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Lightest tripod for hiking?

Started 5 months ago | Questions thread
Dan W Senior Member • Posts: 1,154
Re: Lightest tripod for hiking?

Nique_Photographique wrote:

Can anyone recommend a good, light tripod for hiking? Bonus points if it will work with Peak Design clips!

Lightest I have found is the Peak Design Carbon Fiber at around 2.8 pounds. This paired with the R5, RF 14-35 f4, and RF 24-105 f4 starts to put my camera gear weight alone at around 7 pounds

Main use would be to bring on my pack on hikes for waterfall images or the like.

Thanks in advance.

I have a Gitzo CF tripod and use it all the time but my model not really designed for hiking with. I do but not for all day. I also o bought a cheap Carbon fiber pod that actually works very well. Its smaller then my Gitzo and came with a ball head that fits my Area Swiss type plates (like the plate PD uses). There are so many cheap pods out there now compared to 20 years ago when I got my Gitzo.

So my advice is look at the reviews and use that as a gauge. If weight is a priority than Carbon Fiber is your first choice. Small and compact will likely come with 4 section legs vs 3 but I would stay away from 5 section legs. I like the twist lock legs vs lever but thats me. what do you like? Look for sturdy components like metal locks vs plastic flip locks. If you can, touch it and operate it before buying. But most places give free returns today. Look at the heaviest weight the tripod will likely encounter and add 25% to that. Is it sturdy when pushing down on the pod?

I like a pod where the viewfinder is eye level while standing but a travel pod will be shorter requiring you to bend over to look through the VF. I avoid using the center post when possible but in a travel pod thats even more important because by design, you're giving up a little stability for weight and size. Dont overthink it and dont buy by price alone. The most important with a tripod is sturdiness, the very reason you're using one right?

 Dan W's gear list:Dan W's gear list
Canon EOS R5 Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM +3 more
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