GAS for 70th birthday: I need your opinions! I'm turning 70, and am torn on my present... to myself. L-bracket or carbon fiber tripod? I shoot mostly landscapes with my OLY M5 II. I...

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I need your opinions! I'm turning 70, and am torn on my present... to myself. L-bracket or carbon fiber tripod? I shoot mostly landscapes with my OLY M5 II. I currently use a MeFoto tripod that folds up to easily fits into carry on, which is important to me. It's a nice weight but needs to be tightened frequently, which is a pain, especially when I'm on a photowalk and didn't bring the case and the tools to tighten it. Hence, tripod GAS. BUT, an L bracket would be great to have in the field because once the tripod is adjusted, leveled, etc. I could change the orientation without having to mess with the tripod.

I have little choice on the bracket, Oly or RRS, because of the location of the battery door. I'm looking at the Manfrotto BeFree Carbon fiber, Srui travel CF, and a similar Oben, in case anyone wants to weigh in before I do some more searching here. :oD

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

mizzee wrote:

I need your opinions! I'm turning 70, and am torn ... (show quote)

Happy Birthday mizzee. If I was having the trouble that you are having with the tripod, that would be my first choice. I wouldn't presume to suggest a tripod, as I'm using a 50 year old Husky Quickset Elevator and I don't know what your requirements are, other than t has to stay tightened.

Joe Blow

A suggestion for the tripod. If the screws that loosen shouldn't, try a drop of Locktight on them. That will keep them tight. If you want to loosen the screw later, then put a drop of regular wood glue on the screw before you tightening it. That will hold it tight but still allow it to be loosened later without damaging the threads.

If the threads are plastic then it is probably time to look into a new tripod.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

thank you for the idea!

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Try Kirk Photo:

https://www.kirkphoto.com/l-bracket-for-olympus-om-d-em-1-mark-ii.html

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

One vote for the RRS bracket based on very high quality of design and manufacture. The design is very important if you want to access your battery or memory card without removing the bracket. RRS designs each bracket sp3cifically to fit a particular camera.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Joe Blow wrote:

A suggestion for the tripod. If the screws that loosen shouldn't, try a drop of Locktight on them. That will keep them tight. If you want to loosen the screw later, then put a drop of regular wood glue on the screw before you tightening it. That will hold it tight but still allow it to be loosened later without damaging the threads.

If the threads are plastic then it is probably time to look into a new tripod.

Please use BLUE Loctite as opposed to RED. Blue Loctite does allow release with extra force; with red Loctite, you will probably incur damage to the device before you can unscrew it.

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/threadlockers.shtml

marine1960

mizzee wrote:

I need your opinions! I'm turning 70, and am torn ... (show quote)

Hell. I think you deserve more. When I turned 70, I bought an Audi A8. In July I turn 75. I trading that puppy in for a new one. By the by ...Happy Birthday.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Get a great tripod you will love and enjoy. The L bracket can come later if need be, but you will enjoy the tripod more I think... Happy Birthday 🎊!!!

Best,
Todd Ferguson

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

mizzee wrote:

I need your opinions! I'm turning 70, and am torn ... (show quote)

It's your birthday and a milestone. It's a cliche, but now life is actually short. Buy both!

johntaylor333

Be aware there are two types of Loctite - Red and Blue.

Blue is removable (and therefore is a little less effective) and red is pretty permanent (needs heat and force to remove).

Sounds like Loctite Blue would work well for you.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Your mirrorless camera does not weight a ton so you do not need a super fancy tripod unless you want to burn some money.
I shoot my mirrorless camera with a cheap Dolica tripod made of aluminum. I paid $39.99 for it and it never has let me down.
An L bracket is a necessity. A carbon fiber tripod is great for vibrations but if you are not shooting near an earthquake I do not believe you necessarily need one.
It is said carbon fiber do not hold well in the wind but I cannot make any comments since I have never used mine under windy conditions.

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

I'm very good at spending other people's money. RRS L-bracket and Gitzo, Feisol, or if money is no object[I am after all spending your money], RRS carbon fiber tripod.

Bill_de Loc: US

Joe Blow wrote:

A suggestion for the tripod. If the screws that loosen shouldn't, try a drop of Locktight on them. That will keep them tight. If you want to loosen the screw later, then put a drop of regular wood glue on the screw before you tightening it. That will hold it tight but still allow it to be loosened later without damaging the threads.

If the threads are plastic then it is probably time to look into a new tripod.

If this solves the tripod issue, and seems like it should, the "L" bracket would be a nice addition. But an "L" bracket on a shakey tripod will be of no use.

Happy Birthday!

--

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

70 is the new 50.