Medium Format Ultralight Hiking Kit

[drunkenspyder]

I've got both the Novoflex and the Acratech as well. I may have to do a comparison. I wish I had thought of this when hauling the Arca Field down to and up from Tall Trees Grove this past week. Um, turns out, I also have the RRS, but I do not love the way it mounts to any of my RRS legs, and although it is only 52 grams heavier, it truly feels heavier. Probably ought to sell it.

I'm a big fan of leveling bowls. I have one on several tripods, and I especially like the Leofoto ones. They are well made, and fit nicely in both Gitzo and RRS tripods.

The advantage of the Novoflex MB20 is that it fits nice and compactly on top of legs like the RRS Ultralight series that are more compact & lightweight, but don't have room for a leveling bowl.

 

[anyone]

Short update: I now received the Leki Trekking poles and the Novoflex basicpod.

First impressions:
Leki Trekking Poles:

LEKI Trekkingstöcke CARBON Photosystem | DÖRR

Set 1 Paar ✓ LEKI Trekkingstöcke aus Carbon ✓ integrierter Fotoadapter ✓ Jetzt bestellen!

www.doerr-foto.de

• solid feel
• not very lightweight
• clamping mechanism is known from other Leki poles > works well
• photo-adapter made out of plastic. I'd wish they'd made a metal one

Novoflex Basicpod:

BasicPod

www.novoflex.de

• lightweight, solid base. Leg angle is not too steep, so that's good.

Five-section tripod leg:

5-Section Traveller Carbon Fiber 3-Piece Leg Set

Tripod legs carbon fiber (5 Section) - Set 3 pcs. Length: 31,5-109,5cm (12.4”-43.1”)

www.novoflex.de

• wow, the last section's diameter is really, really narrow. Section 5 is certainly not for me.

Combination of poles, basicpod, 5 section legs:

• by default, the trekking poles don't fit into the basicpod, as the 1/4" thread is recessed, an adapter is needed (I ordered it now)
• with some spare parts lying around, I could attach one pole to the basicpod, I used two 5-section legs for the trial
• in my point of view, it's mandatory to have adjustable hiking poles for this setup, as you don't want to use the 5-section legs completely extended
• the trekking pole feels like the most solid leg of the three.
• This will not result in a usable full-sized tripod. The max. working height which feels halfway stable is about 80cm
• Weight: 338g x2 (Trekking poles) + 184g (5section leg) + 57g (basicpod) = 917g

Whether this is now good enough or not... I don't know. I need to test it.

 

[ThdeDude]

• This will not result in a usable full-sized tripod. The max. working height which feels halfway stable is about 80cm

Thx for letting us know.

As I have written before, I do like the idea, the concept, but I am not too optimistic where this might fall on the "ultralightweight - stupid weight" scale.

 

[anyone]

Thx for letting us know.

As I have written before, I do like the idea, the concept, but I am not too optimistic where this might fall on the "ultralightweight - stupid weight" scale.

We'll find out soon! As soon as the adapters arrive. But now my skepticism shifted from questioning whether the trekking poles are suitable as tripod legs towards the travel tripod legs. But the nice thing of Novoflex is you can just use other legs.

In any case, my choice of the Leki poles vs Novoflex own kit seems to be sensible, since you can fully adjust the height of the pole. I don't need necessarily a full-sizzed tripod. 80cm, above the vegetation of the ground, is most of the time just fine for me. Both of my hiking cameras, the GFX100s as well as the 907x have a tiltable screen. In this weight category one must do compromises..

The Leki poles also serve well as tent supports for my new tent. And as a monopod. So a double win.

 

[ggibson]

Is it an issue to use the trekking poles for both your tripod and tent? I guess it's just another compromise to live with or not, it'd be more trouble to base camp or use the tripod at night.

Some other lightweight alternatives to consider:

For something more full-height, you could look at the Benro Cyanbird. I played with one in store and I was pretty impressed with the legs for a lightweight setup. Better than the PD tripod with fatter sections that didn't flex. I wasn't a huge fan of the ball head, it felt overcomplicated, but you could use something different. The legs are around 750g.

There's also the Marsace tripods which use a similar/knock-off RRS BPC-16 ballhead and come in a few flavors with/without a center column. The smallest one without center column is around 500g (with ball head) and extends to 100cm high (the XT-04S).

Personally, I have a Sirui T-025X that I use for travel with an RRS BPC-16. I removed the center column of the tripod, so it's just a very light/small 5-section leg tripod that goes to about half height. I don't know the exact weight, but I suspect it's close to 500g. Lots of compromises here too, but in most situations it works (my cameras are always <1500g). I feel like it's my minimum option before going without a tripod. The T-025X is now the Traveler 5CX I believe.

