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Carbon fibre tripod for m4/3

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JeffWorsnop

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Hello

I have Olympus EM5 mk2 with 12-40 f2.8 and 40-150 f4. My tripod is a Manfrotto 190Cl with Manfrotto 494 ball head. This combo is getting heavy for my walks on the moors - I am approaching my 9th decade. Also it is too heavy for my fairly lightweight back pack.

Can anyone advise me of a lightweight ( assume carbon fibre ) tripod that 's OK with the above camera/lens and has a significant weight advantage over the 190 etc ? I have done searches but from what I have seen there does not seem much weight advantage in the ones I have seen, but they seem to be tripods OK with the weight of FF long lenses which is overkill for me. I need a lightweight set up that I can use for hi res shots and long exposures. Any advice please ?

Jeff
 
Most cheap carbon fibre tripods are terrible quality but I was surprised when I bought a cheap National Geographic from Amazon a couple of years ago. The current price is more than double what I paid (I paid £44!) but it's still worth a look at its current £90 pricing.

The supplied head is surprisingly good if a little heavy - and it has a dodgy "almost Arca" QR plate that I replaced with a proper one but I more often use it with a small ball head when out with it, keeping the whole thing around a kilogramme.
 
I went the other way with a MT055CXPRO4 and Pro ballhead to take my telephoto lenses without drooping and stand stiff in a gusty breeze. My lighter tripod is a battered aluminium basic Manfrotto.

While I was trying to find something lighter, I came across Leofoto.

I don't know if something a little shorter but lighter would suit?

Leofoto Ranger

They also have a Poseidon series designed to sit in salt water and sand.

I tend to use my MFT bodies handheld, with HHHR and LiveND filling in for the lack of a tripod. As I approach 70, the attractions of smaller bodies and lenses are growing. Maybe an OM5.2 will be an OM1 in a lighter package with less battery life and only a single card slot?

I have been tempted by travel tripods, the Sirui AM-223 for example, but often need more height to get the right foreground perspective the way I shoot.

Andrew
 
John Bean (UK) said:
Most cheap carbon fibre tripods are terrible quality but I was surprised when I bought a cheap National Geographic from Amazon a couple of years ago. The current price is more than double what I paid (I paid £44!) but it's still worth a look at its current £90 pricing.

The supplied head is surprisingly good if a little heavy - and it has a dodgy "almost Arca" QR plate that I replaced with a proper one but I more often use it with a small ball head when out with it, keeping the whole thing around a kilogramme.
Click to expand...
You cannot really go wrong with either a Gitzo Traveler Series 1 or a Peak Design. Costly but they last your whole life.
 
StephaneB said:
John Bean (UK) said:
Most cheap carbon fibre tripods are terrible quality but I was surprised when I bought a cheap National Geographic from Amazon a couple of years ago. The current price is more than double what I paid (I paid £44!) but it's still worth a look at its current £90 pricing.

The supplied head is surprisingly good if a little heavy - and it has a dodgy "almost Arca" QR plate that I replaced with a proper one but I more often use it with a small ball head when out with it, keeping the whole thing around a kilogramme.
Click to expand...
You cannot really go wrong with either a Gitzo Traveler Series 1 or a Peak Design. Costly but they last your whole life.
Click to expand...
The Peak Design is lighter than the Gitzo - both are heavier than the Leofoto.

When I was looking, Gitzo seemed to be significantly heavier than other tripods and to have DSLR with tele lens carrying weight capacity. Very nice kit, but just too heavy for me.

Andrew
 
ahaslett said:
The Peak Design is lighter than the Gitzo - both are heavier than the Leofoto.

When I was looking, Gitzo seemed to be significantly heavier than other tripods and to have DSLR with tele lens carrying weight capacity. Very nice kit, but just too heavy for me.

Andrew
Click to expand...
Be careful not to prioritise too much just one parameter. Weight is just one aspect. If the Peak Design is too heavy, then I am afraid you will have a hard time finding a stable tripod, which is really the main reason to get one in the first place.
 
StephaneB said:
ahaslett said:
The Peak Design is lighter than the Gitzo - both are heavier than the Leofoto.

