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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
 
I compared three great tripods here .

While I selected the Benro for my needs, you can't go wrong with any of the three. Hope this helps.
 
I have a Leofoto Ranger series tripod. I have been pleased with it. Great quality and value for what you get. If you know what type of leg locks you want, that will narrow down the field of choices. I had an old Manfrotto with flip style locks that broke on me, so I wanted the twist style locks which the Ranger series does have.
 
Thought I'd mention that having developed back problems, I just went from a Nikon D850-based setup + tripod to just an OM-1+12-40mm. Until now, but the switch is recent, I have found I can do without tripod even in situations that would have required one with the Nikon. Tripod-less landscape photography is completely new for me but I don't even take my backpack anymore.
 
StephaneB said:
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...
But when the OP is 80ish this is not really relevant.
 
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...
Hi Jeff.

I use the Velbon Ultra Stick Super 8 Monopod - Black

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00N3IFEM0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is small, very rigid and only 8” in length and extends to 156 cm which allows me to use it even when standing up straight. Light enough to carry anywhere too.
 
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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...
Thanks.

I have about 10 years at maximum !!!
 
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...
My 190 CL is not carbon fibre. But I take the point.
 
ahaslett said:
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
Click to expand...
Thanks for reply.

I'll have a think about trading up to a camera with HHHR and Live ND and swapping zooms for, say, 3 primes as a lightweight alternative to current camera and lens plus tripod. You have given me food for thought.
 
Photongraphy said:
Light (570 grams), small and cheap:

https://velbon.net/product/cx-ex/ex-macro.html

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.
Click to expand...
I'll keep my 190CL for macro and local flora. Unfortunately it is usually windy in the hills in NW England.
 
JeffWorsnop said:
ahaslett said:
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
Click to expand...
Thanks for reply.

I'll have a think about trading up to a camera with HHHR and Live ND and swapping zooms for, say, 3 primes as a lightweight alternative to current camera and lens plus tripod. You have given me food for thought.
Click to expand...
I can’t remember the last time I had my MFT bodies on a tripod, except for lens tests. I can do 2s at 12mm with the OM1, and 1/15 at 150mm. Those are not as good as some people. With the OM5, I can only do 1.3s at 12mm. That is repeatable, standing up, unbraced.

The Sony A7Riv goes on a chunky tripod, with bigger lenses, and a 100mm square filter set. Backpack time!

Andrew
 
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...
That tripod is half the weight of 190CL + ball head.

Height is 2 inches more - I cut down the centre column of 190CL to get low camera position for flora.

Price seems reasonable at a bit less than £100 plus postage.

The compromise maybe stability given the length of the centre column.

Looks like a contender.

Thanks for advice.
 
My 40-150 is the f4 model with no means to attach to a tripod.

I normally shoot from 52 inches, the maximum, and higher would be better but I guess not possible with lightweight tripod. The rest of the specs are not a major matter for me.

Jeff
 
JeffWorsnop said:
My 40-150 is the f4 model with no means to attach to a tripod.

I normally shoot from 52 inches, the maximum, and higher would be better but I guess not possible with lightweight tripod. The rest of the specs are not a major matter for me.
Click to expand...
The National Geographic tripod I linked in my first reply has a maximum height of about 62 inches. I almost never use it at that height but it's handy sometimes. It's significantly lighter than your 190CL and very adaptable.
 
BudgetTraveller said:
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.
Click to expand...
Thanks for reply.

Checking weights I find that this tripod is 1.3 Kilos whereas my current tripod is 2.1 k. so an obvious advantage but not as much as I would like. Seems I may be looking in vain for less weight.

Jeff
 
I am a fan of K&F accessories - I own filters / lens adapters and 3x different tripods from them. They seem to make decent quality stuff at great prices.

This is one of the one I own - full size tripod at 1.1kg incl ball head.

www.kentfaith.co.uk

Lightweight Travel Camera Tripod With 36mm Metal Ball Head K&F

64"/1.63m lightweight travel camera tripod with 36mm Metal Ball Head Load Capacity 8kg/17.6lbs,Quick Release Plate, for DSLR Cameras Indoor Outdoor Use K254C2+BH-36L
www.kentfaith.co.uk www.kentfaith.co.uk

Really good compromise between size / weight / stability, and selling at a great price currently. (Ignore the 80% price deduction slogan :-) ). The ballhead + arca plate is quite big / bulky, so I swapped it out for something smaller, but you may find it just fine..
 
JeffWorsnop said:
BudgetTraveller said:
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.
Click to expand...
Thanks for reply.

Checking weights I find that this tripod is 1.3 Kilos whereas my current tripod is 2.1 k. so an obvious advantage but not as much as I would like. Seems I may be looking in vain for less weight.

Jeff
Click to expand...
Jeff, that's what I found out too, so I went on the cheap. At least now I have a slightly lighter tripod that works.

You also don't want to go any lighter than 1.3 kilos, because you are going to be using it with the E-M5 Mark II tripod hi-res mode. I used to have an even lighter tripod than the National Geographic, but it was flimsy, unstable and does not work with tripod hi-res. The results were full of artifacts, because you also need to factor in wind conditions and ground vibrations.
 
Last edited:
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 ?
Click to expand...
Several people have suggested Leofoto and I would agree with that suggestion. Well made, reasonably priced, pretty light.

But also, have you considered that you don't necessarily need to carry the weight of a ball head? Leofoto offers a range of tripods with a built-in levelling base, which gives you +/- 15 degrees of adjustment. That should be plenty for most purposes - the only thing it doesn't give you is vertical format but an L-bracket solves that. It's also more solid than a lightweight ballhead.

I only have the tiny LS-223CEX which I bought for certain macro applications, but the LS-225 and up could be ideal for you, especially if you add one of the RH series panning clamps.

https://www.leofoto.com/products_detail.php?id=415
 
Last edited:
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 have the Ulanzi Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod. You may want to check it out.
 
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