I am about to start scaling down my equipment and it will include replacing my BH-55 with something smaller. I like the craftsmanship of RRS and will consider their smaller products. But there is also Arca-Swiss - Monoball P0 and possibly other interesting products.
What do you use for Leica M and cameras of similar size and what would you recommend? Is anybody using Slidefix QS Quick Release System and is it worth switching from Arca-Swiss QR system for Leica M?
Sorry for off topic...
PhotoClam PRO-30NSP- weight only 294 g.
Actually not with Leica but often I find myself using this head with 5DII + EF 200mm f/2.0 L IS USM
With Feisol CT-3342 perfect match, for Leica probably CT-3341 or CT-3341T (maybe with short column) will be enough.
Never heard of Photoclam - thanks for the tips. The Feisol looks like an interesting replacement for my larger Gitzo. The price is also lower. Do you happen to know where it is made?
I use and recommend RRS dovetails and quick clamps, for their quality and adherence to the Arca Swiss spec. For example, I have run across a Taiwanese made dovetail and L-plate that is .050" too narrow and will not give a tight fit on the non-adjustable, smaller, RRS B2-40 LR QuickClamp. Screw type clamps give no problems, but if you mix on and off spec dovetails, even the screw type clamps will give an inconvienence factor. I use an old smaller Linhof ballhead for Leica and dSLR setups.
I use a Markins Q3t with a Gitzo GT1542T, which works really well, and gets surprising stability, even for my larger camera (D800). In hindsight, the special changes to the Q3t vs. the Q3 do not make sense for the GT1542t, as they were designed for the GT1541t, so I would buy the Q3. I also use RRS clamps and brackets. I am not sure that the RRS pieces are the ones which are in-spec though...
Another vote for Photoclam, way better than RRS and better than Markins.
As far as legs - 1541T is probably the best small choice. Feisol doesn't make
such a small tripod, although their bigger ones are great too...
I use a Photoclam PC-36. Great little head. Small, lightweight, A/S clamp (works great with all my RRS plates), friction control, steady and solid, even with my larger lenses (including my 4 lbs 50-300 f/4.5L). It's the perfect size for my m4/3 gear, but as I mentioned, it's strong enough to work well even with longer heavier lenses should you ever need to.
Feisol tripods are made in TAIWAN (ROC), company located in Taichung City.
Not big fan of tripods with upper leg profile less than 28mm but maybe worth of looking in extra light/compact range Sirui T-1205X http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822142-REG/Sirui_BSRT1205_T_1205X_5_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html
There was some quirk with short column (attached PRO-30NSP ballhead) but as long used with regular center column legs can be flipped over and then it is really small.
I use a Feisol 3441T paired with a Photoclam Pro Gold II. I also own a Photoclam PC-48NS that I use on my bigger Gitzo. The Pro Gold head is a notch up in quality, more refined feel to everything. I got the one with a lever release and 2 separate panning bases. The top panning base is part of the quick-release, so you don't have to level the tripod perfectly for panos, you just level the camera on the ballhead once mounted. I absolutely love this combo, and I've had great long exposures even with my ZF 100/2 on a D700 as long as it's not windy. The legs of the tripod perfectly fold over the ballhead so it packs very small in the included bag.
The Slidefix QR system seems to be a bit of a failure, I don't really understand why Arca-Swiss released it. The regular A-S type of QR is so popular now that bringing out a new system seems foolhardy. But they go their own way and their ballheads are marvelous, I'd like to try one of their cameras some day though. A major issue for current A-S quick release systems is that the upper jaw of the Slidefix clamp is the "old" A-S spec, so camera plate stop screws won't catch in the clamp's relief groove; a major safety problem.
Feisol tripods are made in Taiwan.
Turning to ballhead use I have a variety of cameras: three Leica Ms, a Rolleiflex, an Exakta, Sony NEX-7 and a Fotoman 617 panoramic. I also use a variety of ballheads: Arca-Swiss Z1, Markins Q3-TR, and Linhof Profi II. The Z1 is the best ballhead I've ever used period, but is overkill for an M. If the M is going to be your biggest camera I strongly recommend a Markins Q3 or a Q3-TR if you buy a travel tripod with fold-back legs. If you're planning on heavier gear in the future then I would recommend the Markins Q10, I don't own one but I have used one and they are way better than my Linhof.
