Tripod recommendation for Leica M

[lxdude]

The website I have used for years seems to have been taken over.

Whew! I thought I'd forgotten how to properly click on links!

 

[Sal Santamaura]

...Leofoto has the most reasonably-priced quality CF tripods that I have seen...

Do you, or anyone else who's handled one, know whether Leofoto's carbon fiber tripods include the anti-leg-rotation feature that Gitzos they copy do? In other words, when the locks are loose, can the smaller sections rotate or are they constrained to only slide in and out? Thanks in advance.

 

[Pieter12]

Do you, or anyone else who's handled one, know whether Leofoto's carbon fiber tripods include the anti-leg-rotation feature that Gitzos they copy do? In other words, when the locks are loose, can the smaller sections rotate or are they constrained to only slide in and out? Thanks in advance.

The legs do not rotate when they are unlocked.

 

[lxdude]

A flimsy tripod will vibrate in the wind blurring the long exposures and then wait to tip over until after you put you most expensive lens on your best camera and mount it on the tripod and BANG!! IT WILL TIP OVER AND DESTROY YOUR PRIDE AND JOYS!

Gonna have to hit you pretty hard in the crotch to do that!

 

[GregY]

Given how much lighter a Leica M is than a view camera....I think an old Marchioni era Tiltall is a great tripod for an M.

 

[Pieter12]

Given how much lighter a Leica M is than a view camera....I think an old Marchioni era Tiltall is a great tripod for an M.

It is a nice tripod, will last forever. It also weighs 3 times as much as a decent CF tripod and head.

 

[GregY]

It is a nice tripod, will last forever. It also weighs 3 times as much as a decent CF tripod and head.

& costs 75% less.....

 

[Pieter12]

& costs 75% less.....

Maybe half. But you'll end up paying for it in having to haul the extra weight and size in some instances.

 

[GregY]

Maybe half. But you'll end up paying for it in having to haul the extra weight and size in some instances.

I've carried my Ries for miles. My smaller tripod is an older Gitzo with a choice of 3 different heads. If i'm heading to counting weight, I bring a CF monopod with a small Leitz ballhead.

 

[Pieter12]

A Ries might be a bit of overkill for a Leica M, the camera the OP was looking to mount.

 

[ooze]

20 years ago I bought a Gitzo Traveller. One of my best purchases, ever. I regularly use it with Leica M's and Rollei TLR's. With the back-folding legs it easily fits into a regular sized backpack. I've travelled a lot with it and it's still going strong.

 

[guangong]

Since late 1960s I’ve used a Gitzo with a pan head. Later I acquired a couple Tiltalls at a price I couldn’t ignore (GAS). I also use Gitzo monopod. The Leitz tabletop tripod with the large ball head can also be handy. However, for the most part my subjects and photographic style make a tripod superfluous...but handy to have when needed.
If I were to buy a tripod for a Leica today, my choice would be one of carbon fiber for reduced wt.

 

[GregY]

A Ries might be a bit of overkill for a Leica M, the camera the OP was looking to mount.

I'm not suggesting using a Ries with an M, just that some photographers,(myself included) have carried bigger kits. Yes CF might be nice, but i had a cheaper one that was not pleasant to work with. They're expensive. If you're using one heavily, i prefer the older Gitzo or Tiltall. If you're not using it much....you've parked a lot of money.
To me it's the flip side of the coin on forums where people (often w many cameras) are looking for to develop w coffee, or use the cheapest bulk load film they can find..... both seem like questionable choices to me personally.

 

[craigclu]

A few years back, I bought a rig on impulse and have been very happy that I did. B&H was selling Oben gear that seemed to be re-branded Induro products. They had a sale that triggered my decision. I had a distinct overkill approach before this because of the large gear (medium format SLR's) I had needed to control. I ended up with a CF rig and magnesium Gitzo 1276M head. It was perfect for my rangefinder duties, both medium format and 35mm. The offset tripod mount on my Leica gear seems at odds with being stable but they also require very little vibration control vs SLR needs. Mine is similar to this and I see they're discounted a bit now, too. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1477157-REG/oben_cft_6394_4_section_tripod_carbon.html

 

[gone]

Since it's a Leica, you would want the appropriate tripod. 12 payments of only $1118.00 a month sounds like a deal!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/706570-REG/Sachtler_2075S1_System_20_S1_SL.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A6879

 

[Jim Jones]

Given how much lighter a Leica M is than a view camera....I think an old Marchioni era Tiltall is a great tripod for an M.

It certainly is. If you shop around long enough, you can even find one branded Leitz. The camera makers picked the very best tripod to go with their cameras.

