Tripod recommendation for Leica M

[250swb]

If the OP thinks the Scratch Arca-Swiss base is expensive at $44, a $100+ (at least) used Leica Hand Grip might not be for him.

We all enjoy a nice unboxing ceremony of something brand new but I did a quick trawl and found the Leica grip second hand for between £40 and £70 in camera dealers. A reasonable price given how much easier it makes life.

As regards the anxiety of tripods blowing over in the wind yes it can happen, but there is a common sense relationship that comes into play. A bigger tripod catches more wind, and a bigger tripod is most often used for bigger cameras, so stick a 4x5 camera on top of a big tripod and see if it blows over quicker than a small camera on a smaller tripod. The key is to weigh any tripod down when it is windy and when buying look for those that offer the facility of a hook at the bottom of the central column, which by the way the Mountaineer GT1532 does as standard.

 

[reddesert]

My feelings about tripods include:

- a tripod should be portable enough that you'll actually use it for the type of photography that you'll do. Sometimes that means relaxing your minimum requirements, like height, or solidity.

- Tripods can be much cheaper used, sometimes lightly used. You often don't get access to the latest and greatest tech this way, like carbon fiber, but the warm feeling of an 80% discount soothes aching muscles.

- You can often bend the rules of how big and heavy a tripod you are supposed to need with some common sense and a camera that doesn't shake. Even a flimsy tripod may hold a TLR still for 1/8 second if you're careful (no raising the center column!)

- Sometimes, you can get away with propping the camera on a rock, or a beanbag, or your hat. Or a Superclamp. At a place where I work, I was always bringing up a small tripod and then not being able to raise it enough to get the vista over a chain link fence. Finally I grew a brain and just brought a clamp, then attached the clamp to the fence.

 

[snusmumriken]

I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and suggestions. I realise that what I am seeking may be impossible, and that I am going to have to compromise on the ideals I listed above. So the experience of those with similar camera, interests and only occasional need for a tripod are particularly helpful.

I did a quick trawl and found the Leica grip second hand for between £40 and £70 in camera dealers.

I did that trawl too. I was impressed by the number of those grips available, and it did cross my mind to wonder how useful their owners had actually found them. Obviously it does the job of centring the tripod bush. Does anyone have any observation about how useful it is as a handgrip?

 

[Pieter12]

I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and suggestions. I realise that what I am seeking may be impossible, and that I am going to have to compromise on the ideals I listed above. So the experience of those with similar camera, interests and only occasional need for a tripod are particularly helpful.


I did that trawl too. I was impressed by the number of those grips available, and it did cross my mind to wonder how useful their owners had actually found them. Obviously it does the job of centring the tripod bush. Does anyone have any observation about how useful it is as a handgrip?

A couple of reasons not to buy the Leica handgrip: From what I can tell, it seems to be made of plastic and expensive even at the used prices stated. So it may not add too much weight to the camera, but I don't know how sturdy or long-lasting it would be. And (I continue to harp one this) it has no provision for a quick release tripod connection--something that makes using a tripod easier and much faster.

 

[Sirius Glass]

A tripod should fold up to be short enough to fit into a suitcase in case one wants to take it on a vacation with checked luggage. Mine went with me to France specifically to take night photographs of the Eiffel Tower.

 

[Pieter12]

A tripod should fold up to be short enough to fit into a suitcase in case one wants to take it on a vacation with checked luggage. Mine went with me to France specifically to take night photographs of the Eiffel Tower.

That's a pretty specific requirement. If the OP just wants it for local, around-town or hiking use, it wouldn't have to fit in a suitcase. Besides, he's in the UK so he could take a train to photograph the Eiffel Tower at night.

 

[Sirius Glass]

That's a pretty specific requirement. If the OP just wants it for local, around-town or hiking use, it wouldn't have to fit in a suitcase. Besides, he's in the UK so he could take a train to photograph the Eiffel Tower at night.

But he might fly to Quebec and want to take night photography there. The last time I checked trains still do not run from the UK to Canada.

 

[Pieter12]

Ships do.