All of these would probably add a bit of weight to your setup, but you wouldn't have to deal with your tripod being in multiple pieces and these would have much more adjustability/usability. Might be worth it.

 

[anyone]

Is it an issue to use the trekking poles for both your tripod and tent? I guess it's just another compromise to live with or not, it'd be more trouble to base camp or use the tripod at night.

I know. It's on the list of compromises for the UL kit.

 

[ThdeDude]

There is a video showing the NOVOFLEX BasicPod in action. Looks quite serviceable at least for an emergency tripod.

 

[Shashin]

I guess when I see the example picture of shooting into the sun in a snow-covered landscape, I wonder why he just did not shoot that handheld. He could easily get 1/250 sec exposure.

Still, it looks interesting. I am sure it could be far more useful than the example illustrates.

 

[ThdeDude]

... I wonder why he just did not shoot that handheld

Still, it looks interesting. I am sure it could be far more useful than the example illustrates.

The cynic inside me: because a sunset photograph just looked the coolest!

I would have added a dusk/night image of a long exposure showing the stars rotating in the sky.

 

[Ai_Print]

I'm currently training pretty hard for a very long, high and remote trek in the Himalaya to take place this Fall. Lately I am doing about 50 miles a week in the high country at elevations ranging between 9,000 and 13,000 feet and my carry is currently 15-16 pounds with either a Nikon Z7II, 24-120 S, 40mm F2 and a 2lb tripod or my X2D with the 28, 45P and 65 2.8 and the same tripod. I'll up the carry to 20-25 pounds and elevation to as high as I can go (14,000) starting in September but I am torn on gear...

The highest point of the trek will be 18,000 feet and as much as I want to bring the X2D, the FOV range is just not anywhere near as good as that Nikon 24-120S which produces really great results. So I am a bit torn, I can handle the weight of the X2D, the 28P and a rented 35-75 but I will still not have anywhere near the reach of the Nikon at 120mm. Not sure I want to make my portage team carry a 100mm and 180mm CFI either.

Anyway, I will figure out something, maybe do it again with a custom portage to carry more gear in 2025 as this is my first ever trip to the Himalaya.

 

[Smoothjazz]

I'm currently training pretty hard for a very long, high and remote trek in the Himalaya to take place this Fall. Lately I am doing about 50 miles a week in the high country at elevations ranging between 9,000 and 13,000 feet and my carry is currently 15-16 pounds with either a Nikon Z7II, 24-120 S, 40mm F2 and a 2lb tripod or my X2D with the 28, 45P and 65 2.8 and the same tripod. I'll up the carry to 20-25 pounds and elevation to as high as I can go (14,000) starting in September but I am torn on gear...

The highest point of the trek will be 18,000 feet and as much as I want to bring the X2D, the FOV range is just not anywhere near as good as that Nikon 24-120S which produces really great results. So I am a bit torn, I can handle the weight of the X2D, the 28P and a rented 35-75 but I will still not have anywhere near the reach of the Nikon at 120mm. Not sure I want to make my portage team carry a 100mm and 180mm CFI either.

Anyway, I will figure out something, maybe do it again with a custom portage to carry more gear in 2025 as this is my first ever trip to the Himalaya.

That is some serious hiking!!

 

[ThdeDude]

I'm currently training pretty hard for a very long, high and remote trek in the Himalaya to take place this Fall. Lately I am doing about 50 miles a week in the high country at elevations ranging between 9,000 and 13,000 feet and my carry is currently 15-16 pounds with either a Nikon Z7II, 24-120 S, 40mm F2 and a 2lb tripod or my X2D with the 28, 45P and 65 2.8 and the same tripod. I'll up the carry to 20-25 pounds and elevation to as high as I can go (14,000) starting in September but I am torn on gear...

The highest point of the trek will be 18,000 feet and as much as I want to bring the X2D, the FOV range is just not anywhere near as good as that Nikon 24-120S which produces really great results. So I am a bit torn, I can handle the weight of the X2D, the 28P and a rented 35-75 but I will still not have anywhere near the reach of the Nikon at 120mm. Not sure I want to make my portage team carry a 100mm and 180mm CFI either.

Anyway, I will figure out something, maybe do it again with a custom portage to carry more gear in 2025 as this is my first ever trip to the Himalaya.

I too have been thinking hard what would be the most suitable camera gear for a long, high, and exhausting hiking trip (here Kilimanjaro massif). Especially if the whole tour and group is not photo-centric, i.e. photographing largely has to be done on the fly and on the go, potentially under adverse weather conditions. A lot depends too on one's personal fitness (age!) and also relative to others.

