[pkr1979]

Hi all,

I have the Manfrotto MK055XPRO3 with the MHXPRO-3W... did anyone try that with the Pentax 67ii (with long lenses)? Im just not sure how sturdy this thing is... with that quick release...

I also have a Gitzo g1570 that I use for large format... but if I dont have to drag that thing around Id rather not.

Im curious about other recomendations for a tripod as well :-)

Cheers
Peter

[bjolester]

I have a Manfrotto 055xprob tripod fitted with a 808 RC4 3-way head that I have used for several years with the Pentax 67ii. The 67ii plus 45mm, 105mm, 165mm or the 55-100 zoom have been perfectly stable with the Manfrotto tripod and head, and resulted in satisfying images. I recently purchased the Pentax 67 400mm EDIF, and then I felt the need for a heavier tripod. So I purchased a Berlebach Report wooden tripod fitted with a Uniqball UBH45, and use this with the 400mm.

[travelswsage]

I always used the Bogen 3021 legs and 3047 head for both the pentax 67 and my Arca Swiss 45 and found this combo to work quite well without being to onerous to carry. I did not have any of the long lenses for the Pentax but I did use a 360mm and 500mm racked out on the 45. Worked well and was solid except in heavy wind.

[pkr1979]

Thanks for getting back to me - I suspect I need another tripod as well... one to go between the Manfrotto and Gitzo.

[WPRESTO]

Bogen/Manfroto made and still makes several double-leg tripods. These are probably stronger and more stable than single leg tripods. They are expensive, so I would advocate looking for a pre-owned model from EBAY. ALSO: with a lot of weight on the head, a sliding center column is much harder to adjust than a geared column, so if you anticipate needing that adjustment, look for a geared column in your next tripod. AND FINALLY, all tripods are one-point support under a camera + long lens, and the latter have a tendency to vibrate or move down their length because of the leverage the mass has. If you want maximum steadiness of long lens + a large camera, get a Manfrotto heavy lens brace. It attaches to one tripod leg, then up to the tripod socket of the camera body (assuming the lens has a tripod shoe). It makes adjusting the field of view clumsy & slow, but it will enable a relatively light tripod to hold a camera + long lens much steadier than a far more massive tripod without the brace.

FOLLOWUP:

Especially sturdy tripod with geared column = Manfrotto 028B, but it is expensive. I would look for a pre-owned one on EBAY.

Brace that can greatly increase steadiness of a big camera + big lens on any tripod = Manfrotto 359 long lens support. Not expensive (about $84 USD) but it makes moving the camera = changing the FOV, clumsy and slow. It's best used if there's a particular spot you want to photograph with a long lens, such as a bird's nest or the opening of a fox den, or perhaps a distant structure with the Moon rising behind it (=potentially a longer exposure when any vibration could ruin the shot).

[destroya]

I have been using an Induro classic, the induro clt303l, that goes to 7 feet high without using the center column raise, along with an arca swiss ball head. never had any issues with shake, even with the 300mm ED and a 1.4 extender. very sturdy and light (not the ball head) . You can get an extra long base plate that will be long enough to bolt the camera body and the 300mm lens to the same plate and that will give you even more stability.

[StiffLegged]

Before junking the tripod, get a head better suited to heavier medium format gear, especially not one using the Manfrotto quick release plates (bleah... ). The tripod is rated to 11kg, so I'd definitely start with a better head using Arca-Swiss mounting. The 055 with a head on it will hold a 67 high enough to not need extending the column normally, so don't extend it if you can avoid it.

edit: rating is 9kg, my bad even though I have one myself...

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Last edited by StiffLegged; 08-30-2019 at 12:27 PM.

[WPRESTO]

If you take the advice in the preceding post and go for a new, stronger ball head, be sure to give a serious look at the Sirui B40, about $200 and rated at 77lb (~30+ kg). I have a couple of Sirui heads - they are beautifully made and reasonably rated for load capacity.

[bjolester]

Before junking the tripod, get a head better suited to heavier medium format gear, especially not one using the Manfrotto quick release plates (bleah... ). The tripod is rated to 11kg, so I'd definitely start with a better head using Arca-Swiss mounting. The 055 with a head on it will hold a 67 high enough to not need extending the column normally, so don't extend it if you can avoid it.

The Manfrotto MK055XPRO3 is rated at 9 kg (19.8 lb). My older Manfrotto 055xprob is rated at "only" 7kg, but still stable enough to give good support to the 67ii and wide angle to short telephoto lenses. I second the suggestion about a better head for your Manfrotto MK055XPRO3. I would recommend Uniqball tripod heads, they are very good.

[pkr1979]

Thanks again for helpfull advise :-) I'll look into these heads (I do prefer 3ways, particularly for large format, but for SLRs I suppose these ballheads are conveniant)... its the quick release on the Manfrotto thats make me anxious, and it does seem abit bleah when it comes to sturdyness :-)

Also, I have never really looked into Sirui or Induri, or Uniqball, which I probably should have before getting the Manfrotto.

[WPRESTO]

VAV 3-way heads. Their popularity has declined in favor of ball heads as the technology and quality of the latter has increased. Not as wide a choice in 3-way heads now as there was when I started in photography (1950's). The one brand that still offers several models unambiguously designed for large cameras is Gitzo, but they are something between painfully and outrageously expensive. Majestic made big 3-way heads for studio use, industrial strength rather than beautifully finished, but I'm not sure they are still in business. Used ones are probably available on EBAY, but if you're tempted be sure to check how they attach to a center column. As I recall, many of them were intended to set down around an empty tube of a particular diameter and clamp on with a thumb screw = they did not have either a 1/4X20 or 3/8X16 female screw socket in the base..

[WPRESTO]

This is currently going for $100 on EBAY, a very heavy-duty tripod and 3-way head. According to the post, less that 12 hours to sale finalization.


Manfrotto Bogen Tripod w/ Bogen Head 3047 Heavy Duty

[pkr1979]

Thanks! Its relisted - I might consider that :-)

[tuco]

How long of a lens? And raising the camera to standing eye hight?

[pkr1979]

300mm (possibly with 2x/1.4x teleconverter), and raised up to eye hight.