 

[250swb]

I did that trawl too. I was impressed by the number of those grips available, and it did cross my mind to wonder how useful their owners had actually found them. Obviously it does the job of centring the tripod bush. Does anyone have any observation about how useful it is as a handgrip?

It's generally not very useful at all and bulky for everyday photography with an M, the only important thing is in centring the tripod bush which becomes a major advantage on a tripod. And to be honest the extra grip is nicer when the camera is on a tripod, particularly in cold weather and wearing gloves. Slung around my neck I hate any extra gizmos on an M Leica, except for a viewfinder, but on a tripod it's a different game.

 

[Bill Burk]

I hate carrying gear, so I'm not really a fan of tripods. But more than once recently I wished I had one with me. My existing Benbo tripod drove me nuts on every occasional use through about 30 years of ownership, and thankfully is now broken. So it may be time for a re[lacement.

My requirements are:
- holds a Leica M securely despite its end-of-baseplate tripod bush;
- has a pan-and-tilt head rather than a ball-and-socket;
- extends to at least 5ft 6in (1.67m);
- weighs almost nothing, but has a suspension hook for a bag of rocks if needed.

Anyone got a recommendation?

If you have ever used a Leica ball head, you wouldn’t rule that out. Look for the rings on the ball. Locks securely every time.

I have a Gitzo G1027 CF tripod with one on top and I can take it anywhere.

 

[JerseyDoug]

I use a Leica 'Barnack' Grip from Metro Case with my LTM Leicas. They make a version for the film M Leicas too. It's very light and very rugged. It has a centered tripod bush and is compatible with Arca-Swiss style tripod clamps. I find it is a significant help with hand holding the camera steady in landscape orientation. It doesn't seem to make much difference with the camera in portrait orientation. I have no idea how the M version would work out.

A benefit, for me, of centering the tripod bush is that I can then use a universal L bracket to set the camera up in portrait orientation on a tripod when I do my portrait photographer shtick standing alongside the camera as I talk with the subject and press the cable release. (I have not found a universal L bracket to work with the offset tripod bush on my LTM cameras.)

 

[JerseyDoug]

If you have ever used a Leica ball head, you wouldn’t rule that out. Look for the rings on the ball. Locks securely every time.

I have a Gitzo G1027 CF tripod with one on top and I can take it anywhere.

Agreed about both the Leica ball head and the Gitzo G1027. I use this setup with the center column all the way down for my Barnack Leicas with a Visoflex and vertical viewfinder. (I am too tall to be comfortable with the G1027 with the center column all the way up and a 90º viewfinder on the Visoflex.)

 

[jnk]

Anyone got a recommendation?

no, but I will recommend you convert your tripod screw hole to the normal size it is not like everything else you might own

 

[Kodachromeguy]

A suggestion: the classic Tiltall tripod. It may be a bit heavier and bulkier than you want, but it is solid, about 6 lbs. Opt for the original Marchioni Bros. version or the E. Leitz model.

Tiltall Tripod - a Short History of a Classic Design

Tiltall Support - a short History follows shortly. Click here to order Replacement Parts These pages are dedicated to the support and c...

tiltallsupport.blogspot.com

 

[George Collier]

I too use a carbon fiber tripod with only a Leica ball head. It's simple and light and fits into the carrying bag along with the tripod (Giotto). Once in awhile I want a regular head with levers but I'm seeing if I can do without (I have one with plates but seeing if I can do with just the ball head).
Also, one thing with M cameras (mine are M4's). The tripod socket is on the end under the film takeup. I found something online that I really like.
Nikon made a bottom plate that goes on top of the Leica bottom, screwing into the socket at the end but has its own tripod socket in the middle. It fits very well and is sturdy and heavy, I bought 2 of them used for $5 - $10 each, one from KEH and one from B&H. They stay on the cameras all the time and are a great solution.
It's called a AH-2 by Nikon, I think it was made for motor drive cameras, I think to provide a center hole.

Nikon AH2 Tripod Adapter - AH-2 for Nikon Film Cameras and Motor Drives — F Stop Cameras

Here we have a Nikon AH-2 tripod adapter. This adapter is in good condition and is fully functional. The AH-2 tripod adapter affixes to the bottom of Nikon's motor drives, which often have off-center tripod sockets. The adapter repositions the tripod socket creating a more balanced mounting point

www.fstopcameras.com

 

[grat]

If the biggest camera on this tripod is going to be a 35mm rangefinder, I recommend the Slik Sprint Pro III with the pan/tilt head.

