Lightest & Smallest tripod to support 3KG of camera

Wail

Wail

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Wail
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Am looking for a really small and really light tripod that would support the weight of up to 3kg (camera, lens, and ballhead).

I am not looking for something that extends much; a beanbag (which I have) isn't high and sturdy enough at times. I am looking for something that would give me about 30~50cm off ground level.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.
 
Thank you :)

I had no idea something that small would cost so much! Though the links are for US priced, I am sure they're about the same in £ here.

Wasn't keen on spending that much to be honest. Up to £100, without ballhead, would have been my limit really.

BUT .. I've just double checked the specifications on the two you've linked. Both can carry weights up to 23kg for the RRS, and up to 18kg for the Gitzo! Now, that's some amazing weight handling. Perfect for a 200-400VR :thumbs:

I will see if I can find these cheaper somewhere.

Out of curiosity, can I use Manfrotto ballheads with either of these two?
 
Messiah Khan said:
How much are you willing to pay? Here are two very nice setups, expensive though mind;

RRS TP-243
http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/05.html

Gitzo GT3320BS
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...320BS_GT3320BS_2_Section_Aluminum_Tripod.html

Possibly overkill, but it would do what you want. :)
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Wow, never guessed that small tripod can cost that much (was looking for one myself).

I guess Joe (Redsnapper) will have plenty of business opportunities whilst the big names keep their pricing like that...
 
Wail said:
Am looking for a really small and really light tripod that would support the weight of up to 3kg (camera, lens, and ballhead).

I am not looking for something that extends much; a beanbag (which I have) isn't high and sturdy enough at times. I am looking for something that would give me about 30~50cm off ground level.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.
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So have you thought about a Gorillapod... :thinking:


LINKY ... :D


Does what you say you need it to do I think and for a bit less dosh... ;)



PS... as an added bonus they do come in Green too... :naughty:






:p
 
Actually, Secret Santa from last year's TP SS sent me one. It was perfect, but not sufficient enough to hold the weight I was looking at.

It didn't cross my mind that they make one for heavier bodies.

Thanks for the link :thumbs:
 
I think you might be looking for something like this Giottos I have one and swear by it - fits into my camera bag, is well made and lightweight. You'll need to buy a head with it but you would get their basic one for around £30. The advantage of that is that it also will fit onto their full size tripods.
 
aberal said:
I think you might be looking for something like this Giottos I have one and swear by it - fits into my camera bag, is well made and lightweight. You'll need to buy a head with it but you would get their basic one for around £30. The advantage of that is that it also will fit onto their full size tripods.
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Thanks, that does seem like another good alternative.

Any idea of what's the maximum weight it can handle?

I've already got a good ballhead from Monfrotto, and this, or the GorrilaPod, seem like a good couple of good options.

I like the others that Messiah Khan have linked to, but they're a bit over the price range for what I am looking for.



Venomator said:
:D



SS dint send me nuffink... :suspect:






:p
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Sorry about that, it seems he was having an issue with green :shrug: ... I hear this year's SS is a female in green outfit ;) .. right up your alley :love:
 
dalex_257 said:
.....

I guess Joe (Redsnapper) will have plenty of business opportunities whilst the big names keep their pricing like that...
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Do you have any idea if Redsnapper make something small, light, and sturdy for up to 3kg?

I've had a look at their site, but can't find anything like that.
 
I love that ground level tripod. So much so that I'm going to have a quiet sit down until I can think of a good reason why I need one. :lol:
 
Low-level shots.

Landscape is what I like to shoot, and small critters. Getting low is one of the perspectives that I like to use. Down to 30cm is ideal. Lower is fine, at time, but it's the 30~50 cm off-ground level that I like.

That's what I intend to use it for.

Of course, it being lightweight and compact helps a lot when trekking hours in the heated deserts of Saudi Arabia (temperature can get up to 50C in the shade).


Now, where's that drink!?
 
Wail said:
Thanks, that does seem like another good alternative.

Any idea of what's the maximum weight it can handle?
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Dunno exactly. I use if for my D300 with a fairly small zoom lens. But with the legs spread (i.e low down) I'd feel comfortable that it would take most reasonable sized zooms.
 
