Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/04/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Gee, guys and gals... how do you really feel about tripods? It's pretty obvious at this point that the respondent LUG members prefer to not use a tripod, and those others have yet to pose a response, let me start to be helpful....... If you are going to go for long exposures, below the speed at which you can hand-hold steady, or wish to really get the best from your lenses, a tripod is required. There are a lot of points to make about tripods in general..... 1) If you are traveling, and wish to put it into your travel luggage, then it must fit inside. ( seems obvious?)..... The 1550 is 14 inches long. Should fit into almost any luggage you wish. 2) It also must be tall enough at extension to reach your eye, with camera attached. How tall are you? The 1550 is 4 feet tall without the column extended ( where you get the most stability) and almost 5 feet tall with column extended. Add a few ( about 4 ) inches for the head, a few more ( about 3 for a M camera) for your camera. Does this fit your height profile? Hint.. if you are 6'4", it is too short. You will be bent over trying to use the tripod. 3) A 4 piece tripod leg is less stable than a 3, less stable than 2. You get the idea..... This one is a 5 piece extension. It may bounce on you..... the ground vibrations may transmit to your camera. Is there a 4 piece leg Gitzo that might still fit all your requirements? ( It will be longer when folded..... so the luggage issue needs to be checked again.) 4) Price wise.... this 1550 is a bit pricey.... partially because it is Carbon Fiber. For the size, there may be a metal legged version that would not significantly differ in weight.... and cost a lot less. 5) Some people like ball heads, others hate them. Personally, I hate them. All of them. Finally, there is the camera weight issue... go take a couple of aspirins before starting to spend any time worrying in this area..... the M is plenty light enough, for almost any tripod ever made. BTW, have you ever researched a Cullman tripod? They fold up flat. Yup, flat like a book. A bit easier to carry around that way...... Personally I use a Gitzo 1228 for my travel tripod.... Typically used with my Leicas or my Hasselblads......with my hated Manfrotto 3262 Ball Head..... which at least is pretty light and cheap...... Frank Filippone red735i at earthlink.net