Mefoto vs....

Hi everyone. I have been looking arround for a new tripod since my last one fell apart (somehow broke the head off it) and have found the Mefoto Backpacker and Road trip.

Does anyone have any experience of these vs say a Q666 from Ebay? I'm looking at a tight budget of £50-80.

I've only had experience with the aluminum Road Trip, and I have no complaints. I'm a casual tripod user. I bought it for video, but have used it mostly for long exposures and I'm pleased with the results. The included ball head handles my 5d3 + 70-200 2.8 IS without issue (horizontal and vert). I chose the Road Trip over the Globetrotter for its compactness, yet it's stated max. load exceeds anything that I would throw its way. It's less weight strapped to my backpack, and it's easier to tote around with in Manhattan.

i love the look of how compact they go!

Been looking at this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk …ain_3&hash=item​2c6818157f

urbanfreestyle wrote in post #17500650
i love the look of how compact they go!

Been looking at this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk …ain_3&hash=item​2c6818157f

I tried one of those and regretted it. Unless conditions perfectly ideal (no wind, etc.) I found it unstable under the load of my 5D3 and 24-105 or 70-200 even without the last section extended. When bracketing at lower shutter speeds I also found that the mirror actually introduced vibrations throughout the entire tripod which could be seen in the later exposures.

oh wow. I would be predominantly using 5D2 with 24-70 f2.8 on it with remote trigger.
I just thought it was an unbranded mefoto.

the q666 is junk. I got one to throw in the trunk of my minivan, and it's saved me some photos, but it's junk. Knobs not captive, and HAVE fell apart on me. The last leg cannot be extended, it simply isnt stable.

if you use it without extending then last leg, then it's ok. Super light is it's most positive aspect. The head is arca compatible, but junk. Any version of the mefoto is MUCH better.

I use the Mefoto Globetrotter and love it. I felt the Roadtrip was just not quite stable enough for me when looking at them in the store. The globetrotter is only a little heavier.

I have the RoadTrip for travel and it is OK but has a lot of movement fully extended with a 7D and 100-400L. It works great as a table top tripod with the center column inverted. If I had it to do over again I would get the GlobeTrotter.

Thanks for the replies, I think it will be roadtrip / globetrotter then.

I'm leaning toward the roadtrip as it's lighter and more importantly at the moment... Cheaper.

I can't see myself using the tripod with my 70-200 f2.8 i think the only time i may is doing track day photos but at that time i would use it as a monopod.
In the UK it seems the Roadtrip is about £120 on a popular auction site but i guess at the end of the day i'll be putting nearly a grand's worth of kit on the top of it so want something stable and strong.

urbanfreestyle wrote in post #17501565
Thanks for the replies, I think it will be roadtrip / globetrotter then.

I'm leaning toward the roadtrip as it's lighter and more importantly at the moment... Cheaper.

I can't see myself using the tripod with my 70-200 f2.8 i think the only time i may is doing track day photos but at that time i would use it as a monopod.
In the UK it seems the Roadtrip is about £120 on a popular auction site but i guess at the end of the day i'll be putting nearly a grand's worth of kit on the top of it so want something stable and strong.

I would suggest saving up for the Globetrotter. In my opinion there is a big difference in stability.

My issue is that it's an extra £100 over here so would put it way out of my price range and i kinda need one now lol!

Is there anywhere local that stocks them? I was dead set on a roadtrip until I actually got my hands on them.

Sadly not, Well not that i could see. I live in a quite rural part of the UK,.... Lots of cows and grass and horses etc... but not many camera shops.

I agree that the Road Trip isn't the most stable tripod, but it may be more than adequate depending on purpose/budget. Tailor your choice as needed. There's a reason why some people have more than one. As I previously stated, I chose it because I rarely get around by car in Manhattan, so it's usually strapped to my back.

Stability improves with adding weight under the center column and not extending the lowest section of the legs.

For me i seldom use the bottom section of the legs and ride a motorbike so portability is key for me. A lot of the shots i will want it for are lightpainted night shots generally shot quite low to the ground.