stump4545 Posted January 12, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 12, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) looking for an ideal carbon tripod for my M9. any suggestions for a great carbon tripod w/ a 3way head for an M9? (i like the 3way type of head as opposed to a ball head since that is what i am used to) i was looking at the gitzo carbon traveler or mountaineer tripod but not sure about a 3 way head? thanks a lot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Hi stump4545, Take a look here carbon fiber tripod and 3way head for M9. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
haroldp Posted January 12, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 12, 2012 I use the Acratech long lens head and leveling base combo. I have not mounted a ball head since trying them. Easily controls a Nikon D3x so Leica is easy. Most 3-way heads are really designed for video. If possible, stay with 3 rather than 4 leg section tripods, they are much stronger. Gitzo 2 series CF are Ideal for Leica weight cameras. Also consider the RRS basse replacement for M9, much stronger than Leica's thread mount. The leveling base is also used with panorama rigs instead of a ballhead if that is of interest. Regards ... H Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 12, 2012 Share #3 Posted January 12, 2012 Most 3-way heads are really designed for video. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Thompson Posted January 12, 2012 Share #4 Posted January 12, 2012 Gitzo 1550t. Comes with a decent ball head and at 2.2 lbs & 14" long you won't be tempted to leave it home. With the M9 there is no need for my other tripods and their fancy RRS heads. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted January 12, 2012 Share #5 Posted January 12, 2012 As a general matter, I have had very good results with Really Right Stuff equipment, including a carbon fiber tripod and head. I like the head system so much that I also purchased a head for a Gitzo monopod. I had the tripod out last weekend for some landscapes and it is solid. I particularly like the clamping system, which makes it much easier for me to attach the camera to the tripod than others I have used.. They have a system that makes it easy to flip the camera from horizontal to vertical, You need a special bracket for each camera, which gets expensive. The one for my Canon 5d Mark II works great. The Leica M9 is a bit more troublesome because you need to detach the strap first, which is always difficult for me. Nevertheless, this is top notch equipment, but also expensive equipment, so you need to think about how much you use a tripod. I will say, this is my fourth or fifth tripod, with each one getting more expensive. In this area, starting at the top of the line is ultimately cheaper than having a closet full of old tripods. I also strongly agree with the comment to get a 3-piece rather than a four piece leg system. Best Jack Siegel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jneilt Posted January 12, 2012 Share #6 Posted January 12, 2012 I have a gear head monfrotto. I also use it for spotting scopes...not lightweight or small...but very precise. The actual tripod is pretty darn light. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 12, 2012 Share #7 Posted January 12, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Its seems counter intuitive to me to want a lightweight and small carbon traveller tripod and then to load the top of it with a heavy three way head, and in some cases espoused here extra brackets just to hold the camera. It is a Leica M9. The only thing all the extra's do is relieve you of money, but I admit some people do follow the 'now I have a Leica I must buy the most expensive of everything to go with it' mantra. Any system that needs extra brackets and three way heads just to hold an M9 isn't up to standard in the first place is it! Keep it simple, just like the camera, get a really good ball head, one that won't slip (but they rarely do with such a small camera) and your carbon traveller will remain balanced in use and easy to carry and pack. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted January 12, 2012 Share #8 Posted January 12, 2012 Whatever you buy, check to ensure that the M camera can be rotated to take vertical shots whilst on the tripod/head. Some combinations can foul and leave you unable to achieve an absolutely vertical shot. Triopds and heads need to be bought in person IMHO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 12, 2012 Share #9 Posted January 12, 2012 I do use a Manfrotto 3 section carbon fiber tripod, the discontinued, but perfecly usable 441. Head: the Arca-Swiss d4, that can be used in both ways (3D head & ball head). Stump4545, you want a 3D head, isn't? Could everything be smaller? Of course, but the possibilities of vibration would grow a lot. OK, if the tripod is used in interiors it can be smaller and lighter... For me there is no sense in carrying a fragile tripod and a flimsy head. I normally make panoramas, and expose for 15 seconds, etc. Being the M9 so small, precisely because of that, it is advisable to use a sturdier tripod. I prefer not to take risks. After all the time, energy and money used for arriving to the spot, it would be non-sense working with a flimsy tripod, only because it is cheaper. If I can afford a M9 plus lenses, I must afford the best and finest mechanism to hold it. Best and fine mean that it will work reliably for decades. The problem with a tripod + head is easy to understand, and difficult to solve. Screwing the camera on a stone would give the best support. But the stone is heavy and doesn't admit changes in height and positioning. The photographer's body is the opposite from the stone: we carry our body with us, therefore the transportability is 100%, and the mobility is 100% as well. This is the polarity we have to deal with. There is a limit in regard with how far we can go in the direction towards lightness. The temptation of trespassing that border is always there. Money is of course an issue... but that's another story. This is not just my opinion, it is how things work: pure physics. Cheers, Manolo The lens you see in the picture is the 28PC Super Angulon for the R, adapted via the Leica R to M Ring (#22228). 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/170359-carbon-fiber-tripod-and-3way-head-for-m9/?do=findComment&comment=1895773'>More sharing options...
