M8 and tripod

[steich]

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@Lars:

Thanks! I just tried it. Seems to work fine.

I hope Leica fixes those eyelets really well- otherwise we all will have to post our very last M8 photo of all times here:

Flickr: Camera Toss

Regards

Stefan

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[Bill W]

I have RRS plates on all my Nikons and the M8. The M8 plate I bought is very small and I just keep it in my bag and when I need to use a tripod, I attach the plate. This works for me since I do not use a tripod that often. I have the RRS 55 head, 25 head and an old Linhoff that I put a RRS quick release plate on. Like Guy has stated, the 55 is really overkill for an M8 but you need it for long Nikon glass. Tripods are Gitzo 1348, 1228 and a small one I cannot recall the number, all carbon.

[nzav]

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, I responded to the above yesterday (4/19/07) but somehow it was posted in a January thread! Here is my response again...

 

The BH-55 is definitely overkill for the M8 unless you throw a Visoflex III with a 400 Telyt on it! I regularly use the BH-40 with a DSLR using lenses up to a 180mm f2.8 on a Gitzo and have never had a hint of sharpness loss in either the vertical or horizontal framing mode (without using the mirror lockup). I also use a BH-55 on another Gitzo, but only for lenses longer than 200mm on the DSLR.

 

Actually, the BH-40 may be overkill for the M8, perhaps the BH-25 would be a better fit, but I do not have that one so can't say from first-hand experience... My favorite support for the M8 and film Leica M's is the older, smaller Leitz table tripod with the older, smaller version of the Leitz ballhead. Used correctly, this combination is extremely stable, and much more compact (as in pocketable) than the later, larger versions of the tripod/ballhead which I also had. I have pushed the limits of this combo with DSLR's also and was surprised how well it worked, though I would not recommend any long lens use with it!

[deoman]

I have a Kirk "L" plate and also have the Leica handgrip. The handgrip comes connected to a bottom, so the bottom plate which comes with the camera is now free. I mounted the "L" plate on the extra bottom. Whenever I use the M8 on a tripod, I switch bottom plates taking off the handgrip and mounting the other bottom plate with the "L" plate. Simple and effective.

 

Regards

 

Dennis

[gesper]

I have a Kirk "L" plate and also have the Leica handgrip. The handgrip comes connected to a bottom, so the bottom plate which comes with the camera is now free. I mounted the "L" plate on the extra bottom. Whenever I use the M8 on a tripod, I switch bottom plates taking off the handgrip and mounting the other bottom plate with the "L" plate. Simple and effective.

 

Regards

 

Dennis

 

I did exactly the same thing.

[gdewitt]

With my M8 I use an RRS plate B21 which lives on the camera most of the time. The tripod I typically use with the M8 is a Gitzo GT2530 and the head is a Kirk BH-3. Excellent combination. When using a tripod I almost always use a Horseman cable release.

[cjago]

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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.

 

Harris

 

Virtually all my M8 photography is tripod based. For me it replaced medium format gear.

 

Hear is a picture of the M8 with the RRS L bracket and an Acratech ballhead.

 

Mounting an M8 on a tripod | photostream

 

For the occasional handheld shot the L plate works like the accessory handgrip - although you wouldn't want to carry it all day like this.

 

If you only want to use the camera in horizontal mode, then almost any of the big name plates would do fine and not be a hindrance when handheld. I also use the Wimberley generic plate because the anti-twist coating works.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Yes i think what i am going to get for the M8 system is a Gitzo GT1530 and a BH 40 or 25 head . Right now i have a BH-55 and a Gitzo 1327 legs which i had for the DMR system which it was perfect for but trying to decide if i should sell what i have or just buy a smaller setup. Hate selling tripods and heads because i may move to MF and this setup is perfect for it so probably find a lose 800 dollars when the wife is not looking and get the smaller setup.

[nzav]

Yes i think what i am going to get for the M8 system is a Gitzo GT1530 and a BH 40 or 25 head . Right now i have a BH-55 and a Gitzo 1327 legs which i had for the DMR system which it was perfect for but trying to decide if i should sell what i have or just buy a smaller setup. Hate selling tripods and heads because i may move to MF and this setup is perfect for it so probably find a lose 800 dollars when the wife is not looking and get the smaller setup.

 

The BH-40LR resides comfortably on a Gitzo G1227 Mk II. I have even used this setup with my DSLR's and never had vibration or movement. It may be smaller than the 1327, but is still overkill for an M8. If there are any serious winds, just hang the camera bag from the SS hook on the center column to eliminate the effect of the wind on such light gear. It is a lightweight combo, but heavy in performance. If you look at the specs for both the BH-40LR and the Gitzo G1227 Mk II, you will see that you are not even approaching the weight limits of these two.

 

Tripods are like bags; you never have only one! At last count, I have over five ranging from a large Linhof to the Gitzo G1227 Mk II. There may be others hiding in a corner, but these come to mind. The Gitzos are the ones I use most of the time.

 

There is a new line of carbon pods called Induro that you might want to look at. They are supposed to equal or better the Gitzos at a much lower price. When I get some time, I will test some of them and maybe end up with some Gitzos in a corner...

