Hiking tripod

[gloosle]

Hey guys I'm new here :)

I'm a piss poor college student. I have a rebel and am gathering a small quiver of lenses. I'm looking for a better tripod. My current one is is huge and heavy and is falling apart.


What I'm looking for. I'm a big outdoorsman. I do a lot of hiking, camping and backpacking and am thus looking for something to better fit my needs.
small form factor - I want it to compact well with a good height to it. but compact is more important
light - don't want it to be over 4lbs, ideally under 3.
sturdy - gotta be able to handle my camera's weight. I' don't need one to withstand a storm but i hate that my current one always creeps on me...
and being a piss poor college student I want to keep it as low cost as possible. But I love quality so I am willing to shell out more for a better tripod. My ideal range is under $175

I'm looking at the Slik Sprint Pro II Tripod and the sprint pro. First off what exactly is the difference? is the II just an updated version that is a hair lighter? (and if that's the case why at least on adorama.com is the II less $)

Suggestions?

[MrGreen]

Alternatively, if price really is a concern (we've all been students - we get it) then take a look at the Flashpoint line from Adorama. They're light and cheaply priced. I have not used them, but I've read positive comments so check them out.

[gloosle]

Alternatively, if price really is a concern (we've all been students - we get it) then take a look at the Flashpoint line from Adorama. They're light and cheaply priced. I have not used them, but I've read positive comments so check them out.

thanks for the reply.

I think what I've settled for is the Slik Pro 330DX and then replace the panhead with the Flashpoint F-2 Magnesium Alloy Tripod Ball. Will run me about 160 bucks and seems to be a pretty good set up.

[nduralt]

I feel your pain... I've been poor for 3 months waiting for a big client to pay me for 1 month of solid work. Their billing system is Net 120 (so that means they pay in 120 days). That being said, I realize that you want a good cheapie but I've been through 5 of them before I got my act straight (could have bought one good one that would last 20 years and plenty of beer with the money I spent on 5 cheap ones). If your budget can afford it, I highly recommend splurging on a good carbon fibre tripod. A lower end good one will run you in the $500-$600 canadian dollar range but your investment will last well into your semi/pro days.

I know this isn't the answer you were looking for, but It's an answer from experience.

[gloosle]

I feel your pain... I've been poor for 3 months waiting for a big client to pay me for 1 month of solid work. Their billing system is Net 120 (so that means they pay in 120 days). That being said, I realize that you want a good cheapie but I've been through 5 of them before I got my act straight (could have bought one good one that would last 20 years and plenty of beer with the money I spent on 5 cheap ones). If your budget can afford it, I highly recommend splurging on a good carbon fibre tripod. A lower end good one will run you in the $500-$600 canadian dollar range but your investment will last well into your semi/pro days.

I know this isn't the answer you were looking for, but It's an answer from experience.

Appreciate the input my friend. and trust me...if I could I'd get that 900 dollar tripod. I just can't afford to shell out that much for one right now. and for pitty's sake I only have a rebel XS right now its not like I'm sporting a 5d or something lol. I don't really plan on going pro as that would take the fun out of photography. its my escape not my profession and I don't want that to change.

[MrGreen]

I don't really plan on going pro as that would take the fun out of photography. its my escape not my profession and I don't want that to change.

I feel the same way dude!:)

[Vladimer]

Not sure what kind of gear you got. But i followed someones advice from POTN on a hiking tripod and went with a slik 330dx with a Flashpoint F-1 Head. I wanted the smallest head possible so if you need the strength of the F-2 i think its only a couple bucks more.

But with this combo its light and with my gripped 500D, heaviest lens i got and a 580EX on top i get no creep or movement from the head what so ever, and im using the F-1

So whether you go with the F-1 or the F-2 head you should be satisfied greatly with it in my opinion

[GoneTomorrow]

I've used a Manfrotto 725B for a few years now, for hiking, backpacking, caving, boating, etc. It's a set of legs with an integrated ball head (same as the 484RC2), supports 7 lbs. and weighs under 4 lbs. It's not produced anymore, but it's almost identical to this Manfrotto:

http://www.adorama.com/BG7302YB.html

I've had a 7D + 70-200 f/4 on it no problem.

[Mike55]

No one really needs a $500 tripod for landscape photography. Shooting wildlife with a 400 2.8 IS? Different story.

[Ozark Bill]

Here is what I use and highly recommend: Slik Pro 340-BH AMT 4-Section Pro Tripod. It is about $150 and it comes with a nice, basic ballhead. I liked this one so much I bought two because I'm not sure how long Slik will continue producing this model. See the link below for a review of the exact same model, except with a pan and tilt head:
http://hubsphotographytips.blogspot.com/2009/03/hub-pick-slik-pro-330ez-tripod.html

I think the official weight is 4.4 lbs. I don't think you are going to get much lighter than this without a) buying carbon, which will cost you $300-500 with a nice head, or b) buying junk that won't work well or last long.

