light weight tripod

[perfectpixel]

Hi all,
which model tripod do you take along for hikes (or bush walking ) happy with it?

[robertwgross]

To the non-hikers in this forum, you will get a lot of opposition to the idea of a lightweight tripod. Lightweight tripods are often light because they are short, which creates problems, or they are light because they are not stiff, which creates other problems.

Some tripod users try to beat the weight of a full-aluminum tripod by going to carbon fiber. They tend to be very stiff, but very pricey. Often a photographer/hiker knows how roughly some gear is used in the field, and a pricey tripod may not be the right thing.

First of all, look into various models and what kind of leg-latches are there. Personally, I like the speed of flip-latches, and mine don't slip. When I am hiking along and spot some wildlife, I know that I have only so many seconds to drop my pack, erect the tripod, and get off a shot (often the camera is on a chest harness). To add speed there, my tripod has a quick release mount, so I am set to either slide on a big lens or slide on the camera body.

Many lightweight tripods will not support much camera weight. You have to look into that. Maybe one will support your camera and heaviest lens now, but what if you buy some big honking lens next month?

Think about how you intend to use the tripod. For example, if you are doing astro-photography, then you are concerned about absolutely zero movement for many seconds or minutes of a time exposure. If you are shooting sunsets, then you are concerned about large fractions of a second, or maybe a few seconds. On the other hand, if you are shooting landscapes and a flower close-up, then you don't need quite so much absolute stiffness.

Some users get a super light tripod and then buy a heavy ball head to go on top. Hmmm.

So, think about your priorities before you make up your shopping list.

---Bob Gross---

[mattchase]

And once you figured all that stuff out, look at the Velbon Chaser EFL-4 legs. About as light and compact as most carbon fiber tripods at 1/3rd - 1/5th the price. It is made from aluminum, so isn't as stiff as a good carbon fiber, but I have used mine in high desert winds without any problems, and a coworker used it with his 4x5 field camera in NYC doing some street scenes at night with sharp results. It folds to about 17" (not counting head), and extends to about 56", weight is just over 3 pounds - all of which are pretty standard carbon fiber specs. Price was about $80 for the legs. I put a Bogen 3030 head on top, which is a mid-size head with a quick release plate, adds a couple more pounds and around 5" to the height.

Besides that, I have played with a few carbon fiber tripods at the store, and a coworker has one, and they are very nice tripods. Considering they run for anywhere from $300-$500, I am very happy with my $80 Velbon.

[ScottE]

I use a Gitzo 2228 carbon fibre tripod with Acratech ball head. This is a little heavier than some outfits, but the legs can extend to 90 degrees and the centre post swivels to different angles from vertical to upside down. I use this for macro shots when I want to get the camera down to ground level. I chose the Acratech ball head because it is light weight but locks up very securely with minimal shift on locking.

[ILoutdoorcpl]

I'm very much an amatuer photographer but a very avid hiker, rock and ice climber. When I started looking for a tripod to take along on hikes I was a little concerned about weight but then realized with a good pack the weight would barely be noticed. IMHO I'd spend more time getting a proper fitting pack than worrying about tripod weight. If the pack fits well you'll have no problem carrying any tripod you choose.

[poke]

I use the Velbon ULTRAMAXi SF... and its fantasticly lite. I even use my 70-200mm F2.8L IS on it, although I NEVER leave it sitting there on its own, I always have a hand on the camera just in case.

[robertwgross]

If you end up with a very light tripod, you will need some ballast to hold it in place without tipping over. Use the (usually) fabric case. Fill it full of clean rocks on-site and hang that from the center column.

---Bob Gross---

[scottbergerphoto]

Gitzo Reporter Mountaineer G1228 with Ultimate Ballhead from www.acratech.net .
Lightweight and very strurdy. Pricey also, but hey it's only money!
Regards,
Scott

[robertwgross]

Originally Posted by scottbergerphoto

... but hey it's only money!

Let me go discuss this concept with my banker.

---Bob Gross---

[merrrrjig]

Maybe a monopod would be good?

[robertwgross]

A monopod will work for a really quick daylight wildlife shot. I mean, you might have to shoot your 400mm lens at 1/100 shutter. On the other hand, if light is dim and you have to shoot at 1/30, you may get some camera shake from a mere monopod.

Sometimes I carry my camera on the tripod with the legs together, so I can let it act like a monopod in the first instant, and I can unfold the legs out into tripod form for the second or third shots.

The damned wildlife just does not respond when you say "HOLD IT!"

---Bob Gross---

[poke]

Originally Posted by robertwgross

...The damned wildlife just does not respond when you say "HOLD IT!"...

The inconsiderate little critters

[digitalfailure]

As others have probably said, avoid light weight tripods where possible, I have a Velbon cx360 which i use with both my camera and my video camera. on a good day it's fine but as soon as you get more than a slight breeze it becomes unstable, especially when a longish lens is on.

I usually end up tying my gear bag to the leg braces to load it up a little.

even manfrotto's light weight carbon items are heavier than my lil' velbon

[robertwgross]

(anecdote)
I was up high in the mountains getting ready to take a sunset reflection shot off a low tripod. I had some kind of telephoto lens on with an obvious minimum focus distance. As I was working at the viewfinder, a yellow-bellied marmot crawled up on the rock just a few feet away and sat there, also watching the sunset. A friend behind me quietly called it to my attention, so I was trying to back up my tripod and aim at the animal. I had to back up because of the minimum focus distance. Before I could get the tripod into place, the animal had spied its own reflection in my camera lens, so it came closer. I backed up more, and the animal continued. Meanwhile, my friend observed the whole thing and burst out laughing, which caused the animal to bolt.

---Bob Gross---

[perfectpixel]

what the heck is a marmot