Light tripod

Ros

Ros

Messages
190
Name
Rosaline
Edit My Images
Yes
When I first started out I bought a really cheap tripod just in case it was just a passing phase . It broke . I'm wondering whether to get the same again or get something a bit better. I know it won't last long but it was really light and compact for carrying. I'm thinking if I get something too heavy I'll never take it with me.

I see that Redsnapper seems to be popular on here. Are there lighter options of those? I would also like the ability to shoot straight downwards for macro work. Do they have those or are there parts you can buy to convert any tripod?

Any advice?

Thanks
 
Get what works for you. A tripod's no good if it's too heavy for you to take with you.

Depending on the weight of the camera and lens you're using, the lightweight Sirui tripods look useful. I've been looking to get a compact and light tripod for my CSC kit and the Sirui T-005X which is only 1kg is rated to support 4kg and very compact. There's a carbon fibre version that's a fraction lighter, but I can't see a saving of 200g being worth the extra cost myself.

My main tripod is the Manfrotto X-ProB which has a horizontally pivoting head and is very handy both for shooting vertically down and for getting very low and close to the ground for close-up work.

You may find, like I have, that just one tripod isn't enough for everything you want to do.
 
Alastair said:
Get what works for you. A tripod's no good if it's too heavy for you to take with you.

Depending on the weight of the camera and lens you're using, the lightweight Sirui tripods look useful. I've been looking to get a compact and light tripod for my CSC kit and the Sirui T-005X which is only 1kg is rated to support 4kg and very compact. There's a carbon fibre version that's a fraction lighter, but I can't see a saving of 200g being worth the extra cost myself.

My main tripod is the Manfrotto X-ProB which has a horizontally pivoting head and is very handy both for shooting vertically down and for getting very low and close to the ground for close-up work.

You may find, like I have, that just one tripod isn't enough for everything you want to do.
Click to expand...

Thanks Alastair. Will have a look at those. I only have a Fuji X-T1 so not much weight but my partner may want to use it too and he uses a Canon 70D. You may be right - may need more than one!
 
I have a Sirui T-1204X carbon version & find it is great as a travel tripod. I don't use it in normal use, that's what the other 2 tripods are for.. but for travel or going off the beaten track for miles its very useful.
 
Diving Pete said:
I have a Sirui T-1204X carbon version & find it is great as a travel tripod. I don't use it in normal use, that's what the other 2 tripods are for.. but for travel or going off the beaten track for miles its very useful.
Click to expand...
Thanks Pete. That seems to be the lightest I've seen but quite expensive. There's so much choice!
 
Hi Ros, please take a look at this tripod it isn't as light as the Sirui but is very much everything you need & at a very affordable cost.
Here it is & includes the ball head for £129 inc p+p

I have purchased one from this Watford (nr London) outlet as has another TP member.

They can go near flat & from 0-180 degrees or any degree in between, they have a hook to hang your bag for extra stability too.
They come with a holdall & spare quick release plate so you can have two cameras set up ready plus a handy pocket tool for tightening the plate.

I have seen & read of a few disasters regards carbon tripods, they are very strong all the time they aren't knocked a little too hard.
Then they either hide a crack to which will show itself when least expected, camera falling off in to a river,
or falling over & the head separating from the body with the camera bouncing along causing even more damage.
 
Last edited:
I have the Manfrotto X-ProB, but mine is the heavy version. I'm thinking of buying the carbon fibre version because I go on long walks and my current tripod becomes rather heavy. I have learnt to carry it on my shoulder either with all the legs extended or the first (thick) legs extended.
 
Thanks all. Have gone with Simon's (retrosi) suggestion and ordered a Vanguard. Looks like it will do what I want and hopefully my other half will be able to use it as well.

Thanks again for all the help.

Happy New Year!
 
Hi Ros,
just to let you know that I researched for this pod over at least six weeks (probably more).
I use it with a Canon 1D MKIV with various kit but the largest lens I have takes the combined weight to 5kg & it doesn't budge.
Plus like you I wanted a pod for macro work & the multi-angles this can achieve is simply spot on for that.
Just remember the further out you put the arm the law of physics comes into play,
although if you place the legs in such a way you can balance 3.14kg at 90 degrees,

Excuse the blur & lack of focus as it was taken with my point & shoot plus I shake loads with the type of compact, trying to push the shutter requires too much pressure in my opinion1
View attachment 27598
with a Canon 1d MKIV + Canon 100mm f/2.8L macro mkII + Metz 76 mz-5 flash unit!!!
3.14kg at full extention...

When the camera etc was between two legs & not over/slightly to one side of a leg
the pod arm needed to be less extended.
Don't forget though that the arm/centre column has a hook to hang a counter weight/camera bag off of so allowing to use a heavy set up fully extended but without any legs in the way at all.
 
Last edited:
retrosi said:
Hi Ros,
just to let you know that I researched for this pod over at least six weeks (probably more).
I use it with a Canon 1D MKIV with various kit but the largest lens I have takes the combined weight to 5kg & it doesn't budge.
Plus like you I wanted a pod for macro work & the multi-angles this can achieve is simply spot on for that.
Just remember the further out you put the arm the law of physics comes into play,
although if you place the legs in such a way you can balance 3.14kg at 90 degrees,

Excuse the blur & lack of focus as it was taken with my point & shoot plus I shake loads with the type of compact, trying to push the shutter requires too much pressure in my opinion1
View attachment 27598
with a Canon 1d MKIV + Canon 100mm f/2.8L macro mkII + Metz 76 mz-5 flash unit!!!
3.14kg at full extention...

When the camera etc was between two legs & not over/slightly to one side of a leg
the pod arm needed to be less extended.
Don't forget though that the arm/centre column has a hook to hang a counter weight/camera bag off of so allowing to use a heavy set up fully extended but without any legs in the way at all.
Click to expand...

Thanks Simon, that's helpful. Looking forward to getting it now.
 
1. Most decent heads are pretty heavy. 2. Stability and weight usually go together. 3. Heavy tripod is very reassuring in dangerous urban areas like London or Glasgow. 4. You'll get used to it.
 
daugirdas said:
Heavy tripod is very reassuring in dangerous urban areas like London or Glasgow.
Click to expand...

This is the most powerful tripod in the world so you have got to ask yourself one question, do I feel lucky.

Seriously? This is real life, not an episode of The Sopranos, what are you going to do with a tripod. Better off having a light one and legging it, yobbos come mob handed often with knives and sometimes guns
 
tijuana taxi said:
This is the most powerful tripod in the world so you have got to ask yourself one question, do I feel lucky.

Seriously? This is real life, not an episode of The Sopranos, what are you going to do with a tripod. Better off having a light one and legging it, yobbos come mob handed often with knives and sometimes guns
Click to expand...

90% time it is sufficient to hold one up in your hand and little scum bag chancer runs away or doesn't even get close for a good reason. You really don't want the other 10% though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top