Hope this helps.

[AtMostFear]

Here is what I use and highly recommend: Slik Pro 340-BH AMT 4-Section Pro Tripod. It is about $150 and it comes with a nice, basic ballhead. I liked this one so much I bought two because I'm not sure how long Slik will continue producing this model. See the link below for a review of the exact same model, except with a pan and tilt head:
http://hubsphotographytips.blogspot.com/2009/03/hub-pick-slik-pro-330ez-tripod.html

I think the official weight is 4.4 lbs. I don't think you are going to get much lighter than this without a) buying carbon, which will cost you $300-500 with a nice head, or b) buying junk that won't work well or last long.

Hope this helps.
Can the head be removed? I'm looking for a decent tripod too for my trip to Europe this summer. Gonna be backpacking with my girlfriend, so 4.4 lbs is just sweet.

[Maxdave]

I mated a Flashpoint F-1 to a Velbon CF-530 that I got for a great price from Best Buy. I took the panhead off the Velbon and added the Flashpoint. If I was to do it again, I would move up to a Flashpoint F-2, very little more money for a substantial performance gain. The Velbon, however, is great.

Maxdave

[plasticmotif]

little over budget but the cheapest set of feisol legs and a flashpont head would be your best bet.

Reallybigcameras.com

[Merlyn3D]

Take a look at Benro, I have their 269 tripod. It's pretty light, enough that the wife doesn't mind carrying it, and is rated for a good amount of weight.

[Vladimer]

Can the head be removed? I'm looking for a decent tripod too for my trip to Europe this summer. Gonna be backpacking with my girlfriend, so 4.4 lbs is just sweet.

Im fairly certain it is since the head on all the slik tripods i've seen have had a removable head.

Just tossed my 330dx w/ F-1 ball head and no center post on a bathroom scale and it weights about 3.5-4lbs. Hard to tell since its not exactly made for fine measurements. But Either way its pretty light and comes out cheap price wise

[Merlyn3D]

Im fairly certain it is since the head on all the slik tripods i've seen have had a removable head.

Just tossed my 330dx w/ F-1 ball head and no center post on a bathroom scale and it weights about 3.5-4lbs. Hard to tell since its not exactly made for fine measurements. But Either way its pretty light and comes out cheap price wise

The Benro tra-269 tripod is 4.1lbs and folds to 14.6 inches. I can be had for $190 - 8% (bing cashback) on ebay:


http://cgi.ebay.com/Benro-TRA-269-Aluminum-Tripod-with-Ballhead-457-269_W0QQitemZ120534401845QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item1c10690335

[Vladimer]

Thats pretty good. The leg/ball combo from adorama comes out to like $150 i think. You also end up with a spare pan/tilt head which i actually use now for a barn door now lol

Only other thing to consider would be if you want 4 section or 3 section legs. Before i purchased my tripod i 'figured' i would use it often and didn't think i would take it as carry-on anywhere anytime soon so i went with the 3 section legs since the last set are a bit stronger and its also 3 less clips to do and undo every time you want to use it. Rather glad i did since i ended up using it often.

I didn't mind the extra height when folded since if i have a pack its just strapped to the side and if im without it then i put it in this waterproof bag i made for it that i can just sling on my shoulder.

The one you posted looks like a good deal though. Holds a good amount of weight as well.

[District_History_Fan]

I've used a Manfrotto 725B for a few years now, for hiking, backpacking, caving, boating, etc. It's a set of legs with an integrated ball head (same as the 484RC2), supports 7 lbs. and weighs under 4 lbs. It's not produced anymore, but it's almost identical to this Manfrotto:



Me too.

The 725B is a good little tripod for highly mobile folks. Mine is so used it looks like its been thru the battle of Falluja or something.

For time when light/compact isn't a requirement, I use the 55XProB.

[GoneTomorrow]

Me too.

The 725B is a good little tripod for highly mobile folks. Mine is so used it looks like its been thru the battle of Falluja or something.

For time when light/compact isn't a requirement, I use the 55XProB.

Yeah, mine looks like Boba Fett's armor. ;)

[Ozark Bill]

Can the head be removed? I'm looking for a decent tripod too for my trip to Europe this summer. Gonna be backpacking with my girlfriend, so 4.4 lbs is just sweet.


Sorry it took so long replying. Yes, the head can be removed. I thought about upgrading to a nicer ball, but that would add a lb or so. Right now my whole pack weighs 24lbs and that is just at the upper limits of where I am comfortable.

[Mike55]

I still use my Sunpack 7500 "pro" aluminum(with manfrotto 486rc2 head), lol. I unscrewed the inner arms and taped them to the centert column so I could have free moving legs. It's sturdy and takes abuse - just fine for hiking. I save weight by using very lightweight camping gear. I'm not too impressed by most tripods. Tripod heads? Different story.

There hasn't been a single photo I haven't been able to get because I lacked a great tripod. It all comes down to technique and location.