What's a good tripod for traveling with a 5D2 and 70-200 f/2.8?

Hi, I'll be getting a 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, and will use it with a 5D mk II. Now ... I travel by plane a few times a month so I need the tripod to be rather small, and I will have to carry all my gear, along with the tripod, on my back (with Tamrac Expedition 7) so it should be light as well.

Which one should I buy without spending thousands of $ on it? So basically what's a good tripod for a medicore price?

I'm sure the usual Gitzo GT1541T + markins q3t will work, but a camera setup of such weight and length isn't excellently supported by travel tripods. Perhaps a benro alternative? They have some benro travel angel legs worth taking a look.

Headshotzx wrote in post #10075362
They have some benro travel angel legs worth taking a look.

I'll check that out. Thanks a lot.

I shoot a 50D gripped (about the same size / weight) with a 70-200 2.8IS on my Gitzo G1228 with a Arca B1, bought the Gitzo and Arca used, all said about $450 in the pod and head, add in the brackets for the camera/lens, you're looking right around 500. I couldn't be happier!

Feisol. 3441S + any ballhead you want would be sufficient.

reallybigcameras.com

peter.pan wrote in post #10075338
Hi, I'll be getting a 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, and will use it with a 5D mk II. Now ... I travel by plane a few times a month so I need the tripod to be rather small, and I will have to carry all my gear, along with the tripod, on my back (with Tamrac Expedition 7) so it should be light as well.

Which one should I buy without spending thousands of $ on it? So basically what's a good tripod for a medicore price?

Good luck man

I am in the same boat right this minute. Trying to figure out what to buy. Going hiking/camping/flyfish​ing in SE Alaska next week and wanted a lightweight tripod with ballhead to carry on/in my backpack so I could get some HDR captures. Looking dismal and I will likely just take the monopod I recently bought. My 055xprob is too heavy. I have been looking into the Benro Travel Angels but can't get much feedback on their ballheads. Could be junk. Not sure. I looked into the Feisol tripods and Photoclam ballheads (sold on Reallybigcameras wesbite) but that will be about 4 lbs. If I am going that heavy, I could get the Manfrotto 190cxpro and a ballhead. Many choices, but none seem quite "perfect". And so the search continues. I leave in 7 days so I am pretty much SOL

Feisol 3442 + Markins M10 + RSS Clamp. < 3.5 lbs.
Feisol 3441S + ............... < 3.4 lbs and a bit shorter.

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #10078945
I looked into the Feisol tripods and Photoclam ballheads (sold on Reallybigcameras wesbite) but that will be about 4 lbs.

Actually, the Feisol CT-3441S + Photo Clam PC-33NS are less than 3 lbs. combined weight.

Kerry Thalmann

Thanks Kerry. Heard good things about your products. I will go to the website and look now. I didn't realize this outfit weighed under 4 lbs.

-Dan

Ill put in my vote for the Gitzo 1541T/Markins Q3T combo. See my review here: LINK

If you're tall (like me), consider the 1541 instead of the 1541T for the extra 25cm/10" when extended vs. the extra 13 cm/5" when collapsed.

rvdw98 wrote in post #10083658
If you're tall (like me), consider the 1541 instead of the 1541T for the extra 25cm/10" when extended vs. the extra 13 cm/5" when collapsed.

That is true, but the 1541t folds down to only about 17" and is ideal for packing, and for carrying on the back of a pack. It doesn't stick up over the pack to advertise that you're carrying $8000 worth of gear.

I keep mine covered with a black Cordura bag, which make it even less conspicuous. You may have to stoop, or even kneel if you want to use it with the center column down, but that's a small price to pay for being able to take it with you everywhere.

tvphotog wrote in post #10085116
That is true, but the 1541t folds down to only about 17" and is ideal for packing, and for carrying on the back of a pack. It doesn't stick up over the pack to advertise that you're carrying $8000 worth of gear.

That depends on the size of the bag. Some bags allow you to lower the pocket that holds the tripod feet so it sits lower on the bag and doesn't hit you in the head.

tvphotog wrote in post #10085116
I keep mine covered with a black Cordura bag, which make it even less conspicuous. You may have to stoop, or even kneel if you want to use it with the center column down, but that's a small price to pay for being able to take it with you everywhere.

Of course it's all about priorities, which is why it's great that there are so many models to choose from. For me, the 10" added working height trumps the extra 5" folded length. I'm 6"4 and hunching over a camera for an extended amount of time will eventually give me lower back pain.

I just bought a Feisol CT-3442 tripod (with ARL) and a Photo Clam 40-NS ballhead with 5D Mark II adapter plate from http://reallybigcamera​s.com/

Kerry was most helpful!!

Cool thing, this set up will weigh 3.2 pounds total, be 18.9" long when folded, extend my my viewfinder to around 60" without ever using a center column, and get down to just inches off the ground for macro work as it doesn't have said center column.

What's not to like?

Well... being $700 poorer I guess

I believe this won't break your back or indeed the bank


http://www.giottos-tripods.co.uk …cle&proview=491​981cf51b4c


If you click on the MTL Tripod series link on the left of the page, you'll find videos of the various models and the one above.

Cheers