wparsonsgisnet Posted January 28, 2014 Share #1 Posted January 28, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Two things: 1. I bought the new, carbon fiber tripod from Leica (it's really nice) 2. It's GERMAN. With regard to point 2: the reason we can depend upon Leica glass is that once a German makes something like this they ALWAYS make it the same way. Take it to the bank. So, with regard to point 1: the tripod is really beautifully made. I bought the tripod, the large ball head, and the carrying case. Naturally, with the case there is NO sign of it. I believe the sales rep said something about it being sourced from a 3rd party. As to the tripod. It comes with 2 screws a 1/4-inch and a 3/8-screw. It is delivered with the 3/8-inch screw installed, and the other screw comes in a nice bag with 2 wrenches for the mechanics we might be. Because the tripod came before the ball head, I swapped the 3/8-inch screw for the 1/4-inch screw so I could use the device with my camera. And … (wait for it) … it turns out the 1/4-inch screw stripped while I was tightening it with the wrench. Examining the wrench, I see no damage, so it's the screw fitting itself. Soon, the ball head came so I replaced the screw with the 3/8-inch screw because the ball head needs that fitting. And I took the screw to the dealer who sent it off for replacement (about 6 weeks ago). Today, I got a call from the dealer who tells me I have to being in the tripod as it must be returned with the screw for replacement. He laughed as he told me that he told the rep that as a Leica user I would understand. It's a really nice, German-made, device. Really nice. Regards to all, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Hi wparsonsgisnet, Take a look here Experience buying new carbon tripod. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted January 28, 2014 Share #2 Posted January 28, 2014 Alternative two things... 1. Really Right Stuff (RRS) (and really nice stuff) 2. It's American Jeff 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaPassion Posted January 29, 2014 Share #3 Posted January 29, 2014 I've used a Gitzo CF for about 15 years. It's superb. After much use and some abuse, it still works like new. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted February 3, 2014 Share #4 Posted February 3, 2014 I would send the Leica tripod back ASAP. A travel tripod that folds to 20"? The top-tier tripod brands are Gitzo and RRS. You'll pay a lot more than the Leica tripod cost for their travel models. The RRS TQC-14 is $850 and the Gitzo 1544T is $680. I'd take the RRS over the Gitzo. Well known value models are Benro and Feisol from mainland China and Taiwan respectively. You get about 85% of the quality of a top-tier brand tripod at about half the price. Don't dismiss the good value brands; I bought a Benro traveler to back up my Gitzo traveler and pretty quickly realized it was a better tripod. After about a year I sold the Gitzo and kept the Benro. You'll also need a decent ballhead. Don't buy a Markins Q3T; lovely ballhead but not good in severe cold. I've had three of them so I speak from experience. Look at Acratech, RRS heads for great performance in any environment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted February 3, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 3, 2014 I would send the Leica tripod back ASAP. A travel tripod that folds to 20"? The top-tier tripod brands are Gitzo and RRS. You'll pay a lot more than the Leica tripod cost for their travel models. The RRS TQC-14 is $850 and the Gitzo 1544T is $680. I'd take the RRS over the Gitzo. Well known value models are Benro and Feisol from mainland China and Taiwan respectively. You get about 85% of the quality of a top-tier brand tripod at about half the price. Don't dismiss the good value brands; I bought a Benro traveler to back up my Gitzo traveler and pretty quickly realized it was a better tripod. After about a year I sold the Gitzo and kept the Benro. You'll also need a decent ballhead. Don't buy a Markins Q3T; lovely ballhead but not good in severe cold. I've had three of them so I speak from experience. Look at Acratech, RRS heads for great performance in any environment. +1 for Benro travel tripod. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 4, 2014 Share #6 Posted February 4, 2014 Well known value models are Benro and Feisol from mainland China and Taiwan respectively. You get about 85% of the quality of a top-tier brand tripod at about half the price. Don't dismiss the good value brands; I bought a Benro traveler to back up my Gitzo traveler and pretty quickly realized it was a better tripod. After about a year I sold the Gitzo and kept the Benro. Well said. Too often people gravitate towards the 'its expensive so it must be good' sector of the market, and it seems to me particularly so on LUF. Feisol in particular are a fine brand, and are not 'behind the market' as a cheap copyist either, a lot of features they first put into their tripods are now used by other manufacturers. