Arca plate for M3?

Jockos

Jockos

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Hi all,

I was wondering what the more slow and deliberate Leica M photographers use to attach their fine tools to the heads of their tripods?

Currently I've got two tripods with heads that take Arca Swiss compatible plates, so I'm going with this system for the long run. Got several plates for the large format cameras, and a really tiny one for the rangefinders.
However it's squared, and not really optimal for a nicely rounded Leica (M3 in this case).

I've found the RRS, which I think looks pretty neat (albeit short?), the Acratech cheap option and the Arca which I don't like; the camera would stand pretty awkwardly if one put it down with a plate like that attached.

What says the RFF hivemind about this issue? :)



RRS:
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/B30-Plate-for-M-series-not-M8-9

Arca:
https://www.arca-shop.de/en/camera-plates/monoball-fix-series/kameraplatte-monoballfix-leica-m2-m7

Acratech:
http://www.acratech.net/quick-release-plates/2148
 
I have several:
Kirk for the original baseplate
Kirk for the Leica Motor M
RSS for the original camera baseplate
Acratech

Of all of them, the Acratech is actually the least expensive, and most protective since it is a solid plate. It is thinner than the others, so even though the others have cutout areas, the weight is not significantly different. You can also move the screw to the center hole for the Leica Motor M.

My vote: Acratech.
 
On film Ms, I either use the RRS plate (B30), or a metal GMP grip with a standard quick release plate mounted. The grip works better for longer/heavier lenses.

Roland.
 
Film dino said:
Hi Jockos,
I have a Kirk Enterprises M Leica plate, very similar to the RRS one, that works well and does not tip the camera to one end, when not on a tripod. I can't find the Kirk plate any more on their site - http://www.kirkphoto.com/Quick-Release-Camera-Plates.html , so presume it's discontinued.

But it looks like this-
http://kspphoto.com/spec_sheet.html?catalog[product_guids][0]=543662

David
Click to expand...
David,
I saw a lot of mentions about that one while googling, but just like you I thought it was discontinued..
 
Robert Lai said:
I have several:
Kirk for the original baseplate
Kirk for the Leica Motor M
RSS for the original camera baseplate
Acratech

Of all of them, the Acratech is actually the least expensive, and most protective since it is a solid plate. It is thinner than the others, so even though the others have cutout areas, the weight is not significantly different. You can also move the screw to the center hole for the Leica Motor M.

My vote: Acratech.
Click to expand...
Robert,
that's some great info, thanks! I think I'll go for that one then. Just got the 90 macro a while back, and I've realized I've got to go back to carrying the pod!
 
ferider said:
On film Ms, I either use the RRS plate (B30), or a metal GMP grip with a standard quick release plate mounted. The grip works better for longer/heavier lenses.

Roland.
Click to expand...
Roland, that grip looks really nice, where did you get it? GMP must be the worst company name ever, very difficult to google :bang:
 
Look for Photo Equip ML grip by GPM. They are a very nice grip and covers the entire bottom plate with a cut out for the latch. It has a centered tripod socket but is not grooved for arca style plates. I have a RRS and it works well even with a Visoflex attached.
 
Jockos said:
Roland, that grip looks really nice, where did you get it? GMP must be the worst company name ever, very difficult to google :bang:
Click to expand...

There is a new version (ML grip, as madNbad says) that you can buy from our sponsor Tony, usually, ...

r1-Scan-130325-0018-L.jpg


and a more rectangular older version, that usually runs around 60 bucks or so on ebay, Jockos. Like this:

P1010060.jpg


Both are great.

Roland.
 
I have both the original Arca Swiss plate and the Acratech plate, and the latter wins easily in my book - it has no sharp edges, and unlike in the case of Arca, the orientation of the grip follows the body outline. Also, when you put the camera down, it stands upright allright.
 
I went with the Acratech, found it on B&H!


While ordering, I also added a 120 roll of HP5+, going to try out my grandfathers old folder, which I was handed from a relative at the last family gathering :)
 
ferider said:
There is a new version (ML grip, as madNbad says) that you can buy from our sponsor Tony, usually, ...

r1-Scan-130325-0018-L.jpg


and a more rectangular older version, that usually runs around 60 bucks or so on ebay, Jockos. Like this:

P1010060.jpg


Both are great.

Roland.
Click to expand...

Is there a story behind that lens on an M? I'm more used to seeing it on my MX...
 
I was just in the process of looking for this myself. I think I've settled on the Acratech one because it's cheaper than the RRS plate haha.
 









Click for full size!

It does what it's supposed to. The camera stands on it's own, I get a much better stability when centering the camera on the ballhead, it's very secure.

Score: 10/10
 
Awesome, I'm definitely gonna get one now. Thanks! Also, how do you like that Macro Elmar on the M3? I've used them on a demo M240 and it seemed cool. I use the DR on my M3 a bit but that 90 looks interesting.
 
I've only had it for 1½ month, but I think it's great. The huge M3 finder is probably the best you can get for rangefinder macro. I've also modified my M3, so the whole focus range is useable.
It'd be impossible to go back to focusing to only 1m; I've even put up my 90 Elmarit-M for sale, and that's a very good lens!
 
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