M8 tripod mount same as M2, M3, M4

[ho_co]

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... perfectly capable of supporting an M ...

 

There's the difference. The Leica large ball and socket head will easily support a D700 with 80-200.

 

The knurled ball makes the difference.

 

Try this: Hold your tripod head in your hand and tighten the ball clamp. Now, with both hands, still holding the head, try to move the ball. That is, try to rotate the part of the head that the camera sits on within its mount, which you just tightened down.

 

The Leica large ball and socket head won't budge. I've never seen another head anywhere near its size for which that's the case.

 

Another reason for the head is its length. You may not find it easy to use as a chest-pod or wall-pod, but its shorter cousins fail completely at that task.

 

 

As for sartorial splendor--??--I thought we were talking about tripods.

 

If you don't want to carry it in your trousers pocket, don't.

 

With the Leica products Red mentioned, you can. With a lot of other products, you can't.

[philipotto]

I have the latest model Leica Balllhead and legs.

 

It has a permanent place in the front pocket of my Billingham bag.

 

I have an RRS quick release plate that I leave attached as I don't enjoy screwing and unscrewing from the socket.

 

Everything Howard said is true. Bite the bullet and you won't be disappointed.

[bill]

There's the difference. The Leica large ball and socket head will easily support a D700 with 80-200.

 

Um... Maybe so, but that is not what the OP wants to do.

 

The knurled ball makes the difference.

 

Knurled balls usually do...

 

Try this: Hold your tripod head in your hand and tighten the ball clamp. Now, with both hands, still holding the head, try to move the ball. That is, try to rotate the part of the head that the camera sits on within its mount, which you just tightened down.

 

The Leica large ball and socket head won't budge. I've never seen another head anywhere near its size for which that's the case.

 

Tried it. I couldn't budge the Manfrotto head, and I am no weakling. Of course it is smaller...

 

Another reason for the head is its length. You may not find it easy to use as a chest-pod or wall-pod, but its shorter cousins fail completely at that task.

 

Yes. Which is why the Manfrotto is so useful, being adjustable for height, unlike the Leica.

 

As for sartorial splendor--??--I thought we were talking about tripods.

 

If you don't want to carry it in your trousers pocket, don't.

 

Howard, you are missing the point (and the irony ). If you want to travel light, you want kit that you will take with you. The Manfrotto has its own case that sits neatly in a medium-sized pocket or at a pinch on your belt. You will therefore be more likely to have it with you when you need it. It comes apart into three discrete bits, each of which can be easily pocketed without leaving a bulge (well, the ballhead, maybe, but your subject might just think you were pleased to see them ).

 

Everything Howard said is true. Bite the bullet and you won't be disappointed.

 

Ah, no it isn't. Bite the bullet and you will be 5x poorer than if you buy a Manfrotto.

 

(Edit: I trust that this post is noted by those who accuse me of blindly worshipping at the altar of St Barnack; there is a time and a place for over-engineering and for quality at any price, but this isn't it.)

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[Gary B]

Minolta made a small folding tripod for the Minolta/Leica CL and the Minolta CLE. It was very much like the Leica tripod but did not have a removable head. It did have a smallish head that worked very well.

[Redridge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ho_co

There's the difference. The Leica large ball and socket head will easily support a D700 with 80-200.

 

 

Um... Maybe so, but that is not what the OP wants to do.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

Actually, it was partly my intention to use the leica mini tri-pod with my D3.... very few mini tri-pod can do what this leica setup can.... "overkiIl" has its advatages, I highly recommend this setup, it is solid!

(Edit: I trust that this post is noted by those who accuse me of blindly worshipping at the altar of St Barnack; there is a time and a place for over-engineering and for quality at any price, but this isn't it.)

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

Edit:

Like what was mentioned earlier.... it depends on what you do with it, in this case over-engineering is what I was looking for..... Mounted is a D3 with 70-200mm

Leica M8.2 35/f2 cron asph

[Nicoleica]

Actually, it was partly my intention to use the leica mini tri-pod with my D3.... very few mini tri-pod can do what this leica setup can.... "overkiIl" has its advatages, I highly recommend this setup, it is solid! Mounted is a D3 with 70-200mm

 

I fully agree. I use mine with my D3s and substantial lenses too.

[ho_co]

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There's a reason it's still in the catalog after all these years and at those prices.

 

 

Trust me. It was expensive when you bought it. It'll be more expensive in future years.

 

It's always been "too expensive for anybody in his right mind," and five years later, the price is higher yet.

 

 

Congratulations on the set, Redridge!

 

Hmm. It almost makes the Nikon Mother look good!

[nzav]

Red, that package is perfect. The head locks better than the head on the smaller version you first showed, because of its knurled ball.

 

It's one of the strongest heads on the market, but small enough to fit in your pocket. A perfect example of Leica engineering, IMHO.

 

At one time (probably still the case today), the large ball and socket head was actually made by Leitz/Leica, while the now discontinued smaller heads were made by an outside contractor.

 

Howard,

Interesting observation, but to each his own I guess. I thought I would share my experience with both of the mentioned Leitz/Leica table tripods.

 

I used the smaller Leitz ballhead and leg combination up to the time my M4 bodies were ready for replacement. That smaller tripod even supported a Rollei SL66 medium format on many occasions without issue or complaint.

 

It worked flawlessly, but when I traded up to the M6 bodies, I regretfully decided to trade the smaller ballhead and leg set for the new (then) larger Leica ballhead/legs setup.

I soon realized the larger ballhead and legs were too cumbersome for a light kit and had to search quite a bit to find another small Leitz ballhead with the older crinkle finish legs again. This table tripod has had no problem solidly supporting any of my Kodak, Leica, or Nikon digital bodies without slipping or shaking.

 

I found the complaints of slippage were often due to a small amount of grease getting on the ball. A quick cleaning with some naphtha and the ball (which BTW, also has the machined circle grooves like the larger one) and it locks like a bulldog without effort.

For the really heavy duty tripod needs, it have a couple of RRS ballheads on Gitzo tripods, but they won't fit in a bag or your pockets. The size of the smaller table tripod makes the decision to carry it much easier.

 

nzav