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 4, 2014 Share #7 Posted February 4, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Two things:1. I bought the new, carbon fiber tripod from Leica (it's really nice) 2. It's GERMAN. With regard to point 2: the reason we can depend upon Leica glass is that once a German makes something like this they ALWAYS make it the same way. Take it to the bank. I'm not sure if you're joking or not, I expect you are, having seen some of the recent threads here about lenses being delivered with all sorts of bizarre faults! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted February 5, 2014 Share #8 Posted February 5, 2014 Very funny! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted February 11, 2014 Share #9 Posted February 11, 2014 What model Leica tripod did you purchase? The Trica 1 listed on the Leica USA website is listed as not available for on-line dealers and has been that way for a long time. I need a tripod for an Leica 82mm Televid Spotting Scope, so I'm interested in what you actually purchased.-Dick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted February 24, 2014 I bot the "Carbon Traveller Tripod" shown on this page: Leica Camera AG - Photography - CARBON TRAVELLER TRIPOD My dealer says my tripod has come back from Leica and I will be picking it up tomorrow. I'll report. The dealer also says it is made of unobtainium. I bot mine for two reasons: 1. I am an unabashed fan of Leica. I've been using their lenses beginning with a 50mmDR and an M4 in 1970. It's all about the glass, but they make stuff right. With regard to the assorted complaints about lenses and so on, it's just stuff. There are a ton of people around here who have been using the lenses since dirt was invented and the cameras since then and getting them serviced properly. Stuff happens to all camera manufacturers, as commented many times on this site. 2. I figured this tripod would become a collectible. Maybe that's happened already …. So, I get the tripod back tomorrow. BTW, if you go to the website referenced above, one of the images shown is the tripod carrying case. Only the gods know where mine is. Regards to all, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted February 24, 2014 BYW, since my son who lives in C--------a, has my M4, M6, 50 mm DR and 90 mm 'cron, and I miss the way the DR draws (thank you Sean Reid for this vocabulary word!), I recently bot a DR in really nice condition on eBay and had the close-focusing cam milled off by DAG. And I'm in love again. All those old Greek myths pale in comparison to the images from a DR lens. It's magical. And, tomorrow, I get my tripod back. Hoo-Hah. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 25, 2014 Share #12 Posted February 25, 2014 Unobtanum!! I thought that is what the 50 APO was made of. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 25, 2014 Share #13 Posted February 25, 2014 Adorama says in their listing for the Leica tripod that is includes the carrying bag with strap. Wonder if it is the $125 one from Leica? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted February 25, 2014 So, I picked up my tripod today and was pleasantly surprised that the screw problem is fixed. I figured that I'd get a replacement box with a lousy screw in it. However, because the tripod is made of unobtainium, I got the my own back -- with a really well made replacement screw post. Congratulations, Leica, for sourcing screw posts so rapidly. Did I say how nice the tripod is? Regards to all, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted February 25, 2014 Adorama says in their listing for the Leica tripod that is includes the carrying bag with strap. Wonder if it is the $125 one from Leica? Do they say it's in stock, or any of it in stock? It's a rare earth-element. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 25, 2014 Share #16 Posted February 25, 2014 Do they say it's in stock, or any of it in stock? It's a rare earth-element. None of what you are getting is in stock it appears. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted February 26, 2014 None of what you are getting is in stock it appears. Being a *Lucky Guy* I have all but the carrying case. Did I say it's a really nice tripod? Regards to all, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 26, 2014 Share #18 Posted February 26, 2014 It is not a bad price. I wanted another carbon Gitzo like the one I bought 10 yeara ago and was no longer made. I found one on ebay for $200 and it is in great shape. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hansmezger Posted February 27, 2014 Share #19 Posted February 27, 2014 Best tripod for The M system is the Sirui! Super small and light! Sirui T-025X Carbon Fiber Tripod with C-10 Ball Head BSRT025X Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted February 27, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted February 27, 2014 *JUST* got a call from my dealer and he had a surprise for me -- a corder carrying bag for the carbon tripod. Man, I'm all over this. it'll be in my hands tomorrow morning. I am, of course, expecting a lot! Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.