Ageing photographers and the weight. Simplicate and add lightness.

[MGrayson]

This is also the tripod and tripod head I am using. No center column, but enough maximum height that the non-existing center column is not missed.

I'm not tall, and the shorter version gets the camera perfectly to my eye. I know the extra leg length is very helpful on uneven terrain, but it also sticks up above the pack when collapsed and that's a danger to others on public transportation. If I click with the CP30-S4 II, then I'll consider either the L version or he CP34-L4 II for a larger tripod that is still a pound lighter than my Gitzo 3. For light heads, the RRS BH30 is really good. I usually use the Acratech panorama head, but it needs a leveler (or carefully adjusted tripod legs. I use the Gitzo leveling base on the 5-series.)

I see, however, that the GP-SS has fans, and I'm like the Acratech brand.

 

[rdeloe]

Thanks, I ordered the shorter version. We'll see!

Oh no! I just realized I misled you. I have two FLM tripods. The FLM CP30-L4 II Tripod is my "heavy duty" set of legs for use with the F-Universalis. It's not a lightweight travel tripod. The lightweight tripod is use with the Acra-Tech GP-SS head is the FLM CP26 Travel II tripod.

So sorry!

 

[rdeloe]

This is also the tripod and tripod head I am using. No center column, but enough maximum height that the non-existing center column is not missed.

The height on the FLM CP30-L4 II Tripod is incredible. It puts my F-Universalis above my head. I rarely need to do that, but I very often need one really long leg and two shorter legs, and for that it's brilliant. An Arca-Swiss C1 Cube rides on top of this guy. I use the Arca-Swiss QuickLink system to connect the Cube to the legs.

 

[MGrayson]

Oh no! I just realized I misled you. I have two FLM tripods. The FLM CP30-L4 II Tripod is my "heavy duty" set of legs for use with the F-Universalis. It's not a lightweight travel tripod. The lightweight tripod is use with the Acra-Tech GP-SS head is the FLM CP26 Travel II tripod.

So sorry!

No worries. If B&H had it on display, I would have looked at it in the store. They have a very easy return policy. Although after buying and returning the Gitzo Giant twice over the years, I may be on their blacklist.

And the CP30-S4 II is just a tiny bit heavier and 2 inches longer when collapsed.

I have the quick-link system, and it may be a good solution to the "tripod with head is a dangerous weapon" problem.

 

[Pieter 12]

A variation on that theme is that if a scene is more than 50 feet from your car, it's not photogenic. Was that also Ansel?

Weston.

 

[MGrayson]

The height on the FLM CP30-L4 II Tripod is incredible. It puts my F-Universalis above my head. I rarely need to do that, but I very often need one really long leg and two shorter legs, and for that it's brilliant. An Arca-Swiss C1 Cube rides on top of this guy. I use the Arca-Swiss QuickLink system to connect the Cube to the legs.

Rob,

The FLM CP30-S4 II arrived and it feels perfect. Very solid. Doesn't stick above the pack even with a head on. Took a sharp 1-minute exposure with the XCD 135mm lens - in calm conditions, so who knows what that says. Anyway, it's a keeper.

I can see why the L version would be your main tripod. They're light, but don't feel light.

Thanks again,

Matt

 

[rdeloe]

Rob,

The FLM CP30-S4 II arrived and it feels perfect. Very solid. Doesn't stick above the pack even with a head on. Took a sharp 1-minute exposure with the XCD 135mm lens - in calm conditions, so who knows what that says. Anyway, it's a keeper.

I can see why the L version would be your main tripod. They're light, but don't feel light.

Thanks again,

Matt

Excellent! Whew.

Another nice thing about FLM is Ari, the North American rep. He's terrific and will take care of you if there are any issues. He's also a member on this forum.

 

[dave massolo]

I'm not tall, and the shorter version gets the camera perfectly to my eye. I know the extra leg length is very helpful on uneven terrain, but it also sticks up above the pack when collapsed and that's a danger to others on public transportation. If I click with the CP30-S4 II, then I'll consider either the L version or he CP34-L4 II for a larger tripod that is still a pound lighter than my Gitzo 3. For light heads, the RRS BH30 is really good. I usually use the Acratech panorama head, but it needs a leveler (or carefully adjusted tripod legs. I use the Gitzo leveling base on the 5-series.)

I see, however, that the GP-SS has fans, and I'm like the Acratech brand.

