Travel tripod. Max load: 2.7kg

Sebastian

Sebastian

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Sebastian
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Hi guys,

I will be travelling a lot in the next 2 years (I will be co-organizing photography workshops in Nepal) and I will need a travel tripod.
The MAX setup that I will be putting on it will weight 2.7kg, but usually it will be between 1.8 -2.3kg

I've been looking at Benro Travel Angel range. There is one on Amazon on special offer http://www.amazon.co.uk/BENRO-TRA06...SQ1U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308506184&sr=8-1

Is there anything else in this price range worth looking at?

I will be buying a normal tripod too for studio and locations that are easily accessible, this one will be used from more extreme places.


Let me know if you can recommend anything. Thanks !!
 
Thats not a bad offer and it's a good tripod, (there's postage on top, don't forget!) I have used one in the past (not mine) and it's reasonably stable providing the wind isn't too strong.
Have a look at the Slik Sprint too, my mate has one he takes hiking, and I have used that one too. Should be OK for the weight you want to carry, but again, lightweight tripods and windy conditions do not mix!
 
Giottos Vitruvian.
I bought one two weeks ago for my D700, and its really impressed me. Very light, folds very compact and seems pretty stable so far.
Its rated to 4KG, so easilly holds a body and longish lens.
It also has a built in monopod which uses a leg and the center coloumn.
 
TCR4x4 said:
Giottos Vitruvian.
I bought one two weeks ago for my D700, and its really impressed me. Very light, folds very compact and seems pretty stable so far.
Its rated to 4KG, so easilly holds a body and longish lens.
It also has a built in monopod which uses a leg and the center coloumn.
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I have one of these, though the only downside is with a heavier lens in vertical shooting, the plate isn't large enough to grip the base of the cam., so is saga. In time I will source a larger plate
 
If you tilt the camera the other way its ok as its working against the thread, I also tend to go the other way so the camera sags.
 
Vitruvian: costs 2x more, weights more BUT the ball head will be much sturdier. And you can pan it. Decisions, decisions...
 
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Got mine for £130 ish from Clifton Cameras. Im happy its worth the money.
It really doesnt weight a lot. The first time i went out with it, I had to keep checking the back of my bag cos I though it had fallen off.
 
Have you looked at Feisol tripods?
 
Yes. Lovely tripods, but Benro costs less atm, offering similar spec.
I'm goig through all traveller tripods on amazon now, will see if I can find anything special
 
Good morning!

Quick question to Vitruvian users: what was the max load you have tested it with in both landscape and portrait mode?
 
Sebastian said:
Good morning!

Quick question to Vitruvian users: what was the max load you have tested it with in both landscape and portrait mode?
Click to expand...

Nikon d700 with a 24-70f/2.8. The only issue is in portrait mode if you put it over on one side, it slips because the plate can't hold the weight. My manfrotto, slik and redsnapper all do this too. The solution is to have the camera with the shutter release towards the floor so it's acting against the thread of the plate.

You can buy updated heads for them, but I think it was about £70 extra.
 
As above!

I have replaced the head on my Vitruvian with a Manfrotto ball head - as much as anything, to keep all the QR plates the same on all supports and bodies/lenses.

The tripod itself is lightweight, quick to set up, collapses to a small size and is sturdy enough for a D700 with a 24-70 on the front. It's even light enough for SWMBO not to moan if I ask her to carry it for me.
 
TCR4x4 said:
If you tilt the camera the other way its ok as its working against the thread, I also tend to go the other way so the camera sags.
Click to expand...

Thanks, nice tip. May have to go with this until I can find an alternate plate
 
Sebastian said:
Yes. Lovely tripods, but Benro costs less atm, offering similar spec.
I'm goig through all traveller tripods on amazon now, will see if I can find anything special
Click to expand...

I'm also a Benro user, not quite the travel angel series. I have a A350-EX and it is a very good tri-pod, I think it's just as light as the vultrivian but it doesn't fold down as compact- but even saying that it's hardly large. Feels a lot sturdier than the Giottos too, but more importantly it has the lever switches and not the twist ones which I much prefer. For travelling without a car etc I use the Giottos, for anything else I'll favour the Benro.
 
TCR4x4 said:
Nikon d700 with a 24-70f/2.8. The only issue is in portrait mode if you put it over on one side, it slips because the plate can't hold the weight. My manfrotto, slik and redsnapper all do this too. The solution is to have the camera with the shutter release towards the floor so it's acting against the thread of the plate.

You can buy updated heads for them, but I think it was about £70 extra.
Click to expand...

Thanks for letting me know, I will think this through and pick the best one for me.
 
PhotoSnapper said:
Sebastian - which tripod did you go for in the end? Looks like you have exactly the same dilemma as me! I still can't make up my mind, after weeks and weeks of internet browsing.
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Hi mate,

I haven't picked anything yet, but I have narrowed it down to Vitruvian and Benro Travel Angel.
I was busy planning my nearest photo projects in France and Norway and I still need to decide which one to buy.
I will let you know which one I'll take with me :)
 
PhotoSnapper said:
Sebastian - which tripod did you go for in the end? Looks like you have exactly the same dilemma as me! I still can't make up my mind, after weeks and weeks of internet browsing.
Click to expand...

I too am trying to decide what I want, with hundreds of Amazon and review links in tabs. My max load is far less though, just over a kilo, so I'm possibly thinking a Slik Sprint Pro II with the ball head?
 
freecom2 said:
I too am trying to decide what I want, with hundreds of Amazon and review links in tabs. My max load is far less though, just over a kilo, so I'm possibly thinking a Slik Sprint Pro II with the ball head?
Click to expand...

If it's around than 1kg, I would go for Benro. For this price, you can't go wrong
 
I'd probably suggest Manfrotto 190XProB. It can get really low down, which is invaluable for some shots. The weight is around 2kg, but it is still very portable. I don't think 0.5kg would make any real difference to your load, but could compromise the function. I use 1Ds with brick on it and it is quite stable. Just don't put it in the sea and then forget to wash it.
 
Sebastian said:
If it's around than 1kg, I would go for Benro. For this price, you can't go wrong
Click to expand...

It's a bit too high for my budget unfortunately (I know the whole, don't cheap out on your tripod, I'm well aware of that). Having searched, I may buy a Hama Traveller Compact Pro/Hama Traveller Mini Pro - there's a few posts about it on TP, and they all seem to be reasonably positive, as do the Amazon reviews. May be worth a punt (for me), has anyone got one and would like to share their thoughts?
 
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TCR4x4 said:
Nikon d700 with a 24-70f/2.8. The only issue is in portrait mode if you put it over on one side, it slips because the plate can't hold the weight. My manfrotto, slik and redsnapper all do this too. The solution is to have the camera with the shutter release towards the floor so it's acting against the thread of the plate.

You can buy updated heads for them, but I think it was about £70 extra.
Click to expand...

Here's a tip, when you attach the plate to the camera use some small blobs of blutack (just enough to fill the grooves in the plate) and it will stop the camera spinning.

I know it sounds a bit Heath Robinson but it does work and you can't see the blutack once it's on, also it comes off easily when you want to remove the plate :)
 
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