Although I don't like this type of camera, under these circumstances there is a lot to be said for a bridge camera which one also can carry on the person. (Will you have the time and energy to get camera gear out of a backpack, and then back into the backpack?)

Your Nikon and 24-120mm lens combination are close to being a bridge camera.

Or consider purchasing a Fujifilm-X with a couple of lightweight lenses compact enough to fit into a waist pack.

What is the largest print you expect to print?

 

[usm]

My setup. Holds a 907xCFV50c with XCD21, XCD45p, ArcaSwiss Factum SK35XL. For the final weight add a L-bracket or a plate.

 

[tsjanik]

I went through a similar process of seeking a lighter load, after a long hike with the 645Z and the 28-45mm combo (over 3000 g). The 100s and the 35-70mm has been the solution for me. I really miss an aperture ring and an optical finder, but the reduction in weight is about 50% (1559g).

 

[anyone]

My setup. Holds a 907xCFV50c with XCD21, XCD45p, ArcaSwiss Factum SK35XL. For the final weight add a L-bracket or a plate.

Nice! Same legs and basicpod as I have. How happy are you with the Leofoto head? I see it’s again a RRS knockoff, but the performance would be interesting.

 

[anyone]

I went through a similar process of seeking a lighter load, after a long hike with the 645Z and the 28-45mm combo (over 3000 g). The 100s and the 35-70mm has been the solution for me. I really miss an aperture ring and an optical finder, but the reduction in weight is about 50% (1559g).

I went the same route. Now I have two setups, the GFX100s &35-75 as well as the 907x +45p. The GFX combo is more versatile and has IBIS, the 907x has better colors. Originally I wanted to sell the GFX, but I will keep it, as the 35-70 is a unique offering for weight-conscious hikers.

 

[usm]

Nice! Same legs and basicpod as I have. How happy are you with the Leofoto head? I see it’s again a RRS knockoff, but the performance would be interesting.

My second Head is a ArcaSwiss P something hybrid. It’s a different world. But the Leofoto is really good and faster then the ArcaSwiss. I like that the top rotates on top.

 

[anyone]

Okay, this was one test for the team: save your money. Trekking pole tripod is nothing for medium format.

Test setting: It's mildly windy today. GFX on tripod, Pentax 645 to GFX adapter with tripod foot, connected to Leofoto LH 25.
Tripod: Novoflex Basicpod, Leki trekking poles, Novoflex 5-section tripod leg.

First, I tried an unrealistic test setting: GFX100s + Pentax 645 300mm.
Result: shaken images, clearly already while focusing. Then, shot at f11 and 1/8 of a second (IBIS deactivated) > blurry image. Both with legs fully extended (about 1m working height), then reduced by 20cm.

Second, a more realistic test: same as above, but with Pentax 645 150mm. It is one of my go-to hiking lenses, so to be useful, this tripod needs to perform. Unfortunately: even at brought daylight I got slight blur.

Well, I really wished it would have worked. I'll keep the basicpod and the 5-section tripod legs though, they seem to be a nice addition to my kit for travel. But the trekking poles don't work as tripod legs.

 

[Doppler9000]

The weight of a cylindrical beam with a fixed wall thickness is proportional to the diameter, while the stiffness is proportional to ~ the cube of the diameter.

A 30mm tube is ~ 8x stiffer but only twice as heavy as a 15mm tube.

 

[anyone]

In this case, there seems to be another issue than the cube diameter that is the weakest point. The tube diameter of the trekking poles is larger than the tripod legs. It seems the variables are in the wall thickness and, more importantly, the way the pole is fixed to the basicpod. It's just already wobbly without any camera attached. The trekking poles are really nice as trekking poles, and possibly usable as monopod, but certainly not suitable as tripod legs.

Edit: here are a few pictures.
Trekking pole head with protective cover:


Protective cover removed - note the plastic wheel and plastic construction. You do not have any means to tighten this really well beyond trying to screw the plastic wheel as tight as you can:



The two trekking poles connected to the basicpod, using two adapter screws that I bought (the 1/4" screw of the trekking poles is too short to mate with the thread):


Novoflex 5-section traveler leg vs trekking pole with adapter attached:


Tripod without camera:


Tripod with GFX attached:


The basicpod compared to two other hiking tripods I use, Gitzo G1057 and Feisol CT-3332. Here it's fully extended, working height approx. 1m. The trekking pole tripod was completely unusable that way. The Gitzo and Feisol tripods perform fine, even they are also fully extended.


PS: apologies for the poor image quality of the quick snapshots.