Best Tabletop tripod for M

[farnz]

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45 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I'm also interested in a table tripod. Do you know what the load capacity of the Minox is? Is it good for heavier than a Leica M?

I see a new version has been made - do you (or does anyone else) happen to know if it is of the same quality? 

Hi Paul,

I have no experience of the new Minox tripod, actually I didn't know there was one until you mentioned it.

The load-bearing capacity of the Minox tripod I mentioned is very good and the angle of the splay of the legs when they're screwed into the ball and socket means that there is little risk of it tipping over when on a level surface.  

The angle/rotation of the ball is set and held by screwing the thickest leg into the socket so the more torque that's exerted on the thickest leg dictates whether an off-centre load will cause the ball to move or 'sag'.  There is a neat little design feature that allows you to fit a 50p piece (or other suitable lever) in a gap through the centre of the leg to apply much more torque to the leg to further tighten the ball if needed and since it's all made of chrome-plated steel and the threads are properly tapped they're designed to take plenty of force.

I've used it quite often with an M240 and 50/1 Noctilux and haven't experienced a problem with sag.  I can't remember using a 'llonger' lens with it because I naturally use a full tripod for those.

Pete.

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[farnz]

2 minutes ago, FrozenInTime said:

I have a maybe 25 year old Minox tripod, and it was fine for a 8x11 or 35mm Minox , but much more weight and the ball slips against the elastomer which is in the thickest leg; maybe the elastomer hardens with age ?

Mine doesn't have an elastomer coating - it's all chrome-plated steel as mentioned above so I haven't experienced that problem.

Pete.

[Gelatino]

2 hours ago, Reini said:

But you can't tilt or raise the camera with it. Not very practical ...😌

That's why I add   https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Arca-Swiss-Stabilizer-Compatible-Panasonic/dp/B07RJW34WB/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=Z+folding+pan&qid=1610546151&sr=8-13     

It let set the camera 8cm higher (see photos)  so 12cm with the 4cm given by the minipod , or in portrait mode using it as a L-bracket.

74g for the mini Manfrotto pod +144g for the Z pan make 223g.  This (Franken?)combo  is always in my photobag even in day trip.

I must admit that the Leofoto linked in #5 seems to be quite convenient, may be with a smaller head. 

Edited January 13, 2021 by Gelatino

[John Miranda]

Since I already had an RRS tripod and head, I bought a small RRS pocket pod for international travel when I wanted to go really light.  

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ground-tabletop-lp

 

[Michael Hiles]

I have used the Leica big ball head to hold a Linhof SuperTechnica. Totally solid.

[otto.f]

2 hours ago, Michael Hiles said:

I have used the Leica big ball head to hold a Linhof SuperTechnica. Totally solid.

I fairly admit that the Manfrotto is not stable enough for that camera

[rramesh]

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Leica tabletop tripod with the long ball head. Easiest to setup and use. When packed for travel, separate the ball head from tripod and splay tripod legs so that it does not show up in x-ray like a gun with silencer.

Edited January 14, 2021 by rramesh

[LocalHero1953]

I've ordered a Gitzo from Wex. The Manfrotto 709B has a marginal load capacity for occasional L-mount full frame, the Leica is probably overkill (and I don't need a handgun silhouette), RRS stuff is difficult to get in Europe (last time I had to buy it from Holland or Germany - 'nuff said after Brexit), and the Minox, though attractive, might also have too small a load limit (though it looks fine for the CL). 

[dugby]

My all time favourite table top tripod is this vintage Hakuba of which I have two-

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[Tailwagger]

Can't speak to any comparisons to other manufacturer's models.  I've had the RRS/BH-25 combo for several years now.  As other's have suggested and like all the RRS stuff I've ever owned, build quality is about as good as it gets. For a tiny ball head, as can be seen below, the BH-25 equals the grip of far larger units, so much so that given the weight it can manage one wishes they somehow could find a way to add a drag adjustment. The legs themselves are indeed solid with three leg positions possible and a very positive locking mechanism. While not a feather weight, the kit weighs no more than many M lenses. If the feature set on offer matches your budget and feature requirements, IMO there's no reason to hesitate purchasing.  

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[francesco1466]

I own 2 table tripod: an old russian tripod, similar to the Hakuba above: with a modern, small, ballhead is perfect. I use it with Leica M and Rolleicord.

Two years ago I bought a Manfrotto MTPIXIEVO, very instable

 

 

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[jto555]

OK, this is a bit different but you could try a Gorillapod:

https://joby.com/global/gorillapod-5k-jb01508-config/ 

It will hold 5kg and a big feature is that it can be used to wrap around poles, branches, railings, door frames etc. if you need to stabilise the camera in different scenarios. 

I have one with me on all my shoots. 

