Lightweight Tripod for hiking - recommendation needed

[Marc S]

Marc S.

1. Is the Feisol leveling base sturdy and does it tighten securely onto the tripod? Its 30 degree range of motion seems large for a leveling base.

The Feisol leveling base is sturdy. I can recomment it for the bigger Feisols.

In the big, sturdy (and cheap) Feisol 'Classic' series the base is screwed with three M6 screws to the tripod. It wouldn't get loose or pop off.

Gitzo systematics have had a problem with the standard platform, and I presume the leveling base as well, being prone to popping loose. An aftermarket reinforcement plate is supposedly necessary for heavy loads.

As I wrote, the big Feisol 'Classic' series has the base screwed with three M6 countersink screws to the tripod. The big (and more expensive) Feisol 'Elite' (like the 3372) and smaller 'Tournament' has the base tightened with three M3 or M4 grub screws from the sides. I never had any problems with my CT-3442 'Tournament' and trust the design. (I'm mechanic for some 25 years btw)

2. I am looking at the chunkiest Feisol carbon fiber tripod CT-3372 or the CT-3472 to be combined with the leveling base LB-7572 (no center column) and medium weight gimbal and 6 lb camera/lens combo 400mm f5.6 plus Canon 60D. Have you tried either of the larger Feisols?

I've got the plain big CT-3471 'Classic' without leveling base, a friend the CT-3371 'Classic' with leveling base. We both used them with our 300/2.8 and D300/D700/D2x for about two years now.

This friend was allready impressed with my small Feisol CT-3442 Tournament and when I showed him the CT-3471 'Classic' and hustled him to put his 130kg weight on it while it was fully extended (the poor thing flexed quite a bit but didn't give in) he immediately ordered a CT-3371.

He is a pro, has a big aluminum Gitzo and broke on of the big €800 Gitzo Systematic carbon tripods in the first weekend on the beach while shooting a surf event. His Feisol did a did bunch of surf events now and never got stuck.

Gitzo has had some quality control issues recently. RRS is almost twice the price as Feisol, although well rated by just about everybody. I haven't seen an RRS versa 3 series tripod in person, nor have I seen a Feisol.

I haven't seen a RSS Versa either but I'm shure it's the overall better tripod. I've got two Feisols and I'm pretty happy with them. The Feisol 'Elite' series is a bigger version of the small 'Tournament' series with the chunky legs of the big 'Classic' line. Since I don't use my big tripod very often I can't bring myself to change my big Classic for a Elite series even if the 'leg-folding-over the-head' of the Elite and Tournament series is a really usefull feature while being a pound lighter than the comparable Classic. (btw, Feisol ball heads are junk... eh... not in the same league of the legs)
Some pix from their site:

Big Feisol Elite CT-3472



Feisol CT-3472 with leveling base



Small Feisol Tournament CT-3442



Big Feisol Classic CT-3471



Small Tournament CT-3442 legs foldet over ball head



--
Marc
http://marcschlueter.wordpress.com/

 

[twan]

If the Feisol ballheads are junck, which one would you advise or use yourself?

 

[Marc S]

If the Feisol ballheads are junck, which one would you advise or use yourself?

I use a FLM CB-48 FT on the small CT-3442 and a FLM CB-58 FT on the bigger CT-3471 because of the unique and patented FLM 'FT' feature but I'm sure there are better ball heads around (RSS, Arca Swiss, Markins to name a few).

If you go for FLM heads be aware their 'Arca swiss' style quick releases clamps and plates are not compatible to Arca Swiss, RSS, Kirk, ect!
I endet up with some very well made and surprisingly cheap ProMediaGear clamps.
--
Marc
http://marcschlueter.wordpress.com/

 

[KENTGA]

I didn't read all the replies, but I see some recommended Feisol. I've got this one that weighs about 2 lbs with a ballhead. More than your budget, but here's a link:

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-traveler-tripod-ct3441s-rapid-p-38.html

Kent

 

[mosswings]

I didn't read all the replies, but I see some recommended Feisol. I've got this one that weighs about 2 lbs with a ballhead. More than your budget, but here's a link:

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-traveler-tripod-ct3441s-rapid-p-38.html

Kent

Just opt for the PhotoClam Pro-30NS or 34NS instead of the CB-30C. Worth the extra money to get a pretty close copy of a Markins.

 

[twan]

Anyone using this gitzo ?
How is it?

