Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Would like a travel tripod. What do you have that you like? Don’t really want to break the bank, but do want to be able to support a Canon 5D MIV and Tamron 150-600. Would also like to be able to get low.

Second, looking for a ball head for my Manfrotto tripod legs. Looked at Really Right Stuff, $$ any other suggestions? Again, want to support fairly large glass. Manfrotto legs are nice, but longer than I want for travel. Folded with ball head well over 24”...

Thanks!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Travel tripods are a dilemma. There are those that are very portable and make your camera steadier and then there are those that are less portable and make you camera rock solid in a hurricane.

If you go through the menu checklist at B&H you'll get exactly the features you want. Have you tried it? What came up?

The Manfrotto Befree seems to hit most of the check blocks for most people.

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

Your'e asking about a tripod for a 600mm lens - and thinking you can do this with a "travel" tripod.

I have two tripods, a 2.3 lb light duty tripod, Feisol CT3442, that folds to 18.9 inches and if you use their ball head, you can reverse-fold the legs. It has a load capacity of 55 lbs, but I would never use it with a 600mm lens (a 150-600 these days). For that, I use a Feisol CT-3472, which weighs 3.9 lbs, and folds to 20.5 inches. It is more than adequate for long lens use. I've used it with care, to shoot with a crop camera and a 600mm F4 with a 1.4 TC, for a combined effective focal length of 1260mm, and gotten decent results with shutter speed as long as 1/10 sec.

The CT 3472 hardly qualifies as a travel tripod, but it is small, light and torsionally rigid enough to calm down a long lens. The practical focal length limit on the CT-3442 is probably around 300mm. Any longer and shake becomes an issue.

The prices are $420 and $600, respectively - without a head. Load capacities, not that it matters - are 55lbs and 66lbs. Both tripods can fit in an bag small enough for an overhead compartment on an airplane.

Selecting a tripod by how much it can hold without failure is the easiest way to select the wrong tripod. Even a $50 Walmart special will support a 10 lb load.

Travel tripods are meant for vacation and travel photography, usually with shorter lenses which does not require extraordinary stability. Shooting with a 600mm (or effective 600mm on a crop camera or smaller) does require stability, which you are not going to find in a travel tripod. Kinda like you wouldn't buy a Prius if you intended to haul an RV camper. The Prius is a fine car(I've owned 4), but just for its intended purpose. It is not an F250.

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nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Consider a monopod with a good ball head. I usually put my MeFoto AW35W (now discontinued) in my checked bag. I put an Oben BE-117 bal head on it because it was good quality at a very reasonable price. It handles my Tamron 150-600 very nicely.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

If you are going to use that 8-9# system on a smaller tripod, make sure it has the capacity to support it. Look for one with at least 25-30# of capacity and keep in mind that holding the weight still (static) is not the problem. Moving the weight (dynamic) increases the stress considerably. I have a MEFOTO C2350 and I have used it with a 5D4 and a Sigma 150-600 Sport. For still work I have a much heavier duty tripod for stability and support.

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

Using load capacity for a criterion is never going to disqualify any tripod. But only the tripods with the thickest legs will offer the torsional rigidity necessary for long lens use. A case in point. This $37 tripod has the load capacity to support a 150-600 and a camera - 11 lbs - but NOT be a prudent choice.

https://www.amazon.com/Compact-Weight-Travel-Portable-Aluminum/dp/B07VVJ3LZM/ref=asc_df_B07VVJ3LZM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385121946711&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10409951972907257901&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007515&hvtargid=aud-801738734305:pla-822064344153&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=82240853161&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385121946711&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10409951972907257901&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007515&hvtargid=aud-801738734305:pla-822064344153

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

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

Of the tripods listed there, the Benro Travel Angel appears to me to be the best all around tripod and would be my choice.... price vs design & features vs materials & construction.

Others on that list are too light weight for a full frame DSLR and large telephoto lens.

Note that most "travel" tripods come with a matched ballhead. That's so the legs can fold backward over the head to be as compact as possible.

The Benro only folds to 24" at it's smallest. Part of the reason is the four-section legs. But I wouldn't want any more sections than that.... makes for too small and spindly sections, as well as slower setup.

One thing I'm not wild about is that the Benro, like most travel tripods, relies on raising the center column to reach a comfortable working height for me. Maybe it's tall enough for you, that you don't need to raise the column, which on any tripod will seriously compromise stability.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Rule of tripods. You can have one sturdy, inexpensive, and light but you can only pick two.

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

Listen to Gene51. I did and have both of the recommended Feisol tripods due to Gene51's opinion. he . They are worth it. (I have a few tripods staying in the closet. I am not selling them because I don't want to deceive someone.) It is not weight that is important, it is vibration.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Thanks both of you !

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

Thanks!

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Ok, I also want to upgrade my ball head on my current Manfrotto legs. RRS BH-40 reviews say some don’t like the locking lever as it sometimes is not in a good position relative to the camera body...
Any other ball heads people really like?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I haven’t memorized the advertisements of other brands, so don’t pretend to be an expert, but my Ries J600 will easily suffice for your camera and lens - with a broken down length of 21" it’s very portable.

I have a Bogen 3055 and Smith-Victor B-8-B - either ball head will more than support your camera and lens, and should be available used for a reasonable price.

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

Suggest you check out the Manfrotto BeFree. Comes in either aluminum or carbon fiber. Really innovative design in minimizing folded size, yet a full size tripod. JimR