Do most Leica users utilize a quick release plate (left on the Leica body) when they use a tabletop tripod or a monopod when shooting low-light situations?

-- Jack Belen (jbelen@aol.com), April 14, 2002

Answers

I don't. And I would be very surprised if 'most' did, at least with M Leicas. Leica is mainly for handheld use and I screw in a tripod only very rarely when I must. The plate would just add to the weight and bulk most of the time.

Ilkka

-- Ilkka (ikuu65@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002.

i love QR plates with an Arca Swiss, a big Gitzo and an SLR with big lens attached, it is really convenient, but never use a big tripod with a leica, and a Arca Swiss is complete overkill for a Leica M. The leica tabletop tripod and large ball and socket screws on very quickly and in my opinion is the correct "size match" for a leica M... it is small enough that you can simply shoot handheld with the tripod simply hanging from the camera or when you wnat you can use that tripod as a chest brace.

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), April 14, 2002.

I use either an older Kirk plate (the 1st version was smaller and didn't cover the entire baseplate, the 2nd version is a copy of the RRS plate which IMO is big, ugly and overkill)or a GMP grip which I detached the silly grip. The reason I use them is not for the QR, but because they center the tripod which gives it better stability and reduces vibrations caused by the cantilevering if the camera's offset tripod threads are used to attach the tripod.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 14, 2002.

I assume you are talking about an M camera. I have a quick release ball head for my tripod which I use often ( I go along with Erwin Puts, if you need a tripod, us a tripod, and forget the folklore about handheld or nothing). It is much quicker than screwing the camera onto the head, and doesn't leave circular marks on your baseplate. But I take it off as soon as its no longer needed as it does spoil the handheld balance of the camera. Additionaly a M Grip from Leica centres the socket under the lens axis.

-- Steve Barnett (barnet@globalnet.co.uk), April 15, 2002.

I use the latest Kirk M plate. Very nice too. I like it because it means you can lock the camera anywhere along its length, which is useful if using a table top tripod in a tight space. Definitely nicer if you do take it on and off a tripod at all frequently. It does increase the size of the camera a bit, but actually I find this improves the grip when turning the camera vertical.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), April 15, 2002.

I use the R8 and have Novoflex quick release screws on both bodies. I place a circular piece of dental dam between the screw and the baseplate in order to prevent any markings/scratches and this works beautifully. I use the "medium" Novoflex magic ball and this is perfect even for my heavier lenses such as the 70-180mm F2.8. It is well built and truely dependable.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), April 15, 2002.

Hello, I use an Arca B1 an the Arca Leica M Baseplate when photographing landscapes. It's fast and worth the results

Greetings

-- Ralph Busskamp (ralph.busskamp@philips.com), April 16, 2002.