What Type of Tripod: I have a Canon 7D. With my heaviest lense on the camera I have a total weight of about 7 lbs. Going to start traveling a lot and using a tripod and I need one that...

bobhoco Loc: Oklahoma

I have a Canon 7D. With my heaviest lense on the camera I have a total weight of about 7 lbs. Going to start traveling a lot and using a tripod and I need one that will fold down to at least 25 inches and is fairly light. However, I want it to be sturdy enough that it won't be blowing over in normal wind(almost impossible in Oklahoma). Thanks for everyone's input.

cdtune

yes there is one that really is good at radio shack for just $23.00 on sale reg. $39.00 & it's really sturdy check it out

riverlass Loc: northern California

This is a tripod that I bought when I had to fly to a waterfall workshop in Portland, OR.
It's the Benro Travel Angel.
Here is the link...
http://www.amazon.com/Benro-A0690T-Travel-Tripod-Aluminum/dp/B004DGNO78/ref=pd_sim_sbs_p_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=05H8S8AW8N6QXR9EMMKX

It was recommended by the photographer that gave the workshop. It was easy to travel with and use. I love it. The tripod was even heavy enough to stay in place on the rest of my trip down the Oregon coast with the ocean winds. Well not always. But if it's that windy, sometimes a tripod isn't a good idea... use a fence post.

amehta Loc: Boston

bobhoco wrote:

I have a Canon 7D. With my heaviest lense on the camera I have a total weight of about 7 lbs. Going to start traveling a lot and using a tripod and I need one that will fold down to at least 25 inches and is fairly light. However, I want it to be sturdy enough that it won't be blowing over in normal wind(almost impossible in Oklahoma). Thanks for everyone's input.

What is your budget?

bobhoco Loc: Oklahoma

Like to keep it under $250.00

amehta Loc: Boston

bobhoco wrote:

Like to keep it under $250.00

What sort of shooting are you doing that will need a tripod? Would a monopod meet the need?

bobhoco Loc: Oklahoma

Mostly wildlife and going to use a remote shutter release.

amehta Loc: Boston

bobhoco wrote:

Mostly wildlife and going to use a remote shutter release.

Ok, then you don't need the "sturdiest" tripod available, since your shutter speeds will be fairly fast. You can improve the stability by hanging a bag of rocks from it. I have only used the Induro carbon fiber tripods/monopods, and they work very well, but their aluminum ones are about 1/3 the price, like the AT113, $117, or AT114, $126. You would then need a head for it, unless you can use the one you already have.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bobhoco wrote:

I have a Canon 7D. With my heaviest lense on the camera I have a total weight of about 7 lbs. Going to start traveling a lot and using a tripod and I need one that will fold down to at least 25 inches and is fairly light. However, I want it to be sturdy enough that it won't be blowing over in normal wind(almost impossible in Oklahoma). Thanks for everyone's input.

Your budget for the tripod means a lot. The more you spend, the better the tripod. If you want to travel First Class, look at Really Right Stuff.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/s.nl/sc.26/category.558/it.C/.f

cthahn

A tripod for $23.00. That should be a real piece of nothing.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I got one of these, and it's good for the price and size.

http://www.amazon.com/Mefoto-A0350Q0K-Backpacker-Travel-Tripod/dp/B00BETIVUM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398169408&sr=1-1&keywords=mefoto+backpacker

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

That goes without saying... What, maybe a 3 lb load limit? If that...

cthahn wrote:

A tripod for $23.00. That should be a real piece of nothing.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

If you haven't got it yet--good tripods are expensive. You get what you pay for.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

A tidbit of info I just found on this subject...

"For many tripods, the load rating is the safe limit before the leg joints slip."

Thus, if you hang a bag of rocks off of the bottom of the pod's center column, that weight factors into the max as well...

amehta Loc: Boston

The other thing to consider is the consequences of failure. If a battery dies, you miss a few shots, and maybe you don't get to shoot the rest of the day. But if your support system fails (tripod/head), you may lose a lot more.