250swb Posted January 21, 2016 Share #21 Posted January 21, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am using a Gitzo Traveller tripod, GK2580TQD, with a Gitzo GS5370D quick release plate. This tripod has been superseded but with my M240 it works very well. Yes, the M240 line works perfectly with a normal quick release plate, Gitzo or Manfrotto, no special base needed, interchangeable between all cameras, cheap. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 Hi 250swb, Take a look here Using a tripod with M-P (240)?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TerryB Posted January 22, 2016 Share #22 Posted January 22, 2016 I have two M-P 240 bodies and a RRS type 240 L plate and grip. The plate is moved between both bodies without issue, not once have I had a problem. The plate is very well made and a perfect fit. Goes well with my RRS TVC 23, BH40, PC-LR and when I am doing Panos MPR-CL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sml_photo Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share #23 Posted January 23, 2016 Hey! I found something interesting. The Leica Ball Heads...both the 24 and the 38. I never heard of either of these. The only ballheads I knew of were the ones that go on the table-top tripods. Anyways, this would "solve" my issue....I'd prefer not to get a L-bracket for the few times I would use it. And I'm not sure about the camera plates I've seen (though I'm still leaning toward the Peak or RSS). But these Leica ballheads give me some extra flexibility...and they screw right into the camera! I am wondering if the work on tripods besides the Leica Traveler (which I had also never heard of!). Any ideas? (Looks to me like the 24 would work fine with the M-P (240) for basic tripod usage.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted January 23, 2016 Share #24 Posted January 23, 2016 I have 240 M-P's and often use them on tripods. I spent a good deal of time to choose a plate that would be good. I use the Leica grip on both cameras...... not the multi grip, ..... and this is what I ended up doing. I wanted a lip on the plate. I wanted it to be multi directional type plate. I ended with RSS B9 ..... but once attached, with the lip where I wanted it .... a corner of the lip had to be filed away to clear the grip. Also a bit of the side of the plate had to be shaved off to allow the Leica grip to unscrew without hitting and binding against the plate, attached to the bottom of the M-P. PM me for pictures. There are other methods ..... this works for ME. You decide what is best for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sml_photo Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share #25 Posted January 23, 2016 I use the Leica grip on both cameras...... not the multi grip, ..... and this is what I ended up doing. I ended with RSS B9 ..... but once attached, with the lip where I wanted it .... a corner of the lip had to be filed away to clear the grip. Also a bit of the side of the plate had to be shaved off to allow the Leica grip to unscrew without hitting and binding against the plate, attached to the bottom of the M-P. PM me for pictures. There are other methods ..... this works for ME. You decide what is best for you. RRS had recommended the B6 plate for me...I called and asked why since others have stated they use the B9. If I'm understanding correctly, the grip caused a little bit of an issue. I am guessing I wouldn't have the same issue since I don't use a grip. So, I'm gonna take you up on your offer and PM you for pictures. I am trying to decide what's will work best for me! Hard to visualize. (I'm kind of intrigued with my "newly found" option...the Leica tripod heads -- 24 and 38, that is.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted January 23, 2016 Share #26 Posted January 23, 2016 I just put the RSS B9 plate on with the normal baseplate and it fits fine,(no filing needed!). The plate locking screw is more or less just under the lens center, so it's balanced. I would though, recommend filing down the RSS set screws. They require a hex to tighten. File down a groove for a dime or quarter, and you are good to go. I can't comment on the B6, never having used it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kilmister Posted January 23, 2016 Share #27 Posted January 23, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have an M 240-P. I can use a monopod or tripod without the need for a replacement base plate. Maybe it's me but I'm not quite sure what is the reason to pay for a different version of the base. Please explain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sml_photo Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share #28 Posted January 23, 2016 I have an M 240-P. I can use a monopod or tripod without the need for a replacement base plate. Maybe it's me but I'm not quite sure what is the reason to pay for a different version of the base. Please explain. Ha! I'm not sure, either! I just want a secure way to clamp the camera to the ballheads I have....and they have RRS quick release clamps attached. I'm getting the impression that all I need is a RRS or Peak Design plate to screw into the bottom of the existing Leica body. Then, the RRS quick release clamp on the ballhead will hold onto that. Seems to be what many people here are doing. What do you use to attach your tripod and monopod ballheads to the camera? Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted January 23, 2016 Share #29 Posted January 23, 2016 Perhaps when you need to take the card out of the camera in order to scrutinize your shot on a computer? When you want to continue shooting from the very same spot? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 23, 2016 Share #30 Posted January 23, 2016 I have an M 240-P. I can use a monopod or tripod without the need for a replacement base plate. Maybe it's me but I'm not quite sure what is the reason to pay for a different version of the base. Please explain. Peter the RRS replacement baseplate is the means to use their quick release clamps and is the lowest profile way to do that. Other brand quick release arca style clamps may work but fit and compatibility is not certain. Could be no problem or not. he advantage of the L plate attachment is that the camera is right over the centre of the head, not offset to one side by tilting the ballhead. It is a large advantage if you want to stitch images for a panorama for example. Of course as with any camera with a tripod socket you can use a conventional screw attachment. RRS make those plates too that can be fitted to their ballheads. With no L plate facility you lose that advantage