Pocketable tripod

[Impulses]

I used to be familiar with a bunch of these, but I've forgotten half of them and I'm looking for one... I'm not looking for a mini/tabletop tripod, let alone a full size one, I'm looking for something that will quite literally fit in a spare bag pocket (eg the front pocket of my PD 6L Sling) or a jacket pocket (without funny questions).

I've already got something solid and quite decent if I wanna carry something to use on the ground or atop stuff, I'd have to carry it outside that sling tho, eg a Sunwayfoto T1A11 II which is like 6" long and some 180g. I've got all manner of small compact heads, and a PD CF Travel Tripod, and cheaper but larger/smaller alternatives to it.

I'm looking for something with a built in head of sorts, tho I can add my own ARCA clamp. I love the Joby GPod magnetic I have but it's fussy to set up, something that pocketable would be ideal tho, that one is <4" & <50g. The Joby Micro 800 worked awesome with my lighter M4/3 cameras (and the 250 with my P&S) but the micro head on it isn't stiff enough for my A7R IV even with a 160g 24/2.8 on it.

That micro 800 folds almost flat and it's like <3.5" and <65g, that's the range I'm looking for. I don't mind sacrificing any/all flexibility if it'll just hold my A7R IV straight on or at a slight upward angle for a pic from the ground or on top of a bench, bin, etc. If it can do so with a larger lens even better.

Would the Ultrapods be worth exploring? They always seemed more ideal for lashing unto stuff and I'm dubious that screw on top will hold my A7R IV even with a lightweight 165g lens, let alone a 400-500g one. The Platypods look versatile but once you add a head they're no longer compact, might as well carry my Sunwayfoto.

I seem to remember some kinda Manfrotto made for heavier DSLR that was quite simply just a plate with 3 fold out legs, more like studs really than actual legs, something like that could work, I'd just slap a slim ARCA clamp on it, already have several.

 

[Impulses]

I realize what I'm asking for is somewhat of a stretch btw, something that'll hold 800-1,100g while having almost no mass of it's own, even more of a stretch with a longer lens that pushes the center of gravity out... The GPod Magnetic works sorta ok because the legs are stiff enough and can be splayed out, maybe what I should be looking for is the smallest head that'll work on something like a Platypod.

I did find the Manfrotto I mentioned btw, the MP3 or MP3-DC01, judging by Amazon reviews it seems there's a reason it disappeared heh. I've never owned anything by Novoflex but have heard good things, any input on their Micropod?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/269751-REG/Novoflex_MICROPOD.html/specs

It's not that much smaller than my Sunwayfoto but since the legs just stick in and stick out of the base it'd be easy to store them separate, which also fascinates storing the base in a pocket with a really compact head. After trawling B&H and elsewhere I've not seen anything else that could work, the Novoflex seems overpriced for what it is, but it does shave some weight and bulk vs my Sunwayfoto.

UltraPod looks as large or larger than my current Sunwayfoto but less stable, and the Platypod looks more fussy (having to screw on the head each time, then possibly use the leveling screw legs). This is for travel so...

 

[Fazal Majid]

The Minox mini tripod is very compact thanks to its matryoshka style nesting legs and can hold a Leica M, but tightening its tiny ball head is a bit of a chore.

MINOX Camera Pocket Tripod | 80405773

Handy pocket tripod for cameras and monoculars

www.minox-optics.com

The Novoflex Microstativ is very good but not that much lighter than yours, although it does include a ball head.

Consisting of MICROPOD and BALL 19

The NOVOFLEX Microstativ Tabletop Tripod is a tabletop tripod that is a combination of the Micropod mini-tripod and the BALL 19 mini ball head. The Micropod is the "David" under the compact tripods. Very compact and weighing a mere 1.76 oz (49.9 g), it is strong enough to support a camera up 6.6...

novoflex.co.uk

The Joby GripTight folding tripod base weighs next to nothing. It does not elevate much, though.

I had the Pedco Ultrapod, and found it worse than useless.

Check out my collection of mini tripods, you may find one you like:

A Passel of Miniature Tripods · Fazal Majid's low-intensity blog

blog.majid.info

 

[Impulses]

Thanks for the quick feedback!

The Minox mini tripod is very compact thanks to its matryoshka style nesting legs and can hold a Leica M, but tightening its tiny ball head is a bit of a chore.

https://www.minox-optics.com/uk/MINOX-Camera-Pocket-Tripod/80405773

What kinda setup would that small screw at the top hold steadily tho? I'm kinda skeptical it'll be better than the Joby Griptight Micro (can't tell if the one on your site is the smaller 250 or the larger 800, looks like the former, Joby has been pretty sloppy with ambiguous naming and branding lately IMO).

