Tripod Advice (again)

[Auraomega]

Last time I was looking for a tripod I had a small camera and light lenses for travel (D3100 and 11-16 Tokina) and got some great advice, however I've upgraded and frankly my Slik mini is barely holding the weight let alone in any stable fashion

I'm more 'into' photography now and I'm trying to buy the best I can afford, why should my tripod be left out? I'm hoping to get a carbon fibre tripod that 'does it all' so to speak, I figure though I'm likely to be pushing my luck!

My requirements in a nutshell are:
Must be about standing height fully extended (for wedding and portrait use).
Must be small when collapsed (think carry on luggage small).
Relatively lightweight (my travel 'pod was about 700g, my main about 3-4kg).
Not exceptionally expensive as some of my hobbies might lend to it getting damaged.
A hook for me to hang my bag for extra stability.
Ability to change angle of legs for extra stability.

Most important factors are based around travel I'd say, as I could use my current 'main' tripod if I can't find something to cover all bases (as I suspect will be the case).

It's mostly going to be used for travel right now, most years I go backpacking so the less weight the better, but I also climb mountains during those trips and my 'pod gets bashed about a bit as well as used on less than stable terrain, my Slik mini was small enough to not get in the way but my main has taken a few knocks. This year I'm going abroad on my honeymoon so I'd like to carry it onboard with my body and lenses. It'll be used with my gripped D300 and usually my Tokina 11-16 or Tokina 28-70, although there is a chance of my Nikon 80-200 too (although this usually stays at home when travelling).

 

[crazy badger]

I had a bigger, more stable Giottos tripod but found I didn't use it often enough as it was too big and heavy.

Got one of these as a replacement and take it out much more - http://www.fotosense.co.uk/giottos-mt9240b-vertical-column-aluminium-travel-tripod.html?gclid=CKe9tZ6ntK4CFUZkfAodAzn0Pw

Ok, it's not as stable and really needs a bag clipped on (I just use a keyring attached to the top of my bag) but is small and light and means it gets used more often.

 

[Auraomega]

Well after much playing with my Slik I've discovered that it's actually sturdy as long as I extended the legs once and widen them once, so I'm not desperately after a new 'pod now however I still wouldn't mind investing.

That Giottos looks ok, but I've heard that carbon fibre really is a holy grail for the weight : sturdy ratio and in all honesty that's quite a lot less than I was prepared to spend.

 

[Dr_O]

...I've heard that carbon fibre really is a holy grail for the weight : sturdy ratio and in all honesty that's quite a lot less than I was prepared to spend.

It is but good carbon fibre weave costs- might be easier if you named your top price rather than saying it's not to be too dear or it's too cheap.

Personally I'd just buy a Gitzo- there's plenty of carbon fibre tripods out there but some are far too heavy and you're really buying into the material as a status symbol as far as I can tell when an alloy tripod is often lighter and better. Some Gitzo clones like Benro are entirely reasonable though definitely not as well refined although they may have got better since I last looked at one.

I do a fair amount of rock climbing and mountaineering as well and I've not broken mine yet. I guess if I threw it around a lot more it might break but I can't say it's something I really worry about due to the build quality. I don't wrap it in cotton wool either although to be fair I'm not hashy so others may have different experiences.

 

[Auraomega]

I guess ideal is around £150 with my upper limit being £250. Tripods for me are still a bit of a mystery, when I looked for my first ones I had only just started out and got the ones suggested to me that fitted the bill and both have served me well, but now I've come to upgrade I'm lost in a sea of possibilities :shrug:

 

[Dr_O]

I guess ideal is around £150 with my upper limit being £250. Tripods for me are still a bit of a mystery, when I looked for my first ones I had only just started out and got the ones suggested to me that fitted the bill and both have served me well, but now I've come to upgrade I'm lost in a sea of possibilities :shrug:

There's not much to tripods- it really comes down to;
weight
max height
min height
reliability
service
max load
stability

You can get a big tick in the box against all of these right up until cost becomes a factor.

For your budget I would be inclined to look at Benro and perhaps 3 legged thing. I think your standing height requirement and budget might prove too restrictive but I guess I'm basing that on me- I'm no NBA player but eye level rules out quite a few before cost even comes into it.

 

[Auraomega]

I stumbled across a review for the Brian 3 Legged Thing tripod when I was looking myself, I just avoided them though as they look a bit 'gimmicky', the review itself did look good however I've found online reviews can be somewhat misleading sometimes. The Brian itself looks quite good though and the sizes seem to fit well for me along with weight and it literally just hits the upper budget of £250, I don't suppose you have any experience of it yourself?

 

[Dr_O]

I stumbled across a review for the Brian 3 Legged Thing tripod when I was looking myself, I just avoided them though as they look a bit 'gimmicky', the review itself did look good however I've found online reviews can be somewhat misleading sometimes. The Brian itself looks quite good though and the sizes seem to fit well for me along with weight and it literally just hits the upper budget of £250, I don't suppose you have any experience of it yourself?

Unfortunately I don't - I don't know anyone that has one - I'm just aware that I've seen a few positive reviews about them but I wouldn't like to say one way or the other. I thought it was a bit gimmicky when I first saw them but I've noticed that Benro also have some anodised ones now as well under a different brand. Personally I still prefer the understated look so I guess that makes me boring

Just had a quick look and found a review from Chris (maninsuitcase) on one and also a thread here where locking mechanism is mentioned.
Also came across an old thread where I've posted and seems I was in not that complimentary a mood about them although at least I'm consistent

Perhaps post a new thread for user experiences of them and any issues or take a look at the link Richard posts for Benro then decide from there