Thirty-something years ago, I needed a sturdy camera support that would enable me to take a series of photographs from ground level. After a bit of shopping around, I purchased a Leica Tabletop Tripod and a Leica Ball Head. Since that time my “Leica-pod” has traveled the world with me on hundreds of assignments and, a few scuffs and scratches aside, it’s as tight, ready, and able as it was the day I purchased it. It was pricey at the time (and still is), but worth every shekel.
Made of solid, black anodized aluminum, the Leica Tabletop Tripod consists of three legs held together by a single lock mechanism. Each of the legs can be rotated 360°, which makes it possible to configure the legs in any number of positions. When traveling, the legs fold flat, making it easy to stow away when not in use.
To go along with the tripod base, Leica offers a selection of ball heads in a choice of shapes and sizes. The most popular Leica ball heads are the Leica Ball Head (18 Long), and Leica Ball Head (18 Short), which are 5.3 and 3.3" tall respectively and available in a choice of silver or black.
The Leica Tabletop Tripod weighs about 5 oz, and the small and large ball heads weigh 8.1 and 8.8 oz, respectively. The total load capacity for the Leica Tabletop Tripod / Ball Head combination is a bit over 15 lb, and it doesn’t wobble under the load.
In addition to tabletops, I’ve used my Leica head-and-legs combination to position 35mm, medium-format, and even 4 x 5" field cameras on steps, ledges, rocks jutting out from waterfalls, rooftop ledges, the masts of sailboats, roadways, and railroad tracks (with full permission and safeguards in place!).
Leica’s Tabletop Tripod and Ball Head can also be used very effectively for bracing against walls, posts, trees, and other upright structures, and it makes for a very effective chest-pod.
Be advised, these pups are pricy. I paid about $169 for the legs and a tall silver ball head back in the day—a small fortune back then, and about half of the current purchase price, but considering the number of times this handy camera support system has saved the day, I have no regrets.
The “Things We Love” series articles are written by B&H Photo Video Pro Audio staff to talk about products and items that we love. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the writers and do not represent product endorsements from B&H Photo Video Pro Audio.
