20&" Height Aluminum - Sirui T-2005X : Electronics

[Kerrowdown]

Looking for a sturdy tripod/ball head combination that will hold a Pentax 6x7 or RB67

I can recommend the Really Right Stuff TVC-34L Mark 2 Tripod and a BH55 Ball Head, absolutely rock solid combo.

Maybe it's not the cheapest out there... but think of it as an investment, as in buy it right once.

Really Right Stuff BH-55 Pro with B2 Pro II Clamp reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

[BigDave]

Manfrotto 3021 with 3047 head

- I have used this combination wit a 4x5 view camera and it works well, nice and steady. You can find them used sometimes too, such as this one, headless, at KEH:

Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 3 Section Chrome 26-71" Tripod Legs at KEH Camera

and there is a head too:

https://www.keh.com/shop/tripods-bogen-manfrotto-3047-head-715071.html

[Roadboat24]

Feisol 3472 with RRS BH55 ballhead.

[SteveinSLC]

If you really want something very stable, and are OK with it not being too portable, and no ballhead, get a Davis and Sanford Provista 7518.

[jcrutchley]

- I have used this combination wit a 4x5 view camera and it works well, nice and steady. You can find them used sometimes too, such as this one, headless, at KEH:

Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 3 Section Chrome 26-71" Tripod Legs at KEH Camera

and there is a head too:

Bogen/Manfrotto 3047 Head Tripod Head at KEH Camera

BigDave for the win! That's a solid combo, thanks for the links. New to the Pentax forum, and have already had 3 problems solved. Thank you everyone!

[From1980]

I was able to buy two fairly heavy duty tripods this year for great prices and still new. Vanguard seems to have discontinued their larger and highest capacity models in general but clearance and good used ones are often priced lower than the competition. I have the the Auctus Plus 323AT and Abeo Plus 364CT. Having handled them now I think they're going to be up to any medium to large format purpose I will have for them. The ball heads offered by Vanguard also seem to be good value. Well featured, solid, and high load capacity.

[TaoMaas]

Looks like I'm late to the discussion, but I'll add that I've been using a 3047 head for many, many years now. I got it for use with my Pentax 6X7 and it worked great.

[jcrutchley]

Ended up with a Tiltall, and upgraded to one of their ballheads. Judging by the build quality, I don't think I'll be needing to look at another tripod for the next 30 years.