Tripod for M6

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any recommendation of tripod and ball head for M6, I prefer some compact and light weight one, ideally should be Gitzo G1126

-- KL (klrltl@yahoo.com), November 29, 2001

Answers

Leica Tripod and Leica Large Ball and Socket... if you can't deal with a tabletop, then you can get what you already say is "ideal" and go for a G1126 (I used to have a G1128) and i recommend the Leica Large Ball and Socket as the ball head (it really has little to do with the name, this is the best built light ballhead i have seen - it can support much more then others... like a EOS 1V HS with Pro Zoom... - and lock down tight). I have found that when i want light weight i go for a tabletop and press it against a tree, or a wall, or use it as a brace against my chest. When weight doesn't matter all that much i go for a large tripod... that's one of the reasons why i no longer own the G1128.

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), November 29, 2001.

I second Matthew's recommendation.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), November 29, 2001.

My favourite(s) are the genuine Leica M babies Tablelap tripod (14100) and Ball-and-socket head (14110). These are expensive but small and sturdy. My second favourite pod is the Manfrotto 290 which is bigger, and I saw that Solms used nothing else this size. I bought it because I liked it better than my Gitzo which I sold because it always shredded the inside of my right hand. The second favourite ballhead I own is the Linhof Profi II which is the best head I've ever seen for an M but unnecessarily large and heavy. Don't forget that the Really Right Stuff base-plate B30 with it's M-centering socket is nice. Now for some more goodies:

Tripods unplugged
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=005l uW

Which mini ball head for Leica Table top tripod?
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004t 4B

Ballhead & tripod for M6
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004U ty

good, but light ballhead for a Leica M
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0059 9b

Tripod for M6
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=005q 2U

leitz tiltall tripod
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=006C KA

Air Traveler's Monopod for the 21st Century
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=006O qT

Lightweight travel tripod - Gitzo carbon fiber
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=006n 3a

Small tripod........
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=005m 1o

Question about tripod head
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=005V rl
 

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), November 29, 2001.


Gitzo G224 legs with a Manfrotto Pro Ball 308. Light enough to carry around, yet strong enough to support a 4x5 field camera. The ball head was around $75 but has the build quality of the much pricier Linhoff and Arca Swiss models.

-- Steve Wiley (wiley@accesshub.net), November 29, 2001.

Gitzo 026 + Leitz ballhead #14121 which has reversible 1/4"-3/8" threads at both ends for double-duty on the essential Leica table tripod as well.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 29, 2001.


Hi KL, the smallest and very sturdy (but also quite expensive) tripod is in my opinion the Minox tabletop. As you can thighten the head very good (with a coin) it also works very well with the excentric tripod mount on the M6. From time to time they show up on ebay. Johannes

-- Johannes Fleischhauer (j.fleischhauer@vsao.ch), November 29, 2001.

Wow! A lot of good information about tripods! I used to have a Gitzo tabletop tripod with a tiny Gitzo ballhead. Is the Leica equivalent a better and stronger option?

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), November 29, 2001.

I second Steve Wiley's recommendation. I've got the Gitzo Reporter legs and the Monfrotto Pro Ball head. I like the Gitzo legs in the 4- section version for greater portability (can be strapped to the side of a backpack with ease) and because the tripod can be used closer to the ground than the 3-section version. If you've got the bucks and plan on using the tripod often enough to warrant it (soul searching time), you can go for the comparably-sized Mountaineer (carbon fiber) versions -- they are lighter and absorb vibration better. I also agree with Steve that the Manfrotto head is of much higher quality than the price suggests -- it's a terrific value. It is extremely simple, fast and stable, especially when paired with the relatively lightweight M6. What you lose over the pricier Gitzo or other comparable heads is additional adjustabililty. However, when I compared numerous ball heads for general use (i.e., everything but studio), I thought that you don't see sufficient difference in quality and fluidness until you get to the Arca Swiss. Once I saw that baby, I didn't want anything else (other than a RRS plate to go with it). When I bought my sticks, the Arca Swiss was (and still is?) hard to find in stock and (definitely is still) very expensive. I wanted her bad. Fortunately, a knowledgeable pro was in the shop and recommended the Manfrotto, which was so cheap in comparison that I figured I'd get it and wait for the Arca Swiss and a RRS plate. Now I realize that I don't use the tripod all that often, and when I do, this set up works great and I appreciate the weight savings and simplicity of the Manfrotto. Also as Steve mentioned, I wouldn't hesitate to use this set up for up to medium format, but note that with greater weight gear (even pro-weight SLR with long lens), you may start to yearn for the moderately more stable 3-section legs and the beefier head. For my M6, however, I found this set up ideal. Note, I use the M6 grip when the camera is on the tripod -- I find it easier to control and adjust, and the thread mount is also centered. Good luck.

-- Eric Reid (eric_reid@lkshore.com), November 29, 2001.

the most ingenious tripod ever is the minox one mentioned above. i own one which my grandfather bought 40 years ago. the three legs are screwed into eachother (like a russian doll) and the thinnest leg contains a short, but useful cable release. (pay attention if you buy the old shiny chrome version, the cable release doesnt trip the m6, because it travels too short, no problem with the newer matt silver version.) it has a quite sturdy ballhead, enough for any 35mm.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), November 29, 2001.

I just got my M6 a little while ago, and i found that the tripod socket is way over to one side. i've hesitated on using a tripod because of this, do i need the motor winder or the handgrip if i am to use a tripod with my camera?

-- Daisung Jang (aquadhere@yahoo.com), December 03, 2001.


Daisung Jang: no, you need the Really Right Stuff base-plate B30 I mentioned above. USD 68.00. See http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), December 04, 2001.

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