Is my Bogen 3051 tripod overkill?

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I have a Graphic View II 4X5 camera. I got a deal on a 3051 tripod with 3047 head. It seems like a massive tripod!! compared to the size of the camera.

Not something I can lug around everywhere..

If I were to downgrade to a 3036 would I make a mistake?

thanks!

-- Pete (gregarpp@icqmail.com), July 13, 2001

Answers

No. The 3050 was my first REAL tripod - 13lbs of lovely aluminum and iron. Still have it, still use it, in the house. It hasn't been in my car for years. The 3036 will do perfectly for that camera. For you it's actually an upgrade.

-- Wayne DeWitt (wdewitt@snip.net), July 13, 2001.

Iron on a Bogen? You got an old one?

-- Sean Yates (coalandice@yahoo.com), July 14, 2001.

The fittings on the bottom of the outer legs appears to be cast iron as does the "head" (what is the correct term for the "body" of the tripod?). But you're right - I just tried a magnet and it didn't stick. I guess that I just assumed that a 13lb. tripod couldn't be ALL aluminum! LOL

-- Wayne DeWitt (wdewitt@snip.net), July 14, 2001.

I've had a 3036 for years, and I think it's excellent. I would think that it would work for your camera. I especially like the way the angle of each leg can be separately adjusted. I also have the 3047 head, which is beginning to give way. I'm thinking about getting the 421, which has geared movements.

-- neil poulsen (neil.fg@att.net), July 14, 2001.

Pete, It is a big tripod but you need the stability for 4x5, even the light graphic you have. In the field, with my Linhof I get away with the 3021 but I don't use it to it's outside edge. It works good for me. Studio stuff with a monorail though... keep the 3051!!!

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), July 14, 2001.


It's way too heavy for use in the field, and in my opinion, not needed for a 4x5. If it's really a good deal and you plan to use it in the studio or next to the car, ok, but otherwise I'd look for something lighter. For stability, you don't need a heavy tripod. What's important is leg rigidity and a wide footprint.

-- Q.-Tuan Luong (qtl@ai.sri.com), July 19, 2001.

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