I've used a Photo Clam and in my opinion they are not in the same league as Markins. As an example the Markins Q3-TR was specifically designed for use with travel tripods with fold-back legs. For the legs to fold back parallel to the center column you need an outside diameter (OD) <=50mm, and that includes the ball housing as well as the panning base. The Q3-TR achieves this yet has a ball diameter of 38mm. The Photo Clam product with an OD of 50mm is the PC-33NS which has a ballhead diameter of only 33mm, a whopping 13% smaller than the Markins. Bigger ball diameters have greater stability, better friction control and provide a much smoother user experience.
Fit and finish on the Photo Clams are good but the feel of the Markins in use is much better. Using friction on the Markins is fairly close to using it on the Z1 and I could not say that with the Photo Clam. All these experiences are of course with a sample of one in my case but the other thing that should be noted is that manufacturers like A-S, Kirk, Markins and RRS have a long track record of making reliable and durable products. Photo Clam is comparatively new in the market and has yet to prove itself in the reliability department.
I use a Arca swiss monoball P0 with slidefix on a gitzo series 1 traveler tripod. With a M9.
I took that one over the RRS small ballheads because of the top panning. Just set your tripod quickly and lever your ballhead and your ready to go.
The "fix" ring to tighten the ballhead also works great. Just a simple twist and its locked.
The slidefix system is nice to use since its relative small and easy to set up.
Negative point is there are no other "brands" than Arca for the slidefix. So your only option is the relative expensive arca L bracket ect.
But u can also order the P0 with the classic arca plate QR. If you already have some classic plates I would do that and wouldn't buy into the slidefix system.
I have a PC-44NS from Photclam that I accidentally left on top of my Hakuba HG503-MX (THom Hogan's cheapo tripod) through two days of rain while it was being used as a support pole for a laundry line. Totally forgot about it. I dried it out and works just fine and is no worse for wear. That's good reliability in my book, even if it is just anecdotal evidence.
For something like the M system, any 36-40mm ballhead of good quality should honestly be plenty strong.
PhotoClam older PCxx-N(S) models and newer Pro Gold/PRO-xxNSP are different about finishing quality/feeling You cant make any conclusion directly based on old models experience.
And yes, I don't know any other similar system ball (friction control, smaller than 50mm base) with bigger ball diameter than Q3-TR Do you always need 38 v 30mm is another question
I am surprised with so many references to Photoclam. I thought I knew almost everything about ballheads, but like I said, I never heard of it before this thread.
huddy wrote:
I have a PC-44NS from Photclam that I accidentally left on top of my Hakuba HG503-MX (THom Hogan's cheapo tripod) through two days of rain while it was being used as a support pole for a laundry line. Totally forgot about it. I dried it out and works just fine and is no worse for wear. That's good reliability in my book, even if it is just anecdotal evidence.
Great story!
JaanOs wrote:
And yes, I don't know any other similar system ball (friction control, smaller than 50mm base) with bigger ball diameter than Q3-TR Do you always need 38 v 30mm is another question
Yes. In the case of ball diameters size does matter!
PS: You are so lucky to live in Tallinn. What a beautiful city!
Mirek Elsner wrote:
I am surprised with so many references to Photoclam. I thought I knew almost everything about ballheads, but like I said, I never heard of it before this thread.
For something like the M system, any 36-40mm ballhead of good quality should honestly be plenty strong.
Yes, the camera is light, lenses short and there is no mirror. So something that is smooth, yet small and light, easy to operate and durable is what I am looking for I guess. I am putting off my DSLR, so I really do not need anything strong.
Thanks everyone, including your recommendations for tripod legs.
Oct 11, 2012 at 11:25 AM
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JaanOs wrote:
Feisol tripods are made in TAIWAN (ROC), company located in Taichung City.
Not big fan of tripods with upper leg profile less than 28mm but maybe worth of looking in extra light/compact range Sirui T-1205X http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822142-REG/Sirui_BSRT1205_T_1205X_5_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html
There was some quirk with short column (attached PRO-30NSP ballhead) but as long used with regular center column legs can be flipped over and then it is really small.
Feisol tripods are much better than most Sirui tripods
This could not be said so simply.
Feisol has some design flaws against Sirui and opposite Jump from 28mm leg profile to 37 (skipping 32), more fragile leg angel adjustments, too simple spike system. And quite demanding servicing if used in rough conditions (water/minus temperatures forming ice) due to the tolerances needed to build so light/compact legs.
Sirui handle these aspects better in my experience.
But then again weight and real low position design is better in Feisol models
You cant make any conclusion directly based on old models experience. 