Small Tripod

[bomberman]

I am looking for a small tripod with a 3 way head. I want something small enough to fit into a medium sized backpack. It is only going to be used for traveling so I don't have to lug my regular tripod around with me. My camera is a 20D.

Anybody have any suggestions? I'm leaving for Italy in 2 weeks (I know I left it to the last minute) and I would really like to get one to take there. I don't want to spend too much money, but I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks :)

[tim]

Maybe a small Slik tripod? I have the U9000 and it works fine given its size and weight, though I have a manfrotto turning up in a few days.

[Bodryn]

Have you thought about putting a ballhead onto a homemade tripod? I have two ballheads which are about 3 or 4 inches in height both of which have a 3/8" machined hole in the bottom and thus attachable to various things of my choosing. For example I can attach it to a window clamp so I can use the car window as a tripod if it isn't too windy. I also had a flat wooden disk that cried out to be used so I drilled a 3/8 inch hole in it, counterbored for the screwhead and inserted a 3/8 inch screw from the bottom. Anyway it makes for some fun trying to invent something that isn't being sold somewhere.

[bomberman]

Have you thought about putting a ballhead onto a homemade tripod? I have two ballheads which are about 3 or 4 inches in height both of which have a 3/8" machined hole in the bottom and thus attachable to various things of my choosing. For example I can attach it to a window clamp so I can use the car window as a tripod if it isn't too windy. I also had a flat wooden disk that cried out to be used so I drilled a 3/8 inch hole in it, counterbored for the screwhead and inserted a 3/8 inch screw from the bottom. Anyway it makes for some fun trying to invent something that isn't being sold somewhere.

That's actually a pretty cool idea. :) I really want a 3 way head though. I wonder if I could somehow make a small tripod and just use a regular head on it. I could even buy one of those really small tabletop tripod things and try to mount a regular head onto it.

Thanks

[SkipD]

There is a significant problem with the "typical" tabletop tripod. Their design often doesn't have enough footprint (distance between the leg contact points with the "table") to support a camera that doesn't have its center of gravity very close to the tripod screw socket. Even my old Canon G2 (a point-and-shoot) with its off-center tripod screw socket causes most tabletop tripods to tip over. Put any but the lightest lenses on a 20D and I would expect it to tip the tripod over, or at least to make it very unstable.

A common problem with lightweight tripods is lack of stiffness, so you will either have to shop around for something affordable that is acceptably stable or open your wallet wide for a high quality lightweight model.

Bottom line - I would recommend forgetting the tabletop tripod and concentrate on a conventional tripod that is light enough to haul around while being stable enough to warrant using it.

[lomond]

I use one of these ( see link below ) when I don't want to lug my bigger tripod around.
I like it. It works well if used with some common sense.
It also fits inside my Lowepro Rover Plus AW, therefore I can use the all weather cover should it rain.
Here's the link.
http://www.velbon-tripod.com/ultra_maxi.htm