Tripod question

[hazmat12]

Looking for advice or opinion

I am thinking about getting a second tripod to back up my really right stuff tripod and ball head. Most of my vacations are for landscape photography. However, a few times a year I do go hiking with friends, and they are not so much into chasing sunrises and sunsets or tracking all over the place to find a great view for an awesome photograph. In a week I'm going on a trip to Albania with friends to take advantage of hiking and the partying Nightlife. Of course, I will bring my R5 and a few lenses, but I don't think I will bring my really right stuff, tripod and ball head. Is it worth buying one of these lightweight tripods and an inexpensive ballhead? Just in case I find a sunset or sunrise to photograph.

IFOOTAGE Cobra 3 C180F-P Carbon Fiber Video Monopod with Pedal

https://www.amazon.com/IFOOTAGE-Cobra-C180F-P-Monopod，Professional-Photography/dp/B0BRX9HYM4.

rich

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http://www.pbase.com/richardh/image/37839622
Rich

 

[tsinsf]

What are you really asking? How can someone else answer if it is worth it for you? Only you can answer that question for yourself. One thought, if you have a Canon R5 and any of the lenses have their own image stabilization, you can get up to 8 stops of image stabilization. Crank the ISO up 1600, which you can easily deal with in post, and you have 13 stops of image stabilization without a tripod. That should get you all but the darkest moments of sunrises and sunsets.

 

[Abbott Schindler]

This is impossible to input to without more info, like which RRS tripod/head do you have, how much weight are you willing to carry, whether you’d be able to use a tripod at all with your group’s pace, the longest lens, etc. Also, it seems that the Amazon page you referenced isn’t available, at least in the U.S. where I live.

FWIW, I always carry at least a travel tripod when I go somewhere. Usually a Gitzo GT2545 or GT1545T. There are a lot of other tripod recommendations on threads in this forum.

 

[crowley213]

This is one of these questions where it is really difficult to give sound advice, as (as others already mentioned) there is lacking some basic information, but much more important it also depends on "philosophy".

Questions:

- Will such situations occur more often, means you will need a lightweight tripod regularly?

- Is it more about the size and weight when hiking or traveling by plane?

- What shooting tasks do you really plan to do with such a system

From my point of view, but that's just me, the most important aspects of a tripod are to hold my gear safe (!) and stable! No way I will compromise these both aspects!

Therefore, in case you need such equipment on regular bases, you may want to think going for a good and proven travel tripod system from a reputable supplier, for example RRS. What sense does it make to go for such quality gear under "normal" circumstances but not for the gear you may need under specific circumstances?

But all that depends on your very personal needs and philosophy, therefore you may want to give the option you showed a try, maybe it works for you.

Herbert

 

[Craig Gillette]

I have a similar item. I added the longer pedal legs to a previous version.

There are two questions here. One, should you take a (I'm assuming here) what would be a smaller, lighter, more convenient "travel tripod" alternative to what you have, for potentially low light shots longer than can be done handheld? Two, is this the right one?

Assuming one might be up pre-dawn after partying is a real possibility, along with "sunsets," a tripod is a common travel item, avoiding the risk that there isn't a suitable spot to rest/prop the camera for a long shot. But a fair "Yes," a tripod might be a good idea. I find I don't get as much use out of them as I predicted but certainly a consideration for trips.

This is probably not the right one. The biggest problem is it's not short when collapsed, even with the legs and head removed, I believe it will be 22" or so "pole" only. Awkwardly long.

It's planned for use as a video support, allowing panning, tilting, etc., with weight transfer to the ground but not locked in place. The paddle (if like mine) only locks in one position. Straight up. So, while the legs can be set to slightly different angles, it's not an omni-directional tightened ball head when the paddle locks.

Like any legged/footed monopod, the length of extension and load combine to make me expect that it will not stand safely by itself except in the most benign conditions.

A traditional "travel tripod" is likely to be a better choice. That gets into all of the usual compromises of leg lengths, how many sections to get both collapsed and extended lengths that work for you, light without being unable to handle the load, reasonable price, etc..

