What's the best tripod ball head for M

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Howdy,

 

My current tripod seems to suffer under the process of winding film with my M, when I try to bracket shots and want my frame to be exactly the same in each shot the alignment is thrown off with the winding of the film. So I need a new tripod and head that is very sturdy.

 

What is the best ball head that has a quick release mechanism that I can leave attached to my camera without interfering with the use of the camera when it isn't attached to the ball head?

 

Thank you,

 

Justin

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[FrozenInTime]

The best, and as close to universal as you can get, QR plates are based around the Arca system:

 

Kirk makes a nice one that fits the length of a M body - it won't turn or let the body rotate.

Kirk Enterprises : Camera Plate for M6

 

Once you have the plate, the choice of 'best' head is down to how much weight are you willing to carry.

But realistically, even the smaller heads with arca mounts are good enough.

 

Also look at RRS ( though avoid their clamps if you later want to mix plates) and Novoflex.

Gitzo make a arca 5160CDT adapter for their own QR system.

[spydrxx]

The real question is how heavy a tripod and ball head are you willing to live with (and pay for). I use the Kirk mount on my M Leica and use that on my ball head. For heavy duty stuff (I rarely use it as a carry around item) I use a Gitzo G1325 tripod, a Kirk BH-1 ball head with a Kirk quick release clamp on it - this holds anything from long lenses medium format gear and long lenses. When I'm out hiking and expect to need a tripod, but don't have really long lenses, I'll take a relatively inexpensive but sturdy no-name aluminum tripod with a Manfrotto 484 ball head and an RRS ARCA quick release clamp. I also (for the Leica M camera only) keep a Leica collapsible table tripod in the bag with a Manfrotto 482 ball head...I can use it in normal fashion or as a chest-pod if needed, and it will hold the body, a Visoflex and 135mm lens pretty well..

[Michael Hiles]

I use (a now old) Leitz Large Ball Head. I once mounted a Linhof Technika 4x5 on it and it held firm. It is more than capable of handling my M2/3, Visoflex III, 125mm Hektor - a heavish kit.

 

I also use the Large Ball Head on my Leitz table Tripod as a travel tripod. It is simply great.

[menos I M6]

I am not liking the use of a tripod (not much into scapes), but the ballhead, I have for the occasional purpose is just great.

It is a Markins ballhead (medium size), that even holds a heavy nikon super tele outfit.

There is an even smaller size of this head, that might be just perfect for the M and a light tripod for travel.

 

There is nothing going around quick plates though - leaving an entire head on the camera makes me shiver ;-)

 

Go for the Arca system - many manufacturers (including Markins, RRS, …) make compatible items for this plate system.

 

I use plates for my D3, compact cameras and accessories form Kangrinpoche (similarly priced and quality like RRS). Everything is compatible between the Markins head and an RRS heavy duty swivel monopod head, I use occasionally for tele with the Nikon.

[Nicoleica]

If you do a lot of work such as you describe, then an alternative might be to obtain a motor winder for your M?. This would remove the need to disturb the camera when winding, and you might not need such a heavy tripod arrangement.

[Shootist]

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Simply the best ball head is the one you like using and that works the way you want to work.

Other then that there is no best irrespective of which quick release system it uses.

[tdtaylor]

At one time or another, I have used RSS, Kirk and Markins ballheads. Since the Ms are rather light, they all are adequate. I prefer the Markins Q3 ballhead, which is fairly light, with the RSS replacement L plate.

 

I have found that the Gitzo traveler and this ballhead make a stable and relatively light combo. This setup is not acceptable with my DSLR- have the larger ball head and Series 2 Gitzo for that. The Ms do have their advantages.

[bocaburger]

Generally speaking, the solidity of a ballhead is proportional to the diameter of the ball, and that tends to be proportional to the weight of the head. The exception I have found are any of the Leitz ballheads where the balls have grooves cut in them. These hold an astounding amount of weight considering the diameter of the ball. AFAIK that's all of them but the last small ballhead with the black body, and even that can be locked down solidly enough to keep an M body from moving when the film is wound, in fact with the ball locked you'd more likely bend the baseplate before you'd dislodge the ball. These ballheads can be found used for reasonable prices. Check KEH.com. They don't have QR but it's easy to add a small Kirk or RRS clamp.

[menos I M6]

Terry, the Markins Q3 is the small Markins head, I meant (I have one size bigger, that holds amazingly well).

@ bocaburger - this is the general (old) rule of ball heads, which is fully valid with some amazing exceptions.

When the Markins head came to market, reviewers raved about it, how it is possible, to precisely hold very heavy load for it's size and ball Ø.