 

[DekHog]

Very short, but very tall, and also very sturdy!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velbon-ULTRA-REX-L-A/dp/B003N3VLU4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pdT2_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I28UQJX4PB726V&colid=1J2641BIP0EA5

ephotozine review below....

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/velbon-ultra-rexi-l-tripod-review-16157

 

[Howard Podgurski]

As a long time member of "the tripod of the year club", for my travel needs, the Gitzo Ocean Traveler is the best travel tripod I have ever owned. It's indestructible and super light weight but expensive. I believe Gitzo is running a cash back special until the end of June which makes it moderately affordable. Around $850 at B&H with the cash back promo. When you consider it includes a built in ball head the promo price is almost reasonable.

 

[Jon Ingram]

I have a couple of suggestions: If you are trying to do lightweight tripod head combo that is cheap and decent quality, I would go with the:

aluminum Velbon Ultra Luxi L 2 (or current equivalent). It's affordable aluminam, weighs only 2.2 lbs, supports 6.5lbs and I have found it to very reliable for backpacking. If you don't extend the final leg and hang some weight from it, I have no doubt you could support much more weight. It's very compact (16"), and fits in any backpack nicely. However, The included head is awful, so if you were on a budget I would replace the head with the...

Gitzo GH1781QR (or current equivilant). This ball-head is "affordable", weighs only 12.5 oz, and supports 25 lbs.

With the above two items your lightweight tripod is only 3 lbs (including the head), and supports anything you would want to backpack with.

If you want to go even lighter weight and higher quality I would go with the..

Gitzo GT0531: This carbon fiber tripod is only 1.6 lbs, and supports 11lbs! Combined with the above ballhead you are looking at an entire system that weight only 2.4 lbs and easily supports 11! Great for lightweight backpacking. This is my personal favorite combo.

If you are looking for a high quality/lightweight tripod that supports even more weight, I would go with the...

Gitzo GT1542T: This carbon fiber tripod weighs 2.2 lbs, just like the top velbon, but supports 16lbs! Combined with the above ball-head the whole system weighs only 3lbs and easily supports 16.

Once you go with a high quality light-weight tripod you may never go back! I invested in one for backpacking. I still have an even more expensive, high quality, but heavier tripod that I never use anymore...

Lots of great options out there! Good luck

 

[alvineng]

I went through this very same issue a few years ago and finally decided on the Velbon Maxi 343E which had worked well with my Nikon D200 system. I didn't want to look into any costly carbon-fiber tripod systems since I'm only an advanced hobbyist at photography. Perhaps I would have splurged at one of those if I was a Pro and made my living from my photographs and could write off the increased costs. The Velbon is compact, folding to just 17.5 inches in length and only weighs 1.9 pounds. It can fully extend to a height of 62 inches. The light weight and compact size makes it nice to use for backpacking. It is obviously not super-strong as some of the more costly systems, but it has worked very well for me and I've been more than satisfied with it. The price is also very nice on your wallet, too at UNDER $150!

 

[LindsayW]

Has anyone found a decent comparison for the best professional hiking tripods. I actually found a couple of websites about hiking that have good reviews on tripods, but they are more of hiking websites rather than photography websites and I don't know if I can trust them.

 

[LindsayW]

Has anyone used any of these tripods, because I believe that the two Glitzo models would do alright for my camera, but I am trying to find a cheaper solution, so if any of the less expensive models work well, I might consider them as well. Also what type of ball head would you advise to use with these?

 

[hewhosculpts]

The Gitzo 1542T would definitely be great for that... I use it combined with the Arcatech Ultimate ball head.

 

[rich_r]

I use this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/926480-REG/benro_c2350q2t_2_series_carbon_travl_tripod.html

I am pretty happy with it. There are plenty of review around that all seem positive. If you don't want to spend for the carbon fiber they have an aluminum model that is cheaper -- as well as two smaller models also cheaper. I'm pretty sure that MeFoto is a Benro product.

 

[RonFrank]

This thread is from 2012..... a new thread may be a good idea....

 

[Norm Bates]

Hello,

I am looking for a small lightweight tripod for hiking that can carry a 5D + 24-105. Ideally, it would be short enough to fit in a backpack.

Budget:

Thanks,

Mike

https://www.mefoto.com/air

Not expensive, but good quality for the price.

Good luck.

 

[graytrekker]

I do a lot of ultralight backpacking and I use a Slik 450 - weighs only 1 lb (hence "450"). I don't think they are made anymore, but can find them on eBay