Lightweight Tripod for Hiking (Page 3): CORRECTION: the difference in weight is actually 9 oz. not 3. I misread the spec. Now the $100 more does seem worth it. Hmm...

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

mdorn wrote:

Sorry... actually, I did look at your suggestion. ... (show quote)

CORRECTION: the difference in weight is actually 9 oz. not 3. I misread the spec. Now the $100 more does seem worth it. Hmm...

rob s Loc: La Mesa, CA

For the absolute smallest and lightest option I always have a six inch square bean bag in my pack. This and a 2 second delay make for rock solid shots and no carrying problems.
Any small cloth bag can be pressed into service to make one. Mine has plastic pellets in it but split peas work too.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

mdorn wrote:

....it is $100 more expensive than the XC522. Is a hundred bucks worth 3 oz. ?

I was having fun spending your money. An extra visit to the gym would beef up the muscle system enough for 3 to 9 oz!

For tripods I personally am pretty cheap. My current favorite is a $90 Dolica from Costco. I was shooting next to a friend with a similar Manfrotto of about 3x the price. I could see not a single functional difference.

TheDman Loc: USA

mdorn wrote:

Gosh, 1 liter of water weighs more than 2 lbs. I generally take more than 3 liters on some hikes. Unfortunately, after 4hrs and 5,000 feet, water is more valuable than the photos I can capture with a good sturdy tripod. :-)

I can imagine. I usually do more distance than elevation change, though I'm heading to Banff next month where there will be quite a bit of elevation change. I may regret lugging my 3.7 lbs!

pmoseley Loc: Scottsbluff, NE

OddJobber wrote:

Dolica. I have the aluminum one, but they also ha... (show quote)

OddJobber: That Dolica-Reversible-Traveler is a great buy
I've ordered one today. Thanks for the tip.

This is my first post guys. I've been following the blog for a while and I'm really impressed with the quality of the info and the courtesy of the participants. I look forward to checking in every mourning.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

TheDman wrote:

I can imagine. I usually do more distance than elevation change, though I'm heading to Banff next month where there will be quite a bit of elevation change. I may regret lugging my 3.7 lbs!

Dman - I envy you... Banff is on my bucket list. I can only say, based on my experience hiking/climbing and elevation gain, the following:

From sea level to 5,000 feet, every additional "pound" of gear matters. However, from 5,000 feet to 10,000 feet every additional "ounce" of gear matters.

Good luck on your trip! Looking forward to some of your photos if you decide to post.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

mdorn wrote:

I've done a search and found a lot of threads abou... (show quote)

GitzoGT1542T Carbon 6X. It is 16 inches long, so not quite your criteria, but I just recently travelled to the US with it, and used it in San Francisco in quite a high wind with a Canon 5DII, and it was steady. Very light, but since it has my previous head on it, I cannot weigh it. It is a great travel tripod.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

bsprague wrote:

I was having fun spending your money. An extra visit to the gym would beef up the muscle system enough for 3 to 9 oz!

For tripods I personally am pretty cheap. My current favorite is a $90 Dolica from Costco. I was shooting next to a friend with a similar Manfrotto of about 3x the price. I could see not a single functional difference.

No worries... you are welcome to spend my money anytime. :-) I have a few more weeks before my climb, so I haven't decided yet. 9 ounces is not something I can easily ignore.

TheDman Loc: USA

mdorn wrote:

Dman - I envy you... Banff is on my bucket list. I can only say, based on my experience hiking/climbing and elevation gain, the following:

From sea level to 5,000 feet, every additional "pound" of gear matters. However, from 5,000 feet to 10,000 feet every additional "ounce" of gear matters.

Good luck on your trip! Looking forward to some of your photos if you decide to post.

Yikes! I have even been contemplating buying a slightly heavier tripod (the Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4). Might want to take the old Velbon out for one last hurrah! I'll post some results if I make it back. :-)

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

photosarah wrote:

GitzoGT1542T Carbon 6X. It is 16 inches long, so not quite your criteria, but I just recently travelled to the US with it, and used it in San Francisco in quite a high wind with a Canon 5DII, and it was steady. Very light, but since it has my previous head on it, I cannot weigh it. It is a great travel tripod.

Thanks, but I'm trying to keep it under 2 lbs if possible. The GitzoGT1542T is over 2 lbs.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

rob s wrote:

For the absolute smallest and lightest option I always have a six inch square bean bag in my pack. This and a 2 second delay make for rock solid shots and no carrying problems.
Any small cloth bag can be pressed into service to make one. Mine has plastic pellets in it but split peas work too.

Will you carry my bean bag to the top of Mt. Hood for me? I'll carry the tripod. :-)

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

rob s wrote:

For the absolute smallest and lightest option I always have a six inch square bean bag in my pack. This and a 2 second delay make for rock solid shots and no carrying problems.
Any small cloth bag can be pressed into service to make one. Mine has plastic pellets in it but split peas work too.

Sorry... just kidding Rob. It makes a lot of sense to bring an empty bag and fill it with soil or rocks for stability. Good tip. Thanks. :-)

TheDman Loc: USA

photosarah wrote:

GitzoGT1542T Carbon 6X. It is 16 inches long, so not quite your criteria, but I just recently travelled to the US with it, and used it in San Francisco in quite a high wind with a Canon 5DII, and it was steady. Very light, but since it has my previous head on it, I cannot weigh it. It is a great travel tripod.

You know, I have this one, but I'm not a fan. When I looked to replace the old Velbon I thought Gitzo would be the best choice, but frankly that thing irritates the crap out of me. Maybe I just got a lemon.

One of the legs always comes loose after just a day or two of shooting, so much so that the screw falls out. Keep having to re-tighten it. I also got a RRS BH-30 ballhead for it, which doesn't tighten to the tripod well at all and spins loose if I sling it over my shoulder with the camera still attached. Plus the leg locks feel cheap, like metal grinding on metal, and frequently get dirt/debris in them to gunk them up. I'm looking to unload mine.

tita1948 Loc: North Idaho

mdorn wrote:

I've done a search and found a lot of threads abou... (show quote)

Costco has this one on sale.

http://www.costco.com/Dolica-Reversible-Traveler-57%22-Tripod-with-Integratable-Monopod.product.100073661.html

rob s Loc: La Mesa, CA

Damn that sounded like a retraction of the offer to be your sherpa. I was just going to send suitable menu suggestions and the necessary personal details for the airline tickets. A single room/tent might have been good too since I snore.
I suppose I'll have to settle for pictures. Have a great time and make sure you post a few for the rest of us.