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Portable or Compact Tripod

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sandytntn

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I also recently bought the Tamron 18-250 lense for my xti. Fantastic pictures except at full zoom but works fine with tripod. Is there a good, lightweight tripod which could be doable for travel? Sure there is a thread out there about this I just have not found it.
Thanks
 
Do you know what a Gorillapod is? It's a very small and light tripod that you can bend any way you want - e.g. you can use it to attach your camera to a lamp post or bridge railing. The largest version, Gorillapod SLR Zoom, will easily be strong enough for your combination. Search the web for the name and you'll find it.
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sandytntn said:
Is there a good, lightweight tripod which could be doable for
travel?
Click to expand...
I'm also interested in the answer!

But alas, I've often heard that a good tripod is a heavy tripod (if not bulky)... I've also heard that carbon tripods are an exception to that rule - but at a price of three arms and two legs they're a bit too expensive for me.

For the moment I use an el-cheapo plastic and light aluminum tripod (400g, h max around 1m), with not so bad results.
 
I've been in search for a new tripod for my new DSLR. There are so many to choose from and I ended up with a $40.00 mohawk tripod. It does it's job and does it well. I was looking at other brands costing $3 to 500 just for the tripod and another $300 for the head unit. It's crazy i tell ya. crazy..... Nice and all but my mohawk aluminum pod will do the same job as these expensive gadgets.

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CarloSantos said:
Nice and all but my mohawk aluminum pod will do the same job as these expensive > gadgets.
Click to expand...
I felt the same way with my $50 tripod. But after 1 year extended use, my cheap tripod became increasingly flimsy and unreliable. One day, while taking self-portraits of me and family in the park, one of the legs started to give way. Luckily I jumped up and caught my camera right before it went head first into pavement with my favorite Tamron lens and my 580ex.

The day after, I bought a bogen/manfrotto and never looked back. I've had my BM for a while and it feels as strong and sturdy as the day I bought it.

I've spent thousands of dollars on camera equipment and it would have been excruciatingly painful if I lost it all to a $50 tripod.

I'm sure plenty of people are perfectly fine with a budget tripod but for me, I'd rather not take any more chances.
 
You'd have to buy one just so you can say you have a "Trunnion Shaft System".

If that doesn't impress the ladies I don't know what will :-)
 
I have been looking for something compact recently that will fit in my bag when I am out and about, and that Velbon looks rather good, the only bit I would be worried about is how stable the legs are - lots of wee joints = lots of points it can flex and bend and let it wobble about a bit more, a larger tripod with less sections can have fewer joins and more contact area at each.

Anyone got one to be able to say a bit more?

The Gorillapod's look quite cool, and are one option I am looking at, not exactly tal or useful in a traditional sensel, but you do have the option of setting them up on odd surfaces and platforms and getting some damn unique viewpoints. A friend has the SLR model, which I need to get a shot of to see how it fares.

David
 
I have used the Velbon Ultra Luxi F as a lightweight travel tripod under a variety of conditions for some time now and I like it and have had no problems. It's a light tripod so I put an eyelet on the bottom of the center shaft and run a bungi cord from it to my pack on the ground underneath for added stability (if I fully extend the legs - I don't extend the shaft more than an inch or two). The heaviest lenses I have used on it are the Sigma 70-300 and the 100mm Macro. I wouldn't recommend it for anything large but it works well for my 70-300IS, 100mm macro, and 10-22mm. (I do have a Slik 700DX which I use for home and car travel where I'm not carrying it a long way).

Dave
 
My 5-section Velbon Ultra is not quite as stable as my carbon fiber 3-section tripod, but it's adequate, and when under load of camera and lens, becomes a little more stable than when unloaded, from the extra mass of the attached camera & lens.

I have no regrets in buying it, very happy with it.

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Thanks for the suggestions. One more question, the Gorillapod looks really interesting. There is apparently 3 models. Would the mid-size support 400D and Tamron 18-250mm or would I have to go to the biggest one (up to 6.6 lb).
Thanks,
Sandy
 
I will also recommend the Velbon Ultra's. It compacts down enough to fit in a backpack and is built well enough to last. I also have some Bogen's that I use for video and photography but they're less portable.
 
I just finished a short trip abroad with the B-M 725B, and I loved it. It fit into a very small suitcase for checking, and was rock-stable and easily adjustable. It's the first ball head tripod I've owned, but I got used to it very quickly. Can be had for ~$115. I don't see needing any more tripod for quite some time.
 
I have a Maxi that has worked very well for me. Recently I needed something even smaller to bring in an airline carry-on. The Ultra Maxi fits in my small messenger-style bag with camera and lenses, no problem. And I have had no hassles with security.

It is definitely a trade-off though. I'm not shooting on it with the camera at eye level. In good lighting conditions and still air I can shoot with it completely elevated, but otherwise I sit down and use it at under 1m high and it is very stable when only extended that amount (3 or 4 out of 5 leg sections extended)

My model is the Ultra Maxi SF with a removed center post. With a tripod this light I wouldn't extend it anyway. The total package is only 0.7kg and 30cm long when closed ( 13 inches). Perfect for me when the choice is small or nothing. I considered a Gorillapod as well, but would miss the more fixed, rigid position of a tripod. I can definitely see getting one for an even more space or weight constrained trip though (or if TSA decides the Velbon is too long and could be used to put an eye out or something) ;-)
  • TK
 
I just bought myself a Gorillapod SLR-zoom (which I will be using with the head nicked off my old Velbon tripod for now) which seems a great alternative.

I was looking for something very compact that I could stick in my bag to carry about with me when carrying my larger tripod is impractical (ie anywhere that I am going to be walking distances, or when I probably won't need it enough to bother carting it with me) and from what I saw, tripods are either good tripods, but too large, or compact enough but either very short or just plain rubbish and unstable.

The gorillapod is a fantastic alternative, compact enough to easily carry with you, and because of the way they are designed and are adjustable, can be setup in odd/unique locations to get around the small size.

I guess I will see how well it actually does its job, but from reports online and from friends that own them they are fantastic in their unique way.
 
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