Wail said:
Do you have any idea if Redsnapper make something small, light, and sturdy for up to 3kg?

I've had a look at their site, but can't find anything like that.
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That was a wish for the future - I don't think Joe has anything like that atm. But I always send him my wish lists (because I think he can do amazing quality reasonably priced). So I guess if you do the same we might see one like this soon.

I think something similar to Giottos one is a good idea (may be more versatile - higher etc).

I'll PM Joe with this thread - edited: done.
 
dalex_257 said:
2.5 Kg according to specs
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Just had a look and you're right - a couple of websites in the USA do state that.

But something doesn't ring true here - if the Gitzo can take 18kg and the Ground pod can take 23kg I don't really understand why the all metal and to my mind, wholly robust little Giottos is only rated at 2.5kg. :shrug: With the legs splayed I'd be willing to bet with anyone that it would take at least double, probably treble, hell maybe quadruple that. In fact - I would bet that. My Giottos would take 10kg without flinching.

Standing upright with legs and neck at full extension I'd be wary of it - it would topple, but that's not how I use it.
 
aberal said:
Just had a look and you're right - a couple of websites in the USA do state that.

But something doesn't ring true here - if the Gitzo can take 18kg and the Ground pod can take 23kg I don't really understand why the all metal and to my mind, wholly robust little Giottos is only rated at 2.5kg. :shrug: With the legs splayed I'd be willing to bet with anyone that it would take at least double, probably treble, hell maybe quadruple that. In fact - I would bet that. My Giottos would take 10kg without flinching.

Standing upright with legs and neck at full extension I'd be wary of it - it would topple, but that's not how I use it.
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I don't know - Giottos site does not list it to find out so I guess it is not produced anymore. It may have thin legs not being able to support greater weight or something else.

I am at the moment contemplating smaller 4 section Redsnapper but it is not that small and is still heavy for a travel/ground level tripod.
 
The GB1060 is a great little tripod, and cheap too. I wrote a review here http://wildaboutlife.net/wp/archives/122 about it, may be of interest.

I think 2.5KG is for when it is fully extended (when it's not too stable), but splay the legs a bit and it should easily take 5KG i'm willing to bet. :)
 
dalex_257 said:
I don't know - Giottos site does not list it to find out so I guess it is not produced anymore. It may have thin legs not being able to support greater weight or something else.

I am at the moment contemplating smaller 4 section Redsnapper but it is not that small and is still heavy for a travel/ground level tripod.
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Dunno for certain but if I were to hazard a guess it would be that the weight quoted refers to it fully extended. this is how I use mine below. Whatever - it's a great wee thing and handy as a handy thing.

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Venomator,

Where did you see the Gorillapod SLR in Green? I haven't been able to find it on their web site or anywhere else :shrug: They do have the smaller model in multitude of colours though.
 
Wail said:
Venomator,

Where did you see the Gorillapod SLR in Green? I haven't been able to find it on their web site or anywhere else :shrug: They do have the smaller model in multitude of colours though.
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Hi Wail... Cos I have the original in Green (what else as if... :D) I just assumed the colour schemes would apply throughout the range but clearly this does not appear to be the case soz... :shrug:


But you do get that flexibility with the Gorilla that you don't with a traditional tripod in that it will also wrap itself around handy stuffs with its magic legs to provide additional support... ;)


Hope you sort yourself out soon... :D





:p
 
Thank you.

I like the idea of the flexible legs and the light weight .. compared to the Giottos, it's about 1/3 the weight.

May go with this one.


Thank you for all the feedback.
 
TBH I guess both of them are cheap enough that you can try one and if it's not good enough then pass it on and try the other. Can't see you loosing much if you sell it.
 
