Lightweight, small tripod for trip abroad.
Discussion
So I've booked a nice holiday abroad and will take either the D7100 or D750 with me but some of the locations would be good shooting on a small travel tripod, I have seen the Joby tripods which look good enough for the job but no experience of them.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a light, small tripod that I can take for either of the above camera's (D750 with a 15-30mm and 24-70mm, D7100 with a 17-70mm), that can do a decent job for waterfall/astro photography. Thanks
Does anyone have any suggestions for a light, small tripod that I can take for either of the above camera's (D750 with a 15-30mm and 24-70mm, D7100 with a 17-70mm), that can do a decent job for waterfall/astro photography. Thanks
I've got the small Joby Gorillapod for my compact and GoPro and it's brilliant. You just bend it to fit whatever shape ground you put it on, and can wrap the legs round a branch or fence.
However, they work purely by the friction in the joints, so the ones rated for DSLR weights are pretty chunky, and getting it level can be a bit tricky as there's not really any fine adjustment.
However, they work purely by the friction in the joints, so the ones rated for DSLR weights are pretty chunky, and getting it level can be a bit tricky as there's not really any fine adjustment.
I've had a Manfrotto Pixi for years and had always performed great. Only £20, but very stable, precise and feels superb quality. Even survived a year of my 2 yo playing with it as his toy 'spider' at every opportunity...
It's designed for compact cameras, and I only use my RX100 M3 with it, but I remember seeing good reviews with full size DSLR's.
It's usually in Jessops so you could always pop in to try before you buy.
It's designed for compact cameras, and I only use my RX100 M3 with it, but I remember seeing good reviews with full size DSLR's.
It's usually in Jessops so you could always pop in to try before you buy.
Those lenses on the D750 are pretty meaty and I’d be concerned with a small tripod head if it could take the weight of body and lens - and not have it ‘creep’ on a long exposure.
Currently - I travel with a mefoto road trip which is fairly large but does the trick - especially in the wind. I had issues with a manfrotto tripod as the weight of the lenses was an issue.
For this upcoming trip - I’m hiking - but taking the tripod and shooting with primes instead. Fed up of lugging massive zooms everywhere!
Currently - I travel with a mefoto road trip which is fairly large but does the trick - especially in the wind. I had issues with a manfrotto tripod as the weight of the lenses was an issue.
For this upcoming trip - I’m hiking - but taking the tripod and shooting with primes instead. Fed up of lugging massive zooms everywhere!
tonyb1968 said:
I've seen a Vanguard VEO 235 CB Travel tripod, any opinions on Vanguard as a manufacturer? (My normal tripod is a Manfrotto).
Not ruled out the Manfrotto befree but this one is carbon fibre and cheaper...
I have the Vanguard VEO 265ABNot ruled out the Manfrotto befree but this one is carbon fibre and cheaper...
I highly recommend it. I recently did some ND long exposure stuff with it and was every bit as good as my main one.
I've also got a Vanguard monopod which is really good as well.
Their stuff just 'feels' right IMO
Manfrotto Befree here too, ally not carbon. Light and stable, supports 7D and 70/200 F4 without too much trouble. In strong wind up a hill will need a supporting hand on top (more for my piece of mind, to be fair). Folds down to a compact shape, as easily lost in a carry-on case as it is strapped onto a rucksack.
triggerhappy21 said:
I've had a Manfrotto Pixi for years and had always performed great. Only £20, but very stable, precise and feels superb quality. Even survived a year of my 2 yo playing with it as his toy 'spider' at every opportunity...
It's designed for compact cameras, and I only use my RX100 M3 with it, but I remember seeing good reviews with full size DSLR's.
It's usually in Jessops so you could always pop in to try before you buy.
I too have a Manfrotto Pixi and RX100 combo. Here's one I snatched on an outside bar table at the Xmas market in Ghent: It's designed for compact cameras, and I only use my RX100 M3 with it, but I remember seeing good reviews with full size DSLR's.
It's usually in Jessops so you could always pop in to try before you buy.
Well thanks guys I had a hard time choosing a tripod from your selections, but I have gone with one of them
I loved the Manfrotto Befree and they do an advanced but reading most reviews they say its not the greatest for DSLR's due to the weight, so I looked at the 190 Go and Go carbon, seemed a better choice and can carry a heavier load, down side is no head and no carrying bag, that would have put the weight through the roof and the price
Mefoto looked good too, and really it was a toss up between this and the Vanguard, the Mefoto has an astoundingly good max load of 12kg, its downside is that the carbon fibre one is heavier than most of the aluminium ones you can get and its more expensive, a real contender otherwise.
That leaves the Vanguard, its light, has an 8kg max weight and is 400g lighter than the Mefoto, comes with a carrying bag and a free larger bag (bargain!) It has 2 bubble levels which is a plus and the price is pretty good for what I wanted. Its ordered (Vanguard VEO 2 265CB) and I would like to thank you all for your recommendations
I loved the Manfrotto Befree and they do an advanced but reading most reviews they say its not the greatest for DSLR's due to the weight, so I looked at the 190 Go and Go carbon, seemed a better choice and can carry a heavier load, down side is no head and no carrying bag, that would have put the weight through the roof and the price
Mefoto looked good too, and really it was a toss up between this and the Vanguard, the Mefoto has an astoundingly good max load of 12kg, its downside is that the carbon fibre one is heavier than most of the aluminium ones you can get and its more expensive, a real contender otherwise.
That leaves the Vanguard, its light, has an 8kg max weight and is 400g lighter than the Mefoto, comes with a carrying bag and a free larger bag (bargain!) It has 2 bubble levels which is a plus and the price is pretty good for what I wanted. Its ordered (Vanguard VEO 2 265CB) and I would like to thank you all for your recommendations
checkmate91 said:
For the history lesson it would be good to know what broke on your befree and whether it was carbon or aluminium? Mine's well made as my 55 but smaller and lighter...
It was one of the adjusters on the head.BeFree by The Rain Maker, on Flickr
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