Looking at Light Weight Tripods: My only tripod is old and heavy. It works fine as long as you don't need to move it around much. I am looking for a light weight tripod that I can...

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Looking at Light Weight Tripods

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Dec 21, 2017 08:34:10 #

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

My only tripod is old and heavy. It works fine as long as you don't need to move it around much. I am looking for a light weight tripod that I can actually walk around with when out for a day hiking, etc. Wondering what you think of this one.....Do you have experience positive or negative with it? The one I looked at has a ball head, but the heads can be replaced to your liking........opinions positive as well as negative would be appropriate. Thanks in advance..

Weighs around 3.5 lbs and rated to hold approx. 17.5 lbs......(sort of pretty too, but that is quite secondary).....

Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel...
$189.88 Exclusive Mega Specials
B&H PRE-HOLIDAY Sale

Dec 21, 2017 09:07:06 #

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I have an earlier aluminum BeFree that isn’t capacity rated as high as the one you are looking at. For that reason, I replaced the head on mine for most shoots. Other than that, I like it. Decent case, lever locks on the legs, decent price, stable, etc. Too bad B&H did toss an additional discount along with rest of the Manfrottos. 😏

Dec 21, 2017 09:08:39 #

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

CanonTom wrote:

My only tripod is old and heavy. It works fine as... (show quote)

Good choice Tom. In fact that would be my preference as well if I didn't already have a comparable Induro carbon fiber. Go for in man, and Merry Christmas!

Dec 21, 2017 09:15:00 #

Hank Radt

Here's a thread that is worth reading through. After looking at this, given what I want to do (wildlife, which I'll be hiking to find), I'm seriously considering the Sirui n3204X with the Sirui PH-20 Gimbal. More expensive than what you've stated, but as several note in the thread, it may be cheaper in the long run to buy a more expensive tripod rather than something cheaper now that won't give you the performance you want. Note the comments on leg diameter, and also those on getting a tripod / camera support (ball, tilt/pan, gimbal...) that supports 2x to 3x the weight of your camera and lens. Good luck.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-489110-1.html

Dec 21, 2017 10:26:08 #

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

I have a Benro Travel Angel in carbon fiber that I can recommend. Good ball head, good weight rating and small enough to travel with. I has an Arca Swiss quick release system so there are tons of mounting options, ie. L brackets. I think the Manfrotto is a propritary mount and would limit you to just their stuff.

I left mine on top of the jeep once and it fell off while doing 50mph and slid cross 4 lanes of traffic. Figured I would be buying a new one, but when I picked it up it was in perfect working order. Just had some scratches and road rash.

Bill

Dec 21, 2017 15:31:02 #

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

47greyfox wrote:

Thanks GreyFox. Agree on the discount too! I also looked at the earlier model but as you indicated not rated for much weight. About 8.5 lbs I believe. Other than that they seem pretty similar.

Dec 21, 2017 17:03:55 #

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

And another thank you to everyone else who answered. I will check out each recommendation and make comparisions! Its good I have patience I guess. I find the quest to find the best one for me to be almost as much fun as the purchase....I have also found that such attention to detail, while it might be considered wasted time to some, keeps me from making many poor decisions! Thanks again all for the comments!

Dec 22, 2017 03:38:15 #

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I don't understand why people consider load capacity when looking at tripods. Even <$75 tripods will support nearly everything short of a 600mmF4.

However load capacity is not an indicator of stability. I suggest you take a look at RRS and Gitzo, see what works for your purposes, then look for lower cost tripods with similar physical specs.

I did the same thing 10 yrs ago and ended up with a
Feisol CT-3472 for my 600mmF4. It outperformed my Gitzo Series 3 at the same price, and came close to matching the performance of a $1000, Series 5.

I would not suggest you consider anything with a head that costs under $200.

I picked up a Feisol CT-3442 for travel and hiking. It weighs 2.3 lbs has a load capacity (if this still matters to you) of 55lbs, and fits in a carry-on bag. I have used it for macro and with a 300mm lens with consistently good results.

Dec 22, 2017 05:34:48 #

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

CanonTom wrote:

My only tripod is old and heavy. It works fine as... (show quote)

I would look at the Slik CF-422 and CF-522. The CF-422 just won an innovation award I believe from Outdoor Photographer. I needed something that actually was approximate the same size opened up but smaller folded and bought the CF-522. I believe both are under three pounds. They are not the cheapest, but when on sale they go down to between $200 and $250.
.

Dec 22, 2017 07:21:44 #

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

CanonTom wrote:

My only tripod is old and heavy. It works fine as... (show quote)

I am telling you the same thing I told the guy looking for a monopod. This is a decision best made in a camera store. Take you favorite lens and camera with you, the one you are going to use on the tripod most of the time. You really need to try them out before buying, there are just too many manufactures out there to take someones word or recommendation on. It is like buying shoes, in fact, it is exactly like trying to buy shoes, you have to try it on and walk around and get the feel of them before you make up your mind.

Dec 22, 2017 08:44:15 #

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

Gene51 wrote:

I don't understand why people consider load capac... (show quote)

Thank you Gene. I will check these out. Tom

Dec 22, 2017 08:52:55 #

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I have and use the Manfroto Befree with an added Rollei rotating mount with level bubble, weighing a little less than three ounces, and very useful for panoramas. Light, easy to carry, and stable,,,

Dec 22, 2017 09:01:11 #

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

mikegreenwald wrote:

I have and use the Manfroto Befree with an added Rollei rotating mount with level bubble, weighing a little less than three ounces, and very useful for panoramas. Light, easy to carry, and stable,,,

Thanks for the input Mike.

Dec 22, 2017 09:27:46 #

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

At 3.5 lbs. looks good to me for traveling. Make sure it has an Arca Swiss head adapter and buy an L clamp for the camera that will keep the center of gravity in the horizontal or vertical position.
I use a cheap ($45) Dolica tripod that weights less than the Manfrotto but it has served me well. I have a Cullman ballhead on it.
Today, in spite of using often my carbon fiber tripod the Dolica is seeing most use.

Dec 22, 2017 09:32:30 #

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

[quote=Gene51]I don't understand why people consider load capacity when looking at tripods. Even <$75 tripods will support nearly everything short of a 600mmF4.

However load capacity is not an indicator of stability. I suggest you take a look at RRS and Gitzo, see what works for your purposes, then look for lower cost tripods with similar physical specs.

I did the same thing 10 yrs ago and ended up with a
Feisol CT-3472 for my 600mmF4. It outperformed my Gitzo Series 3 at the same price, and came close to matching the performance of a $1000, Series 5.

I would not suggest you consider anything with a head that costs under $200.

I picked up a Feisol CT-3442 for travel and hiking. It weighs 2.3 lbs has a load capacity (if this still matters to you) of 55lbs, and fits in a carry-on bag. I have used it for macro and with a 300mm lens with consistently good results.[/quot

Well said, as usual.

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