of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 23, 2016 Share #31 Posted January 23, 2016 Perhaps when you need to take the card out of the camera in order to scrutinize your shot on a computer? When you want to continue shooting from the very same spot? or change the battery or memory card without disturbing the camera alignment at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 24, 2016 Share #32 Posted January 24, 2016 Ha! I'm not sure, either! I just want a secure way to clamp the camera to the ballheads I have....and they have RRS quick release clamps attached. I'm getting the impression that all I need is a RRS or Peak Design plate to screw into the bottom of the existing Leica body. Then, the RRS quick release clamp on the ballhead will hold onto that. Seems to be what many people here are doing. What do you use to attach your tripod and monopod ballheads to the camera? Thanks! You only need the plate that screws on underneath the camera, everything else, replacement bases etc. is just camera bloat. Of course if go that route you wouldn't be able to join in discussions giving a long list of RRS accessories that you find necessary in order to make a photograph, but you already paid for the camera, it doesn't take that much extra to make it work. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 24, 2016 Share #33 Posted January 24, 2016 or change the battery or memory card without disturbing the camera alignment at all. There is a workaround for that, go prepared with an empty memory card and a fresh battery. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sml_photo Posted January 24, 2016 Author Share #34 Posted January 24, 2016 You only need the plate that screws on underneath the camera, everything else, replacement bases etc. is just camera bloat. Of course if go that route you wouldn't be able to join in discussions giving a long list of RRS accessories that you find necessary in order to make a photograph, but you already paid for the camera, it doesn't take that much extra to make it work. Steve I'm confused...what long list? I am just trying to determine which one of the two plates (that screw on underneath) fit/work best with the M-P (240) and the existing RRS ballhead. And I am trying to avoid camera bloat. And I don't think that the accessories "make a photograph." Just a better photograph, sometimes. Or the ability to try some creative ideas, etc. (I just saw a video of Eliot Erwitt taking photos and he's using a tripod. Seems to help him get his results.) I don't get your point... ?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted January 24, 2016 Share #35 Posted January 24, 2016 With my M9 I used a arca-swiss plate that I attached to the camera baseplate tripod socket. If I needed access to the SD card or battery it was just a matter of removing the baseplate in the normal way. With the M240 I use the RRS baseplate. Since the M240 has the tripod socket in the body - using the plate I used on my M9 would require me to first remove it with an allen wrench before I could then remove the baseplate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 24, 2016 Share #36 Posted January 24, 2016 sml_photo most of the people contributing to this thread for you are just offering their own experiences to help you. You've said that you have RRS ball heads already and you don't particularly need the L Plate features. If the traditional platform style with tripod screw is OK for you, then by far your cheapest simplest option would be just replace the current clamp on the head you have with the RRS threaded screw platform. You can change that setup any time for a different platform. You don't need to buy a whole new ball head, Leica branded or other wise. If you want to use the RRS Quick Release clamp that you have then you can use one of their small plates that screws into your existing tripod socket. Another Arca Swiss design brand may work too. Or you could get the replacement baseplate of course. You don't have to get the L attachment or the grip for that new baseplate at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sml_photo Posted January 24, 2016 Author Share #37 Posted January 24, 2016 sml_photo most of the people contributing to this thread for you are just offering their own experiences to help you. You've said that you have RRS ball heads already and you don't particularly need the L Plate features. If the traditional platform style with tripod screw is OK for you, then by far your cheapest simplest option would be just replace the current clamp on the head you have with the RRS threaded screw platform. You can change that setup any time for a different platform. You don't need to buy a whole new ball head, Leica branded or other wise. If you want to use the RRS Quick Release clamp that you have then you can use one of their small plates that screws into your existing tripod socket. Another Arca Swiss design brand may work too. Or you could get the replacement baseplate of course. You don't have to get the L attachment or the grip for that new baseplate at all. Right. That's essentially what I asked about and what I've learned from the responses. Thx. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmitch6 Posted January 24, 2016 Share #38 Posted January 24, 2016 For what it's worth, when I switched from DLSR's to the M, I switched from quick release plates to a simple screw-in ball head, the Gitzo G1177m. For my shooting style and the light weight of the M platform, it seemed like the simpler solution for me. Glad I went that route. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted January 25, 2016 Share #39 Posted January 25, 2016 When I do travel with both table top and small Gitzo, I take just one Leitz medium (KGOON) ballhead which I switch between platforms. Height-wise it's between the small and large (the latter was only necessitated for taking vertical shots with the end-positioned tripod screw on Leica film bodies), and it has dual threads (1/4" and 3/8") for mounting on the two tripods. And frankly the Leitz ballheads (excepting the small black one) lock down as solidly as a Studioball (those who recall what that is). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tailwagger Posted January 25, 2016 Share #40 Posted January 25, 2016 M240 + RSS L-Bracket and grip with the previous two slot version of the BH-40 on a Gitzo GT2531. No issues with the bracket, fitment its perfect. If there is an issue its that the grip is made of plastic and slippery. IMO, not up to the typical RRS standard. The Leica is a fly weight on this head. I regularly use my 645 cameras with 0 issues on the BH-40. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.