I am looking for advice on what tripod I should buy to use with my new Leica M8.
I come from a DSLR background and my days of humphing heavy gear around when travelling are, hopefully, over.
I have purchased the M8 as a travel camera and therefore am looking for a good quality tripod/head combination that will fold up quite small and be light (otherwise I'll be defeating the purpose of getting the Leica in the first place).
I am guessing that a set of carbon fibre legs and a light ball head will be the way to go?
Thanks in advance
Daniel
Full Version: Travel Tripod for use with Leica M8
QUOTE (dhansak79 @ Sep 29 2008, 07:28 AM)
I am looking for advice on what tripod I should buy to use with my new Leica M8.
Well, if light is what you want, I'll recommend the Feisol 3441B. http://www.feisol.com/
I use one with my 5D & it's fine up to the point where I'm using a large zoom with a multiplier. For an M8 it would be more than adequate.
My only complaint is that the CB-30 quick release plate is round & you have to watch that you insert it straight or it will jam.
Otherwise I'm completely satisfied, especially at the price.
Feisol's models are a little confused. I have the 3441S which may or may not be the successor to the 3441B. I was not comfortable buying the Feisol ball head and bought the littlest Markins instead.
This is a very light, rigid tripod folding to a compact dimension. Perhaps more rigid than is really necessary with a Leica - i think it's adequate for my Canon with 100-400 or 400DO (as long as you don't jack the center column up).
The other alternative is the Gitzo Traveler which has a price comensurate with the Leica, and probably stout enought depending on your use - but definitely a step below the Feisol in capacity and rigidity.
This is a very light, rigid tripod folding to a compact dimension. Perhaps more rigid than is really necessary with a Leica - i think it's adequate for my Canon with 100-400 or 400DO (as long as you don't jack the center column up).
The other alternative is the Gitzo Traveler which has a price comensurate with the Leica, and probably stout enought depending on your use - but definitely a step below the Feisol in capacity and rigidity.
i think you should use Gitzo or manfrotto Carbon fiber series tripods.
QUOTE (stever @ Sep 29 2008, 10:04 PM)
Feisol's models are a little confused. I have the 3441S which may or may not be the successor to the 3441B. I was not comfortable buying the Feisol ball head and bought the littlest Markins instead.
This is a very light, rigid tripod folding to a compact dimension. Perhaps more rigid than is really necessary with a Leica - i think it's adequate for my Canon with 100-400 or 400DO (as long as you don't jack the center column up).
The other alternative is the Gitzo Traveler which has a price comensurate with the Leica, and probably stout enought depending on your use - but definitely a step below the Feisol in capacity and rigidity.
This is a very light, rigid tripod folding to a compact dimension. Perhaps more rigid than is really necessary with a Leica - i think it's adequate for my Canon with 100-400 or 400DO (as long as you don't jack the center column up).
The other alternative is the Gitzo Traveler which has a price comensurate with the Leica, and probably stout enought depending on your use - but definitely a step below the Feisol in capacity and rigidity.
I ordered a Gitzo Traveler tripod today. A bit pricey but definitely the lightest and most compact I could find.
It won't be used that heavily so I needed something as small as possible.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Daniel
It won't be used that heavily so I needed something as small as possible.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Daniel
The Gitzo is a great tripod... but along with my Gitzo 3540LS I always carry my Leitz tabletop tripod and Leitz ball head. You should be able to find these used on e-bay.
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