I am looking for a good quality but light tripod to use with a small leica 62 scope and a DSLR sometimes with a 400mm Zoom onboard. Will be in South America and doing quite a bit of walking in difficult terrain so need something light am also getting old! Any ideas or experience to offer
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Travel Tripod (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter wheatear
- Start date
Have been happy with the Velbon Ultra Luxi M, for use with a Nikon ED50.
Note that this is very compact, about 35 cm folded (w/o head) and pretty light, optimized for travel.
You may prefer a more substantial unit for your heavy DSLR plus lens combo, but for walking in difficult terrain, it is hard to beat.
Note that this is very compact, about 35 cm folded (w/o head) and pretty light, optimized for travel.
You may prefer a more substantial unit for your heavy DSLR plus lens combo, but for walking in difficult terrain, it is hard to beat.
Travel tripod
Thanks ever so much for the advice I have considered this very model and with your endorsement will probably go for it. Will ony be using it for my camera occasionally as I've got a heavy Manfrotto for most photo work so will hold on tight when I do!
Thanks ever so much for the advice I have considered this very model and with your endorsement will probably go for it. Will ony be using it for my camera occasionally as I've got a heavy Manfrotto for most photo work so will hold on tight when I do!
Travel Tripod Manfrotto 190CX3?
After looking at the Velbon not convinced that it will work well with scope and camera any one got any gen on the Manfrotto 190CX i'm thinking of going for that model now.
After looking at the Velbon not convinced that it will work well with scope and camera any one got any gen on the Manfrotto 190CX i'm thinking of going for that model now.
As a suggestion...when traveling in SA, forget the tripod and stick with a mono-pod. It is easy to pack as checked luggage, light...and is just as effective in many cases. I travel to SA all the time and find the mono-pod is effective. Most of the time when hiking around you are getting dirty anyhow, so with a monopod, when you might be on one knee as I am when providing stabilization, you will get dirty but heck, that is what those travel pants are for. Wash em out and they are dry in 30 minutes in SA...
Thanks for the advice however I want to use this as a birding tripod in UK too as I'm tired of lugging my big ole 4.5kg Manfrotto that I have had for a long time. Tend to walk a lot here then stand with a tripod for a long time. So weight is crucial with the max stability v weight possible
SteveClifton
Well-known member
A couple of thoughts before you plump for the Manfrotto 190CF.
When considering the max height of your travel tripod, think do you want to rely on a centre column for getting all the way up there, or would you consider something like this:
http://www.feisoluk.com/Tripods-Standard-Tripods/c24_32/p92/CT-3301---Medium-Standard-Class-Carbon-Fibre-Tripod/product_info.html
This has a slightly shorter max height than the Manfrotto you've been looking at, and has twist-lock legs instead of flip-locks, but more importantly you can buy it as a set of legs with no centre column, or choose the centre column as an accessory. Centre columns, especially on lighter tripods, are the weak link with regard to stability (some liken them to a monopod on top of your tripod, but I know they are popular with birders).
I have an older model Feisol CT-3402 ,which they still make, with a few improvements/upgrades. I bought mine about 4 years ago, imported directly from the manufacturer in Taiwan (sounds a pain, but it wasn't!) and it is still my lightweight tripod of choice/& for macro work. There has been a UK supplier now for about 2 years, so no need to import yourself any more. Works nicely with a small scope on a Giottos ball head too, which is also great for photography. However, you can mount any tripod head onto the 3/8" stud if you prefer a more conventional fluid or pan/tilt head.
The model in the link is a bit taller than mine (not sure how tall you are? I'm 6ft and would like a slightly taller model to use with an angled scope) and only has 3 sections (mine has 4), which should make it a bit more stable. Another benefit, is that the upper leg sections are 28mm in diameter-the same as on a Manfrotto 055 model.
Feisol tripods & monopods are gaining a very good reputation in Europe and America. A similar Gitzo would be about double that price, so well worth considering. They are considered by many to be close to a Gitzo in bulld quality, and come with supplied cases, leg-wraps & tools etc (mostly at extra cost with a Gitzo).
Just something else to confuse you,
Steve
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Thanks Steve
Your suggestion looks possible but bit expensive for me.
Yes now confused so relooked at what I need want to spend about £200 only I need a maximum of 145cm with column down and angled Leica 62 scope as I'm 6ft 1" tall I am looking for lightest possible. Manfrotto are light but not high enough as far as I can see also need it to pack down as small as possible. Difficult for me to have a look at some as no dealers close that have good stocks. I may have to compromise of course!
Your suggestion looks possible but bit expensive for me.
Yes now confused so relooked at what I need want to spend about £200 only I need a maximum of 145cm with column down and angled Leica 62 scope as I'm 6ft 1" tall I am looking for lightest possible. Manfrotto are light but not high enough as far as I can see also need it to pack down as small as possible. Difficult for me to have a look at some as no dealers close that have good stocks. I may have to compromise of course!
SteveClifton
Well-known member
When I Googled the Manfrotto 190CX, I saw that it was a carbon fibre model, so assumed your budget was around £200.
As to height, I am almost your height and can use the CT-3402 without a column , but an extra 20 cm would be more comfortable, hence why I recommended a CT-3301. It's surprising how you can adapt to a shorter tripod with an angled scope, but not with a straight one. Remember that adding a head will increase height by almost another 10cm or so.