When I was looking, Gitzo seemed to be significantly heavier than other tripods and to have DSLR with tele lens carrying weight capacity. Very nice kit, but just too heavy for me.

Andrew
Click to expand...
Be careful not to prioritise too much just one parameter. Weight is just one aspect. If the Peak Design is too heavy, then I am afraid you will have a hard time finding a stable tripod, which is really the main reason to get one in the first place.
Click to expand...
The OP was asking a specific question, and that was about weight. The 190CL was getting too heavy so recommending something not significantly lighter is not helpful.
 
John Bean (UK) said:
The OP was asking a specific question, and that was about weight. The 190CL was getting too heavy so recommending something not significantly lighter is not helpful.
Click to expand...
The 190 in carbon fiber weights 1.5kg without ballhead. The Peak Design weights 1.29kg *with* ballhead. That is a significant weight reduction.
 
Light (570 grams), small and cheap:


It's meant for macro, so it only extends to a little over half a meter. Strong enough to hold my em1iii or em5ii with 12-100 so should hold your set too. Not very sturdy, so useless in windy situations.
 
StephaneB said:
John Bean (UK) said:
The OP was asking a specific question, and that was about weight. The 190CL was getting too heavy so recommending something not significantly lighter is not helpful.
Click to expand...
The 190 in carbon fiber weights 1.5kg without ballhead. The Peak Design weights 1.29kg *with* ballhead. That is a significant weight reduction.
Click to expand...
It's a nice piece of kit and my recommendation is a bit lighter still. Always good to have options.

My main tripod is 2.6kg with head, so I understand your point about ultimate stability (and height).

Andrew
 
I have two lightweight carbon fiber tripods that I really like -- and they don't cost a fortune.

First, is my travel tripod -- the 66'' Neewer Carbon Fiber tripod. Amazingly solid and lightweight (around 4 lbs w/ballhead), folds to 18".

https://www.amazon.com/NEEWER-Level...723150648&sprefix=newer+carbon,aps,137&sr=8-9

Second, is my very compact and lightweight hiking tripod -- the Zomei 669C Carbon Fiber Tripod. Again solid, but not quite as solid as the Neewer. However, it is solid enough, folds to 14", extends to 59.4" with ballhead, and weighs only 3.22 lbs.

https://www.amazon.com/Z699C-Portab...prefix=compact+carbon+fi,aps,139&sr=8-24&th=1

Both tripods are convertible to a monopod.

Never had a problem with either one.

--
Blessings,
Greg
http://www.pbase.com/daddyo
 
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StephaneB said:
John Bean (UK) said:
Most cheap carbon fibre tripods are terrible quality but I was surprised when I bought a cheap National Geographic from Amazon a couple of years ago. The current price is more than double what I paid (I paid £44!) but it's still worth a look at its current £90 pricing.

The supplied head is surprisingly good if a little heavy - and it has a dodgy "almost Arca" QR plate that I replaced with a proper one but I more often use it with a small ball head when out with it, keeping the whole thing around a kilogramme.
Click to expand...
You cannot really go wrong with either a Gitzo Traveler Series 1 or a Peak Design. Costly but they last your whole life.
Click to expand...
 
I have been using a sirui t - 025x which they dont make anymore.

However this is a similar function

SIRUI Traveler 5CX Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

Its hard to recommend based on weight alone when we dont know how high or how compact it needs to be.

I would love to hear back if this is in the direction you are looking or if you have other requirements.

Thanks,

Barry
 
SimpleShutterSnaps said:
I have been using a sirui t - 025x which they dont make anymore.

However this is a similar function

SIRUI Traveler 5CX Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

Its hard to recommend based on weight alone when we dont know how high or how compact it needs to be.

I would love to hear back if this is in the direction you are looking or if you have other requirements.

Thanks,

Barry
Click to expand...
True. But OP is hiking along while nearing his 9th decade. (which makes him sort of a Schwarzenegger anyway). It is understandable his major interest is in weight reduction. Imo we can help to inform on lightweight options, so he can make an informed decision himself.
 
