Which Ballhead and bracket should I get??

[kuau]

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I am going to be using my Gitzo GT1531 tripod with my M9 but can't decide on what BH / bracket to get for my M9?

RRS is recommending there BH-30 head, I was wondering if this is overkill and get the BH-25 instead?

Or is there something else I should consider?

Then in regards to a braket / L-bracket.

I am not sure I want to go with RRS M9 base plate L bracket, grip setup.

I was hoping that arca swiss was shipping there's but I don't think they are.

So I was thinking about the Kirk PZ-118 and maybe getting Leica M9 grip and attach it to that?

Any suggestions??

 

Thanks

Steven

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[d2mini]

I have the BH-40 with quick release plate.

I can use it with my dslr or my m9 and it works great for both.

When it arrived I was surprised at how small it was compared to what I was expecting.

[Rick]

Steven... I have a Gitzo tripod and I simply use the ball head that comes with it. It is small and compact and does not require the use or expense of a base plate. I have never understood the RRS base plate fetishshists although, I have it on good authority that RRS does NOT make really expensive junk.

 

As far as the grip, this seems to be a personal preference but it seems that most (me included) find the Leica bracket to be designed poorly and it doesn't feel secure to many. The RRS grip requires their base plate and is more secure feeling but, it seems to me you are entering the fiddly zone with this stuff.

 

I'm sure that others will have an opinion on this.

 

Popcorn anyone?

[hoppyman]

Hi Steven, Gitzo of course makes a large range of excellent ballheads. If you intend to get an RRS ballhead; although I have the BH40 head I would suggest that the new BH30 would be a better match for you. I would get that one over the 25 personally. Both are strong enough, it just depends on how important the absolute weight, size and the different features are for you.

My personal preference is for the versions with the quick release system. As an alternative to the larger new base plate with the optional bits, for your M9 you can get just the smaller bi-directional QR plate that screws into the tripod socket if you wish. I have one on a spare baseplate/grip left over from my M8. One advantage of that QR plate over other designs is that it has an indexing ridge along one edge with means it won't twist at all once fitted.

 

Hi Rick, fancy meeting you in this thread:D

[cbretteville]

My setup: Gitzo 1541 + Novoflex Magic ball Mini + Novoflex Mini Connect

Carl

[haroldp]

I have both BH-25 and BH-30.

The BH-30 is much better, as it has independent pan lock which the 25 does not.

 

It s perfect for '1' series gitzo's

 

All RRS stuff is impeccable, the reason for the base plate is to avoid torque / twisting which will happen with a screw in connection or the cheap flat plates. You will distort the base before a screw connection is tight enough.

 

Regards ... H

[kuau]

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Anyone try the Gitzo GH1780 ??

Steven

[kuau]

Should I be considering a different base plate also?

Any opinions on Luigi M-MATE BASEPLATE

 

Steven

[yst]

In my experience, the Acratech's head would be an excellent choice for a relative small outfit like the M system, e.g. : Ballheads

 

Very steady for such a compact and light weight ball head, and well designed with top engineering quality and finish.

 

It's QR plate for Leica M cameras is also the best suitable made in my experience: Quick Release Plate 2148

the similar plates for M e.g. from RRS is unnecessarily too thick and heavy, I had one from RRS and sawed it off to make use of the material for something else.

[tdtaylor]

Should I be considering a different base plate also?

Any opinions on Luigi M-MATE BASEPLATE

 

Steven

 

I have Luigi's MMate2, which is great for access, but is actually fair light in construction. While I'm sure it will work fine with a tripod, I would venture it is not the best choice, being lighter than the OEM baseplate. I use the MMate2 every day with the half case, and when I do dedicated landscape work on a tripod, I just use the RSS base plate and L bracket extension.

(I believe Q3), and having owned Kirk and RSS products, the Markin is the best. On the other hand, if you are using large SLR lenses and a large Pro SLR, having a large CF tripod and ball head or gimbal is very important. WIth the M9 and a WATE, I use the smallest of my tripods (Gitzo 2540L) without the center post (2.6 pounds), and the small Markin ballhead ballhead, and in under 4 pounds total I have a rock solid support for the M9.

 

Having used many brands, with the light setup, IMHO most ballheads would be adequate for our needs.

[UliWer]

Anyone try the Gitzo GH1780 ??

Steven

 

It's small and light, easy to handle, allows very exact

positioning and has it's own quick release. You can't go wrong with it for a M.

[hoppyman]

That is a very neat design. It will not fit on the M8 and M9. The tripod socket position is different.

 

..................It's QR plate for Leica M cameras is also the best suitable made in my experience: Quick Release Plate 2148

the similar plates for M e.g. from RRS is unnecessarily too thick and heavy, I had one from RRS and sawed it off to make use of the material for something else.

[cwf]

Fwiw, I recently got, from Wimberley, an Arca-Swiss Z1 sp with Wimberley clamp and plates for use with an M8, M6, and Nikon D3. It took me a while to make up my mind, looking at most everything. RRS was a close second, with the patented (hence, only from A-S) ellipitical ball tipping the balance. The Z1 in use has been a delight from the first moment.

 

Unless you have a known size/weight constraint, I would seriously consider going with a larger ballhead, which would be the BH-55 in the RRS line, even if all you are going to use on it is an M. The size difference is not absolutely great.

 

Of course, one's own situation, needs, and perceptions are determinative.

[hoppyman]

Steven has the Gitzo 1531 tripod rated for a maximum load of 17.6 lbs and weighs 2.5 lbs.

The BH55 head is rated for a maximum of 50 lbs and weighs 1.9 lbs. It is considerably disproportionate for Steven's tripod. In a studio situation of course it would not matter that it is larger than needed but you would likely match it to a larger tripod for that application.

 

I have the BH40 on a series 2 Gitzo. It is more than sufficiently robust and suitable for any possible M or S camera loading, trust me

[peter_n]

I use the 1541T with a Markins Q3T ballhead. I'd recommend the Markins Q3 for your 1531; small, great specs, and beautifully built and finished with very high quality materials. I use a number of Markins products and they are totally reliable.

[zapp]

You are closing in on many different heads - time to try them out, get a feel for them. Same as with a camera, you need to see and feel it in real life.

[rcoles]

I use the Gitzo Traveler 6X Carbon Tripod (GT1541T) with a Markins Q3 Ball head with the Quick Release Clamp and an older small RRS plate on the M9. This is a quality but light setup and is easy to carry and use.

Bob