Tripod with small 'plate'

[ped]

I'm looking for a tripod which has a low profile plate which attaches to the camera. I'll be using it on a few cameras but mainly my Leica M which has the socket at one edge of the camera - I don't want the plate to protrude from the side of the camera.

Any tips or advice?

Cheers
ped

P.d budget around £150 top end, preferably cheaper

 

[loplyg]

Do you definitely need a quick release plate?

Some tripods you just screw the camera into them as required, thus no plate needs to go on the camera.

I have seen a few like that where the screw has a thumb knurl thing so you don't have to spin the camera, you just put it on and turn the screw...

 

[ped]

Thanks, yes I have seen those too and to be honest I would prefer a quick release - although a screw in job may be the only/best solution given the location of the socket on the Leica..

 

[HoppyUK]

Some thing like this? http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=BodyLeicaM7&key=cat It custom fits most M-series Leicas and will fit any Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release tripod head, ie most quality heads.

Really Right Stuff is not sold in the UK and is costly to import Good gear though

Edit: drop them an email - v helpful folks.

 

[ped]

Thanks for the link, that looks great. Only problem I guess is that with this product and potentially a plate for a tripod I could be 'stacking up' bits on my camera base making it bigger. I think I'll order one anyway unless I can find something else as it does look like a good piece of kit. Having to center the mount could be avoided with a screw head tripod, which I'll go and try out ASAP to get a feel. Maybe they won't be as frustrating as I imagine they might be (My gorilla pod SLR Zoom takes about a million winds before it tightens up!)

ped

 

[HoppyUK]

You're welcome I just noticed that RRS make bits for Leica, which is not the most popular brand but there maybe others if you google. You might find cheaper, but nothing of better quality than RRS. And because they only sell by mail order, they are very good with support and returns I believe.

You'll find the plate is superbly made out of aircraft grade alloy, fits perfectly with careful design that is not a mm bigger than it needs to be. It will weigh nothing and be smoothly contoured so you won't know it's there.

But you do of course need an Arca-Swiss compatible head and QR clamp. It's pretty much the universal fitting for most top end tripod gear, and if you're not familar with it, you're in for a very pleasant surprise compared to a Gorillapod RRS ball heads are v nice, if you're feeling flush!