A Comparison of "3-Series" Systematic Tripods (1 Viewer)

[Tringa45]

Roundup: Six Large Tripods For Heavy Duty Use

What tripod can support a 600mm lens and still go on a long hike into the wilderness? We test out six higher-end, thick-legged, modular tripods that are comfortably tall and capable of supporting tremendous amounts of gear. This group review compares all six models, examining their features...

www.dpreview.com

An interesting comparison even if these tripods offer more than some scope users would need and cost more than many would be prepared to pay.
Here is a ranking of systematic tripods: Systematic Tripod Rankings
As additional height invoves a penalty not only in weight, but also in stability, it's a little distorted.
Also interesting is that a Berlebach 302 achieves similar stability as a Really Right Stuff TVC-33 at a quarter of the price.
It's only its additional weight that pushes it down the rankings. It would, however, be no surprise if the wooden Berlebach showed the better damping characteristics.

John

 

[CMB]

One thing to note...

Since this is a review by photographers, they used Really Right Stuff's "Versa" systematic tripod. The apex (the top plate where the fee are attached/hinged) of the Versa series tripods use a video bowl apex. On a video bowl apex the center part of the apex can be moved, tilted, and adjusted.

For spotting scope users a video bowl apex is not needed.

Really Right Stuff has a series called the "Ultralight" series that uses a fixed apex. It has the same legs as the Versa series (so it is as stiff), but uses a smaller diameter fixed apex made from machined aluminum. This apex matches up very well with the base of tripod fluid heads.

The result of the different apex is that the Ultralight is slightly lighter in weight, and when the legs are folded together it makes a smaller diameter bundle than the Versa series.

 

[forent]

(...) Really Right Stuff has a series called the "Ultralight" series that uses a fixed apex. It has the same legs as the Versa series (so it is as stiff), but uses a smaller diameter fixed apex made from machined aluminum. This apex matches up very well with the base of tripod fluid heads. The result of the different apex is that the Ultralight is slightly lighter in weight, and when the legs are folded together it makes a smaller diameter bundle than the Versa series.

The same holds for the Leofoto Summit and Ranger series.

 

[Hermann]

Also interesting is that a Berlebach 302 achieves similar stability as a Really Right Stuff TVC-33 at a quarter of the price.
It's only its additional weight that pushes it down the rankings. It would, however, be no surprise if the wooden Berlebach showed the better damping characteristics.

The Berlebach is the tripod of choice if the weight and the bulk doesn't matter. Like all wooden tripods it will definitely have better damping characteristics than carbon or. for that matter, aluminium, a property that matters a lot for scope use.

Berlebach's range of tripods is among the most interesting on the market.

Hermann

 

[forent]

The Berlebach is the tripod of choice if the weight and the bulk doesn't matter. Like all wooden tripods it will definitely have better damping characteristics than carbon or. for that matter, aluminium, a property that matters a lot for scope use. Berlebach's range of tripods is among the most interesting on the market.
Hermann

I dare to disagree. The Berlebach tripods are really great overall: beautiful, tough, durable, adequate for heavy scopes, extremely good value for the money. I've owned several of them over the years.
And the capacity, stiffness and damping of the mighty Berlebach UNI series is above reproach, period.

But the Berlebach Report tripods are a different story in my book. In 2013, I tested two of them, the Report 3032 and 402, extensively with my DSLR + 400mm lens and my 82mm scope at 50x against the following high-class carbon tripods with similar payload: Gitzo GT3532LS and GT5532LS, Velbon Geo N830 and N840, Feisol CT-3372. My respective findings are available in German only: https://www.dslr-forum.de/showpost.php?p=11683808&postcount=177. Naturally these are just my personal perceptions and not of scientific or even universal validity.

To cut a long story short: The two Berlebachs performed very well but to my surprise the carbon models performed at least equivalent but frequently superior, the Gitzo 5 even distinctly superior. So IMHO nowadays it's no longer necessary to tug these bulky timber tripods for reasons of stability. Of course, they still remain great and inexpensive devices of unique robustness.

 

[Hermann]

But the Berlebach Report tripods are a different story in my book. In 2013, I tested two of them, the Report 3032 and 402, extensively with my DSLR + 400mm lens and my 82mm scope at 50x against the following high-class carbon tripods with similar payload: Gitzo GT3532LS and GT5532LS, Velbon Geo N830 and N840, Feisol CT-3372. My respective findings are available in German only: https://www.dslr-forum.de/showpost.php?p=11683808&postcount=177. Naturally these are just my personal perceptions and not of scientific or even universal validity.

To cut a long story short: The two Berlebachs performed very well but to my surprise the carbon models performed at least equivalent but frequently superior, the Gitzo 5 even distinctly superior. So IMHO nowadays it's no longer necessary to tug these bulky timber tripods for reasons of stability. Of course, they still remain great and inexpensive devices of unique robustness.

That's very interesting. Thank you for the link to your report. I must admit it's been a long time since I last used a Berlebach but I have rather fond memories of them. My go-to tripods are all Gitzos nowadays, including some old but tough aluminium Gitzos. At the coast I usually still use an old aluminium Reporter II that is surprisingly stable even in difficult conditions. And in really tough conditions I use an old Jena wooden tripd. 3.9kg without the head ... I wouldn't want to carry that monster around though.

Hermann

 

[BoldenEagle]

If weight remains (roughly) the same, are tripod made of wood really better than carbon fibre (or aluminium??) regarding stiffness and damping vibrations?

I recently bought Berlebach UNI 19C which has weight of about 8 kg (+Sirui VH-10X head) under my Kowa 883. That combination is really superior (not very surprisingly) when compared to my Gitzo GT3542L + Gitzo GHF2W (total weight about 2.5 kg) but is it just because of the huge weight advantage (of course it's disadvantage when you have carry it...) of the wooden tripod?

I long ago had Berlebach Report, I don't remember what exact model but weight was around 3.5kg. I don't remember it was anything superior compared to carbon fibre tripods around 2 kg.

Regards, Juhani

 

[forent]

Juhani, your impressions confirm my findings.