Please recommend a good tripod...

[peter_n]

I have a used Gitzo G-1228 and I don't think you should skimp on a support system, or you'll be buying tripods for the rest of your life. Forgo your next lens and buy a Gitzo and something like a Markins M-10 ballhead.

 

[ped]

Guys assuming one leaves the 'plate' attached to the camera, and with the socket being on the edge of a Leica body, what do you do - does it overhang? I want it to be as low profile as possible so it doesn't catch on my bag etc!

 

[ornate_wrasse]

I have a used Gitzo G-1228 and I don't think you should skimp on a support system, or you'll be buying tripods for the rest of your life. Forgo your next lens and buy a Gitzo and something like a Markins M-10 ballhead.

Could not agree more. I also have a Gitzo 1228 and use a Markins M-10 ballhead.

Other posters have mentioned the Gitzo 1227. This is essentially the same as the Gitzo 1228 except it has a different number of leg sections.

I love mine and it's light enough to carry around, too.


Ellen

 

[Matus]

I have one of those "asian" ones - the carbon fiber Feisol CT-3442 (got via www.reallybigcameras.com - Kerry Thallmann is very nice guy to deal with). Together with a Photo Clam Ball head (the 33 or 36 size model) it weights 1.5 kg and holds my lightweight 4x5 camera without a problem. I used it a lot with Mamiya 6 in Spain this summer. Rock solid.

This tripods fits inside the carry-on luggage (I flew several times with it - no security problems ever, I just keep the accessory leg steel spikes unmounted 😉 )
The ball head is very good for the money - the ball head movement is smooth, the quick release is well done (RSS plates fit perfectly). No doubt that some RSS or Acratech heads are even better made, but are also in a different price category.

Definitely more than $200 (about $500 together), but worth it. Still much less than a Gitzo + Acratech (or Kirk or RSS) ball head.

One more comment - the Feisol replaced in my case a carbon Benro - which was still OK, but the Feisol is much better made, more stable and lighter.

EDIT: Concerning the Feisol ball heads - I have no personal experience, but I recall reading some negative comments about it, so check first if you would be interested in one of those ..

 

[Bob Michaels]

T <snip> you can go to eBay and buy a vintage Leitz Tiltall, in black, for about a $100. They are the best VALUE.

I have used a Leitz Titall for some 30 years and never felt the need to buy another tripod. Now I seldom use a tripod but that one is light and holds any 35mm or MF camera steady. I think it cost $100 back when I bought it new. One of the best purchases I ever made.

 

[sojournerphoto]

I've got a Gitzo 3530L tripod with a Markins ball head. Expensive, but I don't expect to replace it.

Ball heads a re great if they are well engineered and you don't mind buying more kit to do panoramic stitching (if you want todo that!)

Mike

 

[DNG]

I have used a Leitz Titall for some 30 years and never felt the need to buy another tripod. Now I seldom use a tripod but that one is light and holds any 35mm or MF camera steady. I think it cost $100 back when I bought it new. One of the best purchases I ever made.

+1
I also had one for many years in the 70's.
If I get another one, This is the one... Easy to use, very well made and there was even a JR size at one time.... also under "Star D" in the 80's.

 

[ederek]

Guys assuming one leaves the 'plate' attached to the camera, and with the socket being on the edge of a Leica body, what do you do - does it overhang? I want it to be as low profile as possible so it doesn't catch on my bag etc!

Whoa!! Almost responded to OP with tripod recommendations, then saw the thread date. Those are all great suggestions - I have 2 gitzo systems: one medium duty w/ markins ballhead and base, acrotech leveler and rrs support; and the other a traveler with rrs mini ballhead and lever clamp.

ped - to your questions...

Leaving the plate attached is a good idea. It's always ready and it also protects the base.

"With the socket being on the edge" inidicates you're shooting a film M (not M8 or M9 which are in the middle.)

I have the RRS M-series plate and it's great! 😀
Here's an image linked from the rrs site, that shows it won't catch on things:

.

Product description here:
http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRSNET/Images/gallery/B30-bottom.png

I also have almost the same plate made by Kirk Enterprises which I picked up at less than 1/2 the price of the RRS new, as it was on 'the big auction site' and I put in a bid and won. Use it for the 2nd film m body. It is virtually identical in material, finish and even the machining (same diameter mills even)! Not sure who made the 1st unit, but whoever made the second one, it's a knock-off of the first.

btw, on the M9 I use the small square B9 plate:
(another link to RRS):

Fairly low $ and the new M9 plates weren't available at the time I was looking to put on a plate. The other one I referenced (use on M4) will NOT fit the M9 w/out some machining modifications.