 

[GregY]

BTW...... 6 lbs for the Tiltall isn't all that heavy in the grand scheme of things.
Cost/benefit analysis may help you decide if it's the tool for the particular job.
Unless you've got $1k to burn on a CF gitzo & head......
(when they're sitting in your closet, under a bench or in the back of your truck, the Tiltall is all things considered, arguably a better deal)

 

[Pieter12]

It certainly is. If you shop around long enough, you can even find one branded Leitz. The camera makers picked the very best tripod to go with their cameras.

The Tiltall has an interesting history. https://www.tiltallusa.com/about-us/

 

[dave olson]

Look at the Gitzo line, their series 1 in particular.

 

[beemermark]

I've had this tripod since the '80's. Made out of metal it's very solid and sturdy. I have a small Leica ball head attached to mine. Fits in a small camera bag with my M camera and a lens or three. While listed as a tabletop I've always found something to set it on (like a wall or boulder). if I want it higher but ground level also works fairly well most of the time. A Leica body with a self timer (who says you don't need a self timer) eliminates the need for a cable release.

 

[GregY]

A Ries might be a bit of overkill for a Leica M, the camera the OP was looking to mount.

Of course a Ries is..... but especially with the offset tripod mount on a Leica M, i'd be cautious of using a tripod that was too light. An old school Gitzo, smaller than a Tiltall is an economical tripod and not really that heavy

 

[r_a_feldman]

Of course a Ries

But if you want to stay with German products, get a Berlebach tripod.

 

[GregY]

But if you want to stay with German products, get a Berlebach tripod.

They might make a nice product..... but for LF the Ries double tilt head is sweet

 

[Hassasin]

Let me say this: it seems that Induro brand is some sort of magic. Don’t forget how Induro entered the market, and I see no difference in the offering, just a lot more expensive. At the start the brand was in a more affordable range for what there was at the time.

Manufacturing in tripods has improved immensely over last 5 years and a lot of entry brands, offering basically same legs and locking systems, majority made on same production line as some more established ones, have actual quality build into it too.

If getting the so called no name offends a Leica, there are just few choices. In my opinion that is a total waste of money, but Gitzo will remain a Gitzo, only staying ahead of competition with relative price increases. Induro is already playing in same band, good music, just not better than many lesser known ones.

other than that, 167 cm height, feather light, and solid enough to hold a Leica M with bag full of rocks? Something needs to give somewhere. Max height alone is always listed with center column extended, so you get that, but assuming your call for bag of rocks too, implies shooting in windy places ? If that is correct you need that 167 without center column. You cannot tame extended column with bottom mounted rocks. And it is one thing 5 sections extend to that, another how solid that is. Try one first, people have different ideas what solid is.

I said 5 sections because I assume you need a feather light and compact when put away. If not, there are some offerings with 3 sections only, just a lot of added bulk to move around with.

The mentioned Manfrotto 190 is a great one, and having used it by the side of a comparable in size Gitzo, it can play equally well. Locks are solid, the whole thing spells quality top to bottom. Then I have a smaller CF that goes for about $150 no brand. Very solid, but obviously not 167 extended. It would serve Leica M without trouble.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Let me say this: it seems that Induro brand is some sort of magic. Don’t forget how Induro entered the market, and I see no difference in the offering, just a lot more expensive. At the start the brand was in a more affordable range for what there was at the time.

Manufacturing in tripods has improved immensely over last 5 years and a lot of entry brands, offering basically same legs and locking systems, majority made on same production line as some more established ones, have actual quality build into it too.

If getting the so called no name offends a Leica, there are just few choices. In my opinion that is a total waste of money, but Gitzo will remain a Gitzo, only staying ahead of competition with relative price increases. Induro is already playing in same band, good music, just not better than many lesser known ones.

other than that, 167 cm height, feather light, and solid enough to hold a Leica M with bag full of rocks? Something needs to give somewhere. Max height alone is always listed with center column extended, so you get that, but assuming your call for bag of rocks too, implies shooting in windy places ? If that is correct you need that 167 without center column. You cannot tame extended column with bottom mounted rocks. And it is one thing 5 sections extend to that, another how solid that is. Try one first, people have different ideas what solid is.

I said 5 sections because I assume you need a feather light and compact when put away. If not, there are some offerings with 3 sections only, just a lot of added bulk to move around with.

The mentioned Manfrotto 190 is a great one, and having used it by the side of a comparable in size Gitzo, it can play equally well. Locks are solid, the whole thing spells quality top to bottom. Then I have a smaller CF that goes for about $150 no brand. Very solid, but obviously not 167 extended. It would serve Leica M without trouble.

I have used Induro for five to ten years and found their carbon fiber tripods equal to the big brand tripods at a lower cost. There equipment is interchangeable with all the major brands. Lighter, lower cost, well built and interchange ability. What more could one ask?