lightweight and sturdy alternative to my Bogen 3021BP?

[baboymo]

Last year I traveled overseas with my Bogen 3021BP and it was quite cumbersome carrying it especially during long walks. I have the hand strap for it but it does get heavy after a while. I'll be traveling overseas again in a few months and don't want to be lugging around the big black poles. I'm looking for a smaller lightweight alternative that is about as sturdy as the Bogen beast. I'll probably be using my 486RC2 head on the new one.

If I find the right alternative I may sell the Bogen.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[SkipD]

Last year I traveled overseas with my Bogen 3021BP and it was quite cumbersome carrying it especially during long walks. I have the hand strap for it but it does get heavy after a while. I'll be traveling overseas again in a few months and don't want to be lugging around the big black poles. I'm looking for a smaller lightweight alternative that is about as sturdy as the Bogen beast. I'll probably be using my 486RC2 head on the new one.

If I find the right alternative I may sell the Bogen.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!I do not think that you will find anything that is significantly lighter and easier to carry while being as sturdy as the 3021BPro is. You could get a carbon fiber version, but it will only drop the weight by a pound or so. To me, that is not worth the huge price difference.

The "long strap" by Manfrotto works great when I want to carry my 3021BPro across my back.

Another suggestion is to determine whether or not a monopod would suffice for the anticipated work. No, it is not a tripod. You cannot set it up and walk out in front to take a photo of yourself. It won't work for 15-second night shots.

What could work for some of the situations where you would like to have the camera self-supported would be a bean bag, possibly loaded with styrofoam beads to make it light to carry.

[Woolburr]

I have to agree with Skip...there isn't that big a weight saving with CF, just a huge increase in price. The Manfrotto 682B is a possible lightweight option. While technically a monopod...there are three extending legs in the very base that serve to give it some added stability. I don't think I would park my camera on it, set the self-timer and jump in the shot....but it does offer increased stability over a conventional monopod for longer exposures.

Can't rule out the option of the beanbag either. We have been using them for years with great results.

[MarkoPolo]

I just got a Dynatran CF92 (Specs wise roughly equivalent to the Gitzo 1258) for less than $70US. Very light, seems sturdy and the price was right. I haven't had a chance to use it much yet, but it is significantly lighter than my Gitzo 2220. If you don't mind the e-bay bidding experience, you can get great deals on their CF tripods. They come in flip type legs as well. Very well equiped with a carrying cased, straps, etc. I would have never thought to do this if I hadn't read such good reviews of Dynatran tripods on the forum. Hope this helps.

[kram]

I picked up the 3001 instead of the 3021. Got the weight down from 5.7lbs to 3.7lbs. The height without the column extended is only 46.5 on the 3001 compared to the 54 on a 3021.

The 3001bn legs are rated for 5 kgs which I found plenty for my setup.

Recently, I picked up a CF tripod with a 4kg load capacity but weighs only 2.2lbs. I seriously doubt if any tripod can get lighter than that while still being stable;) Check my sig. for more details.....

[JNunn]

Ditto on the Benro and Dynatran suggestions. By the specs they are both SIGNIFICANTLY lighter than the Bogen offerings. There isn't necessarily a price premium either. The Dynatran models can be had for under $100. I got a Dynatran CF81 leg set (not anywhere near as stable as the larger models) for hiking that weighs about 4 lbs with the ball head I have a bogen 3221W and am replacing it with a Benro C298 + KS-1 ball head for about $460.00. This will save me about 4lbs and is about the same price as an Arca Swiss or Kirk head alone.

[baboymo]

Thanks to all of you for your kind responses.

I'll try out the bean bag pod thingy and see how it works for me and the long strap for my tripod. Hope it can make it carrying it around easier for me.

Cheers!