Looking for a lightweight but not table top sized tripod.

[NowHearThis]

Greeting all,

I am looking for opinions and user experiences of a good lightweight tripod that's small. Currently I have a Zomei Z818 tripod ( pictured here ) that is rather huge, and I do really like it and use it frequently, especially since it can become a monopod too and can get the camera up to 6' in height which lets me shoot over a lot of things. But I would also like a smaller, meaning I'd like it to be crazy small (under 12"/25cm) when collapsed, but still let me extend it up a fair bit as needed (a lot more so than a standard table top sized tripod). I haven't really thought about a budget for this, I assume something like this wouldn't be very expensive.

Does anyone have any good options that might fit a need I'm trying to fill?

 

[NowHearThis]

Greeting all,

I am looking for opinions and user experiences of a good lightweight tripod that's small. Currently I have a Zomei Z818 tripod ( pictured here ) that is rather huge, and I do really like it and use it frequently, especially since it can become a monopod too and can get the camera up to 6' in height which lets me shoot over a lot of things. But I would also like a smaller, meaning I'd like it to be crazy small (under 12"/25cm) when collapsed, but still let me extend it up a fair bit as needed (a lot more so than a standard table top sized tripod). I haven't really thought about a budget for this, I assume something like this wouldn't be very expensive.

Does anyone have any good options that might fit a need I'm trying to fill?

--
NHT

Well, I think I may have found something that might work. It’s not perfect. But it does have an arca Swiss plate which I was hoping for and it’s 12” folded. And for $70 might be worth trying out. If anyone has better ideas, I’d still be interested to hear.

Davis & Sanford Traverse TR-553-228

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...3_p228_traverse_tr_553_228_super_compact.html

--
NHT

 

[khunpapa]

Cullmann Nanomax is the best answer for you.

 

[rashid7]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

 

[Lacko]

Velbon UT 43D II

Cullmann Neomax 240, Cullmann Neomax 260

 

[khunpapa]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

 

[Vince P]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

--
Keep it fun!

The T-025 folded length is 31cm, weight 0.9kG (with head), max height = 130cm, max load = 6 kG. Price $200.

The Nanomax 230T (which I use) = 23cm, 0.8kG, 103cm (extend-able center column), 3 kG.
However the price is just around $50.

The 3 kG max load may be inferior to T-025x.

But I can't think of why one would use this class of tripod for FF dSLR with f/2.8 telephoto.

--
Flashes of my Memory.

Load capacity is not the weight of camera and lens you should use with it, especially with a ball head. It's the maximum weight, they say, it can safely take without collapsing. For that it's usually conservative but way above what it can keep really steady in actual use. It's nearly always better than hand holding though.

I have tripods and heads with 20+Kg capacity I hesitate to use them with a third of that. The Sirui I have is pushing it's limits with larger M43 for most use and with a DSLR would be an issue except in very undemanding circumstances.

--
Instagram @vinnypimages

 

[BruceRH]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

--
Keep it fun!

I really like Sirui’s quality as well. I am using the Sirui T-2205X+G-20KX ballhead. I purchased both for a little over $300. I can’t believe how small it folds up to. I use it with my EM1 MK2 + PL100-400. It is a little longer than the T-025x when folded and just a little bit heavier. The T-025x or T-024x fit perfectly into your parameters though.

 

[IanYorke]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

 

[Vince P]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

 

[khunpapa]

Vince P wrote :

Load capacity is not the weight of camera and lens you should use with it, especially with a ball head.

This, I know.

I have tripods and heads with 20+Kg capacity I hesitate to use them with a third of that. The Sirui I have is pushing it's limits with larger M43 for most use and with a DSLR would be an issue except in very undemanding circumstances.

 

[Digital Dick]

Recently bought a Neewer Carbon Fiber tripod for about $100 and find it to work fine for my M43 even with long lenses.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I1C8VGI/ref=od_aui_detailpages02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

****

 

[NowHearThis]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

 

[IanYorke]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

--
Keep it fun!

