Light and SMALL tripods for travels

I've had a Gorillapod for a while, perfect for trips when I need something small that doesnät take up much space in the luggage and when I dont know if I'll need a Tripod (or only going to use it a handfull of times).

But this is getting hard to get really stabel with my 5D Mark IV and a 24-70/2,8 or similar.

Any suggestions on other tripods that could work, but still are small?


/Jocce

Manfrotto pixi

I have Pixi, and it certainly can handle your camera and the lens. I just don't know whether you'd want something this small?

I've liked the Really Right Stuff TFA-01 with a medium type of head. Travels easily barring the head selected which can add size-weight. Bought the Ultra version a year some odd back with the smaller Cullmann head for use with the Canon M3 and P&S's.

There is also the Platypod, it's a bit different.

We discussed this quite a bit in mid-February. See https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18566583.

SYS wrote in post #18589520
I have Pixi, and it certainly can handle your camera and the lens. I just don't know whether you'd want something this small?

Hosted photo: posted by SYS in
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forum: Tripods, Monopods & Other Camera Support

Hosted photo: posted by SYS in
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forum: Tripods, Monopods & Other Camera Support

Wow. Did not think it was that sturdy!

Could work. Small is good (= fits in any bag) even though a little bit higher would be better, but not a demand!
But it says it will only support 1kg. With a lens like that (and in my case Battery Grip) it weight is the double?

/Jocce

Thanks! I'll have a look!


/Jocce

I should also mention that I do not need it to be able to get high, so a lower one as the Pixi would work, as long as it is steardy enough and that I am able to point the camera in a quite steep angle upwards (astrofoto)


/Jocce

Jocce wrote in post #18589866
Wow. Did not think it was that sturdy!

Could work. Small is good (= fits in any bag) even though a little bit higher would be better, but not a demand!
But it says it will only support 1kg. With a lens like that (and in my case Battery Grip) it weight is the double?

/Jocce

I never gave credence to those listed load capacity. When I was testing it with the load capacity you see in my photo, I felt that Pixi could actually take on more weight. Because of its small size, just be sure to use one of the legs in the same direction as the lens for better balance. If you have a store nearby where you live that carries the product, of course it's best to try it out first.

If load capacity concerns you, there are other options, such as, but not limited to, this by Sirui with the load capacity of 8.8 lbs:

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …pod_kit_black.h​tml?sts=pi

Of course, if budget is not much of a concern, I'd go with the Really Right Stuff TFA-01 mentioned above by ra40....

Had one of the Giottos mini tripods about 15 some odd years ago with a Manfrotto 486 ball head that I really liked. That rig with head was about $80 total. Used the 5D 24-70 on it without issue. Was stolen at a shoot unfortunately. I'd been able to easily replace the legs but the Manfrotto 496 head that superseded the 486 was coarse and gritty. (Manfrotto applied grease to the head and that was messy.)

They bundle the Giottos like this now:
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …moire_t2_mini_t​ripod.html

The Oben version looks similar also:
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …100_Table_Top_T​ripod.html

I own perhaps a dozen tripods, including a Really Right Stuff 'Pocket Pod' TFA-01 with a BC-18 ballhead that I like quite a bit.
I carry it in my camera bag.

It is superbly made and able to support a Canon 1 Series camera.

The BC-18 ballhead is strong and secure, but I do find it a bit annoying to get it set to where I want it.
It works fine, but it is just weird to me (as in counter intuitive).
I chose it over a conventional ball head however, because I wanted as a minimalist approach as possible.

There is a technique where you can mount the tripod to the camera and support the assembly against your chest.
I saw it on-line somewhere and it helps with low shutter speeds.
It also is useful when 'going prone', sort of like a bi-pod on a rifle.
The whole assembly is so sturdy that you can mount the camera and either lash them to something (like a bench or a tree) or place a weight on a leg for added stability.
(I have used a bungee cord once, to hold the assembly down. It was great.)
With this class of tripod, with three short legs, tipping over is always a consideration, with any brand I would think.
Usually, it is best to have the weight of the camera over an out-stretched leg, if possible.

It is so strong, well-made, and compact that you can leave it of the camera in between shots and it is OK like that for a while (it is not too annoying).
Removing it is also a breeze though; RRS uses brilliantly shaped knobs.

This miniature tripod is superbly crafted and rock-solid.
I would rather pay good money up front than deal with something much lesser (and possibly frustrating) when in use.
(I've heard it said that you can often fix image noise, but it is harder to fix equipment motion blur)
I would buy it again, no problem.

As opposed to loading up this post, if you start with this image on Flickr and then scroll to the left, there are a few more images that may be useful.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/QFwN​tu

I went looking for where I learned of the technique to use these mini-tripods against one's chest for added stability, and I found the video:

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=dEPas8MoJLA

Jocce; there are lots of other tripod reviews on YouTube that may also be of value to you, as make your small tripod buying decisions!

A good thread from a few weeks back can be found at https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18566583.