-ph- Posted September 30, 2012 Share #21 Â Posted September 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) The Gitzo 1541 or 1542 is in my eyes the perfect tripod for an M (using one myself). It offers perfect stability at only 2 pounds of weight. The Nikon 800 and its lenses are a different category. For that I would recommend no less than a 3 series Gitzo. With care a 2 series might do, but it would be quite a compromise. While I don't like carrying tripods much, when you need one, it should be a proper one, or the effort is wasted. Â Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted September 30, 2012 Share #22 Â Posted September 30, 2012 What do you want to use it for ? Â The reason I ask is you may favour transportability over ultimate rigidity or even find a mini mount of some description ideal. I never take my tripod out very often, but thats probably my style of photography. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lm_user Posted September 30, 2012 Share #23 Â Posted September 30, 2012 I like my 1960s Tiltall with a Leica ball head. It isnt the lightest package, but works well and the price was right Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyalf Posted September 30, 2012 Share #24 Â Posted September 30, 2012 The best quick mount is the RRS bottom plate replacement (Swiss Arcam compatible). Really sturdy. Â For tripod I prefer the Berlebach wooden tripods that IMO are best value for money when it comets to stability and handling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timberline12k Posted October 1, 2012 Share #25 Â Posted October 1, 2012 I like the RRS TQC-14 Tripod with BH-30 LR Ballhead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted October 1, 2012 Share #26 Â Posted October 1, 2012 Gitzo Reporter 1227. 3 section leges are more stable than four and set up faster. This is the smallest lightest pod that brings the camera up to eye level without using the center column which you do not want to use. I am 6 feet and use the medium Leica ball head which I have had from 1967 at $25 cost. Â Never bend over to get to a short camera position. But if you are 5 foot three, you can find cheaper alternatives Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted October 2, 2012 Share #27 Â Posted October 2, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Can't see the point of buying a small compact camera like Leica and then carting around a full size tripod .... no matter how light. Â I have a Manfrotto 'Table Top' and 'Pocket' which I always carry and take up virtually no space. Â Both work well and with a bit of ingenuity you can use them in 95% of situations. I'd forgo the other 5% for benefit of portability..... and they are cheap. Â I have a Gitzo GT1541T and Markins head plus release plate but it has never been out of its bag...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted October 2, 2012 Share #28  Posted October 2, 2012 Can't see the point of buying a small compact camera like Leica and then carting around a full size tripod .... no matter how light. ..... Well it depends on what you are shooting.......if you are shooting street then yes no need for a tripod but if like I do I shoot landscape and street, there is no way that I could shoot the type of landscape that I shoot without a proper tripod..........horses for courses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyalf Posted October 2, 2012 Share #29  Posted October 2, 2012 Can't see the point of buying a small compact camera like Leica and then carting around a full size tripod .... no matter how light. I have a Manfrotto 'Table Top' and 'Pocket' which I always carry and take up virtually no space.  Both work well and with a bit of ingenuity you can use them in 95% of situations. I'd forgo the other 5% for benefit of portability..... and they are cheap.  I have a Gitzo GT1541T and Markins head plus release plate but it has never been out of its bag......  No serious photography without a tripod. Back in the olden days I used a Minox GTE on a full size tripod . All camera's regardless of size and weight benefit from a sturdy tripod.  The table tripods work for 5% of situations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
-ph- Posted October 3, 2012 Share #30 Â Posted October 3, 2012 Can't see the point of buying a small compact camera like Leica and then carting around a full size tripod .... no matter how light. Â Of course I prefer not to carry a tripod along, but for certain shots a tripod is a reqirement. And why shouldn't I put my best camera onto the tripod, if I have to use one? Actually, I think that the Leica is an ideal camera to use on a tripod because it is so small and not too heavy. So, on the same tripod, the Leica will be more stable than e.g. a D800, not even counting for the mirror slap. Alternatively, you can use a smaller and lighter tripod with it. As written before, for a D800 I wouldn't go below a series 3 Gitzo, while my 1541 does very well with the M9. Â Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnfell Posted October 3, 2012 Share #31  Posted October 3, 2012 I have a Gitzo GT1540T (traveller) and I love it for the M. The head is a G1077M mini ball head. It doesnt have a quick release, but still fastens pretty quickly. When locked it is rock solid. Weighs just over two pounds, and amazingly sturdy for its weight.  I have looked high and low and have not found any tripods remotely close to the Gitzo traveller series when it comes to maximum strength and minimum weight.  They*are very expensive, but definitely worth it. (Doesn´t your leica pictures deserve it?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted October 4, 2012 Share #32 Â Posted October 4, 2012 Gitzo 1227 with an Arca P0 with slide-fix has to be the lightest, quickest, easiest, most intuitive and most stable-for-the-weight full-size set up possible. Â In my view, it is utter perfection for an M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickan1 Posted October 5, 2012 Share #33 Â Posted October 5, 2012 I have used a Feisol for two years now, I think it is 3441 and a ballhead from them. Lightweight and easy to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted October 5, 2012 Share #34 Â Posted October 5, 2012 No serious photography without a tripod. Â Â .... I'm not a serious photographer :D:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted October 10, 2012 Share #35 Â Posted October 10, 2012 I bought a Gitzo 1541T and a Benro C2680T as a backup. After a couple months the Benro was the primary and the Gitzo was the backup. The Benro is a better tripod at more than half the price; taller, more usable, has removable feet/spikes, and the twist locks are very smooth in use (unlike the Gitzo). Like all of Benro's best tripods you source it directly from mainland China. I sold the Gitzo after a year+ with the Benro, and I'm now into my third year of using it. The best ballhead for a fold-back travel tripod is the Markins Q3-TR. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted October 10, 2012 Share #36 Â Posted October 10, 2012 I bought a Gitzo 1541T and a Benro C2680T as a backup. Â Out of curiosity Peter, why did you need to buy a back-up tripod? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted October 10, 2012 Share #37  Posted October 10, 2012 I bought a Gitzo 1541T and a Benro C2680T as a backup. After a couple months the Benro was the primary and the Gitzo was the backup. The Benro is a better tripod at more than half the price; taller, more usable, has removable feet/spikes, and the twist locks are very smooth in use (unlike the Gitzo). Like all of Benro's best tripods you source it directly from mainland China. I sold the Gitzo after a year+ with the Benro, and I'm now into my third year of using it. The best ballhead for a fold-back travel tripod is the Markins Q3-TR.  Mine is the A1680T (aluminium and less load capacity, but more than adequate for my travelling needs). Very well made and more than adequate for my needs in this regard. I suggested that the OP ought at least to look at this range. They are one hell of a lot cvheaper than the Gitzo, and I honestly can't identify any significant difference in build quality on mine. Be aware though, that their range has been revised since I bought mine, and that their very cheapest seem to have Manfrotto style cliplocks rather than the Gitzo style on mine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted October 10, 2012 Share #38 Â Posted October 10, 2012 Lots of great tips and advice,.......... thanks for that. I will get home next week from work so will go and have a look at all these options and make an executive decision then when I have it in my hand Thanks again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ananda Posted October 11, 2012 Share #39 Â Posted October 11, 2012 Really handy is the RRS small table top tripod and the B30 head with a lever release. Easy to carry anywhere. RRS makes the best gear! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted October 19, 2012 Share #40 Â Posted October 19, 2012 Out of curiosity Peter, why did you need to buy a back-up tripod?Because I'm rough with equipment. I frequently use a tripod and I'd never forgive myself if I was on a trip and something went wrong with it. Same rationale as a backup camera body. I take two ballheads too for the same reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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