If you are really interested in the small B9 plate, let me know and I'll put it on an M4 and let you know if it hangs over the side too much... 😎

 

[barnwulf]

I bought a 1548 Gitzo 7 or 8 years ago and then had a 1348 and now I have a 1541T traveler. All were carbon fiber very strong and very light weight and durable. I wouldn't have anything else I don't believe. - jim

 

[Ranchu]

I have a Gitzo something or other, basically an aluminum four section Reporter, with a Gitzo three way head. I've tried to like ball heads, but it drives me nuts not to be able to adjust the directions independently. I can recommend the Aluminum Gitzos. The rectangular manfrotto quick releases seem pretty lousy to me. The one I had wouldn't lock in without play. Wack.

 

[monochromejrnl]

The best are the Gitzo carbon-fiber legsets with a Really Right Stuff ballhead -- these come in a variety of heights and weights.

There are decent Chinese copies for half the price.

Then there are Manfrottos and odd brands, wooden legs, pan-tilt heads, etc... all of which have their proponents. I think the Linhof 3-way head is the best ever tripod head myself, but they are very rare and cost over $800 new. The Gitzo legset I like costs $850. Then there are leveling platforms, spikes, wraps, bags, Arca-plates and more...

And when you get all done, and decide that you don't want to spend $1800 on the best Gitzo and RRS head, you can go to eBay and buy a vintage Leitz Tiltall, in black, for about a $100. They are the best VALUE.

Second Frank's suggestion: Tilt-all #4602 is amazing value - three way head built into the legs for under $100. Head isn't geared but this isn't an issue unless your shooting rig is very heavy - 10+ pds.

 

[ped]

Whoa!! Almost responded to OP with tripod recommendations, then saw the thread date. Those are all great suggestions - I have 2 gitzo systems: one medium duty w/ markins ballhead and base, acrotech leveler and rrs support; and the other a traveler with rrs mini ballhead and lever clamp.

ped - to your questions...

Leaving the plate attached is a good idea. It's always ready and it also protects the base.

"With the socket being on the edge" inidicates you're shooting a film M (not M8 or M9 which are in the middle.)

I have the RRS M-series plate and it's great! 😀
Here's an image linked from the rrs site, that shows it won't catch on things:

.

Product description here:
http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRSNET/Images/gallery/B30-bottom.png

I also have almost the same plate made by Kirk Enterprises which I picked up at less than 1/2 the price of the RRS new, as it was on 'the big auction site' and I put in a bid and won. Use it for the 2nd film m body. It is virtually identical in material, finish and even the machining (same diameter mills even)! Not sure who made the 1st unit, but whoever made the second one, it's a knock-off of the first.

btw, on the M9 I use the small square B9 plate:
(another link to RRS):

Fairly low $ and the new M9 plates weren't available at the time I was looking to put on a plate. The other one I referenced (use on M4) will NOT fit the M9 w/out some machining modifications.

If you are really interested in the small B9 plate, let me know and I'll put it on an M4 and let you know if it hangs over the side too much... 😎

Thanks very much for the reply. Funnily enough someone just recommended the same plate so I'll check it out, thanks

ped

 

[ederek]

Thanks very much for the reply. Funnily enough someone just recommended the same plate so I'll check it out, thanks

ped

Hope it works out for you. I go back and forth with the plate on the M4, as I also like to use a Zhou 1/2 case.

Noticed there is also a small arca-swiss plate. It does look like the edges could "catch" on clothing or something.

http://www.arca-shop.de/Monoballs/A....html?XTCsid=dc0b43764ed9df18e6c098eb93202700

I just ordered the RRS baseplate, grip and l-bracket combo for the M9. Have been carrying w/out a bag or case lately, and this offers better protection. Might do some stitched pano's, and the vertical orientation with the l-bracket would be nice.

I also use a home-built "base pod", and the new plate might be a problem relative to the RRS B-9, as that has clamp slots in both orientations, so I can clemp in from the sides versus front and back.

 

[peter_n]

I've invested in support this year. I've bought two travel tripods; a Gitzo 1541T with a Markins Q3T ballhead, and a Benro C2680T again with a Markins Q3T ballhead. Also I'm about to replace my Linhof Profi II ballhead on the G1228 with the new Markins Q-10.

I'll be reviewing the Benro in about two months on the Canon web site, so far after a month of intensive use I'm impressed; well designed, excellent build quality, very smooth anti-rotation twist locks. I'm thrashing the tripod but as far as I can tell it is quality but let's see how it goes...

In the pic below the Benro is on the left and the Gitzo is on the right. The columns are fully extended for illustration purposes.

 

[david.elliott]

Peter,

What are your thoughts on the Gitzo? I've been thinking about purchasing that model for some months now.

 

[peter_n]

I'm very impressed with the 1541T David. Without question it's the gold standard in travel tripods and that's reflected in its price. It is light and small when folded, sturdy when extended, and of very high build quality. The only two cons I can think of are if you are tall you will stoop a little, I'm 5ft 8in so it's not a problem for me. Also it doesn't take spikes unlike the Benro, as the bottom leg section is too small a diameter for the standard Gitzo spikes.

