Travel Tripods - Suggestions

Hello folks, how about, lets discuss Travel Tripods. I'm no professional but do have professional equipment and have more than once lugged it across Europe much to my shoulders dismay. During these trips I've always elected to leave my tripod behind at home. In September we'll be off to Australia and New Zealand for a month and am really wanting to take a tripod this time.

What do you carry with you on trips overseas?

I know this doesn't help you, but I tend to leave my tripod at home when I have a lot of walking to do. Instead, I use my Manfrotto mono-pod which doubles as a walking stick when I'm hiking with gear.

d.
I bought a MeFOTO Globetrotter Carbon Fibre two years ago for a trip to Paris and Dublin. Certainly strong enough for the gear I have listed below. In the carry case provided it folds down to 16" and about 3 lbs. I can either carry it on or small enough to put in suitcase.
Since then it has been to Italy twice, Iceland and many other domestic trips and jobs as well.
Although not my primary tripod, this has been one of my best investments.
As they say "The best tripod is the one you have with you."

I use a Gitzo 1 series traveler tripod. Really Right Stuff makes nice tripods as well.

'3 legged thing's' might be worth a look?
Dont have one myself or anything. (Very early in my research in looking for a decent one. And need to save a little more too! ) I know Scott Kelby uses them.
Aesthetically some of them look nice, others, some color schemes are a bit iffy for me.

Northrups hate the one they reviewed. Mainly because of the twist loc legs. I have a Sirui with twist locks and I will say I love everything BUT the TWIST locs. Manfrotto clamp style locking legs are vastly superior.

I would assume you will not be using a Gitzo for your Rebel t3i.

I am currently using a Neewer 66 inch carbon tripod with my Rebel t1i and it's a very good tripod for the money.

I have an initial review of it several threads below this one. There are also many smaller tripods on Amazon that all basically come from the same factory.

If weight isn't a factor, you can get a Magnesium or Aluminum tripod for super cheap, that also performs very well.

Heck, even the super cheapo $15 plastic tripods work well for traveling, as you can leave them sitting anywhere without worry of losing something expensive if it is stolen.

Try here: https://www.amazon.com …3Aaps%2Ck%3Atra​vel+tripod

Find the size and price you want and anything with more than 4 stars should be good to go!

My travel tripod is the same as my normal tripod, Feisol 3442 + Arca P0 head with RRS clamp. Aside from RRS legs, it's hard to find anything better IMO. Small enough to fit into travel luggage, strong enough to handle a 70-300.

FWIW, about a month ago I bought the Sirui T-024x Traveler carbon fiber tripod. For my trip to Banff, Ca. The specs are:
Load Capacity: 13.2 lb
Maximum Height: 58"
Minimum Height: 8.2"
Folded Length: 15.7"
Leg Sections: 4
Weight: 2.1 lb
Reversible Folding Legs
Reversible Center Column
Arca-Type Compatible Ball Head
Red Safety Release Button
Price: $235 delivered from B&H

I like it because it is fairly tall when fully extended, it has 4 sections instead of 5, light weight and compact and it sets up extremely fast as you can grab all the twist locks on a leg simultaneously and release them.

The tiny ball head (comes with it) supports my 60D and 100-400 well during testing.

Good luck with your search.

jbrackjr wrote in post #18087888
FWIW, about a month ago I bought the Sirui T-024x Traveler carbon fiber tripod. For my trip to Banff, Ca. The specs are:
Load Capacity: 13.2 lb
Maximum Height: 58"
Minimum Height: 8.2"
Folded Length: 15.7"
Leg Sections: 4
Weight: 2.1 lb
Reversible Folding Legs
Reversible Center Column
Arca-Type Compatible Ball Head
Red Safety Release Button
Price: $235 delivered from B&H

I like it because it is fairly tall when fully extended, it has 4 sections instead of 5, light weight and compact and it sets up extremely fast as you can grab all the twist locks on a leg simultaneously and release them.

The tiny ball head (comes with it) supports my 60D and 100-400 well during testing.

Good luck with your search.

If someone does a bit searching around Amazon, it becomes very apparent that some of the more "expensive" models of tripods coming out of the same factory can be purchased for cheaper by a different name brand. The model mentioned in the post above, looks like a very nice tripod, which I can attest, as I have the larger Neewer version of pretty much exactly the same thing. Only thing is, for anyone who is on a budget, $200 + might be a bit steep for a travel tripod. Also, some the more expensive models of the same thing do not come with hiking pole/monopods built in like the new models coming in for cheaper.

Check this out for an eye opener.

The Surui
https://www.amazon.com …iber-Tripod/dp/B00WHFZE52

The Neewer
https://www.amazon.com …1&keywords=neew​er+66+inch

I know people around here are going to get sick of me pointing out how they may be paying more than they need to pay. But whatever. First world problems, eh?

Canon_Lover wrote in post #18088078
If someone does a bit searching around Amazon, it becomes very apparent that some of the more "expensive" models of tripods coming out of the same factory can be purchased for cheaper by a different name brand. The model mentioned in the post above, looks like a very nice tripod, which I can attest, as I have the larger Neewer version of pretty much exactly the same thing. Only thing is, for anyone who is on a budget, $200 + might be a bit steep for a travel tripod. Also, some the more expensive models of the same thing do not come with hiking pole/monopods built in like the new models coming in for cheaper.

Check this out for an eye opener.

The Surui
https://www.amazon.com …iber-Tripod/dp/B00WHFZE52

The Neewer
https://www.amazon.com …1&keywords=neew​er+66+inch

I know people around here are going to get sick of me pointing out how they may be paying more than they need to pay. But whatever. First world problems, eh?

haha, good one. Sirui is a copycat company anyhow.

I typically do use my tripod as a walking stick on the occasional hikes, just extend one leg.