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tripod for Leica Q


kengai

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I have been using a Sirui T-005BX for some time now to full satisfaction. I think it has a successor now, see their website: http://www.sirui.eu/en/products/tripods/t05x-series/

 

I originally bought it for use with the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera, after viewing videos of Mattias Burling:

(he makes nice videos BTW)

 

The tripod is also usable as shoulder rig and in many other configurations. For video, the only thing that lacks is a long handle, but using a 35 cm piece of plastic tube that fits over the larger knob of the head, I have a perfect detachable panning handle and the rotation of the head is extremely smooth (and adjustable) so getting a great panning short is easy.

 

I now use it for the Q for photography (not video, since I have the BMPCC and it is much better) as well, since that camera is not that heavy. I do often (in strong winds and such) not use the vertical extension but mount the head directly on the center plate where the legs meet for extra stability. I would not recommend using it with heavier camera/lens combo's although it can be done of course, if you have nothing else.

 

The tripod is lightweight, easy to take apart and configure and you can attach it quickly to your bag or a carying strap. I love it.

 

Hope this helps !

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Kengai,

 

good relevant question!

In fact this is 2 questions: the triod as such and the head to use.

 

For the Leica Q it is not necessary to use a very heavy tripod but to avoid vibrations it should be of a meterial being resisatnd to wind also.

 

I use an American brand Pro Master with Carbon Fiber, 3 extensions, weight 1.3 KG. It can also carry my Canon 5D MKIII. This tripod is my travelling companion.

The head is a different sort of thing and sgould fulfill your needs. For video you should use a 3-way head or a Manfrotto one hand video head. The head should not be a lightweight. I calculate always that it should carry also a heavier camera than the Q.( With ball heads I have always found problems in keeping the position)

 

The Pro master has been prooved as very well built whereas I always have problems with my Bilora,Sirui etc. One broke, one losts its feet and needed replacements, always advisable to have multitools with you when you travel with those tripods being labelled as such.

 

Good luck with your research to avoid byuing twice.  :o

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Thanks, which is the BMPCC?

The small camera you see in Mattias' video, "BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera". M4/3 camera, shoots only video, fully manual only, but in RAW or ProRes so footage is ready for extensive post processing. Not recommended if you are not already heavily into video and color grading. Google "BMPCC" and you will find tons of material.

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The Pro master has been prooved as very well built whereas I always have problems with my Bilora,Sirui etc. One broke, one losts its feet and needed replacements, always advisable to have multitools with you when you travel with those tripods being labelled as such.

 

Sorry to hear you got problems with the Sirui. I have been using mine heavily the past few years and still no problems, but that is just my experience of course.

 

Of course there are many options, and I agree that ball heads are not optimal for video. That said, the Sirui head is nice and small and its rotation is decoupled from the ball, so that movement is separate. And silky smooth. But there are many, many tripods out there that would be suited of course. It is my experienve that it is better to go a little too sturdy than a little too light. For DSLR work, I use a large and heavy Manfrotto, but boy, that one is a drag.

 

One simple test: Mount the camera on the tripod, tap (not smack!) it on the end of the lens. Watch closely when doing that. If you see even the slightest vibration after the initial tap, it is no good.

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Bart, thanks for the Sirui tip. I'm also in the market but had not heard of them. It looks good and the price is right. - John 

Please note that Iduna just reported a failure of a Sirui above... And they are indeed cheap, that is why I did not hesitate to try it.

 

For really reliable travel tripods, check out RRS TQC14: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TQC-14-Quick-column-series-1-tripod

A bit bigger than the Sirui, but still manageable.

 

The also have heavier stuff, great heads and plates, but not very wallet friendly. I had a set that unfortunately got stolen, but it was very, very good and they have great service.

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Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

Leitz table tripod and ballhead...so solid that it holds even my D800+lens that weights over 2 kilos...

Edited by Lucena
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Sorry to hear you got problems with the Sirui. I have been using mine heavily the past few years and still no problems, but that is just my experience of course.

 

Of course there are many options, and I agree that ball heads are not optimal for video. That said, the Sirui head is nice and small and its rotation is decoupled from the ball, so that movement is separate. And silky smooth. But there are many, many tripods out there that would be suited of course. It is my experienve that it is better to go a little too sturdy than a little too light. For DSLR work, I use a large and heavy Manfrotto, but boy, that one is a drag.

 

One simple test: Mount the camera on the tripod, tap (not smack!) it on the end of the lens. Watch closely when doing that. If you see even the slightest vibration after the initial tap, it is no good.

Bart,

yes, you are right. I also do that and go a bit heavier than the recommendable weight for the camera. It is not a problem of Sirui (they have very nice ballheads by the way) specially with leightweight problems but I have other examples as well. The general problem is the segments and the connection. Better to have less segments. The screw mounts are the weak points. I you travel you have to use these elements the most frequently. In sand in rain and on rocks etc. After every use one should clean up. The package size is also relevent whether to keep it in the suitcase or carry it in a separate bag.

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For the M or for travel, I use the RRS TQC-14.  Not inexpensive, but a robust, light and compact tripod that should last a lifetime.  Great company service support, too.  Should work fine with the Q, along with a choice of heads, e.g., the BH-30 ball head.

 

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TQC-14-Quick-column-series-1-tripod

 

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Heads/Ballheads/BH-30-Compact-Ballhead

 

Jeff

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  • 4 months later...

JEff, Bart, iTiki. You all have the RRS TQC-14 and the BH-30.

 

What are you doing about a QR plate, as I gather that RRS doesnt make a Q specific one, like it does for some other cameras? Anything else I should consider for a travel tripod setup for the Q in your experience? Thanks!

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I use a Gitzo Traveler tripod with a RRS BH-30 ball head. It has traveled the world and continues to serve my needs superbly. I use an Arca Swiss plate from eBay on the camera when I want to use it with the tripod.

 

A also own the Leica tripod and love the concept and quality, but I've never really enjoyed it being so short. I can't find a place to set it on top of at times and I don't enjoy a composition of it so close to the ground. Many Leica users seem to love it though.

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