Just got into the 8x10 format with one of these beasts and a 14" Ektar Commercial. What a joy this format is looking through such a large ground glass!

It's crashingly obvious that I need some kind of solid support. Mostly doing still life indoors (long time exposures!) with occasional outdoor stuff. Wondering if any of the Bogen legsets rated for 26 pounds would be suitable. I'm hoping to get a geared head like a Majestic to sit on top. Thanks, Vinod

-- VNC (chettu99@tyenet.com), August 18, 2000

Answers

The last set of Bogen legs I had was the 3036 - with a Majestic head as you are planning to get. It worked well under a 13 lb. Kodak While that set up should work under the Calumet, heavy as it is, I would urge caution. I have also used the 3046 under the same camera, but without the Majestic head. Again, no worries.

I would try to get to a retailer with the different Bogen/Manfrotto models and try them out under your black beast and see how you like it. Heavy as tht critter is, I'd be inclined to get their top-of-the- line set - don't recall the model number, but it weighs as much as the camera does.

-- Sean yates (yatescats@yahoo.com), August 18, 2000.

I use a 3046 for my Toyo 45A and it is overkill. I would think it would handle an 8x10 with no problem. It holds a lot of weight (26lbs) for its own weight (9.1 lbs) for a relatively inexpensive, aluminum tripod. I also chose it because it was tall enough to bring the camera to almost eye level without having to extend the center column.

-- John H. Henderson (jhende03@harris.com), August 18, 2000.

I think the smallest Bogen worth considering would be the 3036.

Better yet, hunt up a used Majestic tripod w/gear head for most likely lots less money than just the Bogen legs. I can tell you for sure the Majestic #3000 legs w/#1200 head works great with that camera even tilted way downward but it's definitely not something to lug around very far.

-- John Hicks (jbh@magicnet.net), August 18, 2000.

The 3050 with a geared Majestic head would be perfect. You may want to look at a Ries Dual-Tilt head also - it locks-up solid and due to the design can de adjusted to have a lot of friction during adjustment prior to lock-up.

-- Wayne DeWitt (wdewitt@snip.net), August 18, 2000.