leica tabltop tripod

[meth]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

hi,

 

any one knows differences between the current leica tabletop 14100 and the "leitz" model ?

 

apart from the "leitz" is of older type, with a rounder rubber leg stop, are they really the same as the current model, how about height, colour, finsihing, and supporting weight ?

 

and how old are they, as "leica" name has been put into running model for some time ?

 

 

many thanks.

 

meth

[gabek]

hi,

 

any one knows differences between the current leica tabletop 14100 and the "leitz" model ?

 

Met –

 

I believe the current design has been in production for about 50 years, first under the Leitz name. The older ones had a non-reflective black industrial textured finish and no padding on the leg tips. Various finishes have been offered, such as solid black and very dark gray in a baked-on finish that is quite durable. I believe they are cast aluminum. I had my first one years ago and if my recollection is correct, the differences between it and my more recent Leitz model are merely cosmetic, except for the newer rubber tips.

 

I think its design is a great combination of elegance and simplicity. It folds and packs easily, holds far more weight than other tabletop types and is particularly engineered to accommodate the offset M tripod socket with its asymmetrical leg arrangement, thereby assuring a solid platform for the camera and eliminates the likelihood of tipping. It does not flex, should you not use a cable release, but press the button with your finger. Not long ago someone here suggested using it as a chestpod; it works well.

 

Pair it with a Leitz ballhead for the ultimate in portable support.

 

Gabe

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[meth]

Hi Gabe,

 

Many thank you for your reply. Yes, I think I shall get the leica ballhead to pair with it. It is so much recommended by many people.

 

Will the old leitz-stamped tripod be more expensive to the newer leica-stamped type, which means more collectible in a sense ? For the new one, it is around 60GBP, wonder how much will cost for a leitz-stamped one (good condition) ?

 

For the ballhead, I think I shall stick with the newer one, as it seems to be longer in length and looks more easy to hold if used against wall or as a chest pod. I understand the price is steep too for the ballhead but seems to be the most perfect companion for the tripod.

 

 

meth

[TimF]

Will the old leitz-stamped tripod be more expensive to the newer leica-stamped type, which means more collectible in a sense ?

 

Buying camera gear for its "collectible" value is a bit of a mug's game in 99% of cases. At best (which is vanishingly rare these days) you might keep up with inflation.

 

The best investment (if that kind of thing really drives you of course) is a wise choice of monographs. Picking wisely can get far higher returns than any camera, or lens, or whatever. As an example, how much would a copy of HCB's "The Decisive Moment" have cost when new in the early 50s? And how much do well kept copies sell for now?

[meth]

Hi,

 

very good point indeed. equipment at the same time that you can use and as collectible can reward two folds.

 

HBC being so famous and collectible, can be mostly biased by the marketing, advertising sectors. just imagine how many decisive moments were taken everyday, by famous, not so famous or even us every minute around the world. nikon, canon or even cellphone can be your decisive moment machine, not just leica, tough to pick the right hero (choice of investment).

[Guest rubidium]

From my experience, I would agree with what was already noted earlier, namely that the tripod and the ballheads have been around for a long time with essentially little more than minor cosmetic changes - including the name change from Leitz to Leica. Mine is from the early 80's and is marked "Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Germany" - cast into the bottom thumb screw, and no product number. It has a baked-on black finish that is apparently durable to the point that it has survived over 23 years of solid use without any marks to show for it. It also seems ligher than aluminum. Perhaps it is a magnesium alloy. But whatever it's made of, it is extremely rigid.

 

I have the large ball head, marked "Leitz" on the front and "Germany" on the back, again bought in the early 80's. It has a satin chrome finish, and the clamp to tighten the ball has a nylon handle on it. I've seen earlier ones that had a bright chrome body and a polished metal handle.

