Travel Tripod

[mijbril]

OK, I've read the sticky about tripods & the general theme there seems to be "bigger & heavier" is better. Can't really argue with that & they're great if you have somewhere to call "home" or the means to move them about.

But what about when you're a traveller?? I'm after something I can throw in with my luggage from 1 airport to the next that is still not a POS.

If there is a heavier lens on my camera than say a Tamron 70-300, it means a friend has borrowed my camera & they can supply their own damn tripod :D Or should I just bite the bullet, get a good one & flog it off on ebay before I leave?? (will think long & hard about such a purchase though. A top lens should I buy one, I can carry, a heavy tripod is another matter :D)

[condyk]

But what about when you're a traveller?? I'm after something I can throw in with my luggage from 1 airport to the next that is still not a POS.


I bought a Feisol Carbon Fibre for exactly this need. Details in this thread:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=668026#post668026

You can check the weight and size folded on the web site there.

[martook]

If you're not sure you need a tripod or you want to save some space, have a look at this monopod:
http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=14&itemid=1815

I haven't tried one, but it's a pretty interesting concept. A monopod is faster to set up, can double as a walking stick and isn't quite as big. It's of course not as stable as a tripod, but might be interesting anyway? Got some info here:
http://www.shutterbug.net/features/0705eight/

You also need a head. I've got a Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead, which is very basic, but better than nothing. A bit less weight compared to the 488RC2. If you want something even lighter, you can have a look at 234RC, a swivel tilt head... don't know if it's any good, but it's smaller and weighs less anyway :)

[mijbril]

Thanks for the tips. Weight is a consideration. Now, forearmed with a couple of specific items to look at (rather than salesman speak, which, as I am in Germany & my German is somewhat basic, I'd not understand much of, LOL), I can visit a couple of local shops & try a couple soon :)

When I get settled somewhere (hehe, as if....) & have access to a car again, I'll look into something more solid along the lines as suggested in the tripod sticky :)

[Timm]

I got a Giottos P-Pod (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=318592&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) for travel which is similar to the Manfrotto that Martook mentions. Weighs in at 1.3kg and includes a basic QR mechanism, tilt head & carry case.

[robertwgross]

I consider myself a traveler, on foot. Last weekend I went backpacking with another Canon photographer. I was carrying 20-odd pounds of camping gear plus another 20-odd pounds of camera gear, and that included a 3.5 pound aluminum tripod. In some respects, if you really need a heavy and stiff tripod, then get one. On the other hand, if you need only some stability to use a big lens at moderate shutter speeds, then try something lighter.

---Bob Gross---

[martook]

I got a Giottos P-Pod (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=318592&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) for travel which is similar to the Manfrotto that Martook mentions. Weighs in at 1.3kg and includes a basic QR mechanism, tilt head & carry case.

How do you like that pod? Is it any stable with the three "extra legs" out?

I want something like that for my next trip, but have to order it online, so I can't test it first unfortunatly. It would be great to hear from users of this kind of pods!

[Timm]

How do you like that pod? Is it any stable with the three "extra legs" out? Yes, it works well and I'm very happy with it. I like that it can have two of the legs attached at the neck to make a low-level tripod for macro work too.

Unlike my tripod though I wouldn't trust it in any kind of stiff breeze without keeping a hold of it as the legs are non-adjustable, likewise on anything other than flat ground it's best used as a mono-pod or in its low-level config.

[martook]

Yes, it works well and I'm very happy with it. I like that it can have two of the legs attached at the neck to make a low-level tripod for macro work too.

Unlike my tripod though I wouldn't trust it in any kind of stiff breeze without keeping a hold of it as the legs are non-adjustable, likewise on anything other than flat ground it's best used as a mono-pod or in its low-level config.

Oh, cool... too bad the manfrotto doesn't as well, I can't find anyone selling giottos in Sweden :/
I think I would be more confident using it in "macromode" if it's a bit windy, you might get a weird perspective, but at least it won't be a 1.5 meter crash if it falls ;)

Thanks for your answer! I'll have to do a bit more research before deciding between the two of them, but the Giottos has the upper hand right now...

[Jack W.]

I have the Bogen 728B. The heaviest combo I have right now is a 20D with a Sigma 80-400OS (the lens weighs about 3 1/2 lbs.). Works great.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=283759&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
I also have a Gitzo monopod for when I really want to go light:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=170883&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
And a Bogen 486RC2 ballhead for the monopod:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272449&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
Jack

[mijbril]

I got a Giottos P-Pod (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=318592&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) for travel which is similar to the Manfrotto that Martook mentions. Weighs in at 1.3kg and includes a basic QR mechanism, tilt head & carry case.

I like this sounds of this one Timm. I stand almost 2 metres tall, so the 150cm options aren't really suitable....

[Asmodeus]

I like this sounds of this one Timm. I stand almost 2 metres tall, so the 150cm options aren't really suitable....

I'm using the Feisol CT-3402 with the Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead specifically for travel/hiking/etc. I've said good things about it's size, weight, and usability in other threads, so I won't repeat myself here. Of course, I'm only 196cm tall, so my experience might not be helpful ;)