How stable is the base of M9?

[flyalf]

When using the M9 on tripod I have noticed that the base (bottom) of the M9 isn't entirely tight. Its possible to move the base a little bit. Does anyone believe this can affect the stability when on tripod?

I have ordered a RSS replacement base that is a L-plate for mounting in Swiss-Arca compatible clamps/heads. Anyone with experiences with this, and/or with experience from using the RRS L-plate for M9 on other heads or clamps than RRS?

For those who wonder; why a tripod for a M9? How about living in an area where the sun is below horizon more than one month during winter?


Thanks in advance for feedback!

 

[RichC]

I use my M8 (same base plate) mostly for studio work and have never had problems - though I dislike the utterly-pointless-on-a-digital-camera base plate intensely!

 

[AGeoJO]

I believe the center of gravity of the M8/M9 system, even if you use a longish lens (90mm or even 135mm) is pretty close to the center enough for us to get worried about it not being stable. I am using an Arca style base from an older camera to mount the system on a tripod outfitted with a clamp ballhead and it works just fine without being wobbly at all. If you don't have any generic plate and if you order one, then indeed it may be as well a combo base plate with double dove tail from RRS. I would get the optional grip, if I were you.

There is nothing wrong with setting up you M gear on a tripod at all. BTW, I was in you neck of the wood briefly 2 years ago on the way back from Svalbard where we go off board. It is a beautiful town.

Joshua

 

[ruslan]

Yes, m8-m9 base plate is not stable when on tripod, bad design, that why I have now base plate from Really Right Stuff, much much better.

 

[250swb]

I use my M9 on a tripod a lot of the time for landscape work and never had a problem. Lets face it, you can't put much weight on the camera with a big zoom lens can you so what is there too worry about? There is no mirror slap so the camera isn't going to try and jump up and down, and its so small its not going to catch the wind in the same way as a DSLR.

If you can make the baseplate move (mine doesn't unless I grip the attached quick release plate and try to bend it), then it isn't going to be any more movement than the inherent flex you get in a large DSLR combo even when mounted on a very rigid tripod. So I think you are over reacting, inventing a problem that doesn't exist. Good grief you should try large format photography with a field camera, you should see the bending you can make one of those do if you try, and that does very well for making sharp images from exposures of many minutes.

Steve

 

[flyalf]

I use my M9 on a tripod a lot of the time for landscape work and never had a problem. Lets face it, you can't put much weight on the camera with a big zoom lens can you so what is there too worry about? There is no mirror slap so the camera isn't going to try and jump up and down, and its so small its not going to catch the wind in the same way as a DSLR.

If you can make the baseplate move (mine doesn't unless I grip the attached quick release plate and try to bend it), then it isn't going to be any more movement than the inherent flex you get in a large DSLR combo even when mounted on a very rigid tripod. So I think you are over reacting, inventing a problem that doesn't exist. Good grief you should try large format photography with a field camera, you should see the bending you can make one of those do if you try, and that does very well for making sharp images from exposures of many minutes.

Steve

Thanks to you and others for replies,

The question seen from my point of view when using a tripod is ether to use a release plate under the standard M9 base or replace the base with a (RRS) base with a Swss-Arca type. Anyway, I am not lying sleepless about this 🙄

 

[RichC]

The question seen from my point of view when using a tripod is ether to use a release plate under the standard M9 base or replace the base with a (RRS) base with a Swss-Arca type.

I use an Arca-type Kirk quick release (http://www.kirkphoto.com/Camera_Plate_for_M8.html#).

The minute amount of movement is of no consequence - and the camera certainly doesn't move during its exposure.

I'm a perfectionist over my still-lifes, and often shoot with long lenses, and I've never had problems with camera movement because of the base plate. The shot below was with a 135mm lens.

That said, the base plate is crap. Not because of the inconsequential movement but because I have to remove it to change the battery or remove the SD card during studio shoots - and doing that disturbs the orientation slightly. Wish the M8/M9 had doors like every other digital camera instead of a purely cosmetic affectation that has no practical purpose.

No camera should put style over function. That's just bad design: form should always follow function... at least where tools are concerned, and a camera is just a tool.

 

[GrahamWelland]

I found that the base plate of the M8 & M9 would flex if you have a plate on it and attempt to move the camera when there's some friction on a ballhead. I replaced mine with thie RRS plate which is much more rigid. I've also had a good experience using a Photoequip MD-grip base plate which mounts on to the Flimsy Leica plate and provides a solid grip plate alternative.

 

[250swb]

I found that the base plate of the M8 & M9 would flex if you have a plate on it and attempt to move the camera when there's some friction on a ballhead. I replaced mine with thie RRS plate which is much more rigid. I've also had a good experience using a Photoequip MD-grip base plate which mounts on to the Flimsy Leica plate and provides a solid grip plate alternative.

So what is causing the movement while you are making the exposure to need a more tight fitting baseplate? Presumably you aren't leaning on it?

Steve

 

[GrahamWelland]

The baseplate doesn't flex during shooting - only when adjusting the camera on a bullhead.