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With all due respect, if you didn't realize that tripods & heads can be chosen & purchased separately to suit the specific needs of the user, my recommendation would be to spend more time researching, asking questions - as you are doing here, now - and visiting reputable dealers of quality equipment to gather information of what's available and what works.

As far as the hardware, you can't go wrong with GITZO and / or RRS. RRS is slightly more $$, more modern, better made in my opinion and the Company offers exceptional customer service, but is not available through dealers / distributors.

If you'll permit me to offer an empirically gained opinion, the head and its capabilities and how the camera is secured to the head, which broadly translates to what you will be able to do quickly and efficiently while the camera is used in conjunction with the tripod / head arrangements is an important part of the decision. Consequently, I strongly recommend an L-plate with a quick-release base, to enable you to change from 'landscape' format to 'portrait' alignment in a metter of seconds. Also imortant is not to choose too small and light a head. I guarantee a great deal of frustration and disappointment if you you, as so many others have for the sake of saving a little money and a few grams of weight. The SL and its lenses are heavy.............this is not the place to skimp on avoir-du pois. 

Please see the SL /24-90 arrangement below. This has served me very well and reliably for many years and countless trips, still works flawlessly, and most importantly - has become second nature. 

JZG

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....................here is the SL with my  90-280 lens, which has been equipped with a base plate to work with the same tripod / head set-up. Works very well and reliably.

JZG

JZG

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JZG 

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1 hour ago, hirohhhh said:

Thanks for all suggestions. Dumb question, but why some tripods comes with separate legs and heads? I don't have much experience since I bought my Manfrotto tripod two years ago when I bought my first DSLR and since then I haven't tried anything else. But that tripod was legs and head altogether. I didn't know they're sold separately.

Because tripod makers do not necessarily make the best heads and head makers do not necessarily make the best tripods. They are joined together by a simple threaded bolt, so there is plenty of scope for specialists in tripods and heads to be mixed and matched. I have an Acratech head on my Benro tripod for my SL, and a much lighter Markin head on a Gitzo tripod for my CL. 

I don't know where you are, but RRS kit, though reported as great, is not easy to find and see in the flesh in the UK. I have one of their baseplates, but otherwise would not buy anything more expensive without the chance to inspect it.

I have never felt the need for an L plate, because I don't need to change from landscape to portrait quickly in my work. You need to decide if you need that speed - and weight and cost. 

You need to decide how to attach your camera to the tripod/head. Aside from the traditional slow tedious screw, there are two quick release systems: Manfrotto and Arca-Swiss. Having owned the former, I now much prefer the latter: more secure and a wider range of brands to choose from. These QR systems both assume you will attach a base plate to the camera. There are lots of brands all making plates in the Arca-Swiss shape (including Arca-Swiss). I have a RRS universal plate because it was the slimmest option, and it was a low risk item to buy remotely. But I also have a Markin plate ( a bit chunky) and a tiny Peak Design one for the CL.

Edited by LocalHero1953
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Ohh, thank you both for the comprehensive answers!

Unfortunately, dealers in my small country doesn't have anything except some shitty cheap tripods, so I almost never go to shop or see anything locally. Everything I ever bought was on trips or online from international websites, but if I had an opportunity to go around the corner and see it live, I won't bother you here on forums :)

I have SL with 24-90 and 90-280, doing mostly studio portrait work and yes, I hold the camera mostly vertically, which makes camera even harder to hold. At least my old Manfrotto has more problems in portrait than landscape mode.

I'll check everyhing you suggested, as well tripods from the link Jeff mentioned above and I already see plenty of options, but considering I probably won't be able to try it before I purchase online, I'll have to either go with the solution that works for someone else with the same camera/lens as mine, or hope it will work fine.

I have the amazing equipment and it's a pleasure to work with, but I had that Manfrotto tripod that was the only thing that screws that experience every time. Finally I throw it away today and I'll need a replacement asap :)

John - does that head holds 90-280 in portrait mode equally firmly?

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Remember that the best place to support the SL+90-280 is on the lens itself, and that the lens ring and foot rotate. It's one case where you don't need a tripod/head/mount that deal specifically with portrait mode.

