Author Topic: Travel Tripod (Read 5005 times)

traveler1116 · « **on:** January 10, 2012, 23:46 »

Like the title says I'm looking for a good travel tripod. Right now I have a Manfrotto 190XDB with 496RC2 head which has a maximum height of about 62inches (157cm), weighs about 4.5lbs (2Kg), and folds down to about 24inches (61cm). I'd like to cut down all of these numbers but don't really want to get a Gitzo ($600+ is a bit much). I tried a Benro travel angel a few years ago and after about 10 months the twist lock got jammed for no reason and it never really was stable enough when it worked. I still don't trust the twist locks but maybe would be willing to try it again.
It needs to hold about 5 lbs comfortably, the Benro was rated for at least 11 and couldn't do this when fully extended with the center column down. What do you guys use or have used and would recommend?

qwerty · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2012, 02:38 »

I use the Manfrotto 190MF4 holds 8.8lbs. Seems okay to me.
I've taken it on overseas trips, its about 3 years old now.
Folds up pretty compact and being carbon fibre is light enough to call a travel tripod.
I like that it is reasonably tall without extending the centre column, I'm 6ft and I hate bending down too much trying to compose photos.

They're about $300 on Amazon.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2012, 20:56 »

looking for one too

anybody else?

antistock · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2012, 22:03 »

i've seen a small Manfrotto in a shop months ago, it was maybe 1Kg, beautiful and rock solid, the price was around 60-70$ if i remember correctly.

at the moment i use a heavy 4Kg manfrotto and it's a pain in the as.. to travel.

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2012, 02:23 »

I use walls, bollards, benches... free and do not count as hand luggage

aeonf · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2012, 04:52 »

We are waiting for the Manfrotto 055cxpro3 we recently ordered.
Hard to match its 3.6 LBS (or 1.6kg)

doglikehorse · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2012, 06:49 »

I managed to get a Slick 614CF Carbon Fiber tripod on ebay, WITH a Giotto MH1001 head for £70. Highly recommended. The tripod itself weighs just 860g

Colette · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2012, 07:20 »

What about Sirui?
Seems to be a Gitzo clone.
They give guarantee for 6 years to the tripod and 2 years to the heads.

Their collection seems very complete with specialties like a series that have one leg that can be disconnected to use as a monopod, or a series that can be totally flat folded ( 4 cm) and some can be very short shove in (42 cm) by using 6 segments while still being 1.69 cm high.
Has someone any experience with them?

madelaide · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2012, 08:40 »

I have an old Slik tripod that weighs about 500g but gets only to about 1m high. Firm enough to use in horizontal, but it doesn't manage to hold the camera in vertical. But it's a compromise. My "regular" tripod is too big and heavy to take in my luggage, and I am not going to take a larger luggage because of it, despite the obvious advantages. So I take the small tripod and now also the monopod, which is useful in many situations (I wouldn't take either tripods in a hike).

travelstock · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2012, 10:44 »

Quote from: Colette on February 13, 2012, 07:20

What about Sirui?
Seems to be a Gitzo clone.
They give guarantee for 6 years to the tripod and 2 years to the heads.

Their collection seems very complete with specialties like a series that have one leg that can be disconnected to use as a monopod, or a series that can be totally flat folded ( 4 cm) and some can be very short shove in (42 cm) by using 6 segments while still being 1.69 cm high.
Has someone any experience with them?

I'm using a Sirui at the moment - its well put together with 1 major flaw - the rubber on the outside of the grip becomes soft after about 12 months which makes tightening and loosening anything a pain. I've removed the rubber, but the knobs are all smooth underneath.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2012, 11:11 »

Quote from: holgs on February 13, 2012, 10:44

Quote from: Colette on February 13, 2012, 07:20
What about Sirui?
Seems to be a Gitzo clone.
They give guarantee for 6 years to the tripod and 2 years to the heads.

Their collection seems very complete with specialties like a series that have one leg that can be disconnected to use as a monopod, or a series that can be totally flat folded ( 4 cm) and some can be very short shove in (42 cm) by using 6 segments while still being 1.69 cm high.
Has someone any experience with them?

I'm using a Sirui at the moment - its well put together with 1 major flaw - the rubber on the outside of the grip becomes soft after about 12 months which makes tightening and loosening anything a pain. I've removed the rubber, but the knobs are all smooth underneath.

thanks everybody! what model are you talking about Holger?

Colette · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2012, 11:56 »

Quote

the rubber on the outside of the grip becomes soft after about 12 months which makes tightening and loosening anything a pain.

But why don't you send it back then? With 6 years guarantee?

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Author Topic: Travel Tripod (Read 5005 times)

traveler1116

qwerty

luissantos84

antistock

microstockphoto.co.uk

aeonf

doglikehorse

Colette

madelaide

travelstock

luissantos84

Colette

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