[Leica] Portable tripods Suggestions - Bogen Manfrotto prefered

[drodgers at casefarms.com (David Rodgers)]

Scott, 

I know you said Bogen preferred, but years ago I picked up a used Gitzo
020 Reporter which is ideal for a Leica M. It's light, but relatively
sturdy. The tripod extends to about 5'. With the center column you can
extend up to 6'. It's not an inexpensive tripod, but it's worth it.
Particularly if you plan to use it a lot. I've probably gone through a
half dozen other tripods, but this one remains my most used. It has
outlasted several Bogens. I use a small Linhof Ball head.  

DaveR 

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott McLoughlin [mailto:scott@adrenaline.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 1:25 AM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: [Leica] Portable tripods Suggestions - Bogen Manfrotto prefered

Kind LUG folk,

Yes, I understand that I'm comitting  great heresy asking about
tripods for the traditionally handheld Leica M cameras, but I have
a desire to shoot slower films, and I have slight tremors which
prevents me from taking stable shots at slower shutter speeds.

I currently have a heavy, tall and very stable Bogen/Manfrotto (B/M)
475 and an Acratech ball head. I use the Arca/Swiss quick release
system with a lovely RRS plate for my M6TTL (and other camera
systems - Nikon D70 and Nikon FM3a).

I'm now interested in a lighter weight and portable carbon fiber tripod
legs that I would likely outfit with the small RRS ball head for use
"in the field."

I've searched B&H and the B/M web site and I do find I'm confused
by all the options. I do like the B/M leg releases, and thus I'm not so
interested in the  Gitzo light weight CF tripod legs, even though these
may represent the current state of the art in portable tripod
technology.

I'd like to keep my tripod gear in the same "family" as it were.

Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated.

Scott

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