[250swb]

On 1/12/2021 at 7:42 PM, stump4545 said:

Any suggestions for best tabletop tripod with maybe ballhead for Leica M10?

Looking for something well built and simple.

I know Really Right Stuff makes a tabletop and Leica, Manfrotto.

Any suggestions to which is best?

 

There isn't one, other than you also carry a table with you everywhere you go.

You may also take a wall with you, or you could find a table or a wall to brace it against on location, but then how far do you have to walk from your chosen camera position to do that, the nearest McDonald's maybe? They are utterly useless, buy a lightweight tripod that you can set up where you want it, having your photography dictated by convenient tables, walls, trees, cars, or fire hydrants is absurd. Manufacturers sell them on the basis you discover how awful they are and come back for a proper tripod later, so it's win-win for them.

Edited January 17, 2021 by 250swb

[astrostl]

28 minutes ago, 250swb said:

There isn't one, other than you also carry a table with you everywhere you go.

You may also take a wall with you, or you could find a table or a wall to brace it against on location, but then how far do you have to walk from your chosen camera position to do that, the nearest McDonald's maybe? They are utterly useless, buy a lightweight tripod that you can set up where you want it, having your photography dictated by convenient tables, walls, trees, cars, or fire hydrants is absurd. Manufacturers sell them on the basis you discover how awful they are and come back for a proper tripod later, so it's win-win for them.

This is a clown response. If tabletop tripods were conceptually flawed, I suspect that the world might have found that out over generations of photography. We clearly have several folks in this thread who like and use them. You're free to prefer full tripods, but your conclusions are personal and neither generalizable nor objectively true.

[Jeff S]

41 minutes ago, 250swb said:

There isn't one, other than you also carry a table with you everywhere you go.

You may also take a wall with you, or you could find a table or a wall to brace it against on location, but then how far do you have to walk from your chosen camera position to do that, the nearest McDonald's maybe? They are utterly useless, buy a lightweight tripod that you can set up where you want it, having your photography dictated by convenient tables, walls, trees, cars, or fire hydrants is absurd. Manufacturers sell them on the basis you discover how awful they are and come back for a proper tripod later, so it's win-win for them.

Chest pod.  

Jeff

[aksclix]

No need to bring a wall, no need to bring a table.. so long as you have your neck you can check out this option I guess 😬

 

[LocalHero1953]

Table tripods are not alternatives to full sized tripods - not in my book anyway. I use my current solution for:
- tables at home for convenience in close up photography.
- tables/walls/floors elsewhere for social group snaps.
- attaching to the foot of my video gimbal while balancing it.
I have two full sized tripods (three, with my antique wooden one) for use when......erm......I want a full sized tripod.

Edited January 18, 2021 by LocalHero1953

[250swb]

9 hours ago, astrostl said:

This is a clown response. If tabletop tripods were conceptually flawed, I suspect that the world might have found that out over generations of photography. We clearly have several folks in this thread who like and use them. You're free to prefer full tripods, but your conclusions are personal and neither generalizable nor objectively true.

There have always been products for photographers who fall for gadgets or take minimalism to such extremes that it becomes impractical. And one thing leads to another in photography. People buy a camera bag that just fits a camera and two lenses with room for little else. They then realise a tripod would be a good idea, but there is nowhere on a small camera bag to sling a lightweight tripod, so they want a 'table top tripod', a useless device and a travesty. Buying a practical sized camera bag in the first place would have been the answer, but for the Leica user boutique bags beckon. That is a generalisation, but it's also an illustration of 'trying to get away with it', or buying equipment that fulfills a immediate minimum need and not a long term practical need. Hence the ambition to carry a table top tripod so refined in it's use that it dictates where you can set it up and which is unlikely to be the best position for the best composition.

9 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Chest pod.  

Jeff

So it's a solid tripod with three legs that is supported on two wobbly legs, patent it, it'll make sense to somebody. A monopod would be more useful if size matters and a halfway house if the camera only needs steadying.

Edited January 18, 2021 by 250swb

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[MarkP]

This has been my mini-tripod of choice for years (I think now discontinued)

http://toolsandtoys.net/reviews/the-manfrotto-209-492-long-tabletop-tripod-kit/

The complete kit also came with a leatherette pouch for tripod and extender tube.

 

And this for when I want to travel very light (this model also discontinued but more secure than the new one)

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/540964-REG/Manfrotto_797_797_Modo_Pocket_Tabletop.html?fromDisList=y

Edited January 18, 2021 by MarkP

[Robert Blanko]

vor 11 Stunden schrieb aksclix:

No need to bring a wall, no need to bring a table.. so long as you have your neck you can check out this option I guess 😬

 

Cool idea, even though there still seems to be some room for improvement... 

I‘m still waiting for my Leofoto Mt-03 which hopefully arrives this week. But I have to admit that I very rarely use a tripod. This is only for travelling and cases of emergency.