Edited by LocalHero1953
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For a lens like the 90-280 I would recommend a RRS tripod and ball head paired with a Wimberley Sidekick. 

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Edited by Leicaiste
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For smaller lenses the RRS BSL camera plate for the SL is a must. 

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On 6/13/2019 at 10:30 PM, hirohhhh said:

 but I had that Manfrotto tripod that was the only thing that screws that experience every time. Finally I throw it away today and I'll need a replacement asap :)

 

Supposing you bought your Manfrotto correctly based on the weight the legs can support you may only have needed a new heavier weight Manfrotto head. Tripod heads simply unscrew unlesss it is a very, very cheap tripod. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with Manfrotto heads but like all manufacturers they make lots of different types to support different cameras.

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There is a new tripod come out from Velbon part numbers 39231 or HY127. This has a built in seat on it. I cannot stand for more than about 10 minutes any one time due to my degenerative scoliosis, so not only would this be a good tripod for me but also a useful portable seat. Intro 2020 in the UK do not stock it but can order it at a cost of £220 (maybe + tax - don't know). Velbon Italy do have it in stock but at considerably more than Intro 2020 €272 + tax. There is a youtube video on it here 

Wilson 

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I have a couple of tripods (alright...maybe slightly more than that) around the house.  However, ever since I got the SL, I've been trying to get a tripod that complements my setup and I was really lucky to find a brand new Leica Trica 1 during a Leica Store sale in Singapore last year.  

The Trica 1 was released in 2008/2009 I think and it is a tall 3-section tripod.  Even without extending the center column, the viewfinder of my SL is about 1.75m from the floor.  If I fully extend the center column, the viewfinder is about 2m tall......just nice for Darth Vader or any NBA guys :D

Being a carbon fibre tripod, it does not flex as much even with a 90-280mm, SF64 and a SL with grip attached.

Love the construction and rarity of this tripod....

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16 minutes ago, pico said:

It needs a cup holder.

Cup holder, CUP HOLDER? Holder for a cut crystal malt whisky glass might be an idea now 😂

Wilson

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I find it difficult to balance and frame correctly a lens as big as the 90-280 without a gimbal. 

 

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Or a Sidekick. 

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  • jaapv changed the title to What tripod for Leica SL {merged}
9 hours ago, Leicaiste said:

I find it difficult to balance and frame correctly a lens as big as the 90-280 without a gimbal. 

 

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That’s a very unique looking mount.....it works like a gimbal ?

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19 hours ago, wlaidlaw said:

There is a new tripod come out from Velbon part numbers 39231 or HY127. This has a built in seat on it. I cannot stand for more than about 10 minutes any one time due to my degenerative scoliosis, so not only would this be a good tripod for me but also a useful portable seat. Intro 2020 in the UK do not stock it but can order it at a cost of £220 (maybe + tax - don't know). Velbon Italy do have it in stock but at considerably more than Intro 2020 €272 + tax. There is a youtube video on it here 

Wilson 

Very interesting tripod with a chair.  Sadly, it only takes up to 80kg.  That means I’d have to chop off either one or two off my own legs.....

Like you, I am also suffering from degenerative cervical & lumbar spondylosis which prevents me from walking or standing for too long.  This tripod chair would be great if it can withstand a heavier load....

Edited by fotonutzz
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Its great to re-read an old topic. 

My tripod journey has been stabilized ( :)- although I did buy a Gitzo 1-series tripod by accident (G-1297). There was an auction for it with with a low starting price and that is what I bid and won, so as the cost was only $140. I havent used it yet nor travelled with it - my usual work destination has temperatures of 36-48C so leaving the hotel is not exciting. 

The PMG44 is still really good to use and for the 350mm lens, I have a Gitzo gimbal too, otherwise the Arca Swiss heads are a favourite. 

The Manfrotto remains for use where I want to extend the camera horizontally. 

Gitzo 3 series is under utilized and should probably go. 

The Gitzo 1 and 2 now compete for use when travelling - I will tell you after summer. 

The RRS right angle plates are the best and I just wish there was one for the Q. 

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On 6/16/2019 at 4:27 AM, fotonutzz said:

That’s a very unique looking mount.....it works like a gimbal ?

Yes.

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/FG-02-Fluid-Gimbal-Head

 

 

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