Hi Matt I also have a CP30-S 4II take a look at the new FLM 47GX head it is very strong for its size

 

[MGrayson]

Hi Matt I also have a CP30-S 4II take a look at the new FLM 47GX head it is very strong for its size

That is a lot of ballhead for the money, and it's pretty light.

I've become so fond of the Acratech Panning Head that I'm possibly willing to level the tripod by adjusting its legs. The head has a very sensitive bubble level. Once level, the camera stays level to the horizon no matter which way it is moved. I have a few levelers, but am hesitant to add unnecessary weight.

Thank you for the pointer.

Matt

 

[Niddiot]

I picked up a s/h one of the RRS Ascend tripods. Full price is scary but I have to say it is superb. Add in a LEOFOTO G2 and you have a superb package. For lightweight I leave the G2 at home. The built in clamp and ball is an excellent levelling base or just about enough movement to work as a head on its own.
RRS Ascend

 

[hcubell]

Weston.

Thanks. I am reminded of a workshop in Canyonlands that I attended about 30 years ago. There was a participant who was working with an 8 x 10 view camera and a huge wooden tripod. We all went to this breathtaking area in a remote section of Canyonlands and there was a small parking lot where we all parked our cars. The photographer with the 8 x 10 view camera set it up in the parking lot and just look for compositions in the parking lot while the rest of us hiked for miles away from the parking lot. I never did determine whether he made the right choice and got better compositions just standing where he was when he got out of his car.
at the time, I was using a Pentax 67 system with a very full complement of lenses. I cannot believe that I used to hike over rough terrain for miles at a time with that backpack, which weighed well over 30 pounds.

 

[MGrayson]

I got the shorter FLM CP30, and then found the longer one used so (I don't have to finish that sentence, do I....)

The L feels a lot heavier than the S, even though the scale says that the difference is 140g, as advertised. I think it's the moment of inertia. The short tripod spins more easily . In any event, they're both a heck of a lot lighter than the big Gitzos, and they pack down to 19" and 23" instead of 28" and 27" - not backpack friendly!

Matt

 

[dave massolo]

I got the shorter FLM CP30, and then found the longer one used so (I don't have to finish that sentence, do I....)

The L feels a lot heavier than the S, even though the scale says that the difference is 140g, as advertised. I think it's the moment of inertia. The short tripod spins more easily . In any event, they're both a heck of a lot lighter than the big Gitzos, and they pack down to 19" and 23" instead of 28" and 27" - not backpack friendly!

Matt

 

[dave massolo]

I installed the RRS leveler RRS TA-2u-LB on my CP 30 S4 -II seems to work pretty well with out a lot of extra weight
Dave

 

[Pieter 12]

As I get deeper into the wrong end of the age distribution, the type of gear that I can use changes. I used to able to carry around a P1 back, DF body and heavy lenses. That is impossible now. Even my wonderful GFX 100II is too heavy for anything more than a short excursion, and I just carry the body plus one mounted GF lens. I am prevented from carrying my tech camera very often, because adding a stable tripod to the load is just such a bother. Yes, age sucks.

So, I am thinking about a way forward. One option is a GF/M adaptor, to use my favourite Leica lenses on the GFX (in 35 mm crop mode). That will be heavier than a small FF camera, but much more flexible and capable. I am trying that but the jury is still out. Another option, of course, is to just get a FF camera for walkabout. I would be reluctant to do that - for reasons that are more emotional than practical.

How have you dealt with this?.

BTW
Symplicate: To make a system more complex so that the use of the system is easier or simpler.

 

[anyone]

It arrived, and it fits neatly: 907x + 45p + 90 3.2 in Fstop tiny micro ICU.

If you have already a fstop ICU small shallow, the size is roughly half, BUT the height differs. I could place the 90 3.2 upright, but it's a stretch, while in the small shallow, there is plenty of room.

I'm happy with that bag!

 

[wattsy]

It arrived, and it fits neatly: 907x + 45p + 90 3.2 in Fstop tiny micro ICU.

If you have already a fstop ICU small shallow, the size is roughly half, BUT the height differs. I could place the 90 3.2 upright, but it's a stretch, while in the small shallow, there is plenty of room.

I'm happy with that bag!

