Fluid/pan head with anti-rotation pan to fit SL

[walvis]

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I am somewhat new to shooting on tripod with the SL, so far I used a very cheap Manfrotto all in one Pan/Tripod combination with my M240 and recently got a Leica Ball Head 24 as a gift. The latter also works well with the M, but I noted that the quick release plate is rather flimsy and tends to become loose on the SL especially when moving the camera between shots into different positions. It also seems impossible to screw the plate in a straight way which annoys me :-)

 

Since I also found it easier to shoot with a fluid pan head, I am thinking of investing in a new head/quick release system and sell of the Leica Ball Head. What I really want to make sure is that whatever combo I invest in, also supports the Leica 'A 1/4 DIN 4503 (1/4")' standard with anti rotation pin. As I am not an expert, I was somewhat lost on the Manfrotto and Gitzo sides in terms of finding a fitting head and so far identified only the Gitzo G2190 fluid head - however even here I am not sure if the video pin will fit the SL.

 

Any help and recommendations - does not have to be the above brands - are welcome. For me a good built and a safe support is more important than a super light weight setup but I certainly do not need a video setup where quick release plates would protrude from the camera body...

Thanks in advance for any hints!

Walvis

[Leicaiste]

 

The RRS (Really Right Stuff) BSL: Plate for Leica SL make use of the Leica 'A 1/4 DIN 4503 (1/4")' standard with anti rotation pin.

 

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/BSL-Plates-for-Leica-SL

 

As is the RRS B26: Plate for Camcorders

 

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/B26-Plate-for-Camcorders

 

They both work with any Arca Swiss compatible head.

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[FlashGordonPhotography]

Tripods. I love tripods. I use several and for my work my SL lives on a tripod.

 

You haven't said what legs you have so this might be overkill...

 

Basically there are two main tripod quick release systems. The Manfrotto RC2 plates and Arca Swiss compatible heads and plate. There are many many more but for 35mm cameras these are the big two. Besides Manfrotto most of the major players use Arca Swiss type heads and plates.

 

If you use a tripod a lot then the best plate you can but for your SL is the Really Right Stuff SL baseplate (and optional l-plate). It's custom made for the SL, fits like a glove, and is very high quality. It does add 1/2 an inch to the bottom of the camera. personally I like the extra grip it proves. YMMV.

 

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Quick-Release/Camera-Plates-L-Plates/Plates-for-Leica/SL

 

Now onto the heads with Arca Swiss compatible heads. For a good budget solution there's Brands like Sirui. I use Sirui legs and I'm very happy with them. I've owned Gitzo and Manfrotto legs in the past and have no issues saying that I'm not having any stability issues with the Sirui. There's a bunch of manufacturers in this level now. All Chinese made. Remember the SL isn't a small camera, especially with a native lens so bigger is better. So look at one of the medium or large heads.

 

Having said that there's no substitute for quality and that means money. I use the Arcs Swiss D4 geared head with screw type release shoe. It'll be the last head I ever buy. Expensive but brilliant. Sunway Photo have made a Chinese clone that's supposed to be goos at 1/3 the price but I haven't tried one of those. The D4 is a three way head with gearing for precise adjustment. You might not need this level of control. So have a look at the rest of the Arca Swiss heads if you want to see the best.

 

And if you do, don't look at the Cube, unless you have 2.5K to spare on a tripod head.

 

That should get you started.

 

Gordon

[steppenw0lf]

Instead of a fluid pan head I use a gimbal head. It works nicely with the SL 90-280.

I bought a cheap one, but it seems very sturdy and very flexible at the same time.

It is from Movo, and has an Arca Swiss quick release plate and is usable up to 13 kg, the GH700 . There is even a bigger GH800 (for 15 kg) but it is overkill for me.

Very good offer right now, I paid slightly more.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GH700-Professional-Gimbal-Tripod-Head-with-Arca-Swiss-Quick-Release-Plate-/112042079141

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Movo-GH700-Professional-Gimbal-Tripod-Head-with-Arca-Swiss-Quick-Release-Plate/252507635326?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39241%26meid%3Dcab785012ea14cdda0e5589b9ca93421%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D112042079141

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Movo-GH800-Carbon-Fiber-Gimbal-Tripod-Head-with-Arca-Swiss-Quick-Release-Plate/141821553643?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39241%26meid%3D9f833bcab42e46feaae454af50530f7d%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252507635326

 

In my experience it is more flexible than a ball head and easier to control. And some years ago they were VERY expensive.

See also here about wildlife photography with gimbal heads:   http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/gimbal-heads/

http://www.digitalbirdphotography.com/4.2.html

Edited September 26, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[helged]

Yes, looking forward to play with a SL 300mm f/2.8 or SL 400mm f/4, with extenders, floating in a gimbal! Could we hope for/kindly request a tele during the next release of SL-lenses (as one of the anonymous five-to-come lenses)?

Edited September 27, 2016 by helged

[walvis]

Ok thank you so much. In my ignorance I also overlooked that most Pan Heads seem to be two-way not permitting portrait mode which is a new complicating factor...

 

The RRS stuff looks really good, so much to think about. Appreciated.

[steppenw0lf]

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If you have a big lens with tripod mount, then the lens stays put and the camera+lens is rotated in place. (for portrait mode)

(Which lens/lenses do you have in mind ? Most big lenses have this possibility to rotate the lens with camera.)

If the lens is small and instead the camera is fixed to the ball-head or pan-head, you can use a camera L-plate or L-bracket (I hope it is the right name) to fix it in portrait mode. (like the RRS or a simpler type).

Edited September 27, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[steppenw0lf]

Yes, looking forward to play with a SL 300mm f/2.8 or SL 400mm f/4, with extenders, floating in a gimbal! Could we hope for/kindly request a tele during the next release of SL-lenses (as one of the anonymous five-to-come lenses)?

 

The five lenses are not anonymous anymore. (slot 3 to 7 is well known: 50, 75, 90, 16-35, 35)

But you can hope for the next 5 lenses on the roadmap chart (slot 8 to 12). So let's hope for a 2/28 for me and a 4/400 or 4/500 for you. And some extenders - they can come any time and do not need to be represented in the roadmap. I would not mind.    

Edited September 27, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[helged]

Sure, I was thinking about the slot 8-12 lenses... In addition to 28Cron and one tele, a dedicated macro and a TS would be interesting as well. But Leica might think/plan differently...