Different versions of the table top tripod?

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I was out shooting last night and made several 1s exposures handheld (usually braced against a post or resting my elbows on a ledge). Some of the exposures I wanted to do (ie 30s to 1 min) weren't possible because I didn't have the proper support. However, in these circumstances I think I could've gotten away with using the folding table top tripod and NOT my Gitzo weekender (which is cumbersome to carry around on the street).

Are there any differences between the various renditions of the Leica table top tripod? And if so... which version is the most desirable and why?

Thanks for your input,

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), December 22, 2001

Answers

There are two version of the ball and socket head, the large one is better.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), December 22, 2001.

I too am looking into the question of a small tripod such as the Leica tabletop version. But, is there a small, good quality tripod which has legs and/or a clamp for fixing it to e.g. a farmgate, the back of a chair, a fence so that it can be used in situations where a tabletop is not appropriate?

Please also - what are the pros and cons of the small and the large Leica ball head. Is the small one not adequate for the M6?

Many thanks.

-- James Harper (drjh@btinternet.com), December 22, 2001.


James,

I'm only looking for the tripod. The ball head I already have. If cost is not a great concern you might want to look at the Novoflex Mini-magic ballhead. It is quite a bit more robust than the ballhead from Leica, its compact, the locking action is very positive, and it can be used on other tripods.

Regards,

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), December 22, 2001.


There are 2 versions of the Leica table tripod. The early version had the black crinkle finish found on many products of the day such as typrewriters. It also had considerably thinner legs than the current version. Strictly from memory I think the code was TOOUG. The second version is also the current version, though there have been at least 3 different finishes: metallic green, gloss black (these like the 1st version did not have rubber feet, though the current rubber feet will fit) and the current matte black. This latest finish can be found with different engraving (Leitz Wetzlar, Leica GmBH, and Leica Camera AG). Yup, I've got one of each...along with a couple dozen ballheads. Cheaper than collecting the lenses ;>)

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 22, 2001.

Jay, please tell us you are joking about your comprehensive table tripod collection?!? I believe the black crinkle finish is called 'jappaning'?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), December 22, 2001.


John: There are several versions of the Leica Ball head. I have 3 versions. The small black one is worthless except for an instamatic or equal, the medium and tall are both good units. The table top tripods are quite stable if you place the camera in relation to the legs properly. I attempt to place the weight of the body over the longest leg, with the lens weight being taken on the middle length leg. You could carry a modified "C" clamp with a 1/4" stud for mounting the ball head on and use it on posts, signs or other objects. Just a thought. With the M3's I use the self timer for exposures over 1/8 second, but on the M6, I carry a cable release. There are other good ball heads on the market besides the Leica, but the tripod is quite sturdy and stable for it's size.

-- M. Johnson (logic@gci.net), December 22, 2001.

The best version of the Lecia tabletop tripod is the current Bogen/Manfrotto kit with the adjustable stilt. It doesn't have the build quality of the Leica version, but it's much more versatile. I find myself actually using it, which I never did with the normal tabletop format, though I've owned several, because the Bogen's extra leg between the base and the top brings everything up to a more normal height on horizontal surfaces. Fold the legs, and you can tuck them into your belt, as a beltpod. Very clever deal, overall.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), December 22, 2001.

Giles: I'm afraid I wasn't joking. In addition to about 6 Leica table tripods and about 2 dozen Leitz ballheads and a couple of the leather tripod pouches, I have the Minolta version of the Leica tripod (same legs with a proprietary ballhead) in it's leather pouch, and a Nikon table tripod/ballhead in leather pouch.

Re: the Bogen/Manfrotto table tripod. It's a nice one, very compact, but due to the equal-length legs it's a bit tipsy with the M's off- center tripod hole. Also the small Bogen ballhead leaves much to be desired but because the tablepod has a 3/8x16 stud only certain Leitz ballheads can be substituted.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 22, 2001.


Marvellous! I have given up collecting in the last few years. The endless fascinating Leica screw accessories from the early years are still good value but the days when you could visit the Christies camera auctions in London and pick up bargain bodies and lenses are long gone! They seem to have now become mostly a dumping ground for faulty M's and dodgy Russian copies.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), December 22, 2001.

Another solution to John's wish to have a street-portable support for long exposures is to carry a small bean bag. For me, it's easier to just mash my Leica onto a beanbag resting against a found solid support than to adjust tripod legs and ball head. If I can't find anything solid and fixed, I just mash it against my head or chest to cushion the camera. The inertia of the bag makes long exposures possible and may be more vibration-insulating than a small metal tripod. The bag fits in a pocket, too.

-- Tim Nelson (timothy.nelson@yale.edu), December 22, 2001.


I have the table top tripod and large ball head and use it ONCE IN A WHILE. I find myself taking it a lot of places but not using it all that often (but if you need it and don't have it....).

Like Jay, I also have the brown leather Leica belt pouch that I have NEVER used. Are these worth anything?

-- Todd Phillips (toddvphillips@webtv.net), December 22, 2001.


They're worth whatever someone's willing to pay. I think I paid about $10 for mine. BTW I wouldn't suggest wearing it on your belt with the tripod in it and try getting on an airplane ;>)

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 23, 2001.

Jay, I quite like the Minolta version of Leica tripod and wish to buy one. How do you compare this with the original Leica tripod - is the Leica really better to justisfy the cost difference? Thanks

-- tom tong (tom.tong@ckh.com.hk), December 23, 2001.

I do not own a Leica table-top tripod or ball and socket head, but I remember threads in photo.net (or here) mentioning that the older ball-heads were better, because the ball had ridges which ensured that the camera stayed put with no slippage once the knob was tightened.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), December 23, 2001.

I wonder why someone would say the older ball-heads were better because they had ridges on them? I just bought a new Leica large ball- head and it has ridges and it locks very positively into place. I also bought the Leica table-top tripod to go with it but it's fit for use with any tripod legs, IMHO.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), December 24, 2001.


I've got a plastic table-top 'pod, a SLIK probably, that came with its own little ballhead for a total of aournd $20 thru mail order. Yeah, it's light and cheap, but it works, it'll brace against my chest, and it's so light that I can screw it into the tripod socket and just carry the whole thing over my shoulder.

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), December 27, 2001.

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