If you're still considering a ballhead to go with the 1541T take a look at the Markins Q3T; it was specifically designed to work with the 1541T and is another piece of beautiful engineering. There is also the Photo Clam PC-33NS which is also well made. Whatever you do get a ballhead that has a max outside diameter of 50mm either on the ball housing or the panning base. Then the tripod legs will fold back over the ballhead and be parallel to the center column, taking up as small a space as possible.

If you really want to go into detail on this combo, take a look at this humongous 2+ year-old thread that is still going strong, there's a lot to learn about both the tripod and the ballhead in there. The pic below is my 1541T alongside my G1228 which has been converted into a poor-man's systematic - all you really need for rangefinders to MF.

 

[ChrisN]

Some more alternatives in Arca-standard adapter plates for Leica M:

http://clearsightusa.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=40

 

[peter_n]

I've used this ClearSight plate for years and it's excellent.

 

[ederek]

What are your thoughts on the Gitzo? I've been thinking about purchasing that model for some months now.

Love it! Very satisfied, and also recommend the traveler case. Only issue with the traveler case is the strap provided with it is a bit short.

There have been a number of inputs regarding tripods. The Gitzo traveler is likely enough support for a small rangefinder in the field.

Here's a bit more about the ballhead and support options for a [relatively] light traveler setup (to go with For the Gitzo traveler or similar):

Here's the support side of the setup in use (no panning ability):

I've invested in support this year. I've bought two travel tripods; a Gitzo 1541T with a Markins Q3T ballhead, and a Benro C2680T again with a Markins Q3T ballhead. Also I'm about to replace my Linhof Profi II ballhead on the G1228 with the new Markins Q-10. <snip>

I also have the 1541T, but went with the RRS BH-25 ultra-compact ballhead and clamp

RRS BH-25 ball only: $90, 148 grams
RRS BH-25 w/ mini clamp: $175, 221 grams

To compare..
Markins Q-Ball Q3 Traveler w/ lever release: $310, 375 grams

One limitation with this is the lack of easy rotation for panos. I see the Markin Q3T offers rotation, but am curious if you've used this feature?

I've found the center axis of the ballhead (with Q-10) difficult to level using only leg adjustments. The solution for the Gitzo 2540 (similar to your G1228) was to use an acrotech leveling base. It works very well, and recently on a trip I left it home to save a few ounces and ended up missing it quite a lot (real PITA w/out it!).

Acrotech leveling base: $150, 240 grams

Link to Acrotech leveling base image:

So, if doing pano's w/out mucking around, the Markin
Q3 traveler still needs a leveling solution.

An alternative is the RRS pano-clamp. It puts the rotation ABOVE the ball, so both ball rotation and precise leg adjustments are a moot point.

RRS Pano Clamp: $235, 290 grams

Link to RRS site image:

So, I could use the RRS BH-25 w/ clamp, plus Pano Clamp (when needed):
$410, 511 grams
Plus dovetail adapter (PCL-DVTL) for clamp mount (required): $30, 20 grams
Total = $440, 531 grams

One other caveat with the PCL1 is that if you want to do a pano in portrait mode, you're stuck unless you have an L-Plate (could be a show-stopper for many!).

The Q3T would probably work fine with the Acrotech leveling base, just put it between tripod and ballhead when needed.

Total for Q3T + Acratech leveling base: $460, 615 grams

This could also work without an L-plate, though you couldn't rotate around the nodal point when in portrait orientation.

The Markins Q3T looks to be a good choice (I love the Q-10), while the RRS BH-25 is a bit less money, smaller and lighter weight, though a bit harder to use with accessory spirit level and no true ball movement relative to Q3T.

A closer option to the Q3T from RRS would be the BH-30, which includes rotation.

BH-30: $275, 324 grams; OR $290, 369 grams w/ spirit level in full-size clamp.

+ acrotech leveling base: $425, 545 grams for pano work.

I'd say the Markins gets the slight edge here relative to the BH-30 (even though I don't have direct experience with the BH-30), as it has tension on the ball when not fully tightened, whereas the BH-30 is more like the BH-25 than the BH-40 or BH-55 with regard to ball tension when not fully locked.

I ordered a PCL-1 pano-clamp to go with the light RRS BH-25. Offers lowest cost and weight of options above, plus it's very easy to clamp into the RRS mini-clamp when needed, and includes a spirit level so the mini-clamp can stay small without one. This will also allow the tripod to stay small and compact when folded (versus adding a leveling base).

I use the Self-Timer when snapping those tripod shots, though a cable release is an option as well.

 

[peter_n]

I like the look of that Acratech leveling base, I'm going to look into a leveling base for the G1228.