 

It indeed is a great ball head (for a still medium price of ~ 250,- EUR).

It has an integrated pan setting, that is very precise as well, showing no change in feel and precision with as heavy a camera, as a pro body SLR + f2.8 300mm prime + converters.

 

It just works.

[holmes]

Well by the responses it is pretty wide open as to choice. Where my 'Ms' go, so does my small table top Hamas tripod with a good ball head. It has no quick release plates or any thing fancy, just a solid table top with the legs being retracted into the body. For something a little different try a 'JOBY'. This an highly articulated tripod. " Bend me, shape me, anyway you want me". I can twist it around a tree branch, a table leg, set it on a table or other platform. It has a camera mount which can be released with the camera attached. They come in three sizes, small, medium and large. The large will handle an "R" with a moderate size lens. Since I use motor, or winders on all my Ms and Rs along with a cable release or self timer. The amount of vibration is none to negligible. Now again these are small. For larger I use Arca Swiss ball head on a Gitzo report and also A Gitzo Explore model. All of my large heads are equipted with quick release plates.

[christer]

 

Kirk makes a nice one that fits the length of a M body - it won't turn or let the body rotate.

 

.

 

I can see the advantage of this devise: keeping the camera steady by fixing it by two rails and one screw. I think I'll get myself one.

 

However, I can not, from the pictures, see how the manufacturer can call it a " __quick release__ camera plate for Leica's M6".

 

Where is the __quick__ release?

[click]

I am also struggling to understand the quick release function on the Kirk. Can someone illustrate please?

 

Thank you,

 

Justin

[christer]

_I think_ the item pictured is the "camera plate".

 

The camera plate goes on to the "quick release" part (provided you have a compatible brand) which screws on to the top of the ball head.

 

Yes, an illustration would be helpful. And a short second opinion on the usefulness.

[Jeff S]

I am also struggling to understand the quick release function on the Kirk. Can someone illustrate please?

 

Maybe this will help...Kirk Enterprises : Quick Release Camera Plates

 

Google is your friend.

 

Jeff

[click]

I went to the website through the Leica link but there isn't a link from that direction about how the mount works.

 

I understand how it works now, thank you.

 

Can I also infer from the holes in the bottom of the plate that I WILL NOT have to remove the plate to change film? Sometimes I need speed.

 

Thank you,

 

Justin

[FrozenInTime]

Hope this makes it clearer :

 

[Manolo Laguillo]

The best tripod ball heads are made by ARCA, because of

1. the fixing system (elsewhere described in this thread),

and 2. the ball system itself (with adjustable tension, etc).

 

I like very much the one that can be handled both as a ball head or as a 3D tripod head (ie with separate movements left/right and up/down).

 

Only problem: it's a big and heavy piece of equipment!

 

The very light solution is the Leica ball head.

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[menos I M6]

The best tripod ball heads are made by ARCA, because of

1. the fixing system (elsewhere described in this thread),

and 2. the ball system itself (with adjustable tension, etc).

 

I like very much the one that can be handled both as a ball head or as a 3D tripod head (ie with separate movements left/right and up/down).

 

Only problem: it's a big and heavy piece of equipment!

 

The very light solution is the Leica ball head.

 

Manolo, I tried one of these cubes - wonderful piece of machining ;-)

But as you said, it is a rather oversized solution for a M, when packing light.

 

For exactly this fact, I got the Markins head. It is very compact and light, but it handles even heavy stuff admirably.

Have a look at the reviewers of this head (I think there is a serious review on Luminous Landscape) - this head is on par with the traditional serious ball heads (including Arca, RRS and Kirk).

On top of that, it is considered a bargain - this is not your run of the mill asian cheap copy ball head! The best feature is the precision, one can adjust the ball head tension in the loose position.

 

You can precisely adjust the tension, so it will hold even a heavy telephoto + SLR without falling over AND making adjustments to the gear possible with very little effort and smoothness - be it a 10kg rig or a Leica M with 35 Summicron.

The panorama setting is similarly precise and effortless, doesn't matter, if a heavy or light camera is used.

 

There are now many different Chinese manufacturers, which price similarly featured ball heads in the same range (Kangrinpoche, to name one of the more known - they make great Arca plates btw.).

These "other heads" are in an entirely different league, far below the Markins (rough movement, "sticky" positions, equipment tips over, etc…).

[UliWer]

Look for the Gitzo GH1780QR

 

Gitzo GH1780QR Center Ballhead with Quick Release - GH1780QR B&H

 

It's rather small and light, well made, safe for the camera, with three levels - and it's price is in the Leica league...