JeffWorsnop said:
Hello

I have Olympus EM5 mk2 with 12-40 f2.8 and 40-150 f4. My tripod is a Manfrotto 190Cl with Manfrotto 494 ball head. This combo is getting heavy for my walks on the moors - I am approaching my 9th decade. Also it is too heavy for my fairly lightweight back pack.
Click to expand...
You are my hero!
JeffWorsnop said:
Can anyone advise me of a lightweight ( assume carbon fibre ) tripod that 's OK with the above camera/lens and has a significant weight advantage over the 190 etc ? I have done searches but from what I have seen there does not seem much weight advantage in the ones I have seen, but they seem to be tripods OK with the weight of FF long lenses which is overkill for me. I need a lightweight set up that I can use for hi res shots and long exposures. Any advice please ?
Click to expand...
May I ask do you use the tripod foot on the 40-150? It takes stouter support shooting that lens with the tripod attached at the camera due to the combo being front-heavy. Hesitate to get model-specific on support without knowing more.

Related: what height do you prefer to shoot from? How short do you want the stowed length to be? Do you prefer to use an Arca-Swiss plate for attaching? Do you like screw-lock or flip-lock legs?

Sheepishly admit I have accumulated a lot of supports: tripod legs, monopod, ballheads of different sizes that I mix and match. I know Manfrotto, Gitzo, Benro and Sirui are all fine brands with vast options of varying sizes and weights. I have both screw and fliplock legs, ranging from 3 to 5 sections.

Would need to drill down through the details before suggesting specific models. Carbon-fiber to be sure--nicer to handle, damps vibrations better, lighter than aluminum.

Cheers,

Rick
 
I've been quite happy with a Sirui lightweight travel tripod. If you haven't already, they're worth checking out.
 
JeffWorsnop said:
Hello

I have Olympus EM5 mk2 with 12-40 f2.8 and 40-150 f4. My tripod is a Manfrotto 190Cl with Manfrotto 494 ball head. This combo is getting heavy for my walks on the moors - I am approaching my 9th decade. Also it is too heavy for my fairly lightweight back pack.

Can anyone advise me of a lightweight ( assume carbon fibre ) tripod that 's OK with the above camera/lens and has a significant weight advantage over the 190 etc ? I have done searches but from what I have seen there does not seem much weight advantage in the ones I have seen, but they seem to be tripods OK with the weight of FF long lenses which is overkill for me. I need a lightweight set up that I can use for hi res shots and long exposures. Any advice please ?

Jeff
Click to expand...
I use a cheap National Geographic carbon fibre tripod with my E-M5 Mark II and several lenses and do hi-res shots for macro and long exposures often and found the tripod not only very affordable, but also slightly lighter, about 1.33kg with the cheap Arca head, than my Manfrotto Befree aluminum tripod. It's my go to tripod now for my travel photography with my M43. I use the Manfrotto Befree tripod with a beefier head for my FF setup.
 
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I have several tripods purchased over time and tested a few more... I would recommend you to stay away from cheap ones, you will end up putting them away some time later when you discover they are not a big help in windy days or long exposures...

my current choice that is very sturdy, but still considerably light

the best quality/performance rating I could find withou costing you a kidney

Leofoto Ranger LS-285C + LH36 head

total weight of the set 1,6Kg

you could do it even lighter with lower diameter ballhead, but I really love this set

The multiple leg diameters are important and also the number of carbon layers

This is really anothre level of tripod

Note: I am not affiliated with the brand, just a user tired of purchasing and using many tripods over decades... if buy buy cheap ones over time improving step by step, you just endup spending more money...

extra note, it fits not only my backpack, but most importantly, my cabin luggage but have to detach head, that is very simple.

my last recomendation, avoid tripods with central column, for extra stability, this one has a central column, optional, but I never have it assembled,
 
A tripod for m4/3 is no different than for a medium FF rig. The weight bearing capacity often quoted is irrelevant. It's rigidity and stability that matters.
Don't compromise on rigidity or cost, or you'll be sorry. With IS as good as it is now, anything but a rock-solid tripod is useless.
 
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