Travel tripod: Sirui ET-2204 vs Mefoto Globetrotter

I'm looking for a travel tripod to be used with my 5DIII and the heaviest lens in my future would be 100-400. My other gear is listed in my signature. Would either of these two hold up? I'm not looking for something for long exposures, just something I can bring along to the beach or the park to help me steady the camera. I have a hard time hand holding heavy gear. I do have a more substantial tripod already. I just don't always feel like lugging it around with me. The two most important factors for me are small folded size and weight (well, price, too).

I also worry about the ballheads included. Not sure they are up to the weight of my gear. Is it okay to swap ballheads on something like this? I have the Acratech GP that I could swap out. I like it and it's lightweight. Would that help?

After researching travel tripods, these were the two standouts in my price range. If they aren't up to the task, I'm willing to forget about a travel tripod and just use my Induro CT-213. I don't want to waste my money unnecessarily (that could be used towards that 100-400!). I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.

I'd go with the Sirui. Carbon fiber is really nice.

Chris.
I don't have any experience with the Sirui ET-2204.
However I do own the MeFOTO Globetrotter CF.
I have had it now for over two years and it has certainly not let me down. Here or abroad.
Has its own case that is about 16 inches long, great for carrying on or stuffing in the suitcase.
Ball head with Arca Swiss included.
Better yet, holds my gripped 5D Mark III with 100-400 attached Pushed to 400mm....
Very stable. Much more that I thought it would be.
This is not my primary tripod, however it does allow me to get long exposures, with long lenses, far away from home.
I certainly recommend it in the Carbon Fibre Version.

If you already have a substantial tripod, and if you just want help holding heavy gear, why not consider a monopod? I have the Sirui P-326 and L-10 head and use them for this purpose. Very compact and great for travel.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …Section_Carbon_​Fiber.html

(Don't get the L-10 head for a tripod. It won't work right!)

Sirui gear is pretty good in my experience, though I do not have that tripod I have tried it in my local (ish) camera shop and it looks OK to me. However if you want to use 400mm (weight is not really relevant it is the focal length that matters) then I would go for something better like a 2 series Gitzo Traveller tripod. Not a new one as they cost silly money but, if you hunt around, you may be quite surprised at what you can find. My used (but very nice condition) Gitzo traveller was somewhat less than the options that you are considering.

The used market is well worth a look!

I quite like my Globetrotter for travel; as Nick5 says, it's remarkably more stable than one would expect from that size/design and I haven't had any difficulties with mine and a 7DII/100-400 combo, so far. I wouldn't use it in med/heavy winds or where the legs were going into moving water, but otherwise, it works quite well.

First of all, thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I'm not in a rush to buy something right away, so I'm going to watch for some used travel tripods and see what pops up.

johnf3f wrote in post #18161391
...I would go for something better like a 2 series Gitzo Traveller tripod. Not a new one as they cost silly money but, if you hunt around, you may be quite surprised at what you can find. My used (but very nice condition) Gitzo traveller was somewhat less than the options that you are considering. The used market is well worth a look!

I'll keep an eye out for a used Gitzo in the off-chance one pops up. If I saw one for the price of either the Mefoto or Sirui, I'd be a happy camper!

Snydremark wrote in post #18161435
I quite like my Globetrotter for travel; as Nick5 says, it's remarkably more stable than one would expect from that size/design and I haven't had any difficulties with mine and a 7DII/100-400 combo, so far. I wouldn't use it in med/heavy winds or where the legs were going into moving water, but otherwise, it works quite well.

Several users have commented on this travel tripod. This may be the way I go. I'm going on a trip next week, so too soon to rush into a purchase. I'll carry my Induro for now.