patricks Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 There are different schools on using a tripod for a rangefinder is good or not, but since my M6TTL is the only film camera I got, I need to use it for "everything". I don't plan to do a lot of tripod work, but I do want a full size tripod around for those occational shots. Hence, I don't want a $400 Gitzo fiber tripod, but rather a suggestion on well working lightweight tripod/ball that I perhaps can pick up used on *Bay or something. Recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 You can't beat a Gitzo. As folks flock to the lighter carbon fiber models a lot of the older metal ones are available used. My 25+ year old Studex is still going strong, but I lost the smaller, older Reporter in a divorce. Just as a matter of interest, it's pronounced jee' tsoh, accent on the first syllable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 I don't like Gitzo. I had a couple of them and then got rid of them. I can suggest the Manfrotto 290, a fair-to-middling pod, light enough, big/small enough for all M purposes. I got to know it as it is the type they have and share at Solms' Akademie work etc. It costs less than half of what you mentioned. As a ball-and-head I like my Linhof Profi II, which costs almost as much again, but I find it perfect here. Whether or not you like this/these, I still suggest that you look at the Leica tabletop pair as well. I have both pod-head-pairs and love and use both equally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgpinc Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 I use a little Bogen 3001 with the Bogen/Manfrotto 3413QR Ballhead. This is a fairly light(under 4 Lbs.), sturdy and inexpensive ($130 or so for the combo) tripod solution that works well with both my M and R cameras. I put black photo tape on the top leg section. If you want the best solution get the Gitzo 1227 CF with the Kirk BH-3 Ballhead and the RightStuff plate (about $735 total). Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_piper2 Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 20 years ago I got the compact version of the Leitz/Tiltall - long before I ever got Leica cameras. I've never felt a need to upgrade for anything else. I mostly got it because it collapses small enough to fit in a carry-on suitcase (although I suspect in this day and age all those metal tubes would now cause panic when they showed up on the airport X-ray machines - =8^o). Fully extended with the center post all the way up it just reaches comfortable eye-level (I'm 5'10"). It's not extremely light-weight - but not excessive, either. It's black-anodized aluminum. The nice thing is that the head screws off so that I could substitute a Gitzo (or other make) ball-head. I'm pretty sure the head on the full-size Tilt-All did not come off. Velbon made/makes(?) a knock-off of the Leica table tripod - which is equally effective as the original most of the time. I can barely remember the last time I used either, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_t Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Patrick, I heartily second and third the Gitzos. I've owned Bogens/Manf. and they do have some ergonomic advantages, such as quicker locks. Good decent, inexpensive tripods. However, the build quality on a Gitzo is just outstanding. I've got a 1340, and a new carbon fiber equivalent. Love them both. 1340 is probably overkill for a Leica M6 though. On ballheads, Kirk BH-3 is a great medium sized ballhead. For that matter, so is the BH-1, but you won't need it for the M6. I use the BH-1 only for medium format work. Kirk has quality construction as well as being just a good company to deal with. Best regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcg Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 I use a 5 year old Tiltall & a new Bogen/Manfrotto interchangably. No practical difference btwn them. But I use a tripod only in extraordinary circumstances -- extreme low light, w/ a 135mm lens, or if I've just had too much coffee & I absolutely can't risk the camera shaking. I wouldn't spend a fortune on a tripod, frankly. Unless you're into unusual Leica shooting, you'll rarely reach for the thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald_maldonado Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Gitzo CF tripod with Arca swiss ballhead and RRS plate. This combo will be the last setup you will buy. I have a closet of other combos, all collecting dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerald_widen Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 I think most of the tripods mentiond are overkill for your occasional use you described. When I need a tripod (seldom) I use some unkown brand from 35 years ago which works fine for me. I can go to almost any local camera store and find tripods for $50-75 which would be more than good enough if my ancient model got lost (seems like it aint gonna fall apart anytime soon). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholas_wybolt Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Patrick, If I were going to buy a tripod today, it would likely be a Bogen / Manfrotto 3001N or 3001D, with one of their smaller pan heads, as I don't really like ball heads. I prefer to adjust camera's position on its respective axes separately. Good luck. -Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 I'm with Gil. The Bogen 3001 (or 3005 if you like black)is one of my favorite pods. I got the zip-on leg warmers for it, they're not the thick ugly Tri-Pad type, and I use the Bogen 3262 Medium Ballhead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gl5 Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 i have the bogen 3001 and would hardly classify it as little. also, next to a carbon fiber gitzo, the bogen seems to weigh a ton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiblanke Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 Yes, the Bogen 3001 / Manfrotto 190 is not that light, but on the other hand your wallet isn't so after buying one either. I use mine with the 308 RC ball head which makes up a (in my eyes) perfect couple for the price (100$). Steady enough for my old Contax RTS with 400 mm lenses as well as old MF SLR gear with huge mirror slap, and it even holds a Leica M ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jun_cho Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 I use Manf. 055 and Markins ball head M1PQ. IMO M1PQ is really a good stuff and you can get it half the price of Arcaswiss ball head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_clark Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 The Manfrotto 290B is the smallest, good quality tripod I could find. I've used it for two years and I am completely happy with it. It is also light and not expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gl5 Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 a note about the 308RC ballhead. the one you want is the Bogen "3262QR Medium Ballhead (Quick Release)" it's lighter and seems easier to handle (IMHO). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_lehrer Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 Pat Whatever tripod that you get (I use a Tiltall), make certain that you buy a plate that will center the tripod socket in the center of the base. Except of course, if you have a Leicavit or Tom Abrahamson's rapid winder and want to use it on the tripod! Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas k. Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 OT-- Someone above mentioned the zip-on leg warmers for tripods. Much cheaper is to buy pipe insulation (available at any hardware or bldg supply store). It'll make your tripod legs easier to work with in cold weather and also allow you to comfortably carry the tripod over your shoulder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricks Posted October 28, 2002 Author Share Posted October 28, 2002 Alrighty then, 3001D it is when a quick-release ball head/plate thingy. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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