 

[omoise]

Looking for advice or opinion

I am thinking about getting a second tripod to back up my really right stuff tripod and ball head. Most of my vacations are for landscape photography. However, a few times a year I do go hiking with friends, and they are not so much into chasing sunrises and sunsets or tracking all over the place to find a great view for an awesome photograph. In a week I'm going on a trip to Albania with friends to take advantage of hiking and the partying Nightlife. Of course, I will bring my R5 and a few lenses, but I don't think I will bring my really right stuff, tripod and ball head. Is it worth buying one of these lightweight tripods and an inexpensive ballhead? Just in case I find a sunset or sunrise to photograph.

IFOOTAGE Cobra 3 C180F-P Carbon Fiber Video Monopod with Pedal

https://www.amazon.com/IFOOTAGE-Cobra-C180F-P-Monopod，Professional-Photography/dp/B0BRX9HYM4.

rich

I'd personally never touch one of those. Would not trust it to hold my gear safely.

I am using this for a travel tripod:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V4YB7GY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

I was weary initially, but very impressed after using it for 5-6 vacations. Add a Sirui B -00K ball head to it, Been hiking 6-10 miles with it on the backpack. Can't say you won't feel the weight, but at 1.1KG (2.4#) its very bearable.

Certainly I would not use it for a z9 and the heaviest of the super telephotos, but it keeps a Z8/24-120 combo perfectly safe. Even the 180-600 (gingerly)...

edit: I forgot to mention it fits perfectly in a carryon. With the ball head attached.

Best of luck deciding, as you are the only one that knows what works for you...

Regards,
Ovi

 

[hazmat12]

Thanks for everyone comments.

I decided to bring RRS tripod.

My decision was based on the fact that if there is a chance to capture an image that I would need a tripod, I should probably have my really right stuff tripod and ball head with me. Buying an expensive monopod is not the answer. My RRS tripod has never let me down and has been all around the world with me; why stop carrying it around now.

 

[john isaacs]

Looking for advice or opinion

I am thinking about getting a second tripod to back up my really right stuff tripod and ball head. Most of my vacations are for landscape photography. However, a few times a year I do go hiking with friends, and they are not so much into chasing sunrises and sunsets or tracking all over the place to find a great view for an awesome photograph. In a week I'm going on a trip to Albania with friends to take advantage of hiking and the partying Nightlife. Of course, I will bring my R5 and a few lenses, but I don't think I will bring my really right stuff, tripod and ball head. Is it worth buying one of these lightweight tripods and an inexpensive ballhead? Just in case I find a sunset or sunrise to photograph.

IFOOTAGE Cobra 3 C180F-P Carbon Fiber Video Monopod with Pedal

https://www.amazon.com/IFOOTAGE-Cobra-C180F-P-Monopod，Professional-Photography/dp/B0BRX9HYM4.

rich

I would not use a monopod to photograph a sunset or sunrise. If you want long exposure, get a compact travel tripod.

But if you are taking advantage of the "partying Nightlife", I wouldn't bring either. When, in the midst of the partying, would you plan to dig out your photo gear? Better, bring a selfie tripod for your phone, so you can record the debacle.

 

[Ellis Vener]

Looking for advice or opinion

I am thinking about getting a second tripod to back up my really right stuff tripod and ball head. Most of my vacations are for landscape photography. However, a few times a year I do go hiking with friends, and they are not so much into chasing sunrises and sunsets or tracking all over the place to find a great view for an awesome photograph. In a week I'm going on a trip to Albania with friends to take advantage of hiking and the partying Nightlife. Of course, I will bring my R5 and a few lenses, but I don't think I will bring my really right stuff, tripod and ball head. Is it worth buying one of these lightweight tripods and an inexpensive ballhead? Just in case I find a sunset or sunrise to photograph.

IFOOTAGE Cobra 3 C180F-P Carbon Fiber Video Monopod with Pedal

https://www.amazon.com/IFOOTAGE-Cobra-C180F-P-Monopod，Professional-Photography/dp/B0BRX9HYM4.

rich

The iFootage Cobra Monopod 3 is great! But as you've figured out, it's a monopod, not a tripod. That has obvious positives and negatives. I don't have the pedal model, but if you find that useful, it's useful. I also like being able to just use the base as a table top tripod.

Which head were you thinking about using it with?

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Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
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