Sorry, Another Which "Travel Tripod Under $100" ??

Sorry, I need some Tripod Help !!

I am getting ready for a trip to Hawaii this September, and I was looking for a Small & Lightweight Tripod. I recently got the Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod & 488RC2 Ballhead but have only had the chance to use it a few times. I was going to take this tripod set up, but then decided it was a little big, heavy and expensive to pack in a suitcase and drag through the sand, so I thought a smaller, lighter tripod in the $100 range would work out better.

I also figured since it was a "cheaper" tripod, it may be better to get a 3-way pan/tilt head rather then a ball head figuring the ball head may be weaker on a cheaper model.

I only need this tripod to hold a 40D and a 24-105 -or- 10-22

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Does it make sense to just get the Manfrotto or is the Slik or Velbon a better choice?

Is there another tripod I should consider in this range ?

Is the LACK of Independent Leg Spread a Bad Thing on the Velbon ?

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OK....Here are my choices so far:

$95 Manfrotto 718B Digi Tripod (Black) with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head & Quick Release With CASE
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com/c/product/303600​-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_71​8B_718B_Digi_Tripod_wi​th.html

Maximum Height: 65.5" (166.3 cm)
Maximum Height w/o Column Extended :54" (137 cm)
Folded Length: 19.3" (49 cm)
Load Capacity: 5.5 lb (2.5 kg)
Leg Sections: 4
Leg Lock Type: Flip-levers
Head Type: 3-Way pan & tilt with quick release
Weight: 3.1 lb (1.4

$90 Velbon MAXi 347GB 4-Section Trunnion Shaft Tripod with 3-Way with Tilt Head & Quick Release With CASE
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com/c/product/251825​-REG/Velbon_MAXI347GB_M​AXi_347GB_Trunnion_Sha​ft.html

Maximum Height: 62.2" (158.0 cm)
Maximum Height w/o Column Extended: 49.8" (126.4 cm)
Folded Length: 16.8" (42.7 cm)
Load Capacity: 4.5 lb (2 kg)
Leg Sections: 4
Leg Lock Type: Flip levers
Independent Leg Spread: No
Head Type: 3-Way pan/tilt with quick release
Weight: 2.65 lb (1.20

[COLOR=blue]$90 Slik Pro 330DX Tripod (Black) with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …DX_Tripod_with_​3_Way.html

Maximum Height: 63"
Folded Length: 23.6"
Load Capacity: 6.63 lb
Leg Sections: 3
Leg Lock Type: Flip Lock
Independent Leg Spread: Yes
Head Type: 3-Way panhead with quick release
Weight: 3.31 lb



OR, do I spend an extra $30 and go with the Manfrotto 728B:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com/c/product/283759​-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_72​8B_728B_Digi_Tripod_wi​th.html

Thanks in advance for your help !!
Tom

I don't know if this is good: Monfrotto 190XB with 484RC2 for $129

sgogula,

As far as best value, that looks like a great deal with the rebate, but I am thinking that the folded length and weight are getting too close to my current Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod & 488RC2 Ballhead.

That's why I was looking for something shorter and lighter. I know if I carry a long, heavy tripod & head on my trip, I will just leave it in the room, but if I have something smaller, I would be more likely to take it with me and use it.

Plus I make my wife the "pack donkey" and she gets to carry the camera equipment and tripod while I carry the MAP, so if I make things easy on her during the day....she will make things easy on me at night !!!

If you are looking smaller and lighter, yet not more then $100,- you are going to compromise stability.

That being said: It might be worthwhile to have a look at the Gitzo knockoffs, like Amvona. Another option would be an even smaller Manfrotto. Don't expect miracles however

Thanks for the help René !

René Damkot wrote in post #5953010
If you are looking smaller and lighter, yet not more then $100,- you are going to compromise stability.

I understand that, I realize I will have to compramise stability in order to get smaller and lighter for that price. As this point I am considering this a "Disposable" Tripod for this one trip, if it doesn't fit on the way home, I will just leave it in the room !!

René Damkot wrote in post #5953010
That being said: It might be worthwhile to have a look at the Gitzo knockoffs, like Amvona.

Just checked a few Amvona on E-bay, but they seem very heavy. (8.1 lbs. for the $109 model:
http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

René Damkot wrote in post #5953010
Another option would be an even smaller Manfrotto. Don't expect miracles however

Do you mean even Smaller then the Manfrotto I have listed in my first post above?? $95 Manfrotto 718B Digi Tripod (Black) with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head & Quick Release With CASE I thought this $95 unit would be a nice compromise ?

I figured a cheaper tripod would still have to be better then trying "Hand Held" especially to capture a Sunset, or the water motion on a Waterfall. Not expecting miracles, just something better then nothing.

