M8 and tripod

[hjsesq]

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Is anyone using a tripod frequently with the M8? And does anyone using a tripod also us a lens plate from Kirk or RRS for a Acura Swiss typeball head. Have a slight tremor and have been thinking about getting a plate - do have concerns over the space it will take if left on the camera as I do with my DSLR and also the use of a case. Would appreciate any thoughts or recomendations.

 

Is there anyone else out there with a similiar problem (tremor) and if so, how do you deal with it?

 

BTW, here are two of the first shots I took with my M8. Hope I have attached them correctly.

 

Harris

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[lars_bergquist]

We all have that problem when the shutter speeds get too slow. My solution is to move the camera, as much as possible, from my hands to my shoulders. I learned the technique during my sniper training, and you can ask any expert rifleman about it:

 

1. Adjust the strap so that the camera hangs around your neck, and about two fingers above your belt buckle.

2. Move your left hand inside the loop from below, so that the camera hangs diagonally, strap below your left arm, camera below your left nipple. (Good anti-theft position too!)

3. Now raise the camera to your face. Put your left wrist over the strap, inside, and then under and out, so that the strap is wound around your wrist.

4. The tension of the strap should now keep the camera steady against your arms (keep the elbows tucked in!) and against your face. The technique works in both landscape and portrait mode. You must be prepared to do some testing to get the strap length right, and to adjust it according to the clothing you are wearing.

 

The old man from the Age of Wooden Tripods

[Cindy Flood]

I have the kirk plate for my M8 and I leave it on all of the time. It doesn't add too much weigth or bulk.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Monopod. Don't leave home without it.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

I have RRS plates on both my M8's and use a RRS BH-55 head on my tripod. Which is overkill. LOL

 

need to get a smaller setup for the M8 system

[hjsesq]

Guy,

 

Do you have flat plates on both M8s, or do you have an L plate one one of them?

 

Harris

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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I have flat plates and one has a slot for a hand strap . One camera uses a neckstrap and the other a hand strap setup

[mitchell]

I keep a RRS plate on almost all the time. It doesn't bother me when not using the tripod.

 

I use a RRS-25 ball head which well suits the M8. It's very well made, small, light and simple. Just one knob. I have a Gitzo 1227 tripod which is also great. I usually don't bother with a cable release unless timing is important. I use the 2 second delay instead. This combo is light enough that for myself I don't see the advantage of a monopod.

 

Best,

 

Mitchell

[mitchell]

Lars I'd like to try your technique, but don't quite follow your description. Might you be able to post a picture of it.

 

Thanks,

 

Mitchell

[albertknappmd]

I have the Kirk plate and also Luigi designed a custom leather half-case that has room for the Kirk plate as well. It is great.... :)

[Arne Helme]

I have RRS plates on both my M8's and use a RRS BH-55 head on my tripod. Which is overkill. LOL

 

need to get a smaller setup for the M8 system

 

Guy,

 

if you need a smaller setup you could also try out your BH-55 with the RRS TP-243 Ground Pod. It is an extremely sturdy and portable setup. This combination has become my travel tripod. I use it all the time.

 

-- Arne

[hjsesq]

Albert,

Which model of the Luigi case do you have? Sounds just like what I could use.

[albertknappmd]

the m8 leather half case with removable back cover. Just tell him to make the one I have. He uses his screw and makes a small hole in hte leather to allow you to remove the halfcase while leaving the screw attached to the M8 baseplate. The Kirk plate is obviously atttached to the screw. It is very clever.... :mad:

[johnwolf]

Anyone ever tried a so-called "string tripod?" A string attaches to the bottom of the camera using an eye bolt or tripod plate, and then you step on the string and apply upward pressure on the camera.

 

I shoot sometimes in places that don't allow tripods and plan on trying this. Manfrotto plates have a ring, which would work well.

 

John

[gerasdoc]

I use a RRS BH-40 ball head. It's pretty much the same as the BH-55, just smaller. I also have both a flat and L camera plate from RRS. When I use the L plate I leave my Luigi half case on (case has a tripod screw thread). I am very pleased with RRS products. I just got a Wimberley Sidekick to use with my 400 f6.8 and Visoflex3!

[lars_bergquist]

Lars I'd like to try your technique, but don't quite follow your description. Might you be able to post a picture of it.

 

Thanks,

 

Mitchell

 

Sorry, my posting does not seem to work. But you do end up with the strap running:

 

1) from right end of camera

2) behind your neck and down diagonally across your left shoulder-blade

3) around the left side of your chest, below the armpit, i.e. inside your elbow

4) up around the underside of the left wrist, around the back of the hand, and

5) ending at the left camera strap eyelet.

 

This is good for about four times longer exposure, i.e. from 1/60 to 1/15 with a 50 mm lens. Some support for any part of your body, be it even your arse, gives extra reassurance.

 

The old man of the Age of the M/40 Mauser

[ho_co]

Lars--

Thanks for posting the second description. For you this is obviously an almost automatic movement. It'll take me some time to figure out getting it to work, but I need the stability so I'll work on it. Thanks for the idea!

 

Maybe you should offer camera-holding seminars? Or post a video on YouTube? If you posted the video with a rifle instead of a camera, the CIA might never guess the use Mitchell and I were planning to put it to.

 

--HC

[Joe S]

I also have both a flat and L camera plate from RRS. When I use the L plate I leave my Luigi half case on (case has a tripod screw thread).

 

 

Would you explain how you use the case and the RRS L plate at the same time? Is it a special case? If a picture is available would yu please post it?

 

Thanks.

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[gesper]

I use a tiny Markins flat plate that cost about $30 on the Nikonians website. Small enough to leave on all the time. My tripod has a Markins ballhead with a slot that allows you to use the camera in vertical position without needing an L bracket. The Markins plate is universal (i.e., fits Kirk, RRS, etc.).

[querstrommotor]

Greetings to you all,

I decidet to use a light weight tripod together with the M Leicas, because its such al small and light system, that i don´t wanted to destroy the mobility with a heavy tripod.

So, together with my M8, i bought a Gitzo Basalt tripod with an FLM ballhead out of the 32 series.

The ballhead has an adjustable friction system, together with pan and a very small and intelligent quickrelease plate.

It is so small, that i leave it on the cam.

The Gitzo can be adjusted to the size, that i can stand comfortably behind the cam without doing a kind of gym-workout, it is pretty stable - if you want to use the 135mm 1:2,8 than you have to hang your fotobag under the tripod to give em more stability.

All together it is small and very light, i carry it with me in my crumpler - i modified the bag to have the ability to fix it with two belts.

 

The head is also a fine built system, very smooth and easy to handle - i like the extra friction adjustment screw, the only thing i miss is a nivellier tool - you may say - ekki, put such a tool on your hot shoe...but, i need it when i shoot extrem wide angle (12 and 15mm VC) and under such circumstances i need the hot shoe for a viewfinder....

 

So i bougt from the same company a nivellierplate and solved my extrem wide angle problems.

 

All in all, you are right, if you mention, that an Arca or Really Right Stuff is much better than the FLM, but they are so heavy!!!!

 

If I shoot with my Hasselblad or Rolleiflex, i use a Really Right Stuff together with a heavier Gitzo.

Maybe it is the best ballhead in the world, but not for a leica M - it is overdone and a tripod at home is a worse thing if you need one on location;-)))))

 

Kind regards Ekki