light sturdy tripod for hiking

can anyone recommend a light sturdy tripod for hiking? it will hold a 40d, possibly gripped with a 24-105.

right now i have a bogen 3021b pro with 488rc2 head. the tripod weighs about 1 lb and the head is just over 2lbs.

trying to get the weight down. Is there a lighter weight head I can use on this tripod?

I have a feisol cf tripod, and i mostly use it with manfrottos quite heavy camerahead, but when i take it outside i switch to the ball head that came with it. It's a very small and compact ballhead with QR-plate, made by Feisol. It's not a very good ball head in general, but it does the job when i am outside and it's very light and compact.

azpix wrote in post #5609327
can anyone recommend a light sturdy tripod for hiking? it will hold a 40d, possibly gripped with a 24-105.

As a light weight pod I use a Velbon CF 530 Pro Tripod (carbon fibre), Velbon PH-253 ball and socket head + a smaller Kirk AS QR, very light weight about 1.1Kg all up, comes with carry bag, stone bag, weight hook. Centre column splits for low level use and legs can be set to different angles. Great for light weight stuff where you can use MLU like flowers closeup and landscape, it is even OK with a 400mm lens as long as you use MLU and the wind is not too high.

I use a Feisol CT-3442 for hiking and I would highly recommend it. At 1,050 grams and <19" folded including head (so long as you don't have a massive head) it's perfect for this application.

Also look into the CT-3441S. Smaller.

I use the Markins M10 head with the CT-3442. Very lightweight and sturdy combination.

I would recommend a Gitzo 0 or 1 series tripod with a Markins Q3 ballhead.

Here is my Feisol CT-3442 with Markins Q3 (48cm/19in and 1430g/3.15lb)

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I have been reading all the tripod threads and trying to make a decision. I just weighed my 5D w/24-70 at 4.47 lbs, 5D w/70-200 2.8 IS is 5.12 lbs the 40D with 300 F-4 is 5.01 lbs. These were without grips. I'm going to go with Markins Q3 and 0530.

I appreciate all the help.

Win

azpix wrote in post #5609494
right now i have a bogen 3021b pro with 488rc2 head. the tripod weighs about 1 lb and the head is just over 2lbs.

trying to get the weight down. Is there a lighter weight head I can use on this tripod?

it's gotta weigh more than that .

ed rader

Win wrote in post #5611279
I have been reading all the tripod threads and trying to make a decision. I just weighed my 5D w/24-70 at 4.47 lbs, 5D w/70-200 2.8 IS is 5.12 lbs the 40D with 300 F-4 is 5.01 lbs. These were without grips. I'm going to go with Markins Q3 and 0530.

530?

That's too light for the 70-200 and certainly 300mm IMO;
According to Gitzo: "Recommended for [...] DSLRs with 75mm lens or 135mm maximum".
I'd think a 1530, 1540 or 1540T would be the minimum for a 300mm.

Tripods are not about bearing weight, but about stability...

Lightstream did a review on the 1530 here

I know a few on here know I have the 0530/Q3 and will say that it works fine with the 40D & 70-200 f/4L with a tripod collar on the lens. Even extended I haven't seen an issue and detail in photos has been very sharp to my liking and I'm picky about that.

I spoke with a few owners prior to deciding to go with the GT0530, they stated they have used the 300 f/4L on the setup but often don't use it fully extended for better stability. I'm 5' 10" tall and hardly ever use a tripod fully extended anyways.

In real life the 530 will be paired with either a 17-40 or 24-70. I hardly ever hike with a longer lens. I have a 3221 and that's in the car if I need it. The 1530 does have a height advantage which may still sway me that way.

Still have time, Markins is BO on the plate for the 40D.

Win

ed rader wrote in post #5611370
it's gotta weigh more than that .

ed rader

you're right, don't know what i was thinking. My pod is 5 lbs and head is about 2( taken from specs oniline)

now i really need a light tripod for hiking.

If you don't want to spring for a Gitzo, give a look at the Velbon El Carmagne series (similar to what Lester posted). Prior to getting a Gitzo, I was using a Velbon 540 carbon fiber, with a Gitzo 1277M ballhead and an RRS lever clamp. It weighs much less than your current set-up, and handled my gear without any problems. The Velbon is a good, middle-of-the-road package.

But if you can spring for a Gitzo 0 or 1 series with the Markins Q3, you surely won't be disappointed...the minute you pick one up in your hands, you will feel how well they're built. I gave my GT2540 some pretty rough treatment out at Havasu Canyon over four days...in water, crawling through tunnels, climbing down cliff faces, dirt/dust and bushwhacking, and it worked flawlessly. Unless something better comes along, I'll probably continue to stick with the Gitzo line...a bit more expensive than others, but you get what you pay for.

argyle wrote in post #5616919
If you don't want to spring for a Gitzo, give a look at the Velbon El Carmagne series (similar to what Lester posted). Prior to getting a Gitzo, I was using a Velbon 540 carbon fiber, with a Gitzo 1277M ballhead and an RRS lever clamp. It weighs much less than your current set-up, and handled my gear without any problems. The Velbon is a good, middle-of-the-road package.

But if you can spring for a Gitzo 0 or 1 series with the Markins Q3, you surely won't be disappointed...the minute you pick one up in your hands, you will feel how well they're built. I gave my GT2540 some pretty rough treatment out at Havasu Canyon over four days...in water, crawling through tunnels, climbing down cliff faces, dirt/dust and bushwhacking, and it worked flawlessly. Unless something better comes along, I'll probably continue to stick with the Gitzo line...a bit more expensive than others, but you get what you pay for.

argyle,
the havasu falls hike i have coming up is exactly the reason i 'm looking for a lighter more compact tripod.

how was going through the cave and climb at mooney falls with your gear?

to all,
thanks for the recommendations!