algrove Posted January 12, 2012 Share #10 Posted January 12, 2012 Whatever you buy, check to ensure that the M camera can be rotated to take vertical shots whilst on the tripod/head. Some combinations can foul and leave you unable to achieve an absolutely vertical shot. Triopds and heads need to be bought in person IMHO. To me that's where the RRS L bracket is perfect. It makes switching to verticals one easy fluid step for me. Much, much stronger than the Leica L bracket (and cheaper too) and the grip affords one a better feel when walking with camera in hand. In that case I use Gordon's strap around my wrist. Don't know how, but I slightly bent my Leica hand grip while using it with the Leica tabletop tripod and ball head combo. The RRS L bracket is much stronger, but still light. You can never have too sturdy of a tripod. I have the Gitzo 15XX travel one, but upon a pros advice bought the 25xx and my outdoor shots are now more crisp with it. Think about it since the CF Gitzos are all priced tightly together with little spread between the models from 1500 to 3500. Are we not after a rigid platform for our camera gear? CF is light and sturdy so get the best CF you can afford. This has NOTHING to do with owning a Leica M9. It's physics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted January 12, 2012 Share #11 Posted January 12, 2012 You can never have too sturdy of a tripod. Yes. I use a 1548 whenever I can c/w an RRS BH55 (that Arca D4 geared looks interesting though - there are not many geared heads on the market) if I don't have to carry it too far (I once carried it up Snowdon with a Contax 645 outfit but my legs regeted it for a few days afterwards). The RRS BH25 is solid enough to lock up with an M but fouls at less than vertical.... IMHO there are only two sorts of tripod - ones that hold the camera steady and ones that don't. Unfortunately you can't beat weight! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
haroldp Posted January 12, 2012 Share #12 Posted January 12, 2012 Yes. I use a 1548 whenever I can c/w an RRS BH55 (that Arca D4 geared looks interesting though - there are not many geared heads on the market) if I don't have to carry it too far (I once carried it up Snowdon with a Contax 645 outfit but my legs regeted it for a few days afterwards). The RRS BH25 is solid enough to lock up with an M but fouls at less than vertical.... IMHO there are only two sorts of tripod - ones that hold the camera steady and ones that don't. Unfortunately you can't beat weight! Any camera movement or vibration, will contribute more blur than any differences between lenses. The tripod conflict is finding something that is steady enough to be worth using, and light enough to actually have with you. For myself, the question is usually if I need to get it on an Airplane, if not, the Gitzo 3 series usually comes along. If I were buying today, I would probably get the RRS tripods as the best mix of strength / weight. As an aside, if you want a ball head, the RRS BH-25 is certainly strong enough for an M9, (in a pinch I once used it for a Nikon D2x), but it lacks an independent panning lock. The RRS BH-30 is almost as light, somewhat stronger and has an independent pan lock.. The BH-40 is even better, and I think Ideal for an M camera. The BH-55 weighs 2 pounds, is as strong as any ballhead made, but designed for large (Nikon D3/4, Canon D1..) DSLR's and MF, or long lenses. RRS stuff is as good as anything out there and in some categories (panorama heads) is I think simply the best. It is also impeccably made (like Leica's) and you can talk to them. The acratech long lens head is a very light/strong 2-way (pan / tilt ) head designed as an alternative to a gimball head for tele's, but once I added a leveling base for the third dimension, It is the combo I use most of the time. Check it out. Given it's importance, and the cost of the camera's and lenses we use, and as fussy as we are over differences between otherwise excellent lenses, the cost of any of this is trivial. Regards ... H Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted January 12, 2012 Share #13 Posted January 12, 2012 The choices are many, and I would think it would be impossible to recommend a particular model, (your taste, needs, etc . ... ) would all come into play. What I can highly recommend from a quality standpoint is the Gitzo brand. (not the Chinese "Benbo" knockkoff copy ) Every Gitzo tripod, I have ever owned, (probably 10 in all), has never let me down. The ideal situation would be if you could get to a large photo shop, and try different combinations of legs, and head to find a balanced setup. good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted January 12, 2012 Share #14 Posted January 12, 2012 Every Gitzo tripod, I have ever owned, (probably 10 in all), has never let me down. I still have one that I bought as a student in 1980 secondhand - it works perfectly still despite having been heavily used and even having had a few brushes with seawater in the distant past. