Thanks Matt! Geared heads and a good quick release system can make all the difference.

Thanks for the information! I was wondering if that head had the capacity for 4x5.

Awesome workout plan!!

They're super reliable heads, but in the case of a 4x5 kit the head might be heavier!

Oh my question is where is the best place to buy (cheap) 2nd hand equipment. Bearing in mind I’m in Europe (UK). Forums or eBay or dealers?

Hefty tripods and Sinar P2's are two incredibly heavy peas in a pod. Somewhere around here I've still got an old Bogen monster tripod that came with my Sinar. Too beastly to move across the studio, let alone outside!

My go-to for LF related gear is the Large Format Photography Forum. You have to be a member for at least 30 days to Buy/Sell/Trade, but there are often UK & EU sales at great prices.

Thanks Eric! Non-ball heads are strongly recommended with a Crown Graphic. Cheers!

@@MatMarrash I got a used Manfrotto 804RC2 tonight I couldn't be happier!

Or better yet, get a big 'ole Arca-Swiss plate that allows you multiple attachment points!

It's one of those little things that can add up to a frustrating experience if not taken into consideration.

Thanks James. Oh man, an RB Graflex with Aero Ektar, that's awesome! Precision is key with the DOF from that aerial beast of a lens.

James, I also have a 4x5" RB Auto Graflex so have some idea what you mean. I also have a Mamiya RB-67 system. Both have the same problem: your head needs to be above the camera in order to focus and compose. That means no matter how high up your lens is, your head needs to be about 2 feet above that so you can lean over to see the ground glass. This is why some people have adapted their RB Graflex cameras to accept a prism from a Mamiya RB-67. What I don't know if those are the 4x5" RB Graflex or the smaller 3x4.

@@AtlantaTerry there are some ground glass adapters for the RB Auto Graflex, so you don't have to do this kind of equilibriums. Then in fact you are using a reflex Graflex just like a normal Speed Graphic, but hey...

Glad it was helpful!

I totally get that! Sometimes it feels ridiculous putting my Fujifilm mirrorless camera on my large format ready tripods, but it's definitely not going anywhere. I still think tripods have their place in super high res 50+ MP cameras and 6K+ cinematography.

A missed opportunity!

Great point Teng! The Majestic I use came with a column to 3/8" adapter so I was able to instantly mount it to a modern tripod. Otherwise, you'll need a machined adapter or older Majestic tripod to mount it.

Thanks Mark! :D

I have a rule, once my hair product budget outpaces my film chemistry budget, it's time for a haircut!

@@MatMarrash interesting way of working out when is the right time for a haircut! Most people go on length (time or hair)! Haha Keep up the great work on these videos! Much appreciated for newbies in large format, like myself.

Hey Dave! DIY'd adapters find their way onto eBay from time to time. A few years back there was a guy on the Large Format Forum offering them cheap, though I don't know if he's still doing those as one-of's.

Hey Nathan, thanks for your question. Gitzo and Really Right Stuff have several no-column options, but Induro also makes on in their lineup, their GIT series.

Thanks for the comment and question! I'm not the biggest fan of using the ballhead, but for weight restrictions during travel it makes sense. That cumbersome task of holding with one hand and adjusting with the other is par for the course with ballheads. Even the ones that have super high capacity and tension adjustments I have trust issues.

@@MatMarrash I am currently in the process of setting up a 4x5 travel kit. My camera will be the Chamonix C45F2 which is pretty light. Would you recommend a ball head for it?

@@bitbonk If you do go with a ballhead, make sure it's got a lot of capacity and a tension adjustment in addition to a ball lock. Leofoto is making some really strong ballheads for the price right now.

Hey Darryl thanks for the question and comment! I was fortunate to have my Majestic come with a base adapter, but there is an eBay seller based out of California that custom machines them. Even factoring for the cost of an adapter, these are quite a bit less expensive than other heavy duty geared heads.

@@MatMarrash Can you point me to the eBay seller? Thank you.

@@darrylroberts4152 www.ebay.com/usr/wolfywho?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

@@MatMarrash Thank you. I suggest a tutorial on "Bellows Extension" I learned it the hard way (underexposure).

@@darrylroberts4152 You must be a mind reader because one of those is slated for the channel in the coming weeks!

at 5:52 you mounted the Majestic head on a modern tripod (I think). How did you do that?

Hey Mark, the Majestic head came with a machined adapter that takes the tube down to 3/8". If you have access to a machine shop, the tube size is 1 7/8".

Hi and thanks for the question. While it is possible to fit the Sinar on the Majestic head, I wouldn't recommend it due to the overall height of the head. The Sinar rail clamp + rails raise up the center of gravity of the camera and the already tall Majestic head raises that further. This is why I prefer to use the shorter, stronger Sinar Pan Tilt head for the Sinar P2.

@@MatMarrash thank you for the response and very informative video. This days it's difficult to find the sinar pan and tilt head

Hey Terry thanks for the question! I'm currently using the Novoflex system and love it. There's a bunch out there from Smallrig at the lower price end, Novoflex and Arca-Swiss on the high end, and folks like Benro, Leofoto, and Manfrotto in the middle.

I have an Arca-Swiss P0 with a Really right stuff lever clamp attached to the head Arca-Swiss head. I have a Really Right Stuff rail attached to the base of my 4x5. Great combo. I originally used this set-up for my DSLR and it can hold a Full frame DSLR with a large 800mm tele no prob. You do sacrifice some of the precise axis turns for the portability. The pano feature of the P0 and the levels on the 4x5 get around this and it works great for me.

Good question! Although my tripod does have one, it's not something I use or need often in shooting large format. The largest benefit I find to having the column is I have an extra column ready with the head and clamp for my Sinar P2; this makes switching from field to studio shooting pretty fast.

@@MatMarrash Thanks for helpful response. So what is the preferred tripod for field use of 8x10. I dont understand the studio thing just trying to get your take on field use? center column?

@@Machster10 in my opinion the center column becomes less helpful the heavier the camera is. Since most of my field work is done with a hefty 8x10 camera, it barely sees any use. More than likely my next tripod will not have a center column and instead have a wider base. Tripod-wise, it's great, I always recommend more carrying capacity than any other feature.

@@MatMarrash Why is the center column not useful in the field or the heavier the camera gets? I dont understand that. I have an old Arca Swiss 5x7 that pretty heavy. Currently using an old Bogen Manfrotto with a replaced Arca ball head for the 10lb tilt pan head. This tripod has a center column. It is sooo heavy I hate it! Its probably an old studio tripod but why would I not want to be able to raise and. lower the camera with the column? Isnt it a pain to adjust the legs all the time? Confused here. When you are in the field don't you value a center column to lift up the camera instead of having to take the heavy camera off the tripod, turn the tripod upside down and adjust the legs, the repeat over and over to get the right height? Looking for a heavy duty tripod that does not weigh so much. Does anyone make a heavy duty tripod with carbon legs and carbon center column ?

Thanks for the tip!