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Recommend a portable ("table top") tripod for DSLR?

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Kaitlyn

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Looking to use it mainly with 5D Mark III + 16-35 F4L IS

It seems people love the Manfrotto Pixi Mini and say it can comfortably hold beyond the 2.2lbs rated max.

There are TONS of others, it seems... including rebrands/copies. The Ultrapod II also came up in a bunch of my searches. Then there are things like the Slik mini...

Most of the stuff I've also found has been from pre-2014. In 2015 and into 2016, is there any frontrunners currently regarded as great options for portable/tabletop tripod stuff?

Really just looking for a tripod I can throw in my bag and basically ALWAYS have with me. For use with things like ledges, on the ground, etc.

Things like Gorillapod seem to offer nice versatility, but I hear more negative than positive about them :(
 
Kaitlyn said:
Looking to use it mainly with 5D Mark III + 16-35 F4L IS

It seems people love the Manfrotto Pixi Mini and say it can comfortably hold beyond the 2.2lbs rated max.

There are TONS of others, it seems... including rebrands/copies. The Ultrapod II also came up in a bunch of my searches. Then there are things like the Slik mini...

Most of the stuff I've also found has been from pre-2014. In 2015 and into 2016, is there any frontrunners currently regarded as great options for portable/tabletop tripod stuff?

Really just looking for a tripod I can throw in my bag and basically ALWAYS have with me. For use with things like ledges, on the ground, etc.

Things like Gorillapod seem to offer nice versatility, but I hear more negative than positive about them :(
Click to expand...
the gorillapod is so difficult to set up, forget about it.

the Oben TT-100 is nice if you change the head from another one of your tripods. Even so, it may not hold your gear well.

My all-time favorite is the Cullmann Magnesit Copter Mini Tripod and the epic MeFoto DayTrip. Its larger but its rock solid.
 
There was recently a comparison / review of small tripods on this site - did any of those strike your fancy?

Have been pleased with our UltraPod II, but usage has been with a Canon S3 IS and Pan FZ200 - a completely different SIZE of camera!

The UltraPod also seems to hold a FZ1000 Ok - but while quite a bit bigger than the FZ200, it is still not in the Large(r) DSLR size range.
 
Going in a different direction, a beanbag can make a terrific support device. If it is too bulky, you can get an empty bag and fill it with dirt/sand on location.
 
All the "tabletop" tripods are meant to be used on a hard, flat, level surface and don't do well at all on natural surfaces.

I've always carried an Ultrapod II because it's tiny and there is always some way to make it work by strapping it or lashing it to something, but it's a horrid little device to work with.

I've never cared for the Gorillapod. It's just too fidgety, but it works ok for an off-camera flash.

My favorite was a Slik Mini II tabletop. It was more conventional and stocky enough to balance well regardless of how much gear was mounted as long as the surface was solid. It was fine on a table indoors or out and could get by on a harder soil. I used that for years.

I've had a Mefoto Daytrip for about a year and it's become my go to for everything. I can't find a good reason not to carry or use it for anything. It's only a little bigger than the Slik tabletop, but it can practically replace my full size tripod. It comes with a neat little shoulder bag and even if you carry it that way, I hardly notice it's there. Fully compressed it is about the size of a 1 liter bottle or a can of spray paint. I can carry it in the pocket of a hiking jacket if I want.

I use it indoors or outdoors, travel and hiking, tabletop or ground level, macro/ telephoto, with flash and long exposures. It's like a small version of a conventional tripod. And it's rugged.

I bought it specifically for doing flowers in my garden and lawn pond, but I had no idea how useful it would be for anything and everything.
 
The T1A10 needs a little threadlock to stop the legs from coming loose, but works really well with the matching FB28i ballhead. It has solid alloy legs, similar to the RRS TFA-01, but is a fair bit cheaper.

If you have a little more room in your camera bag, consider the Feisol TT15 witha suitable ballhead.
 
Best and worth every penny:

The Leica Tabletop tripod and large head.
 
Did you check this review here in the forum?

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

There you will also find some thoughts reg. the Gorillapod!
 