The Novoflex Microstativ is very good but not that much lighter than yours, although it does include a ball head.

https://novoflex.co.uk/consisting-of-micropod-and-ball-20/

Yeah that's basically the only interesting option I've found on my own (see my second comment), it's not a lot lighter but I think by detaching the legs it'd be more pocketable. I've seen complaints about how easy it is or isn't to attach them, what's your experience?

The Joby GripTight folding tripod base weighs next to nothing. It does not elevate much, though.

I'm not looking for any significant height, I'll get creative with that or just use it for ground level shots, just need stability! My Joby Micro 800 kinda failed at that even with a lightweight 24/2.8 G mounted, makes me wonder if it's loosened with time hmm...

I had the Pedco Ultrapod, and found it worse than useless.

Noted, thanks, ruling that out!

Check out my collection of mini tripods, you may find one you like:

https://blog.majid.info/galleries/tripods/

 

[poipoipoi_2016]

It's not cheap and I wouldn't stick a 100-400 on it, but I'm a tremendous fan of my TFA-01 here. Anything up to 105, it can handle trivially.

https://reallyrightstuff.com/tfa-01/ + https://reallyrightstuff.com/bc18/

 

[Fazal Majid]

Thanks for the quick feedback!

The Minox mini tripod is very compact thanks to its matryoshka style nesting legs and can hold a Leica M, but tightening its tiny ball head is a bit of a chore.

https://www.minox-optics.com/uk/MINOX-Camera-Pocket-Tripod/80405773

What kinda setup would that small screw at the top hold steadily tho?

It'll hold my Leica M with 50mm lens. The ballhead is tightened by turning one of the legs that screws into it, and it's hard to get enough leverage to torque it fully, and they didn't think to put a hole in it that you could insert something like an Allen wrench to get more leverage.

In any case it's probably an academic question as it seems to be discontinued or out of stock everywhere.

The Novoflex Microstativ is very good but not that much lighter than yours, although it does include a ball head.

https://novoflex.co.uk/consisting-of-micropod-and-ball-20/

Yeah that's basically the only interesting option I've found on my own (see my second comment), it's not a lot lighter but I think by detaching the legs it'd be more pocketable. I've seen complaints about how easy it is or isn't to attach them, what's your experience?

There are two sets of holes, one that splay the legs at the angle in the photo, the others that are meant to hold the legs straight together while the tripod is packed. I have the old model with black legs and no rubber tips at the feet, so I don't know how much it's changed, but the legs have some sort of hard rubber or-ring at the tip that provides some friction. The plastic platform on mine broke, the screw will still fit in a tripod socket hole on the camera but it's not ideal.

The Joby GripTight folding tripod base weighs next to nothing. It does not elevate much, though.

I'm not looking for any significant height, I'll get creative with that or just use it for ground level shots, just need stability!

Have a look at the FLM CP10. It's very light, quite tall, and extremely stable and adjustable thanks to the different angles possible using the screws connecting the legs to the apex so for small angles you could possibly even do without a ball head (I use a Leofoto ballhead from another mini tripod I didn't like the legs of). Not as compact as what you want, though.

My Joby Micro 800 kinda failed at that even with a lightweight 24/2.8 G mounted, makes me wonder if it's loosened with time hmm...

I wouldn't use it on anything bigger than a Ricoh GRIII or Sony RX1 series compact.

I had the Pedco Ultrapod, and found it worse than useless.

Noted, thanks, ruling that out!

Check out my collection of mini tripods, you may find one you like:

https://blog.majid.info/galleries/tripods/

I've got the Cullmann Copter too, great little head on it, not quite as pocketable (if only there was like a half height version that sat lower) but the head could be useful on the Novoflex, are they a good match? (just trying to save a buck and skip the matching Novoflex head)

It should, they use a standard 1/4"-20 thread, unlike the bigger 3/8" thread used on full-sized tripods and ballheads. I can't locate my Cullman at the moment to test it out. The Novoflex head's platform is flimsy, in any case.

I don't think the Novoflex legs are going to be much of an improvement in bulk on the Cullman (but will certainly be lighter).

There are a number of folding leg sets, this one I have is quite good:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1647244-REG/

There are also plenty of Chinese knock-offa of the RRS TFA-01 or the Manfrotto 209.

