What tripod to use for short hikes with Pentax 67 II and 45mm lens

[Andre]

Getting ready for a trip to Yellowstone park and would like to get some good landscapes slides with my Pentax 6X7 II and 45mm lens on a tripod. Just wanted to get some opinions on which tripod to use. I need it to be fairly small and lightweight but sturdy enough to adequately support my camera and lens. I don't want to spend more than $400 and I was looking at the Induro Carbon Fiber CT113 which has a load capacity of about 18 lbs. Also, what type of head should I use and is that very important for ultimate photo sharpness? Any opinions of what you heavy camera guys would use would be great.

 

[maris]

The tripod should be fine in terms of weight capacity. A three way head makes getting horizons level easier than with a ball head.

When I backpack a 6x7 rollfilm SLR for landscape work I always replace the prism on the camera with a waist-level finder. That saves a lot of weight. Then because the camera does not have to be supported at eye-level a shorter (lighter and easier to carry!) tripod works nicely. And yes, the tripod is essential for ultimate sharpness. I could never understand photographers who would go to the effort and expense of hand-holding a large camera in the field just to lose random frames to visible camera-shake.