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Nick i think that new GT 1530 or 1540 is very similar to your 1227 which i have used . The GT have that new G lock setup which i played with at a store and it is pretty nice. It's good to 17 lbs which is more than enough for the M8 system, but a nice small setup . What i have is just to big and looks like a corner fixture now. LOL

[hankg]

For something that can fit into a camera bag as an alternative to a monopod try the gorilla pod with the smallest RRS ball head. RRS has a tiny plate that works on the M8. You can wrap the flexible gorilla pod legs around a lampost, fence post, branch etc.

 

For a regular tripod I went from Gitzo carbon-fibre to the Manfrotto ART video CF tripod and a video fluid head. The Manfrotto set up in 4 seconds flat and the set up had 0 vibration, amazing design, I hated the collars on the Gitzo legs. But the Big Manfrotto was overkill for the little M8 so I now have a Berlebach. Wood is natures own carbon fibre -light and cheap. I use a RRS panning clamp directly on the Berlebach leveling column with an RRS L plate on the camera.

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[gerasdoc]

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.

 

Sorry. I do not use them at the same time. I Iike having both for versatility.

[hankg]

One monopod worth looking at is the Adorama knock-off of the old Linhof Monomatic. One click opens and closes the full 5 sections. Great if you have the need of support all the time.

 

PODMATIC Adorama Podmatic 5 Section Monopod w/Case (no head) Our Version Of The Linhof Monomatic

 

It's not as well constructed as a Gitzo or Monostat. But it works as advertised.

[wag]

What about the leica tripod and ballhead?

Brad W

[Photoskeptic]

I'm just responding to the thread title. I haven't read any of the responses. I use a tripod when doing landscape photography which I feel will make a better than average print and will be something commercially viable. I use slow shutter speeds and I take my time.

Now street shooting is an entirely different animal. Obviously you cannot use a tripod. Fast shutter speeds and spontanaeity (sp?) are paramount. So you use what you have depending on what you set out to shoot. And good luck to you all.

[carlos diaz]

Before you buy anything take a look at the Markins Q3 ballhead. It is the small, compact, rotates 360 degrees and is beautifully made. Not cheap but for the M8, it's perfect. I use it with a small and compact Gitzo. I wanted something I could take in a backpack and on a cruise of the Mediterranean. Light and dependable!

CD

[Jager]

Essential Tremor runs on my dad's side of the family, and as I've gotten older it's gotten worse for me. Comes and goes; sometimes its worse than others.

 

The need for higher shutter speeds to overcome that is a good excuse for faster glass. Don't forget that when you're explaining to your wife why you need that new 50 Lux ASPH!

 

I use a Kirk plate on my M8. It's fairly unobtrusive, but it only takes a few seconds to screw it on with the hex key. I usually leave mine off until I'm specifically planning on using a tripod.

 

As for tripods, I have a Gitzo G1228 Mk2 with an Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead. It's a terrific rig, albeit a bit bigger than one needs for an M camera. That prompted me to buy the Gitzo GT1540T Traveller tripod a few weeks ago, which I mounted a Markins Q3 ballhead to. I've only used it a few times, but it's already clear that it is going to be an outstanding rig to use with my M8 (one major consideration for me being that the 1227 won't fit in my motorcycle saddlebags, whereas the GT1540T does - I do a lot of motorcycle trips).

 

Bottom line... the M8 works exceedingly well with a good tripod; and the Kirk or RRS M8-specific Arca-Swiss plates are the way to go.

 

Jeff

[lars_bergquist]

@Lars:

Thanks! I just tried it. Seems to work fine.

I hope Leica fixes those eyelets really well- otherwise we all will have to post our very last M8 photo of all times here:

Flickr: Camera Toss

Regards

Stefan

 

Mrss. Ernst Leitz fixed that on the M3, sometime around 1957. The earlier 'dog's ear' eyelets were less secure. Tom Abrahamson (the well-known camera mechanic, who lives in Seattle but hails from the neck of the woods where I was born, it seems) has told how the weight of a first model 90 mm Summicron – the one with the clamp-on hood – tore out one eyelet on an early M3 and dive-bombed his big toe, with dire consequences both for the hood and the toe. The toe healed, the hood did not – but it seems that the lens itself survived the crash. Those pre-1979 Summicrons had enough brass in them for a pirate's swivel gun.

 

You don't need a ton of strain on that strap however. There's no recoil ... gentle does it.

 

The old man from the Age of Ships of Oak and Men of Iron ;-)

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[jlm]

I use the acra tech on a gitzo 1357 for the 5d, a Gitzo small ball on the gitzo 11xx-something for the m8.

 

what i find lacking on all the ball heads I have seen is the abiltiy to pan in a level plane. essentially, the acratech is upside down. My present workaround is to add a second pan table (RRS) between the acratech shoe and the camera, but htis adds redundancy, height and weight.

 

I may have to design and fab the perfect head...

[gwelland]

For tripod work I have 2 baseplates/grips that I have either a kirk adapter or RRS L bracket attached to. Normally I use the half leather case with no plate (using std base plate) but just attach the appropriate plate/adapter when I'm going tripod shooting.