Other than my question above and the one about the Novoflex legs, I'm most curious about those Manfrotto Pockets on your site. Amazon reviews seemed discouraging and they're hard to track down now but they look promising as far as being able to level a camera with the least bulk involved...

Only good for compact cameras, really, although the bigger one with 3 legs would work on a SLR or mirrorless.

--
Fazal Majid (www.majid.info)

 

[Impulses]

Thanks for the quick feedback!

The Novoflex Microstativ is very good but not that much lighter than yours, although it does include a ball head.

https://novoflex.co.uk/consisting-of-micropod-and-ball-20/

Yeah that's basically the only interesting option I've found on my own (see my second comment), it's not a lot lighter but I think by detaching the legs it'd be more pocketable. I've seen complaints about how easy it is or isn't to attach them, what's your experience?

There are two sets of holes, one that splay the legs at the angle in the photo, the others that are meant to hold the legs straight together while the tripod is packed. I have the old model with black legs and no rubber tips at the feet, so I don't know how much it's changed, but the legs have some sort of hard rubber or-ring at the tip that provides some friction. The plastic platform on mine broke, the screw will still fit in a tripod socket hole on the camera but it's not ideal.

Interesting, I would've thought the platform was metal like the legs, it broke from use?

The Joby GripTight folding tripod base weighs next to nothing. It does not elevate much, though.

I'm not looking for any significant height, I'll get creative with that or just use it for ground level shots, just need stability!

Have a look at the FLM CP10. It's very light, quite tall, and extremely stable and adjustable thanks to the different angles possible using the screws connecting the legs to the apex so for small angles you could possibly even do without a ball head (I use a Leofoto ballhead from another mini tripod I didn't like the legs of). Not as compact as what you want, though.

Yeah I've seen that one but it's bulkier than what I was looking for, looks nice tho, similar in concept to my Sunwayfoto T1A11 II.

Check out my collection of mini tripods, you may find one you like:

https://blog.majid.info/galleries/tripods/

I've got the Cullmann Copter too, great little head on it, not quite as pocketable (if only there was like a half height version that sat lower) but the head could be useful on the Novoflex, are they a good match? (just trying to save a buck and skip the matching Novoflex head)

It should, they use a standard 1/4"-20 thread, unlike the bigger 3/8" thread used on full-sized tripods and ballheads. I can't locate my Cullman at the moment to test it out. The Novoflex head's platform is flimsy, in any case.

I don't think the Novoflex legs are going to be much of an improvement in bulk on the Cullman (but will certainly be lighter).

Well my thinking was that since the legs are so thin and they're detachable, I wouldn't have to store them in my bag attached to the platform (in which case you'd be right, it doesn't save much in bulk vs other legs)... I could for instance drop them in the tablet pocket of my 6L Sling (usually empty) and drop the platform with a head already attached in the front pocket.

I guess attaching the 3 legs wouldn't be a big advantage vs just screwing a head to a separate pair of legs like the ones you linked below but still...

There are a number of folding leg sets, this one I have is quite good:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1647244-REG/

There are also plenty of Chinese knock-offa of the RRS TFA-01 or the Manfrotto 209.

I'll have a look at those, they look interesting because a) they list the diameter (most don't) and it's a slim 30mm and b) they're pretty short at 4.7" which would usually be a disadvantage (the Cullmann is a couple inches longer IIRC) but in this case it'd be easier to pack away which is attractive.

Other than my question above and the one about the Novoflex legs, I'm most curious about those Manfrotto Pockets on your site. Amazon reviews seemed discouraging and they're hard to track down now but they look promising as far as being able to level a camera with the least bulk involved...

Only good for compact cameras, really, although the bigger one with 3 legs would work on a SLR or mirrorless.

 

[CameraCarl]

If you are really serious about a tabletop tripod that is heavy duty enough for the gear that you mention, and if you can afford it, then the Leica tabletop tripod and matching ball head are the best on the market. Maybe the Gitzo Mini Traveler is a close second.

 

[psartman]

This might work for your minimalist needs: I am working on a modification of this Leofoto PS-4 phone holder to use as both a mini tripod and also an Arca-Swiss compatible folding L-bracket. I'm hoping it can live on the bottom of the camera. The modification involves removing the phone holder, drilling the hole out and replacing it with a 1/4-20 mounting screw for camera or QR clamp, and adding tightening levers to the main ball mount and the secondary arm joint. The short third arm is only needed when placing the bracket in L-mount mode. I've got the bracket in hand and it's fairly sturdy for the size and weight- it might work as-is (with the phone mount swapped and the hole widened) for a compact M43 or all-in-one camera. I hope to use it on my Sony full-frame mirrorless with a small lens.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1740753-REG/leofoto_ps_4_ultra_compact.html

 

[Impulses]

Really interesting, I'd be very curious to see how you fare with the most!

