Tripod selection help (for travel, hiking, etc)

[rparchen]

I was at my local camera store trying to decide on what tripod I would like to get. I'm trying to stick in the $150'ish range if possible. I looked at the Manfrotto 728B and it seemed pretty sturdy and I think it would even fit in carry-on luggage, but I'm worry since it doesn't have a removeable head (I don't think it does anyways). What do you guys recommend? Is it possible to get a compact (20" or under when closed) sturdy tripod that would hold my equipment? I figure it would be best to get a tripod with a removable head since that would make it more compact. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Tony-S]

I have the Velbon Mini for airtravel. Folds down to 12", but its max height is only 25". I end up sitting on the ground when I use it (which isn't too bad so long as it's dry). Only $30. If I lose it, it's no big deal. It even takes my 30D with the Sigma 100-300 and 1.4x TC (haven't had a chance to try it with the 2x). It's also great for maco work because the legs spread enough to get about 6" off the ground.

[JohnJ80]

You can get cheap tripods, stable tripods and light tripods. Of those three characteristics, you can pick any two but not all three.

I presume you want 'stable' and for hiking you want 'light', I think you might have trouble with that $150 price. I think you may want to up that number considerably.

To me, light means that the ballhead and tripod comes in under 4lbs.

If you don't want to spend more, the consider one of the clamps or a tabletop tripod.

J.

[Tsmith]

Bogen 3001BD is 3.7 pounds without the head

[JohnJ80]

With an average ballhead - it will be closer to 5. A small ballhead like the RRS bh25 (lightest I know of), it would be at 4.2lbs.

J.

[rparchen]

I agree about two of the three, what if I go for price and stability? The Manfrotto 3021BN is $149, would the 3047 head be a good choice? That would put me closer to $225 for the setup, but hopefully it would hold my 30D securely.

[gjman]

Woo hoo I get to post my std reply....again.

Slik Sprint Pro GM with Ball head compared to the std workhorse 3021BPro
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/gjman/SprintPro/2006_1123SlikSprintPro0033.jpg

3/8 to 1/4 bushing allows you to mount the a Manfrotto (or Kirk or Arca or RRS) head onto the Slik 1/4 thread
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/gjman/SprintPro/IMG_1166.jpg

Manfrotto head on the Slik Sprint Pro
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/gjman/SprintPro/IMG_1169.jpg

And you get to do stuff like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/gjman/SprintPro/IMG_1170.jpg

How big is the tripod?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/gjman/SprintPro/2006_1123SlikSprintPro0036.jpg

And you can use the Slik Sprint Pro as a off camera light stand with your Canon Speedlite stand (its got the 1/4 thread under it). It costs about $80 and its super light, pretty study and very versatile. I don't know why ppl think/spend so much about travel tripods, if its your secondary tripod used only for travel and hikes you dont need to spend a bomb on it. You need to make it as compatible with your primary tripod (which is the manfrotto 3021BPro for me).

[toothtango]

I found great help in purchasing a tripod and ballhead from Really Right Stuff. They were extremely helpful and had a nice selection.

[rparchen]

So it looks like I'm getting the 3047 3-way head locally for $50, that seems like a pretty good deal to me. I'll head into my local camera store and check out the 3021BN legs that are $150. The closed length is 24" which is too large to fit into a carry-on bag, but oh well. I will also take a look at the 3001 as it's about 21" when closed, I think that may fit in my bag.

[kram]

Just make sure you are ok with the weight of the whole setup - esp. for hiking etc. I had the 3001 which is a much lighter tripod and replaced it with a Benro CF tripod coz its much much lighter.

Of course, there arent too many cheap CF tripod options available.....but for your needs, that's what you will end up getting if you do it regularly.