In search of the ultimate travel tripod?

[Teme]

The best tripod is the one that you will take with you, right? Well, I'm looking to purchase a very compact tripod that I'll be using mostly for landscape and indoors close-up photography. The max weight of the camera and lens would 3.5 lb / 1.5 kg or so.

I've been looking at the alternatives and really compact tripods seem to be quite rare. I do realise that the correlation between compact size and sturdiness are at odds, but for the relatively light equipment I have, I am still hoping to find a small (around 15" / less than 40 cm) but decently stable travel tripod.

The ideal setup on paper would seem to be a Gitzo 1155T with an RSS BH-25 ballhead. What I like about the compact Gitzo is that it stands quite tall without having to raise the centre column but still folds to just 14" / 36 cm. On the other hand, the 5th leg sections do look quite flimsy (perhaps one can use just our of the sections in breezy conditions?).

Anyone have experience on the above? I've done the Google thing and found nothing so far. Since this combo would be VERY expensive, would there be any other viable quality alternatives (I am willing to spend money but not if I get the same result for less)?

Regards,
Teme

[Ricko of Fla]

I have a Feisol Tri pod closes to 17" light Wgt www.thresholdconceptd.com
US distrubutor www. feisol.com China I love that it goes in my suite case and is light weight, I use a 100-400 w/lens plate works good for me.

[blacksmurf]

For that weight, I'd recommend my tripod: Manfrotto 728. Max weight of camera + lenses, 1.75 kg. Weight of the tripod, 3,5 kg.

But I admit that it's the only tripod I've used... :rolleyes:

[condyk]

Feisol carbon fibre. I've had a couple and wouldn't even bother looking elsewhere now.

[SkipD]

Even though tripods and heads are rated for weight, that isn't really what matters the most. What matters is rigidity when mounting a camera with a long lens. One could easily make a tripod that will support 30 pounds of hardware but still be flexible enough as to be relatively useless.

My recommendation is to go to decent photo stores and actually test the tripods you are interested in. How would I do a test? Mount the longest and heaviest lens that you have to the camera and then mount it to the tripod. Focus on a distant subject. Then, while looking through the viewfinder but not touching the camera with your face, tap on the front end of the lens. The image will move in the viewfinder. What you need to analyze is how much movement you see and how fast it recovers to a steady state. The more rigid the tripod/head, the less movement you will see and the faster it will recover to being truly steady.

You'd be amazed at what you will learn when trying this test.

I would rather use a bean bag or a rolled up jacket on a solid surface than a flimsy tripod. The flimsiest tripod/head combination that I own and use is the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro with the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head on it. Yes, it weighs a little more than some, but it is pretty darned good at doing the intended job - keeping the camera/lens steady. It really isn't hard to carry with a proper strap and leg padding. I just can't tie it to my already heavy camera bag.

[Lightstream]

Found my preferred tripod. Slik Sprint Pro GM with Giottos MH625 quick release and SBH-100 ballhead. It's delivered results time and time again with the gear listed in my sig. Total weight is two pounds and will carry 5 pounds. Can't say I'm unhappy with it - I love fireworks and the tripod has really, really delivered. I can shoot images back-to-back and the tripod holds zero, which is important because I later blend the exposures and I cannot afford to be 'off' even by a little or the result looks absolutely horrible.

It may not hold longer lenses than mine, but I am typically using it for landscape work with the shorter zooms (10-22, 17-85). YMMV. By the time I have $$ to upgrade to L lenses, I will probably have $$ to upgrade the tripod too. :)

[Teme]

I have actually roamed the local shops in search of a tripod but their selection is unfortunately somewhat limited. The three section Manfrotto 055MF3 (3021?) was very sturdy, but clearly a lot bigger than what I am prepared to haul around. The four section model (055MF4) is slightly smaller but still too large being almost 10" (approx 20 cm) longer than the smallest Gitzo when folded. The Manfrotto 190MF4 is getting closer to the type of size I'd be ok with and may therefore be an option. I have not had the opportunity to try it out yet, though. The same applies to the Slik tripods and smaller Manfrottos. I guess I'll take my gear with me and revisit the shops as well as ask if they have other models in stock that are just not on display. But it looks like this will be boiling down to two final candidates:

