Just a quick update for whoever's still here - I found one Leica tripod and it's not the GST20 or GST120. I don't recall the model number but the manufacture date was 1997.?ÿ The paint is scratched but not chipping at all, unlike other old tripods. It seems like a sturdy, yet lightweight tripod.
I do, however, have a pile of Wild tripods that say GST20 on them.?ÿ I wonder if those are rebranded Leica GST20's?
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@adamw Good to know! Looks like I can enjoy the GST20 goodness after all.?ÿ I've been using those lately and they're a good balance of lightweight and sturdy.?ÿ The paint job on the Wild version isn't nearly as good as Leica's though.
It's funny how experiences differ. That is my favorite tripod hands down. But around here there ain't much wind.
Perhaps they have addressed the problems in the intervening 25 years. Probably a slight increase in the material thickness or a change in composition would do it. And there are many details to the leg breaking story which I haven't related here.
The Leica may another model.?ÿ They do make a lighter weight pine version with a central screw clam that has a PVC coating (GST05).
I found 3 of those in my office yesterday when I got back from the field. They are feather light. Didn't need them this week, already have line laths set on the preliminary line. I move those to the true line from my calculations then we know where the boundary is located. We finished 5-1/2 miles of chopping and painting boundary hacks.
Starting a new project on Monday, start with traversing.
We used Leica tripods day in and day out for years. Pricey, but a very good value in the long run.