The Benro TSL08CN00 Slim Carbon-Fibre Tripod with Ball Head is only 60% of the cost of Sirui T-025x (in the UK). Folded it is around 12" and just over 1Kg and comes with a bag. Also easier to tighten ball head with the tear drop knob compared to the very small round knob on the Sirui.

Compared them at the recent Photography show in UK. You also get a nice monopod option with it. Worth a look.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Benro-TSL0...=1522596001&sr=8-1&keywords=benro+slim+carbon

Ian

No offence but that Benro (Not dissing Benro I have one of their tripods and also a gimbal) is actually 20" folded weighs 25 percent more and is only rated for 2/3rds the load of the Sirui.

--
Instagram @vinnypimages

Apologies, picked up the wrong model number:





Ian

 

[NowHearThis]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

 

[NowHearThis]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

 

[NowHearThis]

Recently bought a Neewer Carbon Fiber tripod for about $100 and find it to work fine for my M43 even with long lenses.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I1C8VGI/ref=od_aui_detailpages02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

****

That one looks almost like the one I currently have. I was hoping to find one a bit smaller and lighter. I have a sling bag similar to the Slingshot 102 (knock off brand though) and I wanted something lighter for day hikes. But thanks for the suggestion. I like Neewer table top tripods, I’ll see if they have something inbetween.

 

[john isaacs]

My favorite ultra compact is the Sirui T-025X carbon fiber (2lb), or the T-005x aluminum (half the price, 2.3lb). The folded length with head is 13", max height is 54". Specs say the max height w/o column extended is 47", but that is with the column attached (it telescopes). With the column removed, the working height is only 40". If you remove the ball head, the legs are 12". The center column is removable for ultra low use.

I also have a Benro T-A069 aluminum (2.5lb), folded length with head is 13.1", max height is also 54". Max height w/o column extended is 47". The center column can be inverted but not removed, so minimum working height is not really low. But it is more stable than the Sirui, just heavier.

I don't think Benro make a compact tripod anymore; the supposed replacement for the T-A069 has folded length of 22".

On thing to consider. I have had to get replacement parts for both my Benro and one of my Sirui (I have all three of the above tripods). Customer service has been excellent for both (especiallly Sirui). If you get a tripod from a lesser known company, you might have issues getting support. Of course, if it's really cheap, you just toss it and buy another.

My advice is to determine what the maximum length you can use is. For me, I want my tripod to fit within my Lowepro Mini-Trekker AW bag (my absolute favorite for m4/3 when I have a bunch of gear). It will take a 14.5" tripod internally, so I now have a set of legs that are 5-section carbon fiber that fit without the head. Much taller working height.

 

[john isaacs]

One other thing. With these small ball heads, they are not that stable if you have a heavy lens; even the Olympus 12-40 is a bit much. I use a nodal rail slide to balance the camera/lens, which also solves the droop problem (when you tighten the ball head and let go of the camera, it drops down a bit with the weight).

 

[IanYorke]

Funny how we all have favorites!

Sirui T-025x carbon $200, or “identical” T-024x in aluminum for $100.

These are built with quality at the same factories as benro and mephoto.

Nothing is lighter without being cheap&flexy

--
Keep it fun!

The Benro TSL08CN00 Slim Carbon-Fibre Tripod with Ball Head is only 60% of the cost of Sirui T-025x (in the UK). Folded it is around 12" and just over 1Kg and comes with a bag. Also easier to tighten ball head with the tear drop knob compared to the very small round knob on the Sirui.

Compared them at the recent Photography show in UK. You also get a nice monopod option with it. Worth a look.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Benro-TSL0...=1522596001&sr=8-1&keywords=benro+slim+carbon

Ian

I like the Blue anodized aluminum on it, but one person on there said it only folds to about 20”, how do you get it to fold to 12”?

--
NHT

In my first post I picked up the wrong model number Corrected with my second post with specs from Benro data sheet I looked at both Sirui and the Benro side by side and bought the Benro due to the tiny round knob used to lock the ball head Difficult to operate for me particularly if it was cold. The monopod option is also excellent. Can't remember if the Sirui offered that

Ian