Tripod for backpacking? Light and strong?

[striker]

Any reccomendations for a light, stong tripod for use with a Canon g5 and hopefully an SLR. Use will be day and overnight hikes in the mountains and natural area. So far, I've seen the Slik Sprint Pro and it seems it might fit the bill. I want something packable, yet easy to whip out and set up.

Qualities I'm looking for:
extended height above 50 inches
compact travel height
lightweight
hopefully under $100

Thanks for your comments,

Tim

[scottbergerphoto]

Cheap and lightweight/sturdy don't coexist when it comes to tripods. Light/sturdy=Carbon Fibre=$$$$
Gitzo Reporter Mountaineer G1228
Scott

[robertwgross]

Strong isn't exactly the right word.

Stiff is something that you want. Durable is something else you want, since tripods tend to get banged around a lot on a trip.

I have two identical tripods, so the heads and QR parts are identical. I keep one shiny and bright and clean for weddings. The other one gets dragged through the mud and rain on backpacking trips, so it is nicked and scratched. The field one has dark tape applied to many of the shiny surfaces, kind of for camouflage in case I am going after wildlife.

---Bob Gross---

[MarkoPolo]

Check out the Velbon Chaser EFL-4 for $80. With an inexpensive ball head it makes a great hiking tripod. Certainly not Gitzo quality, but a reasonable compromise.

[bolantej]

i have the velobon maxi 343i, and it seems to do the job.

[ATucker]

I use the Velbon Ultra Maxi SF. Seems to work well on the two trips I have taken it on. It is very light, but it is certainly not stiff or well damped.

Here is a picture of the tripod with my pano head mounted on it. The pano head is assembled for packing.

http://www.pbase.com/atucker/image/40549641/original