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted January 14, 2012 Share #15 Posted January 14, 2012 I can't say enough about the Gitzo 1542T. Slightly taller than the discontinued 1541T but taller means less stable so it's good and bad. For the Head I have the Arca Swiss P0.. but don't get their proprietary clamp because it's not standard Arca Swiss. So I got a standard plate compatible off of ebay from seller sunway foto. This head is the only one with an inverted base which means you don't have to level the legs to get the head level. The only other head that does this is $200 more. So if you get the standard Arca swiss clamp you can then fit the RRS base plate with grip. I got the P0 and RRS base & grip used so probably about $900 invested. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted January 17, 2012 Share #16 Posted January 17, 2012 You can never have too sturdy of a tripod.I also believe in overkill when it comes to camera support. My standard tripod is a Gitzo 3541LS with an Arca-Swiss Z1 head. I also use a Benro traveler (better than the Gitzo 1541 or 42) but the systematic folds to less than 22 inches and I use it on trips also. I'm not so sure about the difference between three and four leg sections. The 4-section legs are much more portable but it really comes down to the locks. Neil Rothschild on Nikonians has written the only data-based tripod comparison I've seen; he compared the 4-leg section Gitzo 3541LS against the 3-leg section RRS TVC-33 for stability and reported back with vibration charts. The Gitzo was slightly better than the RRS in all the tests. That review was influential in my purchase decision, that and the huge price differential... RRS are great marketers and their equipment is solid and extremely well finished, but they are very expensive for what you get. Gitzo seem to be relying on their reputation. I'm impressed with the Chinese tripods, and if you're open-minded about brand issues then Benro (and if you're tall) Feisol are well worth looking at. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billib Posted January 21, 2012 Share #17 Posted January 21, 2012 For the Head I have the Arca Swiss P0.. but don't get their proprietary clamp because it's not standard Arca Swiss. So I got a standard plate compatible off of ebay from seller sunway foto. This head is the only one with an inverted base which means you don't have to level the legs to get the head level. The only other head that does this is $200 more. So if you get the standard Arca swiss clamp you can then fit the RRS base plate with grip. I got the P0 and RRS base & grip used so probably about $900 invested.Heres that wonderful Arca Swiss p0 Ball Headwith its proprietary quick release "Quickset Device" and the RRS BH-40 LR Ball Head with B2-40 LR Clamp. Imagine my disapointment when I discovered that the RRS BM9P Set for the Leica didn't fit the the p0's "Quickset Device". It should fit the Sunway. 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/170359-carbon-fiber-tripod-and-3way-head-for-m9/?do=findComment&comment=1904256'>More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 21, 2012 Share #18 Posted January 21, 2012 I can imagine your frustration, billib! Arca-Swiss has 2 different profiles. The old one has the same shape than the Arca-Swiss view camera rail, a more than 50 years old design, and that's the reason for calling it the "Arca-Swiss Shape". That's the shape RRS, and many others, use. [let me warn you: some so called Arca-Swiss type plates do not fit well...] The newer one is smaller. Actually it's the shape from the rail with the geared track located above the lower rail, the one with the U shape. With the "fliplock" clamping system you can attach either one. The pictures show it. Arca-Swiss design reasoning is very logical! With the "fliplock" you can attach either the whole rail, or only the upper half. 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/170359-carbon-fiber-tripod-and-3way-head-for-m9/?do=findComment&comment=1904309'>More sharing options...
billib Posted January 21, 2012 Share #19 Posted January 21, 2012 Thank you Manolo. Imagine my surprise on learning the hard expensive way that Arca Swiss has different sizes. More than a few tripod manufacturers state they use the "Arca Swiss Quick Release Plate" but they don't identify WHICH Arca Swiss Quick Release Plate System. I'll end up putting a sunway QR on the p0. It doesn't really fit but I don't have much choice. Thanks for the lesson, I'm sure MANY others will benefit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manolo Laguillo Posted January 21, 2012 Share #20 Posted January 21, 2012 I would say that the plate they refer to is always the big one. You can solve your problem easily, changing the clamp of your head. Arca sells the different types alone, in order to mount them on any head. Look here: Améliorations pour rotules Monoball in this page: arca-swiss - rotules et appareils photographiques pour la photographie numérique et argentique en moyen et grand format It's in french, but pictures are easy... If you bought the Arca-Swiss head not long ago the dealer can perhaps change the whole head, clamp included. Arca sells the same head with the different types of clamps. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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