Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/20

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Re: Recomemdations for M6 Camera Tripod
From: InfinityDT@aol.com
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 14:19:53 EDT

In a message dated 9/20/99 1:36:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
jimbrick@photoaccess.com writes:

<< I chose the 1228 over the 1227 because when collapsed, it will fit "inside"
 carry-on luggage. This is very important to me. For use with a small 35mm
 camera, I personally do not believe there is a "sturdiness" issue.
 
 Jim >>

While travelling a few years ago I used the 1228 with an Arca B-1 to support 
an F4s with a 400 f3.5 and 1.4x, with no discernable vibration blur.  Of 
course the center column was not extended at all, so the only drawback was 
the need to bend over almost double to use it.  Normally I use a 320 with the 
legs fully extended but no column lift, which brings the camera to a more 
comfortable level for me.   Even with an M6 the height might be an issue for 
some people.  Another issue with the carbon-fiber tripods is stability.  I 
would recommend hanging the camera bag from an eye-bolt in the underside of 
the center column.  The CF tripods are so lightweight that a good gust of 
wind or a glancing blow from a careless elbow can topple it over easily.  
I've found that the less mass you've got over the legs (i.e. an M6 vs. heavy 
SLR) the more likely this is.  

One last word of caution re. the CF tripods is, when you work the leglocks 
for the top section, grip the leg itself with the other hand, not the yoke or 
head.  I managed to twist loose the leg sections from the yoke.  Bogen 
recemented them at no charge and they said the problem's been fixed on later 
models, but I still adopted the hold-it-by-the-leg routine.  

The advantage of CF diminishes with the size of the tripod.  A 30% weight 
saving is more noticeable on an 11 lb tripod than a 4 lb one.