Robust Mini Tripod

Hi all,

i am looking for a very solid mini tripod made of metal (no plastic) with a very secure ball head that has no plastic components and that holds a Canon Rebel with glass securely.

What do you use? What do you suggest?

Ampleforth

Define "mini". Tabletop? Travel? Weightrequirements? (Glass weighs a lot. Or not. Or a bit).

For what purpose? Would a Bogen superclamp with your choice of ballhead fill the bill?

I'd also have a look at the Slik Sprint Mini II

http://www.thkphoto.co​m …slik-sprint-mini-2-a.html

The small ball head that comes with it holds the 5dm2+Bg-E6+24-105mm

lannes wrote in post #10614720
I'd also have a look at the Slik Sprint Mini II

http://www.thkphoto.co​m …slik-sprint-mini-2-a.html

The small ball head that comes with it holds the 5dm2+Bg-E6+24-105mm

It doesn't extend very high because of it's compactness and 13.8in length when folded.

This actually looks like a good travel tripod. I'm on the market for one and this may be it. I have a quick question for - do you know if it is possible to remove the head that comes with it? I would want to mount my own head so I can use my L plate.

Heh, check out this thing:

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1280280​894&sr=8-1

It actually has good reviews

Leica mini tripod and Leica ball head. I've had mine for 35 years or more. Available on ebay...
Tripod is about 10 inches high... ball head...there are 2 sizes. Mini is about 2 inches high; large ball head is about 3-1/2 inches high.
Makes a good chest - pod with a dslr. 3 legs spread out on your torso, ball head set so you can look through the viewfinder.
Only concern? Folded up it looks like a pistol and silencer in an x-ray at an airport. Not good for carry on.

edit: link:
http://cgi.ebay.ca …ain_0&hash=item​563ab84fc0

That's a very high price!!

pixel_junkie wrote in post #10614787
This actually looks like a good travel tripod. I'm on the market for one and this may be it. I have a quick question for - do you know if it is possible to remove the head that comes with it? I would want to mount my own head so I can use my L plate.

You can just unscrew the SBH-100DQ ball head, but the screw mount is only a 1/4-20in thread, so you need to watch out for this or get an adaptor to go up to the 3/8in commonly used.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #10614875
Heh, check out this thing:

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1280280​894&sr=8-1

It actually has good reviews

If your going that small, I'd have to recommend a Joby Gorrillapod SLR Zoom and the matching ball head, but it's mostly plastic.

Thanks Lannes! That Slik may work. The Gorrillapod has very poor reviews.

I have a Gorillapod which works well in certain circumstances where a flat surface isn't available.

The SLR zoom should be able to support the weight, it's the model I have.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #10615192
The Gorrillapod has very poor reviews.

It works with heavier kit, if you keep the legs at right angles, even with my gorrillapod legs which are the 20bucks clone variety. The joby ballhead is the real deal though.

Jonta wrote in post #10613444
Define "mini". Tabletop? Travel? Weightrequirements? (Glass weighs a lot. Or not. Or a bit).

Here a list of requirements. Sorry for starting so imprecise.

1) 'Mini' here means I want 10-15 cm ( = up to 5 inch) long legs
2) No quick release
3) No extra handle on the head or anything to quick adjust or release; I like it simple but sturdy
4) Metal construction (can be aluminum) but no plastic - at least not in any of the critical parts (especially ball head)
5) ball head should be high quality and made of one piece
6) made to hold a Rebel with a Tokina 12-24 tank => 4 pounds (?)

I bought a number of these mini's and they usually worry me. They have plastic components and I would only trust them with a web cam or a P&S. I don't mind paying 50$ for this but it should be something that lasts and can securely hold a cam in normal horizontal position (no fancy positions are required).

Ampleforth

This is what I use.

http://www.promaster.c​om …products.asp?pr​oduct=7812

You can use it as a tripod or clamp it to almost anything. It's incredibly versatile.

Although not my thread, check this one to see it in use:

http://digital-photography-school.com …etop-window-anywhere.html

I've used this regularly with my 1Ds2 and 70-200/2.8 IS. holds just fine.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Digi_Tabletop_T​ripod.html