View attachment 213003

That looks very neat and tidy. I must admit I wasn't familiar with the f-stop ICU system and bags. I have a similar set-up but nothing like as integrated. When I'm headed into the mountains or going on a long hike, I put my 907x and 45P into a Billingham Hadley Small which I then stuff into my rucksack on top of various clothes and other stuff (I have the tripod fixed to the outside). When I want to take a photo, I remove the Hadley from the rucksack and temporarily wear it in front of me (that way I don't have to put the bag down on the ground and there's little danger of me dropping anything). When I've finished taking photographs I put the Billingham back inside the rucksack. What I like about my method is that the Billingham, with its canvas and rubber sandwich construction, is virtually waterproof and I don't have to concern myself too much with the elements.

 

[cunim]

BTW
Symplicate: To make a system more complex so that the use of the system is easier or simpler.

I haven't seen that usage of simplicate before. Clever. Actually, it's a neologism and the phrase (Simplicate and add more lightness) was first used by WB Stout and was later made popular by Colin Chapman (Lotus). Stout was an aircraft designer (eg Ford Trimotor) and Chapman did fast cars, but the idea is the same. Remove anything that is not absolutely necessary and your machine will function better. I wonder if someone could mention this to the people who designed the Sony menus.

 

[Shashin]

So I have been through this dilemma several times. Obviously, it is hard to give a definitive answer. I have certainly had my share of cameras. Have I ever found that perfect camera that was the only one I ever needed? Yes, several times. For me, there is a balance between the ease of using a system and the quality. I never really enjoyed large-format film photography, even though I really liked the quality. I found the balance with medium-format film--I love the choices of format and camera types.

Then came digital. In a sense, that was really portable when you just think of the size and weight of the film you don't have to carry. I also always liked a paired down kit, preferring one or two lenses over a whole bag of optics. When I moved to digital, I went with a Pentax 645D system and it was amazing (still is). I had no problem hiking a day with the gear and photographing--there is a difference between simply carrying your gear and having no energy to actually take photographs and carrying your gear AND taking photographs. This has always been a factor in selecting my equipment is that I need to use it. I would rather just take a camera and a lens if that means taking a lot of images and perhaps missing out on a few opportunities because of a single focal length than taking a "perfect" set of lenses and cameras and being too fatigued to use them.

Then somewhere down the line, I got old. I still use my Pentax--that is a great system, but it does not really fit where I am. So I started thinking about what inspired me in my photography. I love rangefinder/viewfinder cameras. I love the spontaneity of shooting, being able to see and react to the world I am experiencing. I love the technique and skill that comes with making photographs. What is less important for me is making huge images. I like most of my photographs in the 20" to 30" range. I find that size intimate but also impactful (I have made my share of 60"+ prints, so it is not like I have not printed large (not of my work, but the largest print I have made was 168"X168"). So I looked for a system that would give a satisfying photographic experience and give me the print quality I would be satisfied with. Surprisingly, even for me, I settle on the Fujifilm X series cameras--I was thinking I would go to 35mm. I tested my 24MP X Pro2 on a 40" print, thinking if that was good, anything smaller would be better.

I have been very happy with my choice. Is it perfect? No. But that is kind of the point. Chasing "perfection" can be a bit of a trap--every year manufacturers release a new version of perfection. Are my images satisfying, yes. I think we easily fall into maximizing our equipment, when we should be optimizing it to defined criteria. (Take that, Dante!)

But I still have my Pentax if I want to scratch that itch...

 

[rdeloe]

So I looked for a system that would give a satisfying photographic experience and give me the print quality I would be satisfied with. Surprisingly, even for me, I settle on the Fujifilm X series cameras--I was thinking I would go to 35mm. I tested my 24MP X Pro2 on a 40" print, thinking if that was good, anything smaller would be better.

I entered digital seriously with a Sony A7. Like you, I switched down a size to a Fuji X-T2. I made this decision because with APS-C I could use 35mm lenses and a tilt-shift adapter to have movements. What sealed the deal for me was making 17" x 25" prints with the X-T2 and comparing them to prints from the A7R (which had replaced that A7). The Fuji prints were difficult to tell apart from the 36 MP Sony files.

I'm only using medium format now because I discovered that digital view cameras were a thing. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a Toyo VX23D -- movements on both standards. Hallelujah! The flat GFX 50R was the perfect "back" because the best widest lens I could put on that Toyo with any sensor was the Pentax-A 35mm f/3.5, and on 33mm x 44mm it made for a wider field of view.

I did a lot of work with that Fuji, and the images I made are still some of my favourites. I don't like tilt-shift adapters, but if I had to adopt the lightest possible kit that gave me movements, I could be happy with a modern APS-C sensor and one of the better adapter designs.