If packing small is absolutely vital then a 4-section model might be necessary, but remember that the lowest leg section will be a weak link, and they tend to be a little shorter in total height. Everything is about compromises with tripods, between weight/cost/height.
Good luck with whatever you choose,
Steve
Travel Tripod Giottos
Thanks again Steve for the help. I did some research today and have come up with a Giottos MTL 8251B legs with Giottos Video head which come out at an amazing (just under £200) on Amazon today! The head as you say will give me a bit extra hiegth and I should be able to use this set up without the centre colum after careful measurements made off my present set -up weighs in at 1.25kg + 0.50kg for the head so even I should be able to lug this around Bolivia in Feb.
Thanks again Steve for the help. I did some research today and have come up with a Giottos MTL 8251B legs with Giottos Video head which come out at an amazing (just under £200) on Amazon today! The head as you say will give me a bit extra hiegth and I should be able to use this set up without the centre colum after careful measurements made off my present set -up weighs in at 1.25kg + 0.50kg for the head so even I should be able to lug this around Bolivia in Feb.
SteveClifton
Well-known member
Looks like you found the ideal solution. I think I have the Giottos video head you're looking at. Probably the best small head for the price, and it allows you to balance your scope/camera because it has a sliding plate.
Steve
Steve
Tvc15_2000
Well-known member
I switched from a Manfrotto 190CX3 to the Manfrotto 732CY.
Its reasonably priced (for a carbon tripod – made in China of course).
I put the 700RC head on it and removed the steering lever ( I use the scope to steer).
The combo weighs in at 2 lbs 15 oz..
I found this tripod to be every bit as solid (or more) than the 190CX3 the cost for the 732CY tripod (no head) is $180 Total length is 20 inches. (4 section leg) It fits on the backpack or can be strapped under the Mountainsmith Tour lumbar pack. I hiked long distances with it in New Mexico last month and it really performed well.
If I fnd a lighter had I will be even happier.
For a 400mm lens - Depending ont he weight - I suspect the 190CX3 and 732CY may not be stable enough if your raising the center column. For a spotting scope they work fine.
The 055B will be stable but its heavy.
Good Luck!
TVC
Its reasonably priced (for a carbon tripod – made in China of course).
I put the 700RC head on it and removed the steering lever ( I use the scope to steer).
The combo weighs in at 2 lbs 15 oz..
I found this tripod to be every bit as solid (or more) than the 190CX3 the cost for the 732CY tripod (no head) is $180 Total length is 20 inches. (4 section leg) It fits on the backpack or can be strapped under the Mountainsmith Tour lumbar pack. I hiked long distances with it in New Mexico last month and it really performed well.
If I fnd a lighter had I will be even happier.
For a 400mm lens - Depending ont he weight - I suspect the 190CX3 and 732CY may not be stable enough if your raising the center column. For a spotting scope they work fine.
The 055B will be stable but its heavy.
Good Luck!
TVC
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Steve Babbs
Well-known member
As anyone tried the Slik pro2. I'm looking for a cheap, light weight replacement for my present Slik video sprint, which is just too flimsy. It'll be used with a Nikon ED50, I have a Manfrotto for use with my Zeiss scope, and this is the combination I usually use in the UK but I do like to travel light.
SteveClifton
Well-known member
Steve, do you mean the Slik Sprint Pro 2? If so then it is basically the same as the Video Sprint, but with a different head & the ability to spread the legs to 3 angles. Leg sections are the same diameter.
I have one of these:
http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?pName=slik-sprint-mini-ii-gm-tripod&manufacturers_id=36
It's basically a shorter version of the Slik Sprint Pro2, so I don't think you'll get away with it for serious birding due to the spindly bottom leg sections. If you can use it at half height, or propped on a fence then you might get away with it. Mine's only seen very occasional use (like this, and also with an ED50) mainly when birding from a bike when low weight is a priority.
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Steve Babbs
Well-known member
Yep, sorry meant the Slik Sprint Pro2.
Mike Penfold
Well-known member
The Benro C157m8 carbon fibre tripod and Manfrotto 700RC2 head work well with our 65mm Zeiss -- light, rock-solid, and well-priced.
I separate these for packing in check-in luggage, making sure to either remove or completely screw in the locking and tension toggles on the head (left part-way out the brass screw portion of the scope locking toggle was bent in a suitcase).
Mike
I separate these for packing in check-in luggage, making sure to either remove or completely screw in the locking and tension toggles on the head (left part-way out the brass screw portion of the scope locking toggle was bent in a suitcase).
Mike
I recently purchased a tripod Velbon Ultra REXi L; holds up to 4 kg, is sold without a head, has the upper section of the legs of 30 mm in diameter, the maximum heigt is 153 mm, folded lenght is 36 cm. I use it with a Cullmann 904 ballhead, is a very great combination.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
Ciao.
Vincenzo
Steve Babbs
Well-known member
I bought the jessops carbon fibre model, hopefully this should be my main tripod and my travel tripod. I'm using it with my Manfrotto 701 RC2 head, I may change to a lighter head for travel. I could use the one off my Slik video sprint if I can find an adaptor, although this isn't the greatest head it is very light.
