Guest guy_mancuso Posted May 11, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 11, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well i just went through a major face lift when it came to tripods and heads which i just sold everything and started fresh . What I had was a RRS BH-55 and 1327 tripod which is way to big for the M8 and also had a Kirk 3 and 1228 Gitzo tripod which was very nice but to small. So looking at the new G- Lock series that Gitzo just introduced which by far is a better lock system than before . You can loosen all the legs when folded than extend everything and lock them individually which before with the old setup you had to do each leg section in order from top to bottom which was pretty slow in opening and closing. So i sold everything and bought the Really Right Stuff BH-40 which is a perfect ballhead for the M8 even with a a long 135mm apo on it or a Visoflex setup. it holds i think 18 lbs which is not a big head with a lot of overkill and the lever clamp does not stick in your face like the bigger BH-55 head. Than i went with the Gitzo GT 2540 L tripod legs. the 3500 series it seemed like overkill again but i wanted the most height I could get in the 2500 series so went with the L . The tripod has a 26 lb limit which seems perfect for the M8 . Just got it two days ago and i think i hit a perfect setup for the M8 system. i also orderd a BH-25 for the monopod that i currently have So if your thinking about a new setup or want to improve on what you have i found this head to be one of the best around and the legs seem to be exactly what I want. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 11, 2007 Posted May 11, 2007 Hi Guest guy_mancuso, Take a look here M8 and the Tripod quandry. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rvaubel Posted May 11, 2007 Share #2 Posted May 11, 2007 Guy How about some pictures of your new tripod setup? I'm about to get envolved in a major tripod downsizing excercise as most of my equipment is appropriate for my Canon 20D setup rather than the M8. You seem to have the ability to pick equipment that fits "the nitch" . Save me a lot of trouble and post some pictures! Rex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted May 11, 2007 Share #3 Posted May 11, 2007 I will do that today . But to get you started look at http://www.reallyrightstuff.com and http://www.gitzo.com/jsp/index.jsp Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertknappmd Posted May 11, 2007 Share #4 Posted May 11, 2007 Luigi made a modified leather halfcase that accomodates my Kirk M8 fast release plate. It is beautifully engineered and makes life alot easier. The leather case has the Luigi screw (see his website) placed in the center and you attach the Kirk fast release to this. At first I thought that this would be a pain as it takes a few moments to assemble/disassemble... BUT, given the fact that the M8 will shoot over 187 DNG files on a simple 2GB card, I cannot see this assembly/disassembly issue as being a deal breaker... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfarkas Posted May 11, 2007 Share #5 Posted May 11, 2007 I just got back from Arizona (sorry we missed each other Guy) and took the Gitzo GT1155T Traveller tripod. It's 2lbs, has a small ball head, is full height when extended, yet folds up to a mere 14" (small enough to fit inside my laptop case). It did a great job considering the M8 weighs nothing and the lenses are all short. I also have the GT2450, which is great. I use that for the DMR. The new 2 series with G-Lock is as strong as the previous 3 series. I can hang from my 2540 (literally) and there is nary a wobble. I do weigh more than 26lbs, btw. The Gitzo specs are very conservative. For me, the 2540 is just overkill for the M8. My recommendation is go small and be happy. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted May 11, 2007 Share #6 Posted May 11, 2007 Yes David sorry we missed each other. The 2540 i bought because i wanted maximum height . The 2530 folds even smaller, and yes i do like a little overkill but what i had was way to much. This setup at least is a little more realistic. These are not cheap either the tripod alone was 650 and the head 375. David runs Dale labs in Florida and can be a nice resource on the Gitzo line of tripods Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvaubel Posted May 11, 2007 Share #7 Posted May 11, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I will do that today . But to get you started look at Really Right Stuff...for photography afield and Gitzo SA | le choix des professionels Guy Thanks for the links. Your combo looks perfect. One of the reasons I like a picture with the camera mounted is it gives me an idea of the scale or size of the tripod/head. I can't tell you how many times I have ordered something on the internet and had it end up being bigger(or smaller) than I imagined. Especially camera bags ! Rex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted May 11, 2007 Share #8 Posted May 11, 2007 I thought in the Leica idiom, tripods were verboten along with flash Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted May 11, 2007 Share #9 Posted May 11, 2007 I find myself on the road with the a similar combination - i.e. M8 and Gitzo 1550T Traveller combo. It's great because I can fold the 1550 and put it in my checked luggage and it's extremely light weight and handles the M8 and 75/90 lenses without problem. I put a Kirk plate adapter on top although I think that I'll shortly replace the head with an Acratech - the Gitzo head lacks the total control compared to a small Acratech/RRS etc. The beauty of this combo is that it's light enough but rigid enough so that it's easy to take along. For travelling with the car, I use a bigger combo similar to Guy but with an Arca Swiss head. The Gitzo traveller's are great when you need something rigid and light but obviously can't match up to their bigger breathren for ultimate rigidity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted May 11, 2007 Share #10 Posted May 11, 2007 I thought in the Leica idiom, tripods were verboten along with flash Indeed, whenever I want my M8 pics to look soft and squidgy I shoot without a tripod in low light ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted May 11, 2007 Share #11 Posted May 11, 2007 Okay Rex these are real quick and dirty shots and count the legs so you know how high it was it is a 4 section tripod 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/23854-m8-and-the-tripod-quandry/?do=findComment&comment=252205'>More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted May 11, 2007 Share #12 Posted May 11, 2007 couple more. 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/23854-m8-and-the-tripod-quandry/?do=findComment&comment=252208'>More sharing options...
