Super compact cheap travel tripod

Mr Bump

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Sophia aka Paul
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Any recommendations for an super cheap travel tripod. realy tight for space as its backpack only territory.
will only be used for my Nikon FE2 film camera and 35mm/50mm lens.

Dont want a ball socket one though as these seem to be slippy.
 
the velbon summit is very compact for its height, but its rickety
its folded width is very slim
 
the velbon summit is very compact for its height, but its rickety
its folded width is very slim

I did see that but wondered about it when extended, its mainly going to be long exposures / night shots maybe.
 
my summit arrived broke :-(, but its replacement from 7dayshop is 9.99 and 136cm tall, but it is bulkier
 
I have a Hama Mini Traveller Pro, lightweight, folded up small (40cm or so) and pretty sturdy (only used in a city though) It's a ballhead but i found it fine to support my D300 and Tamron 17-50 and my F90 with Cosina 19-35 :) Also £1 under budget :eek: They do a slightly bigger sturdier one too but i went for the mini as it would fit nicely into my backpack :) My only annoyance with it is to get it tight on your camera it twists on, which is fine but left marks on the rubber on the bottom of my D300, not a massive problem as most tripods leave marks, i was just upset to mark my minty body :LOL: Next time i may use my Manfrotto head instead that i have but that's a little bulkier.

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-hama-traveller-mini-pro-tripod/p1527328
 
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Just found I still had my pic on photo bucket that I did for someone a few weeks back..

I also have the Hama mini pro. Ut as you can see compared to the summit it is huge... It really is the smallest option. Paul @pingu666 s arrived broke which is a shame as now the 2 that have had one leaves it 50/50 but I have had no probs with mine and it gets a fair bit of use..

IMG_20140602_095757155_zpsd37eef2f.jpg
 
Just found I still had my pic on photo bucket that I did for someone a few weeks back..

I also have the Hama mini pro. Ut as you can see compared to the summit it is huge... It really is the smallest option. Paul @pingu666 s arrived broke which is a shame as now the 2 that have had one leaves it 50/50 but I have had no probs with mine and it gets a fair bit of use..

IMG_20140602_095757155_zpsd37eef2f.jpg

David, What camera/lens do you use on the little summit? Does the head roatate up/down left/right ?

ta
 
I have a Hama Mini Traveller Pro, lightweight, folded up small (40cm or so) and pretty sturdy (only used in a city though) It's a ballhead but i found it fine to support my D300 and Tamron 17-50 and my F90 with Cosina 19-35 :) Also £1 under budget :eek: They do a slightly bigger sturdier one too but i went for the mini as it would fit nicely into my backpack :) My only annoyance with it is to get it tight on your camera it twists on, which is fine but left marks on the rubber on the bottom of my D300, not a massive problem as most tripods leave marks, i was just upset to mark my minty body :LOL: Next time i may use my Manfrotto head instead that i have but that's a little bulkier.

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-hama-traveller-mini-pro-tripod/p1527328
I have just given my Hama Traveler (same as link) its first serious outing on part of the Dales Way in Wharfedale. I must say I am very impressed with the tripod itself, but not the ballhead! The tightening 'lever' failed after 2/3 uses. It can be fixed, but I have changed it for a Cullmann head with QR, its no heavier, but more robust.
I used it with an Olympus E-PL5 plus 14mm pancake and a 75-300mm. Very light to carry, fits on the side of my Lowepro 202 Slingshot AW backpack and its not much heavier than my Velbon monopod + ballhead plus it comes with carry case. For under £20 to my door, chuffed with it!
 
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Thanks for all the input chaps I am going to buy the summit and give it a whirl in Greece.
 
please just up your budget and get a better tripod

you won't regret it

by staying with a cheap tripod you will regret it, at best with blurry pictures, at worst broken camera gear
 
please just up your budget and get a better tripod

you won't regret it

by staying with a cheap tripod you will regret it, at best with blurry pictures, at worst broken camera gear

its not a matter of budget it has to be super light and very compact.
What would you recommend?

I am going to Greece for 3 weeks and everthing clothes camera and the works has to go in a backpack?
 
its not a matter of budget it has to be super light and very compact.
What would you recommend?

I am going to Greece for 3 weeks and everthing clothes camera and the works has to go in a backpack?


1) don't use a tripod (do you really really need one?)
2) use a gorilla pod
3) strap the tripod to the side of the bag
4) get a bigger bag that holds a bigger tripod
5) mefoto backpacker- only 32cm long when folded up, should fit in pretty much any backpack
 
1.....yes

2.....no

3.....already

4.......nope

5.......£125....realy?
 
Summit arrved today and with my FE2 and 50mm mounted its pretty ok.
camera only weighs 700 grams.

just done a few test released using the self timer as the shutter activator and i think its good :-)
 
Summit arrved today and with my FE2 and 50mm mounted its pretty ok.
camera only weighs 700 grams.

just done a few test released using the self timer as the shutter activator and i think its good :)

Should get you through Greece and hopefull beyond, certainly worth the money IMO and it is deceivingly sturdy for what it is.

Have a good trip, are you going Naxos? It's a long ferry from Athens but a nice island.
 
flying in to Santorini for 8 days then to Naxos on ferry i think for 10 days then to paxos ? for 7 days then back to Santo for two days :-)
 
26 days total, two T shirts, spare shorts, mini laptop, swim shorts.....ummmm
packing pretty light -)

oh and the wife.
 
26 days total, two T shirts, spare shorts, mini laptop, swim shorts.....ummmm
packing pretty light -)

oh and the wife.

And what is she taking? In my experience it's always about 5x what a guy will take.
 
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