I'm finishing a review that includes many of the pocket tripods already mentioned, but in the meanwhile, the best bet for your 5D3+lens is probably the Manfrotto Pixi EVO. It is a stronger (and upgraded) version of the Pixi Mini, which can hold 5.5 lbs.

This extendable, metal-legged Manfrotto was not available when I did my last group review of tabletop tripods, which is a shame, as it could've given the others a run for their money.
 
Mark Banas said:
I'm finishing a review that includes many of the pocket tripods already mentioned, but in the meanwhile, the best bet for your 5D3+lens is probably the Manfrotto Pixi EVO. It is a stronger (and upgraded) version of the Pixi Mini, which can hold 5.5 lbs.

This extendable, metal-legged Manfrotto was not available when I did my last group review of tabletop tripods, which is a shame, as it could've given the others a run for their money.
Click to expand...
Glad you're doing an update! :)

I tried out the Pixi - it will hold my camera+lens in upright, but if it's tilted it will sag/not hold. On B&H, it seems people do not review the Pixi EVO as well... saying the original is simply better :(

I think I'll be returning the Pixi, but in the same form factor there are also the Ultrapod II and the Cullman Magnesit Copter... hmmm!

Then of course the Feisol FT15, the Mefoto daytrip...
 
Kaitlyn said:
I think I'll be returning the Pixi, but in the same form factor there are also the Ultrapod II and the Cullman Magnesit Copter... hmmm!
Click to expand...
I love the Ultrapod II for compact and small mirrorless cameras, speedlights and other lightweight stuff.
But not way it can support a full frame DSLR.

The Cullmann Copter also has only a tiny ballhead.

The RRS Pocket 'Pod is really really nice but too low for a DSLR in portrait format.

Left are the Leica tabletop or the FLM tabletop fitted with a decent ballhead,
Each of these first class tripods cost only a fraction of the price of a lens and will serve you for the rest of your life.

I've been through the same exercise finding a tabletop tripod for a full frame DSLR.
 
Kaitlyn said:
Chris De Schepper said:
after reading the table top tripod reviews here, I bought the FLM table tripod and I am very happy with it. Lightweight, stable and well made.
Click to expand...
What do you put on it? Can it hold DSLR+lens angled?
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no matter what legs you get: this is the tripod head you want if that is your criteria: The Leica Large Bullhead: New: http://www.amazon.com/Leica-Large--...9678564&sr=8-1&keywords=leica+large+ball+head

and they show up on eBay regularly.

Don't let the description fool you, I've used one to hold large DSLRs with 70-2000mm f/2.8 lenses

It's the strongest small tripod head I've ever found.
 
Last edited:
The FLM CB32 can hold a full-frame DSLR with 70-200 mounted on the lens or 24-120 mounted on the body at any angle.

The diameter fits the FLM tabletop but is larger than the Leica.

I use the simple version without friction control and panorama.
 
I have lots of RRS and Sunwayfoto equipment. Sunwayfoto is good equipment for the price. However, when I want a serious piece of equipment, I buy RRS.

I got the RRS BC-18 Pod package first. It is expensive at $199 plus shipping, but it is everything you would expect: strong, relatively stable, easy to use, and very high quality. And it comes with a seriously great little head.

I then found a good deal on the Sunwayfoto T1A10 table pod. It was really cheap, and it is adequate, but nothing more. One of the legs is a little difficult to work with. The tripod obviously is nowhere near as strong, and worse of all, the rubber feet give significantly.

When I put my 5D II and a slightly heavy lens, like the Zeiss 50mm, I can move the tripod up and down with just a little pressure. This is an unstable tripod with a full frame camera.

I recommend the Sunwayfoto for a mirrorless or compact cameras, but get the RRS for a full-sized camera and lens. $200 is not a bad price for the ability to carry a serious tripod with you anywhere. The RRS is only 7.35 in long and weighs 252 gram.

Michael
 
Seedeich said:
The FLM CB32 can hold a full-frame DSLR with 70-200 mounted on the lens or 24-120 mounted on the body at any angle.

The diameter fits the FLM tabletop but is larger than the Leica.

I use the simple version without friction control and panorama.
Click to expand...
 
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