Re: [Leica] tripod

["Bill Christensen" <billc@xsite.net>]

You may wish to look at the Gitzo carbon fiber (mountaineer) models.  They
cost a king's ransom but are a delight to tote around due to their
comparatively light weight and are rock solid.  I never leave home without
mine.

Bill Christensen
- ----- Original Message -----
From: <Krechtz@aol.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2000 1:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] tripod


> In a message dated 8/30/00 11:54:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> res02bd8@gte.net writes:
>
> << It would be great to have a large stable tripod on the trail if it was
easy
>  to transport and carry to where the pictures are.  :>) >>
>
> I once had an assortment of large and small tripods I had accumulated over
a
> period of years, including several medium to large Bogen (Manfrotto)
models,
> which are widely regarded as among the best all-around price performers.
> After spending a half day in a photo shop comparing the integrity of
various
> units by setting them up, applying varying amounts of weight and
attempting
> to flex the legs and tip the tripods, I came to the inescapable conclusion
> that the Gitzos were clearly the strongest, most rigid and most stable in
> each size and capacity class, and virtually always lighter as well.  If
you
> find that added mass or weight is necessary for a given application, the
> units are more than strong enough to handle a loaded camera bag or other
> ballast slung underneath.  I even went so far as to buy a tripod with four
> leg segments, in outright defiance of the conventional wisdom that so many
> sections would compromise rigidity.  I have had no problems at all, except
> that one instance in zero-degree weather when I inadvertantly tightened
the
> center column from underneath when I meant to loosen it.  What the hell...
>
> Joe Sobel
>