 

Jim

[meth]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

many thanks for the info..

seems that leitz/leica really made this tripod combo immortal ! just image for the past 20+ years, M4,5,6,7,MP and the coming M8, not even mentioning the 4P, 6TTL and limited versions.

any comments on using this combo with some heavy beast, R9+180/2.8 or D2x+70-200/2.8(nikon) ?

I tried a new tabletop but not yet the old leitz model. will they squash down a few mm, thinking of when it's heavy-loaded, such as a R9+180/2.8 ?

[gabek]

Hi Gabe,

 

(...) Will the old leitz-stamped tripod be more expensive to the newer leica-stamped type, which means more collectible in a sense ? For the new one, it is around 60GBP, wonder how much will cost for a leitz-stamped one (good condition) ? (...)

 

I agree that Leica gear should not be bought with collecting and future value in mind, unless that is, you plan to put your acquisitions on a shelf to preserve their condition for a later sale. A terrible loss to own but not use it.

 

If you can afford Leica gear, I think you will get more than compensatory pleasure and great results in using it, rather than hiding it away. There is always a market for well-cared for gear, but someone here recently admonished others to never sell any piece of Leica equipment. I wish I had never sold any of mine, as I would not now ache reading about the attachment others have to their long-owned Leica pieces.

 

Go on a diet for a month or two and buy whatever you lust after -- then use it!

 

Gabe

[k_g_wolf ✝]

I bought a LEITZ -Wetzlar-table-tripod new in 1967 together with a LEICA M4. I´am still using it today with my M6, R7 and R9.

 

It´s completely undestructable and VERY useful indeed.

 

 

Best

[Guest rubidium]

... any comments on using this combo with some heavy beast, R9+180/2.8 or D2x+70-200/2.8(nikon) ?

I tried a new tabletop but not yet the old leitz model. will they squash down a few mm, thinking of when it's heavy-loaded, such as a R9+180/2.8 ? ...

 

The legs on the tripod are quite stiff - in fact, amazingly stiff for the dimensions involved. It's not the weight of something like an R9+180/2.8 that's the issue, but rather the distribution of the weight. The simple physics rule of thumb applies: The less you have to raise the center of mass of a system in order to tip it over, then the less stable it is against tipping over. With the longer lenses that push the center of mass of lens/camera significantly forward of the camera tripod mount, I would hesitate using the tabletop in hands-free mode. However, if the lens itself has a tripod mount, then you may be safer.

 

With longer lenses, the tabletop is always invaluable as a chest pod, or used to steady a handheld camera against the side of a building, or roof of a car, etc.

Jim

[meth]

totally agreed that the leg arrangement and raised height do make the weight distribution and stability a lot of of difference. just the make of the legs and the tiny rubber stud having me second thought about the usage on heavier loading. i shall try it with the 180mm over the weekend.

 

tried some small silk, velbon, tabletop gitzo but still feeling wobbly. best of the bunch was the gitzo. can the gitzo become a chest pod like the leica ? i have tried but the leg arrangement and length making the whole setup very awkward.

 

do you all packed the combo in 1 piece and leave it in the bag ? the ballhead+packed legs are still difficult putting in my Billingham 226 front compartment. cause it is full of other stuff in it already. have them separated make storage much easier but longer to setup and dismount.

[gabek]

do you all packed the combo in 1 piece and leave it in the bag ? the ballhead+packed legs are still difficult putting in my Billingham 226 front compartment. cause it is full of other stuff in it already. have them separated make storage much easier but longer to setup and dismount.

 

Met -

 

I keep mine separated with the ballhead in a small leather drawstring bag (I have a few of these bags for small pieces that might get scratched or damage others) and just slip the tripod alone (still assembled, but legs folded) into a slot in my bag. I do very little opportunity shooting and get all set before I begin, usually. I don't imagine a situation in which I'd need the ballhead and tripod attached, ready for action at all times. Of course, given the diversity of this forum, I expect someone else will claim to never carry them apart!

 

I carry way too much stuff, but who wants to be without something you think you'll need!

 

Gabe