M bodies on a tripod

[venchka]

😱 😱 😱

I know. I know. Rangefinder bodies don't belong on tripods. However, there are times when I must use a tripod if I'm going to also use my RF lenses.

Is there some kind of tripod holder gizmo that fits between an M body and the tripod head which permits the lens to be centered on the tripod? I also own Canon RF bodies (tripod hole on the opposite end of the body) so maybe there is a gizmo with a screw on either or both ends? Canon made a tripod holder and they turn up on ebay from time to time. Naturally, they have become "panorama tripod heads" (what a joke-I'm surprised they aren't digital ready too) and seem to command big $$$$s. I wouldn't mind buying one of those at a reasonable price if it will also work for with the M body.

Please Help!

 

[Chaser]

You can go with a grip from photoequip....

http://www.photoequip.net/_forms/ml-grip.htm

I think a leica on a tripod is a great idea....

 

[FPjohn]

Rrs

Rrs

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/body_plates/leica/index.html
B30

yours
Frank

 

[FPjohn]

Arca plate Grip

Arca plate Grip

Hello:

I await the ideal solution-a grip with an Arca compatible base plate.

yours
Frank

 

[dadsm3]

The Leica handgrips have a bushing in the middle, but it's not dead centre of camera (??), and the CTOOM flash brackets have a couple as well (cheaper alternative, see epay).

 

[venchka]

You can go with a grip from photoequip....

http://www.photoequip.net/_forms/ml-grip.htm

I think a leica on a tripod is a great idea....

OOPS! Once again the M5 syndrome bites me on the behind. 😕

 

[peter_n]

Yes Leica bodies do belong on tripods!

I would strongly recommend an Arca Swiss compatible quick-release system. It's a proven solution used by large numbers of photogs. There are now quite a few manufacturers so there is competition; reasonable prices and excellent product quality. The products are made by companies such as RRS and Kirk, Acratech and Markins. Most of the clamps and plates are very good and it is difficult to go wrong. What you need is a QR plate that bolts to your M and a QR clamp that is affixed to your ballhead. My choices are linked to below and I highly recommend them both after 2 years use. The attached picture shows how shallow my ClearSight plate is on the bottom left of my M6.

You do need a ballhead that will accept a Arca Swiss type QR clamp though. The Kirk ball heads are excellent as are the Markins. Don't invest in an Arca Swiss ballhead, theyre ridiculously expensive and still binding. Mine is a Linhof Profi II which I like a lot - great ergonomics and no creep! 🙂

Joe Codispoti's QR plate

Markins QR-60 Clamp

 

[venchka]

Peter,

Please forgive my density. I need the Joe C. QR plate and the Markins QR-60 Clamp and an Arca Swiss compatible ball head? If I buy a Markins ball head I won't need the markins QR-60 clamp, right?

Thanks!

 

[peter_n]

Correct Wayne! If you look at the Markins site their ball heads all come with the QR clamp fitted on top. Excellent ballheads BTW. The Markins stuff is beautifully made. I recently upgraded my tripod with their tripod base (extra rigidity with no central column) and titanium spikes. I'm set for life! 🙂

 

[FPjohn]

Arca Plate and Clamp

Arca Plate and Clamp

Hello:

Several options for an arca plate to fit a M body are available, the RRS B30 is one. At a minimum, an arca plate clamp such as the B2-fab or B2 pro II can be fitted to most tripod heads without a new purchase. The RRS B25 pro is an excellent small head with an arca compatible clamp really suited to use with a leica.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/clamps/index.html
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html

These are solutions I've found, I'm sure equivalent products are available, I've simply not used them.

yours
Frank

 

[ray_g]

Another vote for the GMP grip

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=&sku=800368655&is=USE&addedTroughType=search

 

[peter_n]

I hadn't seen that B-25. Good price too at $145. I do wonder about the durability of the spring-loaded lever though. I've heard that their lever release clamps are a bit unreliable... The clamp I like is their B2-Pro/L at $87 is around the same price as the Markins I think. At over 3 inches long that will not be a weak point in the chain!