 

[Ellis Vener]

I used to be familiar with a bunch of these, but I've forgotten half of them and I'm looking for one... I'm not looking for a mini/tabletop tripod, let alone a full size one, I'm looking for something that will quite literally fit in a spare bag pocket (eg the front pocket of my PD 6L Sling) or a jacket pocket (without funny questions).

I've already got something solid and quite decent if I wanna carry something to use on the ground or atop stuff, I'd have to carry it outside that sling tho, eg a Sunwayfoto T1A11 II which is like 6" long and some 180g. I've got all manner of small compact heads, and a PD CF Travel Tripod, and cheaper but larger/smaller alternatives to it.

I'm looking for something with a built in head of sorts, tho I can add my own ARCA clamp. I love the Joby GPod magnetic I have but it's fussy to set up, something that pocketable would be ideal tho, that one is <4" & <50g. The Joby Micro 800 worked awesome with my lighter M4/3 cameras (and the 250 with my P&S) but the micro head on it isn't stiff enough for my A7R IV even with a 160g 24/2.8 on it.

That micro 800 folds almost flat and it's like <3.5" and <65g, that's the range I'm looking for. I don't mind sacrificing any/all flexibility if it'll just hold my A7R IV straight on or at a slight upward angle for a pic from the ground or on top of a bench, bin, etc. If it can do so with a larger lens even better.

Would the Ultrapods be worth exploring? They always seemed more ideal for lashing unto stuff and I'm dubious that screw on top will hold my A7R IV even with a lightweight 165g lens, let alone a 400-500g one. The Platypods look versatile but once you add a head they're no longer compact, might as well carry my Sunwayfoto.

I seem to remember some kinda Manfrotto made for heavier DSLR that was quite simply just a plate with 3 fold out legs, more like studs really than actual legs, something like that could work, I'd just slap a slim ARCA clamp on it, already have several.

A Platypod EXtreme. Https://platypod.com

What I like most about the eXtreme is its versatility as a support base, that it packs up flat, and I can use it with any tripod head The legs work to level, as spikes, and I’ve used them in other ways as well.

here’s a snap of me using one while shooting a Timelapse sequence of a landscape up in Virginia last month



That day I was using a medium size Platyball Elite Tripod head but you can use any size tripod head you like.
the spike tipped legs fold so they are flush with the body, no need to detach them the way you need to with the original Platypod Max & Ultra plates and with the knockoff Decade plate.
here a couple more ways I’ve used it


Shooting a 120fps sequence with a Nikon Z 8


Shooting a still life. I used a Leofoto G2 geared head for this photo

-


Using my original Platypod Max while shooting video of a conference speaker


Shooting a stitched panorama of a sanctuary. The tripod head is a Benro S8 with a Manfrotto leveling platform underneath a Really Right Stuff PG-02 H

The largest camera, lens, and head I’ve used with the Platypod eXtreme is a Manfrotto 608 Nitrotech supporting a Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 S with a Nikon Z 8 attached

-
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel
Don't be "a photographer.” Be photographing. (Paraphrasing William Faulkner's advice to writers.)

 

[Fazal Majid]

As it turns out B&H Photo has those Platypod ballheads on sale for the next 3 days as part of its sale event:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/mega-deal-zone/deals?filters=fct_brand_name%3Aplatypod

 

[maggiemole]

The Platypod Ultra is no longer in production, and I found no-one willing to part with theirs! So I got the larger Extreme and am very glad I did - those snap-in legs are a great improvement. As you are concerned about the bulk/shape of a ballhead, these legs mean you can tilt the platform by changing the angle at which the legs provide support and do away with a ballhead altogether. The Arca disc also available must carry some benefits in its own right, even without a ballhead - it is certainly easy to fit.

 

[Impulses]

Thanks for the quick feedback!

The Novoflex Microstativ is very good but not that much lighter than yours, although it does include a ball head.

https://novoflex.co.uk/consisting-of-micropod-and-ball-20/

Yeah that's basically the only interesting option I've found on my own (see my second comment), it's not a lot lighter but I think by detaching the legs it'd be more pocketable. I've seen complaints about how easy it is or isn't to attach them, what's your experience?