mitchell Posted May 11, 2007 Share #13 Posted May 11, 2007 I have the RRS BH-25, and Gitzo 1227 legs, and I'm very happy with this setup. The BH-40 seems like overkill for me, though I don't have a 135mm. The BH-25 doesn't have a panning control, but I don't miss it. I like having just one lever to adjust. Best, Mitchell Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted May 11, 2007 Share #14 Posted May 11, 2007 I need the panning for many things , mainly portraits i can move as they do. The Bh-40 is a strong head and can hold more than the M8 for sure. i like just a little overkill in the tripod area just in case i have to rent a 400 2.8 or something i can at least handle it. I did order the BH-25 for my monopod , yea even more overkill. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerasdoc Posted May 11, 2007 Share #15 Posted May 11, 2007 I purchased the same setup about two months ago after getting my M8. I'm very happy with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
losta Posted May 12, 2007 Share #16 Posted May 12, 2007 I have a RRS BH-25 and BH-40 that use plates for my 5D and L bracket. I really don't want to put a plate on my M8 but am considering a BH-25 with plain screwmount for the M8. Is anyone using this type of set up? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
c6gowin Posted May 12, 2007 Share #17 Posted May 12, 2007 losta - I undersand about not wanting to put a tripod plate on the M8 full time. I got the Leica grip for normal use and then got a RRS plate and attached it to the standard Leica M8 baseplate. This arrangement makes it very easy to switch from grip to tripod mount simply by changing base plates. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenerrolrd Posted May 12, 2007 Share #18 Posted May 12, 2007 Guy I have been using the BH-40 and the Gitzo 1228 since I received my first M8 in January. I have found being maybe one size larger than necessary makes the handling a lot easier. Using the small RRS plate and leave it on the camera all the time. Have you found the new Gitzo to be a real improvement over the 1228 ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted May 12, 2007 Share #19 Posted May 12, 2007 At first hated the fact of having RRS plates on both M8's but the one nice thing on RRS plates is there smooth and round at the edges so it feels comfortable in your hands . I have slightly bigger ones there the general style the M8 i believe is much smaller. The one shown in the photo's has a slot for a hand grip in it. The 2500 series replaces the 1200 series but I found the new setup is stronger with the G locks actually Gitzo says 20 percent and i believe that to be true. My 1228 was just to small to be the primary trpod for travel it was great or even smaller. Was really trying to find a middle ground between the 2500 and 3500 series reason i went with a L was for the height which overall is taller than me , not saying much there I'm 5 ft 8 on a good day. LOL i do like the G lock setup much better but if you sell your 1228 which i did and got 300 or so and a new 2540L is 650 so there is a 350 dollar difference. Now you could go with a 2530 or something that maybe slightly cheaper. Best advice is go to a store and play with one which is exactly what i did just too see if it is worth the change over Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andit Posted May 12, 2007 Share #20 Posted May 12, 2007 Hi guys, Ok, so this going to be s real stupid question - looking at the photo's posted above, what do you have attached to the shutter release button? Does this attachment offer any benefits? Like I said, stupid question, but I have not seen something like that before. Andreas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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