First off, thanks to everybody for your answers to my previous post.

Now, here comes one more question. I am new to Leica M's and am trying to get a good ballhead for the one I will be buying. I just bought a Gitzo 1128 legset (the lightest 4 section CF "full height" tripod available). I would like as small and lightweight a ballhead as possible to go with this legset. I am used to the an Arca Swiss B1, but that seems like overkill (weight wise) for such a "small" camera and light tripod. I would like a ballhead that does not creep, when tightened down, can "flop down" for verticles, and would prefer one that has can pan, but the last one isn't necessary. These are all characteristics of the Arca Swiss B1, and I am essentially looking for a smaller and lighter version of that ballhead. My specific concerns are:

• Is a Quick Release system (like the Really Right Stuff plates - with Arca Swiss) necessary for this camera when shooting in verticals - i.e. when the ball is "flopped" down will the camera twist on its own mount? This was necessary with SLR's but due to decrease size I thought it may not be necessary with the leica... what has your experience been?
• Is tension control with such a small camera important (this matters a lot with bigger ones but I thought it might not with a Leica M)

Cost isn't much of an issue (I have found that if there is one thing money should be spent on in photography it is in getting a great tripod). Any recommendations or good/bad experiences shared are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Matthew

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), May 02, 2001

Answers

If you don't need the quick release, the large Leica ballhead is hard to beat. The base of my camera rests perfectly against the Gitzo platform for vertical shots like it was designed to support it that way. Neat!

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), May 02, 2001.

There's a similar thread under Old Questions, Accessories -

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004t4B

In general, the heavier ball head you're used to for SLRs is not necessary for the M, even with a 135mm lens. I have found no need for "anti-twist" devices to shoot vertically with the rangefinder.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), May 02, 2001.

Velbon PH-163-Q. Very light with titanium quick release plates with nice rubber pads that also work as an anti twist device. Best designed light weight ball head I've seen--and I looked at about 20 of them.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), May 02, 2001.

Matt,

I have had good luck with the Linhof Profi II. If you like using a quick release, a very slick setup is available from the folks at Really Right Stuff. I have the same legs as you (3 section version) and have had no problems when mached up with the Linhof head and my M6.

This set up has even worked with my 645, in a pinch, as long as I stay with the lighter lenses and the wind is not blowing like a gale.

Drop me an email of you need specific model numbers etc.

Best of luck.

Scott

-- Scott G (pfd261@hotmail.com), May 02, 2001.

I have a small Kaiser ballhead (looks like a baby Arca B1) that I got from Kirk Enterprises a while back, with one of their Arca-style clamps instead of the screw connection. Very nice ballhead. I'm not sure if they still sell the conversions but you could probably get the ballhead from B&H and then put a Kirk small clamp on it with Loctite, which is what they did basically.

-- JAy (infinitydt@aol.com), May 03, 2001.

I own an Arca Swiss B-1 but took a close hands on look at many brand of ball head available here in Japan. The suggestion above, of a Velbon is a very good one. It weighs barely 150 grams.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), May 06, 2001.