Need urgent help on tripod

Hi all,

I'm looking for a small, portable tripod for a trip to Europe in a week. I will be using it to support a 6d and 17-40mm lens. I have looked at a bunch of stuff and there are quite a number of options. I'm turning to you guys to help me quickly make a decision so I can order it in the next day or two and have it be here in time.

I was looking at the Gorillapod ($50 or so) but there is also the Focus version that some of you have mentioned here on the board (although I don't know if I need that much support). I was also looking at the Manfrotto Pixi Mini Tripod as well as this one here. I would like some thing small enough to fit in a backpack (hence no big tripod). Anything under $100 that will provide good support for some long exposure photos would be great.

Thank you for your help!!

Maybe consider a zip lock bag filled at destination with rice or similar. Anything mini tripod like is either not going to support the kind of weight which you are shooting with or be of poor quality at that price and last two minutes. Be careful about bringing in any fillings across borders!

I'm suggesting this option because:-
a, very cheap
b, reliable
c, easy to customise
d, supports camera
e, very light
f, packs very well and can be bought at destination.
g, minimises expensive, nick-able kit in hotel room/out and about

There is ALWAYS somewhere to lodge your camera on a bean bag. I travel internationally for my job and this option is my preferred method. I have found some great original angles through having to adapt an alternative composition.

777guru

MeFoto Daytrip

http://www.amazon.com …Tripod-Blue/dp/B00DRA4CW2

v35skyline wrote in post #16896989
MeFoto Daytrip

http://www.amazon.com …Tripod-Blue/dp/B00DRA4CW2

Any reasons to go with that as opposed to a Gorillapod? Thanks!

777guru wrote in post #16896965
Maybe consider a zip lock bag filled at destination with rice or similar. Anything mini tripod like is either not going to support the kind of weight which you are shooting with or be of poor quality at that price and last two minutes. Be careful about bringing in any fillings across borders!

I'm suggesting this option because:-
a, very cheap
b, reliable
c, easy to customise
d, supports camera
e, very light
f, packs very well and can be bought at destination.
g, minimises expensive, nick-able kit in hotel room/out and about

There is ALWAYS somewhere to lodge your camera on a bean bag. I travel internationally for my job and this option is my preferred method. I have found some great original angles through having to adapt an alternative composition.

777guru

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll keep this in mind as my style of shooting could require something a little higher off the ground.

I had a Gorillapod Focus. I prefer traditional tripods for long exposure and stability.

pretty sure there is nothing under 100 bucks that will work for you better than a bean bag. There is a guy on the 60d board that uses this cool little pod, I am trying to find out what kind it is for you.

http://thepod.ca/

I chose the Gorillapod over the Mefoto for my recent trip to NYC. Turns out I rarely used it at all. It's nice to have though.

mine1 wrote in post #16897190
pretty sure there is nothing under 100 bucks that will work for you better than a bean bag. There is a guy on the 60d board that uses this cool little pod, I am trying to find out what kind it is for you.

I am leaning toward this little tripod- UltraPod. It is very portable and inexpensive to boot.

v35skyline wrote in post #16897197
http://thepod.ca/

That looks very cool!! It costs as much as what I'm planning to get though (posted above).

http://www.amazon.com …ini-Pro-...=slik+mini+pro

Here is the pod I was talking about

I've used little tripods like the ultrapod to hold speedlights, but I don't think they can support the weight of a 6D with lens. I don't know the size of your backpack, but I'd consider something like the Slik Sprint Pro with ball head. Folds down to 18.5" or even less if you remove the ball head, weighs just over 2 pounds, but opens up to eye level and has a weight capacity of 4.5 pounds. http://www.amazon.com …-II-Release/dp/B002821ESU

I understand the QR clamp is a bit fiddly, so I'd probably replace it with a standard Arca-Swiss baseplate.

Check this guy out. . . . folded height- 25cm

http://www.ebay.com …ipods&hash=item​3a8e40ad9d

Granted it's a bit beyond what you're looking to spend, I just saw it and thought it was pretty cool.

mine1 wrote in post #16897382
http://www.amazon.com …ini-Pro-...=slik+mini+pro

Here is the pod I was talking about

I am reading the reviews and they seem pretty positive. I might just end up getting that one. Thank you!

bumpintheroad wrote in post #16897407
I've used little tripods like the ultrapod to hold speedlights, but I don't think they can support the weight of a 6D with lens. I don't know the size of your backpack, but I'd consider something like the Slik Sprint Pro with ball head. Folds down to 18.5" or even less if you remove the ball head, weighs just over 2 pounds, but opens up to eye level and has a weight capacity of 4.5 pounds. http://www.amazon.com …-II-Release/dp/B002821ESU

I understand the QR clamp is a bit fiddly, so I'd probably replace it with a standard Arca-Swiss baseplate.

Thank you for the link! That's a little too big I think. I was thinking something a little more inconspicuous and can easily fit in a small backpack or camera bag.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16897439
Check this guy out. . . . folded height- 25cm

http://www.ebay.com …ipods&hash=item​3a8e40ad9d

Granted it's a bit beyond what you're looking to spend, I just saw it and thought it was pretty cool.

That's a pretty good brand. I understand a lot of members on here like it. It is too much for me though. Even if I were to buy it now it might not arrive in time for my trip. 25cm folded length would have been fantastic! Thank you for the suggestion though!

Exposure101 wrote in post #16897290
I am leaning toward this little tripod- UltraPod. It is very portable and inexpensive to boot.

That looks very cool!! It costs as much as what I'm planning to get though (posted above).

I have that one. Works in a pinch, but I don't like that the leg angles aren't really adjustable.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16897439
Check this guy out. . . . folded height- 25cm

http://www.ebay.com …ipods&hash=item​3a8e40ad9d

Granted it's a bit beyond what you're looking to spend, I just saw it and thought it was pretty cool.

I have that on order. It won't get here in time for the OP. I ordered mine weeks ago.

I would suggest this over that Slik. $100 more, but a good deal taller.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_sec_twist_lock​_with.html