This tripod

Argon3 wrote:
I was going to suggest that you look for either Davis and Sanford or
a Majestic
tripods as an alternative. I assumed that you would probably find
them used
and that you were looking for something new...but apparently Majestic
is still
in business. Don't know about Davis and Sanford.
The reason I mention them is that these were the two brands that we
had
available for use on location at a photo studio that I worked at.
They were
metal and they were total tanks...handled 8X10 Deardorffs with the
greatest of
ease. Don't seem to hear about them so much lately but if I found
one used and
in good condition I think that I'd snap it up in second.
Again, may not be exactly what you're looking for but a possibility
to
consider. The Majestics are still being made and seem to be in a
reasonable
price range.

best

argon

The web site for majestic tripods is:
http://www.bencher.com/photo/tripods.php

They have been making them for 60 year or so. The geared head is very
solid.
This is the most stable tripod I own. Easily will hold any view camera
you would care to put on it. I got mine at a local camera junk sale
for $30 for the feet and bought the head for $250 or so new from the
manufacturer about 15 years ago. Mine does not have spiked feet, but
that has never been a problem.
The only problem with it is that if the picture is more than 50 yards
from your car or truck, it won't matter because you won't be interested
in carrying the thing that far. The old Ansel rule. They sell wheels
for it which would be great if you are inside or on a hard surface.
Kirk

Argon3 wrote:
I was going to suggest that you look for either Davis and Sanford or
a Majestic
tripods as an alternative. I assumed that you would probably find
them used
and that you were looking for something new...but apparently Majestic
is still
in business. Don't know about Davis and Sanford.
The reason I mention them is that these were the two brands that we
had
available for use on location at a photo studio that I worked at.
They were
metal and they were total tanks...handled 8X10 Deardorffs with the
greatest of
ease. Don't seem to hear about them so much lately but if I found
one used and
in good condition I think that I'd snap it up in second.
Again, may not be exactly what you're looking for but a possibility
to
consider. The Majestics are still being made and seem to be in a
reasonable
price range.

best

argon

The web site for majestic tripods is:
http://www.bencher.com/photo/tripods.php

They have been making them for 60 year or so. The geared head is very
solid.
This is the most stable tripod I own. Easily will hold any view camera
you would care to put on it. I got mine at a local camera junk sale
for $30 for the feet and bought the head for $250 or so new from the
manufacturer about 15 years ago. Mine does not have spiked feet, but
that has never been a problem.
The only problem with it is that if the picture is more than 50 yards
from your car or truck, it won't matter because you won't be interested
in carrying the thing that far. The old Ansel rule. They sell wheels
for it which would be great if you are inside or on a hard surface.
Kirk

Calumet were selling them for around that in 1999 or so BRBR

I also picked up one at Calumet the same time. My impression was that they
were discontinuing them and that was the reason for the "fire sale" prices.
I've enjoyed it but the model that I got was one that was meant for medium
format...still, a Tachihara isn't that heavy, so I've used the tripod rather
successfully with the Tachi although I think that using my Lotus 4X5 on it
would be a bit of a stretch weight wise...not that it can't support it but that
the stability would suffer. I try to not use the extension column if at all
possible...with a bogen 3047 head on it, the Tachi comes up to about my eye
level so I got that goin' for me. Still, something wood (light) and taller
wouldn't hurt...carrying my big Bogen tripod around got to my back a while
back.
I stand corrected on the Majestic tripods which are pretty heavy but I seem to
remember using a Davis and Sanford at the studio that was reasonably
light...mostly aluminum I think.

best

argon

Calumet were selling them for around that in 1999 or so BRBR

I also picked up one at Calumet the same time. My impression was that they
were discontinuing them and that was the reason for the "fire sale" prices.
I've enjoyed it but the model that I got was one that was meant for medium
format...still, a Tachihara isn't that heavy, so I've used the tripod rather
successfully with the Tachi although I think that using my Lotus 4X5 on it
would be a bit of a stretch weight wise...not that it can't support it but that
the stability would suffer. I try to not use the extension column if at all
possible...with a bogen 3047 head on it, the Tachi comes up to about my eye
level so I got that goin' for me. Still, something wood (light) and taller
wouldn't hurt...carrying my big Bogen tripod around got to my back a while
back.
I stand corrected on the Majestic tripods which are pretty heavy but I seem to
remember using a Davis and Sanford at the studio that was reasonably
light...mostly aluminum I think.

best

argon

"Argon3" wrote in message
...
Calumet were selling them for around that in 1999 or so BRBR

I also picked up one at Calumet the same time. My impression was that
they
were discontinuing them and that was the reason for the "fire sale"
prices.
I've enjoyed it but the model that I got was one that was meant for medium
format...still, a Tachihara isn't that heavy, so I've used the tripod
rather
successfully with the Tachi although I think that using my Lotus 4X5 on it
would be a bit of a stretch weight wise...[...]

FWIW, I put my 29-pound LF camera on the same tripod, with the column down,
of course. I had to really lock down the legs, and they bowed ever so
little, but it was sturday as heck. Of course, that's the way some things
appear to be to the moment something SNAPS! I won't be doing that again.

Yes, the center column is a weakness. I epoxied and screwed mine down. I
never use it.

"Argon3" wrote in message
...
Calumet were selling them for around that in 1999 or so BRBR

I also picked up one at Calumet the same time. My impression was that
they
were discontinuing them and that was the reason for the "fire sale"
prices.
I've enjoyed it but the model that I got was one that was meant for medium
format...still, a Tachihara isn't that heavy, so I've used the tripod
rather
successfully with the Tachi although I think that using my Lotus 4X5 on it
would be a bit of a stretch weight wise...[...]

FWIW, I put my 29-pound LF camera on the same tripod, with the column down,
of course. I had to really lock down the legs, and they bowed ever so
little, but it was sturday as heck. Of course, that's the way some things
appear to be to the moment something SNAPS! I won't be doing that again.

Yes, the center column is a weakness. I epoxied and screwed mine down. I
never use it.