Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/02/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Thanks! That looks like a really good option. I might be getting up to NYC in the next few weeks where I'll be able to drop into B&H and get my grubby little hands on them and check them out. Thanks again! Scott Henning Wulff wrote: > At 9:53 AM -0500 2/17/06, Scott McLoughlin wrote: > >> There's a cool new Gitzo portable CF tripod where the center column >> sort of "flips over" somehow to eliminate the folded extra length >> added by the tripod head. But IIRC, it's > $600. >> >> But for various personal reasons, I've just got to keep my spendy >> habbits >> in check for a while :-) or is that :-( > > > > It's called the 'Traveller' series, and that's the G1158T I mentioned, > and the price is why I mentioned the G1197 Basalt :-). The latter > seems very good value to me, and would be the one I would get now if I > hadn't bought the CF tripods earlier. > >> Just need something small and light that will allow me to shoot some >> slow films without bright daylight. I've got a nice pair of M6TTL's, >> a RRS Arca Swiss style plate, a nice sturdy Linhof cable release, a set >> of Leica lenses (current 28/50/90) that that surpass my abilities to >> make >> full use of them, and a good chunk of Delta 100 in the freezer and >> access >> to some of the slower Efke emulsions. >> >> Now I've just got to put it all together with a portable tripod, and do >> so with some exercise of home economics. >> >> Someone pointed out a Chinese (gasp!) CF tripod that seems like a Gitzo >> clone - the Feisol CT-3301N. Even lighter than some of the Bogen models >> I've considered, something around $250 for the legs, and Googling >> around, >> owners seem to like theirs. >> >> I'll keep researching and shopping for a while. >> >> Scott >> >> Henning Wulff wrote: >> >>> >>> I've had a number of Manfrotto tripods as well as Gitzo, and in my >>> opinion the Gitzos are worth every penny. They have proven >>> themselves to be much more durable, and off more real stability for >>> considerably less weight. I currently use two Gitzo CF tripods (as >>> well as some aluminum ones): a 1028 and a 1228. The 1028, which >>> weighs about 750gms, is completely sufficient for Leica M useage as >>> long as there is no wind. It's about 138cm high when extended, which >>> is a bit short but generally fine for travel. >>> >>> If I got one tripod now for travel, etc. and money wasn't an issue, >>> I would get a G1158T, which goes up to 149cm and folds down to about >>> 41cm, and weighs just under 1kg. It's good for any M with any lens. >>> If I wanted to save some money, I would get the G1197 Basalt, which >>> is considerably cheaper and weighs 1.2kg and doesn't fold to quite >>> as compact a bundle. I would take this over either the MF3 or MF4 >>> Bogen/Manfrotto tripods any day, and the price is in the same range. >>> >>> Note that carbon fiber or basalt tripods absorb vibrations a lot >>> more than aluminum tripods, so if the load capacity is adequate (and >>> it usually is) then you can often go down one size and get the same >>> performance. >>> >>> For medium/small tripods I've found Cullman ballheads to give the >>> best performance/weight ration, and the two that I use on the carbon >>> Gitzo's are extremely smooth. Something like the 904 Cullman (230gm) >>> is completely adequate for the 1 series Gitzo tripods. You can add a >>> small Bogen/Manfrotto quick release such as the 3299 system which is >>> completely adequate. I use the 394 adapter and 3271 plates because >>> they match other heads I use, but the 3271 plates are a bit large, >>> so I used a Dremel tool to remove unnecessary parts and whittle it >>> down to Leica M size. >> > -- Pics @ http://www.adrenaline.com/snaps Leica M6TTL, Bessa R, Nikon FM3a, Nikon D70, Rollei AFM35 (Jihad Sigint NSA FBI Patriot Act)