The Feisol 3402 actually does look very interesting even tough it is also slightly larger than what I originally had in mind (but I guess I'm starting to accept the fact that a sturdy tripod cannot be as small as I'd like it to be). The Velbon CF 641EL (El Carmagne 640) looks pretty similar to the Feisol in specs but has flip locks instead of the twist locks - a benefit in my eyes.

Both the Feisol and the Velbon are well priced and cost less than half of what an equivalent Gitzo does, which is good news. I could put some of that saving into a sturdier ballhead (e.g. the RSS BH-40 or the Kirk BH-3)!

Thanks for all the feedback so far. They have helped me narrow down the alternatives...

Regards,
Teme

[Cathpah]

Teme-have you made a decision yet? if so, what have you found and how do you like it?

[mbze430]

When choosing a tripod, the most important thing is look at the load weight, stability, and ease of use.

foot sections, material, and other will effect the 3 above. You have to figure what is going to work for you.

If you never plan on putting a large lens like a 400mm f/2.8 IS or a 600mm L, you can definately go for a smaller unit.

If you don't plan to travel much with it, you can go with a 2 section.

list goes on and on....

the ultimate decision, is what are your needs.

[Teme]

Teme-have you made a decision yet? if so, what have you found and how do you like it? I still haven't made up my mind :rolleyes:, but need to do so soon as I would like to have the tripod with me on my summer vacation (3 weeks in Tuscany, Italy starting June 10th). The Gitzo travelers are tempting but the prices make me hesitant. I will mull over this and post here when I finally make up my mind...

Regards,
Teme

[Teme]

When choosing a tripod, the most important thing is look at the load weight, stability, and ease of use.

foot sections, material, and other will effect the 3 above. You have to figure what is going to work for you.

If you never plan on putting a large lens like a 400mm f/2.8 IS or a 600mm L, you can definately go for a smaller unit.

If you don't plan to travel much with it, you can go with a 2 section.

list goes on and on....

the ultimate decision, is what are your needs. Thank you for the input. I do not foresee using heavier lenses than the 70-200 (possibly a f2.8 version at a later date, but I will start off with the f4).

I do plan to travel with it a fair bit, so it will need to fold down to a small size and preferably be lightweight as well...

Regards,
Teme

[Teme]

A short update. I ordered the Markins Q3 "Emile" ballhead today along with a Kirk PZ-105 plate. No tripod yet, but I about to pull the trigger on a Gitzo 1298 Basalt - a tad larger than I originally planned but should be ok for my gear (and I can't stretch my budget to a CF Gitzo)...

Regards,
Teme

[Teme]

Ok. I finally managed to make up my mind. I stretched my budget and the Gitzo 1158T Traveler it shall be. Main reasons for my choice were the compact size and the fact that I found the "regular" 1158 sturdy enough for my purposes - I have been told that the Traveler is equally rigid. The tripod shipped today as did the ballhead (the latter was slightly delayed because the camera plate I wanted as not in stock). I'll try and do a short write-up on it and the Markins Q3 when I have them both.

Br,
Teme

[futura]

I'd be interested in hearing your experiences with the 1158T as I have been on the lookout for a smallish tripod.

[Lani Kai]

The Cullmann Magic 2 works for me.

[Teme]

I'd be interested in hearing your experiences with the 1158T as I have been on the lookout for a smallish tripod. I posted some initial thoughts on the 1158T on blogspot: Click here (http://myphotogear.blogspot.com/2006/06/ultimate-travel-tripod_114952014344731395.html).

Regards,
Teme

[J Rabin]

This fellow put effort and review into this question.

http://www.virtualtraveller.org/tripods/tripods.htm