It's inexpensive, it's lightweight, and while I wouldn't use it in a force 10 gale, I've been very happy with mine. It is not for large cameras, it won't carry your 4x5, or even many medium format cameras-- but it's not for that.

Since the focus is on light weight, the center pin of the quick release plate is fixed, but you could add something like this.

 

[snusmumriken]

If the biggest camera on this tripod is going to be a 35mm rangefinder, I recommend the Slik Sprint Pro III with the pan/tilt head.

It's inexpensive, it's lightweight, and while I wouldn't use it in a force 10 gale, I've been very happy with mine. It is not for large cameras, it won't carry your 4x5, or even many medium format cameras-- but it's not for that.

Since the focus is on light weight, the center pin of the quick release plate is fixed, but you could add something like this.

Thanks, appreciated, I will consider that carefully. Folded size, weight and price are closer to what I had in mind. There seem to be infinite variants.

I also hadn't realised just how many adapter plates are available! That's a study in itself.

 

[lxdude]

I use Induro carbon fiber tripods and heads. https://www.indurogear.com/ They have a wide selection of heads and tripods. The carbon are lighter than the steel ones. Remember that tripod weight increase as a cube of the distance walked.

I don't think that's the link you intended. Also, steel ones?

 

[lxdude]

This little guy is light and compact, and works well. Fairly inexpensive, too.

3D Junior Pan/Tilt Tripod Head with Individual Axis Control

Super tough, nifty and made for ultra-professional shots. The 3D Junior Pan/Tilt Tripod Head with Individual Axis Control has everything you need to create beautiful photos, without any hassle. Standout features include its complete range of movement. This agile tripod head has a self-adjusting...

www.manfrotto.com

 

[Sirius Glass]

I don't think that's the link you intended. Also, steel ones?

That is the website for the company. One has to do due diligence and find the carbon fiber models. I include the whole site because on must look at the different tripod heads which I have found becomes a matter of personal test as some like ball heads and others do not ...

 

[gone]

I'm w/ Matt, if I really have to use a tripod, which is very, very seldom, I want it to be low cost, small and light. For an M camera, unless you hang a bazooka lens on it, even a budget priced tripod would be fine.

I can't imagine that it would need to be all that strong, it's not a 4x5 camera. Tripods are easy theft items too, another reason why I would buy a budget priced one. It's all too easy to leave it somewhere, and it won't be there when you come back.

Buy a cheap tripod that's small and fairly light, and also bring a piece of string and a plastic grocery bag. When you set up your shot, fill the bag w/ rocks or dirt and hang it from the center of the tripod. It won't tip over, and it will be steady.

 

[lxdude]

That is the website for the company. One has to do due diligence and find the carbon fiber models. I include the whole site because on must look at the different tripod heads which I have found becomes a matter of personal test as some like ball heads and others do not ...

It's coming up for me as a French language automobile site. It says it is an automobile blog developed by an automobile enthusiast.

 

[Huss]

I like the 14405 grip so much I have three of them. Not sure who said they plasticky, they are made of metal. Super fit, really easy to attach, do not need to remove when changing film, centered tripod mount.
Plus it makes the handling of Ms so much better and more secure. Look I love the feel of a nekkid M as much as anyone, but it really is improved with the grip. There is a reason pretty much every modern camera that is not a Leica M has a grip built in!
Anyway, I think I paid maybe $40 for each one.
For tripod use with an M this is an essential item.

 

[Sirius Glass]

It's coming up for me as a French language automobile site. It says it is an automobile blog developed by an automobile enthusiast.

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

Tripod heads: https://benrousa.com/photo/tripod-heads/
Tripods: https://www.alltripods.com/induro-tripods

 

[Huss]

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

Tripod heads: https://benrousa.com/photo/tripod-heads/
Tripods: https://www.alltripods.com/induro-tripods

I know the feeling. I let my Leica enthusiast site onlyfans expire and now it is something quite different.