Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/03/28

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Tripod usage
From: Jim Brick <jim@brick.org>
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 17:17:28 -0800

A few years ago, one of my B1's jammed. I had to send it back to get it
unjammed.

Jim

At 05:02 PM 3/29/98 -0600, you wrote:
>At 01:13 PM 29/03/98 -0800, you wrote:
>>I just bought a new Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 for my R8 and M6 but it is
>>difficult and not fast enough to release the camera from the Bogen head
>>that was also sold with it. Does anyone within the LUG, using either
>>Leica Rs or Ms, have any experience using the ARCA Swiss B1 head on
>>their tripod? I've read two good ratings on it and need opinions from
>>Leica body users. Thanks.
>>
>>
>I have the first version of the B1.  It has never jammed.  (The jamming
>problem you may have read about is just a red herring.)  I lost the set
>screw once and had it replaced.  The newer version does not lose the set
>screw.  Nice head.  Quick camera positioning, and solid.  No creep.  Plates
>can add up to cost nearly as much as the head though.
>   Sometimes when lining the camera up for a vertical, I have to swing it
>around 180 degrees first to line up with the drop notch, because on one
>side it does not go all the way down to vertical, unless one of the tripod
>legs is shortened ;)  Drop notches on two sides would be an improvement.
>   Get a B1 or a B1G if you plan to use heavy telephoto lenses.  I've
>clamped about 5 kg on the B1 and it works just fine with those weights.
>Stay away from the B2.  It is not a monoball head.  Also, forget the B1E.
>You give up the rotational panning bed and the lower scale which shows
>degrees of rotation.
>
>
>-GH
>