There are two sets of holes, one that splay the legs at the angle in the photo, the others that are meant to hold the legs straight together while the tripod is packed. I have the old model with black legs and no rubber tips at the feet, so I don't know how much it's changed, but the legs have some sort of hard rubber or-ring at the tip that provides some friction. The plastic platform on mine broke, the screw will still fit in a tripod socket hole on the camera but it's not ideal.

Interesting, I would've thought the platform was metal like the legs, it broke from use?

The Joby GripTight folding tripod base weighs next to nothing. It does not elevate much, though.

I'm not looking for any significant height, I'll get creative with that or just use it for ground level shots, just need stability!

Have a look at the FLM CP10. It's very light, quite tall, and extremely stable and adjustable thanks to the different angles possible using the screws connecting the legs to the apex so for small angles you could possibly even do without a ball head (I use a Leofoto ballhead from another mini tripod I didn't like the legs of). Not as compact as what you want, though.

Yeah I've seen that one but it's bulkier than what I was looking for, looks nice tho, similar in concept to my Sunwayfoto T1A11 II.

Check out my collection of mini tripods, you may find one you like:

https://blog.majid.info/galleries/tripods/

I've got the Cullmann Copter too, great little head on it, not quite as pocketable (if only there was like a half height version that sat lower) but the head could be useful on the Novoflex, are they a good match? (just trying to save a buck and skip the matching Novoflex head)

It should, they use a standard 1/4"-20 thread, unlike the bigger 3/8" thread used on full-sized tripods and ballheads. I can't locate my Cullman at the moment to test it out. The Novoflex head's platform is flimsy, in any case.

I don't think the Novoflex legs are going to be much of an improvement in bulk on the Cullman (but will certainly be lighter).

Well my thinking was that since the legs are so thin and they're detachable, I wouldn't have to store them in my bag attached to the platform (in which case you'd be right, it doesn't save much in bulk vs other legs)... I could for instance drop them in the tablet pocket of my 6L Sling (usually empty) and drop the platform with a head already attached in the front pocket.

I guess attaching the 3 legs wouldn't be a big advantage vs just screwing a head to a separate pair of legs like the ones you linked below but still...

There are a number of folding leg sets, this one I have is quite good:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1647244-REG/

There are also plenty of Chinese knock-offa of the RRS TFA-01 or the Manfrotto 209.

I'll have a look at those, they look interesting because a) they list the diameter (most don't) and it's a slim 30mm and b) they're pretty short at 4.7" which would usually be a disadvantage (the Cullmann is a couple inches longer IIRC) but in this case it'd be easier to pack away which is attractive.

Other than my question above and the one about the Novoflex legs, I'm most curious about those Manfrotto Pockets on your site. Amazon reviews seemed discouraging and they're hard to track down now but they look promising as far as being able to level a camera with the least bulk involved...

Only good for compact cameras, really, although the bigger one with 3 legs would work on a SLR or mirrorless.

 

[Impulses]

Adjusting by screwing all 4 legs seemed just a little too fiddly for me when I wanted quick shots. In the end I went with the Novoflex Micro mentioned above and while it's expensive it did solve exactly the issue I had, by being able to pull out the legs to store them in a different part of the bag it takes up less space than any other mini/tabletop tripod of it's kind and strength.

FWIW the way I'm carrying it is this, I take off the legs (which you'd have to do every time anyway so there's no point in storing them attached and straight) and I throw em in a Ziploc in the tablet pocket of my PD 6L Sling... That means they're essentially taking up 0 space! That pocket barely budged after I put them in, I actually slipped them in standing so they're vertical against one side of the bag (and along a lens).

Then I take the small center spider with my chosen ball head and I just throw that in the front pocket of my bag. Easy peasy, it's a decent sum to spend on a tripod like this vs a Manfrotto Pixi, Cullman Copter, or a Sunwayfoto for half the $ but it neatly solves a pretty unique dilemma and can be carried with less centralized bulk than any of those.

I'm using a Sunwayfoto PMB-18 head on it, looks bulky in photos but once you turn the stem into the portrait drop slot it's flat-ish, and has the great advantage of having the pano rotation above the ball (and being much easier to lock in place with the lever while holding my desired framing than the average small ball head with a knob).

Saw the thread was active so I just figured I'd give an update, the Novoflex Micro and that Sunway head easily handled my A7R IV + 400g 17-50/4 for some video needs I had, and have traveled halfway around the world in my 6L Sling with me barely noticing I've got them in there.