Quick release suitable for leica M

[wayne_murphy6]

Slightly OT but I have found a very neat and compact tripod quick

release which fits onto Leica M bodies with virtually no change in

handling qualities.

 

It is a Novoflex Mini Connect and consists of a rectangular tripod

locking plate and a circular camera plate about 24mm (slightly

less than 1 inch) diameter which screws into the camera's tripod

bush. It is almost identical to the screw on the bottom of old

eveready cases except that it is reverse bevelled to lock into the

keeper plate.

 

The system is automatic locking and one handed release. You

need to press a sliding safety lock before you can release the

camera. It is very simple and very well made. It is also not

cheap, but is miles ahead of the Manfrotto and Gitzo versions

which are positively clunky and big.

 

The screw diameter is smaller than the width of the M base plate

and it is quite thin.

 

If you want to see it, search for novoflex, then click products and

then click mounting systems.

 

I also have one on a 280/4.0 lens (1.8kg or nearly 4 pounds) and

it is absolutly secure. It fits any camera or lens but seems just

right for Leica M cameras for those people who use tripods.

[gerald1]

Wayne,

 

I would highly endorse this QR system, especially for the Leica M cameras. When I investigated various QR plates, I had borrowed Arca Swiss and Gitzo types and found them very uncomfortable on the M7 as their planforms always protruded well beyond that of the Leicas. It would be OK for cameras with centre tripod sockets but on the M it caused interference with the grip of the camera on the right hand.

 

I am using the Miniconnect directly attached to lightweight Acratech and either a Gitzo 1028 or 1228. It is very secure and stable all round as the QR stud applies a strong tension to pull the camera body firmly down on the Mini connect base.

 

There is now a more compact base - the Miniconnect MR.

 

http://www.novoflex.de/english/html/products.htm

 

Gerald

[sassan_hazeghi]

Thanks for posting your observations about this (I also find Manfrotto QR to be cluncky and not solid enough.) Is the locking into the base plate solid and wobble-free (since the base plate appears to be made of plastic in the image I saw.) Also, would you know if the circular (camera) plate can be attached to the camera with the eveready case on (after drilling a 1/4" hole in the case ?) I really miss the old cases which could stay on the camara when using a tripod.

 

Sassan Hazeghi.

[oliver_s.]

I've seen it and not liked it at once. The thingy just doesn't look reliable.<p>Has anyone tried out the <a href="http://www.ideesign.com/id25.htm">ideesign</a> <a href="http://www.ideesign.com/id88.htm">Q-Top</a>? They seem to combine the advantages of conventional QR systems with those of the Miniconnect--well, almost, diameter's 44mm, but still...<p>Fwiw, both <a href="http://www.adorama.com">Adorama</a> and <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com">B&H</a> have them in stock.

[jay_.]

Mandatory for any QR plate IMO is an anti-twist lip.

[alec1]

Here's a much better way to go with quick release for the Leica M.

 

http://www.quickreleaseplate.com/

[mf_zimicki]

I have used the Novoflex for two years now in tandem with their Magicball and i can attest that they are great products. Mine have been close to abused and still work great. Mf Zimicki

[albert knapp md]

Wayne- I have used the Novoflex QRand the medium magic ball

for several years. There is one problem: the QR doesn't support

the heavier lenses such as the 70-180. It jiggles!! I am therefore

surprized that you have no problems with the 280 f/4 as they

BOTH weigh the same. I find Novoflex to be superior in design

and easier to use than the Kirk and Arca QR systems. MHO of

course.

[Allen Herbert]

I wrote you a nice bed time story, and all you can write about is straps! No word of thanks, no, just straps. There are more things to life, than straps. I can give you all the answer to the ultimate stuff , but all you talk about is straps. Sad, lot, but we have always known.

[wayne_murphy6]

My experience has been that the round camera plate locks

absolutely securely, will not twist or jiggle even with my large

lens. I was somewhat sceptical about its small size but it works

perfectly for me.

 

The main locking lever can also be tightened slightly and this

makes sure that there is no play or movement.

 

The rectangular recieving plate is partly made of dense plastic

but the locking mechanism is metal.

 

Not sure if you could use it with an eveready case. Seems to

defeat the purpose if you have to take the camera out of the case

to reload film. With the quick release you can leave the

baseplate attached to the tripod and lift the camera off to reload.

 

Novoflex also make a larger conventional quick release for Arca

plates but it is large.

 

Cheers

[jack_markham]

I use the Really Right Stuff Arca-Swiss compatible plate. It is a joy to use, especially with their new lever release base. I have fitted this RRS lever release to both my Arca-Swiss B1 ball head and my Linhof Profi-II ball head. It is an exquisite QR system.<br><br>

Yes. The RRS plate does protrude beyond the base of the Leica M and this did initially concern me. I makes the camera bulkier. But the RRS QR base is an elegant sculpture befitting the Leica. But this is not the reason the RRS bases have remained permanently attached to my M4 and my M6. The cameras are actually steadier in my hands with the RRS bases attached!<br><br>

Check out www.reallyrightstuff.com

[jack_markham]

"I makes the camera bulkier." --> <B>It</B> makes the camera bulkier. :)