Interesting, I'm still looking for a cheap intermediary tripod (between my 1060 and 055Pro) for when I don't need small and super light weight but still need it small enough for travelling yet high enough to use normally (for holiday use). Hopefully it'll be a good one that sits around 1-1.5kg and reaches around 1m securely. :)
 
redsnapper said:
Thought I'd bring this thread back to light as we are about to launch a 'mini' Redsnapper tripod - not got a name for it yet!
I'll post some pics tomorrow - hopefully.
Joe
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Look forward to seeing the pics, can you post the dimensions also please :thumbs:
 
Amp34 said:
Interesting, I'm still looking for a cheap intermediary tripod (between my 1060 and 055Pro) for when I don't need small and super light weight but still need it small enough for travelling yet high enough to use normally (for holiday use). Hopefully it'll be a good one that sits around 1-1.5kg and reaches around 1m securely. :)
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Well, this one is 1.5kg and 40cm when folded. Extended it's 91cm and rock solid.
The price is a little more than the standard Redsnappers but this is because it is built to order here at our workshop.
The price is £69.95 (-10% for TP members) + p&p
I will get some images here tomorrow.
 
redsnapper said:
Well, this one is 1.5kg and 40cm when folded. Extended it's 91cm and rock solid.
The price is a little more than the standard Redsnappers but this is because it is built to order here at our workshop.
The price is £69.95 (-10% for TP members) + p&p
I will get some images here tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I too may be interested in this as my 055Pro can be a little to much on long walks/climbs.
 
redsnapper said:
Well, this one is 1.5kg and 40cm when folded. Extended it's 91cm and rock solid.
The price is a little more than the standard Redsnappers but this is because it is built to order here at our workshop.
The price is £69.95 (-10% for TP members) + p&p
I will get some images here tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Sounds very interesting. Would love to know more about it. What's the maximum weight it can carry / hold? Lowest level it gets to? What type of plates does it require?
 
I've recently bought a couple of lightweight tripods to supplement my Manfrotto 055MF3. I have replaced the heads on both tripods to maintain RC2 quick release compatibility throughout my gear.

One is the Velbon Ultra Maxi Mini, pictured here with 3.7Kg of 1D3, 70-200/2.8IS and 580EX, all with batteries plus the neck strap.

20090924_210109_0669_LR.jpg
20090924_210218_0670_LR.jpg


The second is the Slik Sprint Mini II GM, again with a replaced head and 3.7Kg of gear on top....

20090924_210401_0672_LR.jpg
20090924_210318_0671_LR.jpg


I have used the little guy quite successfully while sitting in a bird hide and supporting my gripped 50D with 100-400 lens, 580EX flash plus flash extender.

I have not put the supplied heads to the test because I need/want to use RC2 QR plates. In practice I would not usually put this much weight onto these little guys and walk away from the rig, but I think for lighter loads there should be no reason to be scared. Of course, I am massively exceeding the rated load for both these tripods, so if you try anything similar, it's at your own risk. Don't blame me if it all goes Pete Tong.
 
Tim,

You are far more of a brave man than I ever will be. That Velbon is rated for 1.5kg :eek: !
 
Wail said:
Tim,

You are far more of a brave man than I ever will be. That Velbon is rated for 1.5kg :eek: !
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Yes, that's true, but I'm sure the ratings are conservative, in order to avoid the risk of litigation in the event of a collapse when loaded to the specified level. Think of a "baker's dozen". I'm quite sure that 40m underwater camera housings do not leak like sieves at 41m and I'm sure tripods and heads have a built in safety margin too.

Also, the rating is probably in reference to the supplied head as well as the legs and probably has to allow for an unbalanced load such as having the head tilted over to shoot in portrait orientation, with the whole camera rig then hanging off to one side. As I've upgraded the heads that's one less thing to be concerned about. So long as the legs will not collapse, and I remain mindful of issues of balance, I'm sure there will be no problem. I would not take silly risks and I exerted a fair amount of "human" load just to ensure the legs wouldn't give up, and they were fine.
 
A couple of images of the Redsnapper 'squat tripod'
Sorry about the quality - someone had wondered off with my other camera and I had to use phone instead...... it probably should be used for what it was intended - making phone calls.

Tripod platform height with legs spread is just under 7"
1.5kg and 40cm when folded.
Extended it's 91cm
Max load 12kg

3954157968_fde89aabab.jpg


3954157602_8df9f66f92.jpg
 
Wail said:
:plusone:
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A large tripod is great but if its too big and you can't be bothered taking it with you its not much use!! This would actually fit in my camera bag. Might well get me one of these.... will have to wait for a short while though as I still have a few things on the old shopping list..... Replacement GPS, 70-300 & grip. (I think I have lost my 18-200 though. Helen seems to have become quite attached to it on her her D300 :))
 
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