camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am 82 years old and I take my tripod with me when I travel. I carry a cheap Dolica aluminum tripod and with good tripod techniques it is all I ever need.
Advise: if you buy a small tripod consider they are not super steady so they need help from you. As soon as you put the camera on the tripod with a VR lens make sure you DISABLE VR. Many modern VR lenses have no issues if VR is on while camera on a tripod BUT just in case disable that VR.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Gene51 covered the topic quite well and thoroughly, and I agree that the Feisol tripod may be your best solution if RRS tripods are not within your budget. Be sure to look at the link he provided for the RRS Tripod Guide to help with understanding how to make the best choice.

I don't have much luck with hand-holding either, although have gotten better at it when I can greatly increase shutter speed [and possibly ISO]. But that is not always going to work during low-light situations, which makes a tripod a great asset for a photographer. As for monopods, if your hands are not steady, it won't be reliable for steadying the camera. In situations where I cannot open up my tripod, I extend one leg and use it like a monopod [also doubles as a walking stick like this!].

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

MeFoto and others make travel tripods that will fit inside a suitcase. I suggest one that gives you the option of using one of the legs as a monopod. Keep in mind that if you’re traveling with a group, setting up and taking down the tripod won’t endear you to others unless this is photography tour. I’m envious of your trip! Remember to get out from behind the lens and just enjoy the experience.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

Great suggestions by others. No perfect solutions. I have several. My favorites for compact travel: UltraPod II, marginal for your long lens. Recommend a larger travel tripod can fit in suitcase. You may have to upgrade small ballheads to handle your largest lens. A great compromise is the Neewer 20 inches/50 centimeters Portable Compact Desktop Macro Mini Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head,1/4 inches Quick Release Plate, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSAEZN8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . It's small, sturdy and cheap, has a decent ball head with an arca swiss-compatible clamp.

trinhqthuan Loc: gaithersburg

Zomei 688 around $70 on Ebay. Large head, steady and not heavy. Save money and get quality. Made in China as usual.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Actually, a center column can add a bit of stability. (Just don’t raise it very much!)

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You will need to prove that to convince me and many others here. A center column SUBTRACTS from stability. The camera is raised well above the primary center of support [tripod legs] which can make it top-heavy. The bigger the camera and lens, the worse the problem.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

When the column is lowered all the way, its weight is below the crown. No instability there. It only becomes less stable when raised too much above the crown. It’s more convenient to fine tune height adjustment with a column than with the legs.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

B&H Photo has several good articles about tripods, including this one specifically about travel tripods.....

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/travel-tripods

Traveling by air with a tripod is the biggest problem. While I don't like to check my camera, lenses, etc. (carry them on), I would recommend putting a tripod in a checked bag. So measure what size it needs to collapse to, in order to fit in your luggage.

An alternative is to ship gear ahead to meet you at your destination. I've done that at times, too.

Check with your air carrier, because things change! I've heard rumor that there is currently a restriction on carrying on a DSLR. That would force me to ship ahead, since I would NEVER check my cameras and lenses for air travel. Damage or theft is far too likely... and while that can happen with a tripod too, it's less likely and wouldn't be as critical a loss as my primary camera gear. I can get by and shoot without a tripod, if need be... but not without cameras and lenses!

Meganephron Loc: Fort Worth, TX

Weight rating does not equal stability. I have used Gorillapods for light point and shoot cameras and find them awkward to compose a picture.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

You might consider renting a Tripod and possibly other equipment THERE in Australia. Say a 500mm Prime Lens for wildlife and the Tripod.

ecurb1105

Unless your trip is primarily a photographic expedition, I'd stay away from a tripod. You've never worked with them and will be better off working the way you already know. Lugging another piece of awkward gear could be more bother then it's worth.
However you can buy a tripod now, work with it and decided if you want to bring it on the trip. If your part of a tour you may not have time to use a tripod. Enjoy your trip, wish I was coming along.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The OP wrote he 74, less steady now, has a two pound $500 camera, shoots landscapes, is a traveler and concerned about "lugging" equipment on airplanes, autos and trains.

I'm 2 years younger, but the rest is the same. Bless my DW, I get to travel a lot.

Most have responded with rock solid choices. One suggestion was for a tripod and head that cost more than the kit the OP has. There is no question that to conquer stability for perfect landscape photography a substantial tripod is superior. Everybody should get that.

A lot of serious travelers look to conveniently improve, not conquer, stability. There are places tripods are not allowed. The reality of travel is you will be in a group of travelers. Unless its a photography tour for photographers, it is likely the tripod toting member will be a PITA to the group and the guide.

To me the question is how can you get most of the way there? Can you dramatically improve stability with something that does not interfere with the primary travel experience?

I stand by my suggestion for the Manfrotto PIXI EVO Mini and "3K" Gorillapod. More often than not, one is jammed into my sternum rather than sitting on the ground like a tripod. If there is an appropriate travel moment to set up to something more solid, it can do that.

So within the context of the OP's quest, what are the ways you can successfully improve a 70 year old traveler's stability without toting a tripod and spending less than $100?

tropics68 Loc: Georgia

I too am 75 with shaky hands and diabetic balance issues. I use a tripod 90% of the time. I have several and some are real beasts but I recently bought the Mefoto Classic in carbon fiber and I love it. Light as a feather and folds up to less than 15". Came with a reasonably good Arca Swiss style ball head and shoulder case. I have used it with a Canon 5Ds and a Sigma 150-600 and wireless remote trigger and had zero problems. Note: I also do not take photos in a hurricane with it either. That is what the beasts are for. Have a great trip!

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

The problem with a column is that many people will extend the column more than a couple of inches. It is longer than that, so they figure it is OK to raise it up that far!

I'll take inconvenience any day over an unbalanced tripod! Plus I don't need to be carrying around any extra weight no matter how light that column is!