M3 tripod mounting

[Mrclubike]

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Hello everyone

I am new to Leica's and I am having to get used to everything being correct instead of backwards like on a Nikon.

But I was wondering if their is any precautins to using the tripod mount on an M3 that I should be aware of.

As you all know It is not part of the body but just part of the bottom cover. It is also offset to the right side and can cause more strain since the weight is not evenly distributed to both sides of the mounting.

Also is their in issues with storing the IROOA hood inverted on a 50mm Summicron.

Thank You for the help

[payasam]

Welcome. The bottom cover of the M3 is made of brass and the tripod socket in it is reinforced. If no unreasonable force is applied, there should be no trouble. Your hood is designed to be stored reversed.

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[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Mrclubike,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

When you have ANY camera with ANY lens where the weight of the lens is greater than the weight of the camera: It is better to attach the LENS to the tripdd to take the stress off of the LENS MOUNT. A more important consideration than stress on a camera's baseplate tripod mount.

 

This also maintains a better balance which makes it easier to adjust the camera on the tripod head.

 

Many heavier lenses have built in tripod mounts. Better to use the 3/8 - 16 instead of the 1/4 - 20 whenever possible. Just like it is with your tripod head to tripod mount connection.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[250swb]

Welcome to the forum.

 

There aren't going to be many lenses, if any, that are so heavy that it would cause a problem. And if you did want to use heavy telephoto's you would need to use a Visoflex anyway, and that has it's own tripod mount.

 

It may be a good idea to use a tripod with a quick release plate as this will spread the weight of the camera more but it isn't essential.

 

Steve

[gyoung]

I wouldn't use the tripod mount on my Ms, too far from the centre of gravity to give much chance of the camera not vibrating, I have one of the aftermarket camera grips which fits both the M3 and the M6ttl, and as a bonus gives a more central tripod bush. Before that on the very infrequent occasions I used a Leica on a tripod I used an R G Lewis camera cradle, it clamps round the whole body, and fits other smaller cameras too (eg Nikon FM etc). Poor picture here;

Vintage RG Lewis camera cradle Fits Leica &ball &soc (04/27/2011)...

 

Gerry

[250swb]

I could appreciate there may be some vibration/movement even by using a cable release if the tripod bush was at the other end of the camera, but the shutter release is directly in line with where the camera mounts to on the tripod. Mounted on a secure tripod I have never heard of an intrinsic problem with the position of the bush on an M camera other than it is off centre.

 

Steve

[xalo]

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Hi Mrclubike,

If the object to be photographed allows and no cable release is at hand, the M3's self-timer does an excellent job in avoiding shake. That said, I never thought twice whether the tripod socket of the M3 (or any Leica, for that instance) was the proper place to fit the tripod screw, unless visoflex, an unwieldly large lens etc. proposed obvious alternatives. (It's just like strap lugs... sorry.) Jest aside, I agree with Steve and don't see the need to spend money on something that's already there.

 

Alexander

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Everybody,

 

I use a medium size Leitz Large Ball Head from about 50 years ago. I begin by pointing the longest leg of the tripod in the direction of what I am photographing with another tripod leg underneath the camera/lens & slightly behind it. Then I wait at least a minute or so after focussing & setting the aperture or/& shutter speed to alow the camera/lens to settle down. I try to release the shutter gently by slowly pushing the cable release.

 

No vibration problems even with a 135mm Tele-Elmar held firmly, without slipping, in a vertical position by the afore-mentioned medium size Leitz Large Ball Head. Longest leg pointing @ the subject. Another leg underneath & slightly behind the camera/lens combination. Even with a small sturdy table tripod.

 

Sometimes, after arranging things: To achieve better balance when using a small sturdy table tripod: It helps to slightly loosen the ball head LOCK & lift up everything underneath by the camera/lens combination. Then rotate/reposition the fixed-together ballhead & tripod combination underneath. Then re-tighten the ball head.

 

Note: Even when you don't have a full size tripod or a small sturdy table tripod with a large ball head with you: It is often adventageous to have a cable release in your pocket.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

Edited April 23, 2014 by Michael Geschlecht

[wda]

Welcome! Most lenses work well with the M3 fixed to a tripod. The possible exceptions, the old 135mm Elmar for example, have their own attachment thread on the lens barrel which allows more even distribution of weight.

[luigi bertolotti]

The tripod mount not on center, but at an end of the baseplate can look an oddity for a Leica newbie.... But Leicas have been made this way for 90 years around.... And lot of people have mounted them on tripods, so, don't worry and enjoy your M3 , on tripod when necessary.

[Mrclubike]

Thanks for all the replies.

I was thinking in terms of the long heavy lenses that are sometimes use on SLR's

But on the M camera they have a tripod socket built into the lens or Visoflex so it is a non issue.

I was kinda of getting the urge to get a Digital M but after the results I had this weekend with Kodak Ektar 100 I am not sure I want one now.