*** Any thoughts on getting a 3-Way Pan/Tilt VS. a Ball Head at this price point ??

Thanks again,
Tom

it's a bit out of your price range ($25) but this is what I have and I'm very happy with it:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=517838

I picked up a Slik Pro340DX, because it would fit in the saddlebag of my motorcycle. It doesn't have the range or stability of my Manfrotto, but it is much lighter and fits where I want it. I used a cheap Vivitar on a trip last year, that I bought years ago from Wall Mart, that had a 3 way pan/tilt head and was more frustrated by that than anything else. I like the ball heads much better, easier to adjust your shot.

Another thing you might consider is not packing it for the trip to Hawaii, but to buy a cheap one at Wall Mart when you get there, then leave it behind when you are finished with it. There are always trade offs when looking for light weight and something to fit in luggage, etc.

How about a Carbon Fiber Tripod off eBay (no name): http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

Of course, you will need to adjust your budget to get a ballhead.

Beski wrote in post #5950521
sgogula,

As far as best value, that looks like a great deal with the rebate, but I am thinking that the folded length and weight are getting too close to my current Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod & 488RC2 Ballhead.

I have a 190 XPROB with 486RC2 ballhead and packed it into my suitcase to go to Venice with and carried it around all day without any problems at all. I have attached my old camera strap to it as a shoulder strap and to be honest, the only time I knew I had it over my shoulder was when I was packed into a water bus, and was wary of hitting people with it (though that had its benefits too! :lol To give you an idea of how strong I am (or not!), I find the 70-200 F2.8 IS L heavy to hold.

As you say, it isn't that much different in weight to what you already have, if space in the suitcase is an issue, take the head off and attach it again when you unpack. Why waste $100 on a cheap tripod when you already own one that will do the job better?

cruzyn56 wrote in post #5954843
I picked up a Slik Pro340DX, because it would fit in the saddlebag of my motorcycle.

I have a 340dx also. Its not bad. Don't extend the center column, and if possible not the last set of legs, and its pretty solid. I wouldn't use it for longer lenses, > 135mm, but for landscapes it'll do well. It's $100, small, and light. I haven't disposed of mine yet, and its been upgraded with a Gitzo/Markins setup.

Would a monopod do instead? I grabbed a nice carbon fiber monopod on Amazon for about $70 shipped overnight and added a tilt & swivel 3229 Bogen head for another $43 w/shipping. The whole thing collapses down to about 18" or so...I use it a lot more than I would a tripod. But if taking really long exposures I would think ya need a tripod.

Or will there be shots you want to be in so you'll use a remote or self-timer? My only question is do you want to walk away from a marginally stable tripod with your rig on top? but I suppose that is the original question right?

OOPS-EDIT: I paid about $90 + $4 for overnight because it was the only monopod I could get from Amazon overnight...still aside from it being a twist-lock I really like it and it feel super stable. PLUS it is about 25" with the head attached and just under 23" w/o head...I dunno where I got the 18" lenght...early onset CRS I suppose

http://www.amazon.com/​gp/product/B000YH49OC

sgogula wrote in post #5948943
I don't know if this is good: Monfrotto 190XB with 484RC2 for $129

Im just wondering, would this setup be able to support a 70-200 2.8L and an xsi with bge5 bat grip. im looking at buying a tripod and was thinking about getting the 190xprob and the 486rc2, but this one caught my attention with a cheaper price.

I just wanted to follow up on my original post so I can get something ordered soon.

I have read all the replies along with many other threads, and I understand that I am sacrificing quality to get a low end tripod, but as I mentioned this is really a 1 trip tripod and would consider leaving it at the hotel if I don't have room to bring it back home !! It will only have to hold my 40D and 24-105 or 10-22 for a few sunset and waterfall pictures.

Keep in mind I already have the Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod & 488RC2 Ballhead but I think it's just to big and heavy to pack take....I just want something to be better then nothing!!

So with my $100 estimated price point, what are your thoughts on getting a 3-Way Pan/Tilt VS. a Ball Head ??

Would a cheaper Pan/Tilt head perhaps be "stronger" then a cheaper ball head ??

Thanks,
Tom

I prefer the handling of a ball head over a 3 way head.
Also, a 3 way has protruding handles, that can catch on stuff during transportation.

René Damkot wrote in post #6056849
I prefer the handling of a ball head over a 3 way head.
Also, a 3 way has protruding handles, that can catch on stuff during transportation.

And boy do they ever! I swear when I was using a three way head I couldnt get the thing back in the bag without those handles giving me problems! That being said though, I do kind of enjoy the individual axis control of a three way head for portraiture work.