 

[peter_n]

Another vote for the GMP grip

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=&sku=800368655&is=USE&addedTroughType=search

Not QR but a threaded hole in the middle right Ray? Is the grip really rigid on the camera?

 

[harmsr]

Wayne,

With your M5, I would suggest using the Arca M adaptor. It can be EASILY modified at any machine shop to work with the M5. "Ask me how I know."😉

However, It is not centered. With a good head and tripod, it really does not need to be centered.

Best,

Ray

 

[venchka]

Wayne,

With your M5, I would suggest using the Arca M adaptor. It can be EASILY modified at any machine shop to work with the M5. "Ask me how I know."😉

However, It is not centered. With a good head and tripod, it really does not need to be centered.

Best,

Ray

Thanks Ray! You know our camera well! I don't need centered, just closer to the center than the end of the baseplate. I can't get the M5 to vertical without hitting something on my old Bogen tripod.

Ray, I found I was using the M5 to the exclusion of my other cameras. I put it away two weeks ago to force myself to use the other cameras. Big mistake! I really miss it.

Cheers everyone!

 

[harmsr]

Wayne,

I really love my M5 that I kept.

I had the MP also but never used it as much as the M5. Since my main lens in the 50, I love the identified area spot metering on the M5, the frame lines on the M5 are the best M lines for use with a 50 "IMHO", and I REALLY LOVE the match needle metering in the view finder along with the shutter speed, the M5 just always won out. The VF on the MP was brighter and more flare resistant than the M5 but the other advantages of the M5 just out-weighed that for me. I rarely ever used the CM either. So both just went bye-bye and I'm back to all black except for the 50 Dr.

My kit is now the M5, 35 Lux ASPH 6 bit coded, 50 Cron DR, 50 Lux ASPH 6 bit coded, 75 Cron ASPH 6 bit coded, and the soon to be acquired M8. I have also kept the 1.25x magnifier which appears will be very usefull with the 75 Cron on the M8.

My D200 was only getting use for product shots in my company and for telephoto. I even got rid of all my Nikon glass (17-55 DX 2.8 / 70-200 2.8 / 60 2.8 Macro) due to the huge size on the D200 and went to the 18-70 DX and have pre-ordered the 70-300 VR. The SLR is a necessary "evil" for some things.

I have basically sold everything film except for the M5 and my Nikon Super Coolscan 5000 ED. I think they will stay for a very long time.

Keep enjoying our M5.

Best,

Ray

 

[venchka]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Wayne,

...My kit is now the M5, 35 Lux ASPH 6 bit coded, 50 Cron DR, 50 Lux ASPH 6 bit coded, 75 Cron ASPH 6 bit coded, and the soon to be acquired M8.

...Keep enjoying our M5.

Best,

Ray

DROOL! I have 25% of that Leica lens inventory and 100% of the focal lengths. 😀

I do and I will enjoy our M5. Very much!

The tripod fix could get very expensive and interfer with my Leica lens purchases. 😱 I may have to divest myself of some of the Canon RF gear. 😱 😱

Pondering.

Wayne

 

[Trius]

Two things:

1. Pish! on a Leica not belong on a tripod (as others have said) ... ANY camera belongs on a tripod if it will improve the shot.

2. M5 ... dammit, you guys have started up the GAS-fire in me just when I thought I had it extinguished ... and those lenses, including my much-missed 50 DR. I also had a 90 Cron (can't remember which iteration, but it was "old" when I bought it used in the mid-80s. It was smashing.

 

[harmsr]

Trius,

Glad to assist. I always love helping GAS!!!! :angel: 😀

Ray

 

[richard_l]

Most of my Leica shots are taken with a monopod or tripod because I want to take more advantage of those $$$$$ Leica lenses than handholding affords. I have a Leica grip and another one which works just as well. Both are absolutely rigid on the camera.

Richard