Light tabletop tripod

Auraomega

Auraomega

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Robert
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I've already got a tripod for almost every situation however one it isn't suitable for is travel due to it's weight and size! Now it's coming up to summer I plan on hitting the mountains again so I want something light and small enough not to be cumbersome, I also don't want to spend lots because I don't see it being long until it gets damaged out there.

All I need is something relatively sturdy, small and lightweight and around the £50 mark, I'm not adverse to getting on my knees so height shouldn't factor into things.

I had found the Giotto GB1060 which seemed to fit the bill, however by the time I came to purchase one no where stocks them!

All advice welcome.
 
That looks good although I would prefer something that I can put my own ball head on, I do quite like the ease of switching to macro though. Need to see if I can find anywhere that sells them as their website isn't very helpful (the UK locations only give options for US states :cuckoo:)
 
Try warehouseexpress, they have a special offer on with a bag for £58. Ordered one so should be here tomorrow in time for my holiday.
 
The price is cheaper with a bag than without?

The Trek Tech looks like it'd be sturdy on a flat surface but I'd hate to see it on rocky terrain, definitely have to give that one a miss I reckon.
 
The Slik looks fantastic, would swapping the head allow me to use a heavier camera and lens combination? I'm guessing the limit may just be to stop the cheap ball head slipping, especially if I don't extend the legs too much (or at all).
 
I'd say the supplied head and tiny QR plate would be the weak points, worth changing if you have a head you can swap. The legs actually seem pretty good to me, and while they wobble alarmingly when loose, they tighten up nicely once the lever locks are engaged. As you can see, the legs have no problem with a bit of weight up top.

However, if you wish to shoot in portrait orientation by tilting the head (even a replacement head) rather than using an L-bracket or tripod ring then you would also need to watch that the whole lot doesn't topple over if you don't spread the legs wide enough. Ditto if you want to aim the camera at significant angles up or down, especially if you have a flash attached. It's no fault of the tripod, but it is very light and if the camera is too off balance and the legs not spread far apart then the tripod won't offer much resistance to toppling over. You just need to exercise a little care.
 
I think I may as well go for this tripod then and just swap the head over. I doubt I would use the tripod in portrait except if shooting a pano when it'd be in easy reach at all times, it's just something I'll have to be aware about but I guess par for the course with a light tripod.

Cheers!

EDIT:
Actually, one last question; the Velbon, can the legs be spread to varying distances or is there only 1 position?
 
Last edited:
Auraomega said:
.....The Trek Tech looks like it'd be sturdy on a flat surface but I'd hate to see it on rocky terrain, definitely have to give that one a miss I reckon.
Click to expand...

No worries :thinking: althou as the title of the post was regarding a "Table Top Tripod" hence why I posted the link :naughty:
 
The Velbon has three leg positions apart from fully closed. The centre column is splittable so you can get down really quite low....

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With both the Velbon and the Slik the threaded bolt for the head is only 1/4". You may need a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter in order to fit another head.
 
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