hbldds Posted August 6, 2010 Share #1 Posted August 6, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) What are your opinions on Leica's table top tripod, and Leica's large ballhead vs. Really Right Stuff BH 25? I would appreciate your advice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 6, 2010 Posted August 6, 2010 Hi hbldds, Take a look here Leica Table Top Tripod / Ball Head. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ho_co Posted August 8, 2010 Share #2 Posted August 8, 2010 No experience with RRS's head. The Leica large ball and socket head when combined with the 14100 tabletop tripod makes a good chest-pod. The greater height compared to shorter heads can also make the combo easier to work with when you need a bit of distance between the support and the camera (to get your eye behind the finder, for example). The mounting ring is sized to fit comfortably without overhang on the M bodies. I've never seen a better-gripping ball joint with so small a diameter, due to the surface texturing. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbldds Posted August 8, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted August 8, 2010 Howard, Thank you for the information. Harris Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted August 8, 2010 Share #4 Posted August 8, 2010 I asked about the Leica Table Top Tripod several months ago so you might want to search the forum. My recollection was that the comments were mixed--people either loved or hated it. You might want to try it before buying it. Jack Siegel Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted August 9, 2010 Share #5 Posted August 9, 2010 The only problem is there is never a table where you need it. With the tall Leica ball, it makes a great chest pod. You can push it against a wall or door jamb in a pinch. Also good for low to the ground work But the elusive table is gone 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted August 9, 2010 Share #6 Posted August 9, 2010 The only problem is there is never a table where you need it. With the tall Leica ball, it makes a great chest pod. You can push it against a wall or door jamb in a pinch. Also good for low to the ground work But the elusive table is gone I mostly agree with this. I use the tripod rarely for shooting people and when I do I usually hold it against walls. (I have an upcoming project where i will use it extensively, though.) I use it most with the Visoflex, and it's awesome for that purpose--makes the Visoflex very mobile. I have also used it for long exposures to capture "trails" from car lights. In most cases, I can just focus and put the M8 on the ground or hold it to a wall. I've had no luck with using the tripod/ballhead as a chest pod--it just isn't convenient. Others' have used it successfully for this purpose. My main problem with the tripod/ballhead is the slowness it introduces--you have to affix it to the camera, find a spot to put it, fiddle with it to frame, etc. But it is rock-solid, very light, and incredibly well made. It may outlive my M8. Cheers! Will Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gberger Posted August 9, 2010 Share #7 Posted August 9, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) The beauty of the Leica ball head is that you can use it with a monopod to get the specific orientation you need. And with the table top tripod, you can get a precision placement. If you remember solid geometry and solid analyt, there are three axes, x (horizontal) Y (vertical) and z (transverse). The Leica large ball lets you set the camera exactly where you want to place it on those three axes. Many ball heads restrict movement on one of the axes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pindy Posted August 12, 2010 Share #8 Posted August 12, 2010 I just came back from a three week trip with only my M6 and Leica tabletop tripod and ball head. It was fantastic in 95% of uses. I made many shots at the museums by bracing it against walls and glass display cases. You can fold it such that the M is attached and the three legs are stowed and you can hold the whole thing like a handle. Overall, it's one of the best bits of kit I've ever bought. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailronin Posted August 12, 2010 Share #9 Posted August 12, 2010 I went with a large Gorillapod and Manfrotto head. It is very light and adapts to railings, tree limbs etc which is impossible with a normal tripod. It doesn't get used often but is very handy when nothing else will work. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted August 12, 2010 Share #10 Posted August 12, 2010 It's great with the optional folding table. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted August 12, 2010 Share #11 Posted August 12, 2010 I went with a large Gorillapod and Manfrotto head. It is very light and adapts to railings, tree limbs etc which is impossible with a normal tripod. It doesn't get used often but is very handy when nothing else will work. Dave I have the Gorillapod and the Leica set questioned. Both have their uses. Whereas the G. is very flexible in support choice, I do not trust it as much as the Leica combo. Unless squashed flat, it is inclined to wilt a little with heavier loads, even the heavy duty one. The Leica B&S head is unquestionably the best designed small accessory I have. It is so positive and reassuring in use. I must use it more often! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roboflick Posted March 20, 2012 Share #12 Posted March 20, 2012 how tall is this setup from the table top to the top of the ballhead? Thanks Nik Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted March 20, 2012 Share #13 Posted March 20, 2012 The large ball head on Leitz TT is about 9 1/2" above the table surface. I've had mine since 1969, when the TT tripod cost $11 and the large ball head was $32. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanzlr Posted March 20, 2012 Share #14 Posted March 20, 2012 I do use the tripod, but use a small Novoflex Ball 19, so it does not use too much space on the camera bag. however, I think I will get a Gitzo Traveller next, as the tabletop tripod has very limited use for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted March 20, 2012 Share #15 Posted March 20, 2012 I like very much the Leica tripod & ball-head, and agree with the positive of what has been said before. I would add a word about this made in Germany device, the Q-Top: qtop.eu It can be very convenient in some situations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted March 20, 2012 Share #16 Posted March 20, 2012 Those of you who have never used it on a tabletop must have never been to Oktoberfest. There are plenty of tables and plenty of subjects. Good excuse to go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted March 21, 2012 Share #17 Posted March 21, 2012 (edited) Hello Everybody, I use a home-made version of a Leitz table tripod. Esthetically challenged but functionally pretty much the same as a Leitz 14100. Mine has my own version of soft, non-marking, slippered feet which are often either essential or the reason someone allows its use, ie: against a white wall. I use it w/ a medium sized Leitz large ballhead & a cable release. I began using this combination first out of necessity & soon learned: Against my chest it gives me + 2 stops. Against a wall, etc it gives me as many stops as I need. Also: The more I use it the more places I find to use it on/against/under/etc. I pretty much haven't used a full sized tripod in years. Why carry what you don't need. A vertical composition @ F8 @ 1 second w/ a 135mm Tele-Elmar is a do-able picture pretty much anytime or anyplace. It never slips. A 35mm lens @ F8 @ 1 second can capture a very different image than the same 35 @ F2 @ 1/15th handheld. Think both in terms of image quality & depth of field. No matter how good a person is @ handholding a tripod is often somewhat better. In many instances bringing along a small solid table tripod w/ a large ballhead & a cable release is more versatile than bringing along another lens or another accessory. Best Regards, Michael Edited March 21, 2012 by Michael Geschlecht Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoySmith Posted March 21, 2012 Share #18 Posted March 21, 2012 Hello Everybody, I use a home-made version of a Leitz table tripod. Esthetically challenged but functionally pretty much the same as a Leitz 14100. Mine has my own version of soft, non-marking, slippered feet which are often either essential or the reason someone allows its use, ie: against a white wall. Michael Your tripod sounds intriguing - how about a picture ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted March 22, 2012 Share #19 Posted March 22, 2012 Your tripod sounds intriguing - how about a picture ? +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted March 23, 2012 Share #20 Posted March 23, 2012 I still have the boxes from both. The ball head itself was $25. This is what happens when the government mucks with the money supply. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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