I'm thinking of buying a Leica tabletop tripod and a large ball head for my M6. I currently have a Domke F6 "little bit smaller" bag. Will the tripod and head fit in this bag? I can't seem to find the dimensions of the unassembled tripod anywhere.

Or, what is the smallest bag (preferably Domke, my favorite make) that will hold this gear?

Or, what other compact tripods are recommended? I read about the Minox the other day...will it really support an M6?

Compact is key, as I'll be living in Cairo for a year and plan on taking my setup everywhere I go. More on moving to Egypt, and it's photographic implications, in another thread ...

-- Luke Dunlap (luked@mail.utexas.edu), April 24, 2002

Answers

Yes. Easily.

-- Chris Henry (henryjc@concentric.net), April 24, 2002.

Forget about the Minox tripod; it is really made to support the weight of Minox 8x11 cameras, the ballhead is not strong enough to provide good support for the M6. Get the Leica tripod, it really is the best one for the job.

-- Chris Henry (henryjc@concentric.net), April 24, 2002.

I carry the Leica tripod and large ball head in the front pocket of an F6. It helps to break it down and put the legs and head in separately.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), April 24, 2002.

I use a Velbon tabletop tripod - sort of a Leica 'wannabe. When folded/ rotated flat it fits very nicely in the flat back pocket of the Domkes as well - both the F6 and the 803. It may not fit in their little micro-waist-pack, which doesn't have a back pocket.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), April 24, 2002.

Two suggestions: 1) Buy a medium or small Leitz ballhead instead of the large one. Unless you're planning to use it as a handgrip there's not much point to the size of it. If you need height, bet a larger tripod. 2)Buy both used (that's the only way you'll find a small or medium ballhead) and save $$.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 25, 2002.

Ditto's with Paul....but I just put mine fully assembled as well in the front pocket of an F6. If I was really going to carrry it, I would disassemble it. I would make more room for other stuff (film).

-- Todd Phillips (toddvphillips@webtv.net), April 25, 2002.