travel tripod for 500mm

[Flats]

Does such a thing exist, or is it a compromise too many?

I would usually put a 500mm on at least a gitzo series 3, for instance the ever-popular 3530 or equivalent. For travel I use a 5 series monopod which is amazingly compact, and easily supports the camera. However, I also have a telescope which I use for birding, and this doesn't work on a monopod. I have a travel tripod, but it is rated for only 4.5kg. This just isn't enough - although it's not really the weight that is limiting - gitzo always rates it's equipment well under what it can truly support. The problem is that the legs at their thinnest are like pencils. The weight, if the tripod is fully extended, causes massive amounts of flex. There is no flex at all if the tripod is not extended, ie I can happily take photos with 5kg+ of kit, but only at about a foot off the ground! So the question is does a beefy tripod exist that fold to 35cm or thereabouts! The perfect answer would be the Gitzo 5561 monopod in tripod form, but that doesn't exist. ANy thoughts, it does not have to be Gitzo of course.
Thanks
Jonathan

 

[JonathanRyan]

What are you using right now? The 1541T can take reasonable weight but you'll need a better head.

 

[Flats]

The travel tripod is a 1540T - 4.5kg, but it isn't really the weight, it's the rigidity. It's fine, more-or-less, with a 300f4. A 500 f4 doesn't cut it. The head I use is a marvel, a Giottos MH 1302-655, which holds approx 9kg. It's obviously not in ARCA league, but it will get the job done, especially when used with a sidekick. With the monopod I just use a plate, no head.

 

[jacob12_1993]

check out the Gitzo 1542T its rated for 8kg and only weights 1kg. If you get a decent head on it, and attach some weight to the centre column it should work well