tim_n Posted March 23, 2011 Share #41 Posted March 23, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) My alternative to a tripod (I think "travel tripod" is an oxymoron) is a bean bag. I travel with an empty zippered bean bag and fill it with beans or (better) flaxseed from a market at destination. You can almost always find something to mash it against to stabilize your Leica----a streetlamp, a chair, a newspaper stand, sideways against a doorway. It even works fairly well to press it against your knee or forehead as a damper against vibration or shake. Not enough for long long exposures, but stabilized for most low light scenes. You can use the timer delay on the Leica to trip the shutter while you stabilize the camera on the bag. So much easier to transport than an awkward heavy piece of equipment that you have to set up and take apart constantly. The Leica is a perfect size, shape and weight to benefit from this approach---I used it for years with my film M's, and it's just as effective with M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Hi tim_n, Take a look here Best compact travel tripod for M9?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
d2mini Posted March 23, 2011 Author Share #42 Posted March 23, 2011 Interesting, but I have to work at eye level. Ya that's what most people would probably say, and I can understand that. But 12" is just TINY compared to anything else available so if I need to bend over occasionally to get a shot, it's a small price to pay. If i was travelling somewhere purposely to shoot things that required a tripod, I would take something bigger, but for taking along on a vacation or something where i just want to shoot a sunset and *might* find one or two other things that are tripod worthy, this thing is perfect. I'm so glad I finally found what I was looking for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeiterWinkel Posted April 9, 2012 Share #43 Posted April 9, 2012 Thanks for your input, that was very helpful. Today I ordered a Gitzo Mountaineer S1 GT1541 and a Markins Q3LR for my M9. The Traveller is probably to low for my 2 meters , the GT1541 is a little bit taller, without sacrificing too much weight. One always gets good expertise in this forum. Cheers, Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted April 9, 2012 Share #44 Posted April 9, 2012 Glad you like spending money, it is what keeps the world going around. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeiterWinkel Posted April 10, 2012 Share #45 Posted April 10, 2012 Glad you like spending money, it is what keeps the world going around. With Leica you get used to it :D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnfell Posted April 10, 2012 Share #46 Posted April 10, 2012 Another vote for the Gitzo Traveller. Its expensive but super sturdy. And will not hurt your hand when its very cold. yes, it is a little small, but you will appreciate that when its folded up in your bag. Gitzo GT-1541T Traveler 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs - GT1541T I have a small gitzo ball head for it (cant remember the model number but the price was just shy of $200) which works very well but doesnt have a quick release. There is a version with QR but that makes the setup top heavy and more expensive. A $10000, M9 and lens combo deserves at tripod of at least $6-700. I have a Domke FX5B and wrap the bag flap around two of the legs on the tripod. Then I have a Camera, three lens and tripod setup that weighs less than a canon with one lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawman Posted April 12, 2012 Share #47 Posted April 12, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) For those who don't want to spend for the Gitzo, I can highly recommend the Sirui line: sirui t-1205X Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted April 12, 2012 Share #48 Posted April 12, 2012 Has anyone checked this out? Seems really compact. Velbon - Ultrek Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeiterWinkel Posted April 13, 2012 Share #49 Posted April 13, 2012 Has anyone checked this out? Seems really compact. Velbon - Ultrek Under 30 cm packaging length is really very compact. You may probably pay for that with a reduced stability of 6-segment-legs. And with 2 kg weight it's a lot "heavier" than others. But I never touched it, this is just my impression from the fact sheet. Cheers, Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted April 13, 2012 Share #50 Posted April 13, 2012 And with 2 kg weight it's a lot "heavier" than others. The load weight is 2Kg. The tripod weight is 1.17Kg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted April 14, 2012 Share #51 Posted April 14, 2012 During the beginnings of this thread I bought a Gitzo 1541T and a Markins Q3T ballhead then a couple months later I bought the inexpensive Benro equivalent as a backup. I quickly figured out that the Benro was a better tripod and have used it ever since and the Gitzo is back in the box. The Benro I got is the C2680T and I've now been using it for about one and a half years and it's been great. I reviewed it here after about 10 months use and also briefly compared it to the Gitzo. After the use (abuse?) I've handed out to this thing I can recommend it as a very durable value alternative to the overpriced Gitzo and RRS travel tripods. You can buy the C2680T with a Benro B1 ballhead for ~$350. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted April 14, 2012 Share #52 Posted April 14, 2012 Has anyone checked this out? Seems really compact. Velbon - Ultrek I considered it but chose its slightly bigger brother the RexL. It is slightly heavier than I wished, but a super small tripod for my purpose in museums and gardens (where allowed) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyalf Posted April 14, 2012 Share #53 Posted April 14, 2012 For those who don't want to spend for the Gitzo, I can highly recommend the Sirui line: sirui t-1205X Hi, Here are my first impressions: https://flyalf.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/sirui-travel-tripod-pro-sirui-t1205x-m/ Summary: An ok lightweight tripod that seems fairly solid built for USD 246 inc H&S. Not recommended as the main tripod, but ok for travel where weight and volume are the main considerations. Maximum height to bottom of camera is really just 119cm with a RSS 30 head without centre column extended (111,5cm to base of head), and without the thin lower legs extended 98cm (90,5cm for head base). With RRS 30 head and legs folded backwards the transport length is only 34cm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stump4545 Posted April 18, 2012 Share #54 Posted April 18, 2012 any one prefer the really right stuff TQC-14 tripod over the Gitzo tripod for compact travel? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted April 20, 2012 Share #55 Posted April 20, 2012 The RRS TQC-14 looks good but there doesn't seem to be a review of it posted anywhere yet. The design of the two tripods is similar but there's a big price differential. The RRS is $850 and the Gitzo 1542T can be bought for <$500. The 1542T has underwhelmed a lot of people knowledgeable about support systems as the prior 1541T model had better specs. Gitzo seem to have lost their way, a couple months ago they also released new versions of their systematics that were not well received. Unfortunately RRS don't sell their products in retail stores so I've never even seen one never mind handled one. However those who use their tripods swear by them. If you live in the US it might be worthwhile ordering one as I believe they have a good return policy. I'm not a fan of "buying to try" but in the case of RRS there seems to be no alternative as I haven't seen a RRS tripod for rent (and I've looked). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted April 21, 2012 Share #56 Posted April 21, 2012 what about the FEISOL tripods? they seem to be less expensive than GITZO or RRS, and really well made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickgrafixstop Posted April 25, 2012 Share #57 Posted April 25, 2012 Surprised no one's mentioned the classic Leitz - with or without ballhead. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/117179-best-compact-travel-tripod-for-m9/?do=findComment&comment=1993747'>More sharing options...
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