I need a lightweight travel tripod that's sturdy enough to support a M6, Contax G1 & T3 If possible, I'd like to get something that comes up close to eye level (about 5'8", in my case). I'm thinking a lightweight Gitzo carbon fiber G1127 and appreciate some suggestion on which type of head ball in this situation.

Also, can anyone point me to a web resource for translating all these tripod model numbers into sizes, prices, etc.?

-- KL (klrltl@yahoo.com), October 23, 2001

Answers

KL,

I would go with the lightweight Gitzo CF's... and I have a G1128 (four leg sections instead of 3 on the G1127) that has never been taken out of the house... i intended to use it with small cameras, but have found that i only need a tripod for my SLR system... if i need a small camera i don't want a tripod. Thus I am selling mine... and will be selling it on Auction for America (all proceeds go to the Red Cross)... if you are interested in buying it, it is truly in new shape (only used around the house a few times) for testing with the original box and all that. I have found that a Leica large ball and socket is the best ballhead for this legset (which has a socket that can be reversed for this smaller size as well as the normal one - i.e. Arca Swiss B1). The Leica Large ball is the best lightweight ballhead you can buy (in my opinion)... the only disadvantage is that it doesn't have tension, which really isn't much of a problem unless you are shooting animals or sports with long tele lenses. If you want to dontate $450 to the Red Cross, i will ship it to you in the Contitnetal US (please only do this if this is above and beyond what you would have donated to charity anyways... otherwise the charity simply looses out on the value of the tripod)... i have references in photo.net's User Recommendation section. Gitzo's website is at www.gitzo.com... prices can be found at the standard in US photographic suppliers: www.bhphotovideo.com... or also www.robertwhite.co.uk, which tends to have good prices (i bought mine there, but you have to remember to add shipping - about $60 - and import fees, which vary with the value of the order).

If you have any more questions please don't hessitate to ask.

Matthew

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), October 23, 2001.

Just a few other tips as I like carrying the same type of thing on my bike for the best shots early in the morning or late in the evening and I don't have any 'luxes and I don't like high speed films. If you really need a Gitzo carbon, get one. For me they are, yes, very light, but too expensive and not especially small (for my back-pack). I once had a Gitzo, which always hurt my hand while screwing the legs (oops) but traded it in for my present day Manfrotto 290. Height about 5 feet plus topping, my favourite of which is Linhof's Profi Ballhead II. Check out http://www.manfrotto.com. They too make carbons. If you're really interested in really small pods, I can't help recommending you also check out Leica's own Tablelap tripod (14100) plus head (14110). See http://www.leica-camera.com/produkte/msystem/m6ttl/zu behoer/stativ/index_e.html. It's amazing how solid and universal this baby is, against your chest, against the tree, on the fence etc etc. It's expensive because it's Leica. Also don't forget Really Right Stuff's Body Plate B30. Mounts your M6 dead center. Best quality and best service. See http://www.reallyrightstuff.com

Lot's of luck. Mike

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), October 23, 2001.

One of the best lightweight tripods I've found is the Gitzo 026. It's next in line after their tabletop. And a Gitzo 1175 Ballhead. Once you learn to use this combo, it's very lightweight, compact, and rigid. Total should run you about $200.

-- Leicaddict (leicaddict@hotmail.com), October 23, 2001.

Most of my photographs are taken during trekking in remote areas, so weight and portability is an issue for me. You can get any small tripod if you only want to hold the camera, but if you need a serious, flexible and portable support I have found that Giottos 1128 is excellent (but expensive). It is tall enough under most circumstances and also very solid and flexible if you want to take macro pictures or mountaineering pictures in extreme slopes or for photographing small waterfalls if you have to be into the water and with rocks around you. I use this tripod for my R6.2 and my only two lenses (50mm 2f and 100mm APO 2.8f) but it is solid enough even for medium format (I believe). I also use Giottos MH1001 ball-head and Giottos plate-release, they are well made, solid, reliable and they will not ruin your account. I have removed the tension knob of this ball-head because I do not find it useful, so you could go for a Giottos ball-head without tension knob which is slightly cheaper. Some people say that click leg stops are faster than screwed legs, I find screwed legs more reliable and compact and not a problem once you get use to them. For my sort of photography (90% of my trekking photos are taken with tripod and many kilometres away from transport) a tripod like this is convenient, but before buying such an expensive toy, first think of what you require.

-- Javier (elrebeco@hotmail.com), October 23, 2001.

Here's an alternative suggestion: instead of a monopod or small tripod for travel, consider packing a beanbag. There's almost always some solid support you can locate to plop it on. I used to bring a small tripod for travel, a table top tripod when cycling, etc. However, I've found if I can just squash a side or corner or bottom of the camera onto a vibration-damping beanbag, long exposures are no problem. Probably at least as steady as a monopod, which you need to hold steady in any case. If there is no obvious support around--a tree, a bench, a fence, a wall--you can just cushion your camera against a beanbag on your chest or face. I know it sounds silly, but the inertia of the bag still does the job. I make "beanbags" filled with linseed, dry lentils, or small grain--it's easy to tell when the material damps vibration. The bag packs anywhere, of course.

-- Tim Nelson (timothy.nelson@yale.edu), October 23, 2001.

FWIW, with the M6 and other light gear I use the Linhof Universal Ballhead-I ($93) with the Really Right Stuff (805-528-6321) B2 clamp ($76) and B30 plate ($73). (Prices are approximate + shipping.)

The UB-I ballhead is smaller than the Profi’s (which are also a nice ballheads.) It is inexpensive, smooth, locks solidly and pans with the ball locked. It is not for heavy cameras or long lenses though.

Good luck, happy shooting, Jeff

-- Jeff Stuart (jstuart1@tampabay.rr.com), October 23, 2001.

I use a Gitzo 1248 - it is only a few ounces heavier, extends taller, and supports significantly more weight than the 1128, yet still fits in a standard 22" carry-on. For the head, I use a Gitzo 2 series ballhead, which is also very lightweight.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), October 23, 2001.

I also use the Gitzo 026 for the Leica M. The only problem with this tripod is that to reach eye-level requires extending the two-section center column, which almost equals again the height of the legs up to the yoke. Thus, you have to use a cable release and block any wind with your body, or make like a wildlife photographer and keep your face in contact with the camera and left hand resting passively on top, to absorb any vibrations. Many times I get away with not extending the center column at all, and just get down on my knees...this provided nothing is blocking my view from that low height. I also always carry a Leica table tripod, which except in rural areas, I always seem to be able to find something to brace it against or set it on. I own a Gitzo CF 1228, but I have never used it with Leica M, nor would I ever consider carrying the two together. If I have the gumption to carry a full-sized tripod, I'll carry a 35mm SLR at the very least.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), October 23, 2001.

Sorry for the above mistake, I meant "Gitzo 1128" instead of "Giotto 1128"!!

-- Javier (elrebeco@hotmail.com), October 23, 2001.