Looking for recommendations on a quality small tripod (Page 3): Don’t put cameras in rear panniers it’s asking for trouble get a handlebar bag or front panniers with shocks off the hub...

Xpatch Loc: New York, Antigua, GT.

Don’t put cameras in rear panniers it’s asking for trouble get a handlebar bag or front panniers with shocks off the hub struts. Keep your old tripod and get better lighter cameras or bring a drone along

K.Cole

Not really. The size of the saddlebags determines my maximum folded size and I figure my price range should get me something that is likely 10X better than the $20 Walmart unit that has fallen apart. I'm not looking for professional level equipment and have no delusions of grandeur about my travel pictures. Just want it to be sturdy enough to hold the Elf which is really no problem for just about any tripod, but also want it to hold a DSLR with me close by like someone else mentioned. Not likely to ever be using a long lens on the digital that might create a requirement for a higher level tripod; at least not while on the bike. We have a couple of much larger tripods when on photo safari, but are always in the car for that, making the size requirement here a moot point.

K.Cole

Xpatch wrote:

Don’t put cameras in rear panniers it’s asking for trouble get a handlebar bag or front panniers with shocks off the hub struts. Keep your old tripod and get better lighter cameras or bring a drone along

This is on a motorcycle, not a bicycle, so I'm not likely to give front panniers even a fleeting though. I do carry the DSLRs in a tank bag though as that is the part of a motorcycle with the least amount of vibration. Also not going to go and spend more money for "lighter cameras or bring a drone along." I'm simply not going to spend a ton of money on this as some seem to think is easy-peasy. I guess it is when you are suggesting spending someone else's money.

aep Loc: Lakeside, CA

A friend is looking at lightweight tripods now. A small Benro was recommended to him. I am going out with him today and can get the exact model. I have looked at Benro stuff in the past and it does seem well made, especially for the price. I wish ProMediaGear made a small travel tripod--they are expensive, but not worse than others--and they are outstanding (I have one of theirs and for what it is it is lighter than others and is rock solid and very well designed and made.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

K.Cole wrote:

Greetings all, I'm in need of a small tripod that ... (show quote)

How about a tabletop tripod? I've been looking at them for use with a fairly compact mirrorless camera.

Some that seem fairly versatile and have been recommended: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Oben_CTT-1000_Carbon_Fiber_Tabletop_Tripod_vs_Oben_CTT-1000L_Carbon_Fiber_Tabletop_Tripod_Long_vs_Sunwayfoto_T1C30N-T3_Mini_Carbon_Fiber_Tripod_Legs_with_XB-28_Ball_Head/BHitems/1431254-REG_1500225-REG_1560867-REG

Doug Mitchell

Try a GorillaPod. Inexpensive, hell for stout, weatherproof & as versatile as you need. Mine has been wrapped around tree limbs, my bike frame/handlebars & then stands solid on nonslip feet on the truck roof to support 6 lbs. Of camera & 1000mm tele lens, with bungee. It's easy to clean, lightweight and ties up in knots needed. Mine is also a favorite roadtrip toy for my Newfoundland, Angus. Enjoy!

Lucius Loc: Denver, Colorado

Peak Design has a new travel tripod that you should take a look at

AllanC Loc: Austin, TX

I recently bought a ProMaster Scout for less than $100. Really solid, although it’s a bit longer than your requirements.

Seabastes

You might look at thrift shops for tripods. I have purchased several for under $10 that served me well as loaners for students in workshops I was teaching.

RLSprouse Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)

I was a backer when they were developing the Peak Design travel tripod. It is an ingenious design that folds up very compactly to less than 16" in length. And includes a center column and a very clever built-in leveling ballhead with an arca-swiss compatible clamp. It is probably over your budget, unfortunately, but when comparing with others, don't forget to include the price of a decent ballhead which is usually not included in the price. (And if it is, it is probably junk.)

fetzler Loc: North West PA

consider MeFoto. https://www.mefoto.com/

I have a MeFoto Roadtrip. The tripod is very light weight and folds to a rather small size. I use it regularly with my Olympus cameras. Comes with a nice case too.

MDI Mainer

K.Cole wrote:

18"

In that case I can recommend the Vanguard VEO 2 264CB 26mm 4-Section Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with BH-50 Ball Head, 61" Maximum Height, 17.6 lbs Capacity. Folded it measures 18 inches.

https://www.amazon.com/Vanguard-VEO-264CB-Fujifilm-Mirrorless/dp/B0723C4BH6?th=1

I bought mine on sale for $150 at the end of 2019 from Adorama, so check around since they no longer have it.

K.Cole

MDI Mainer wrote:

In that case I can recommend the Vanguard VEO 2 264CB 26mm 4-Section Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with BH-50 Ball Head, 61" Maximum Height, 17.6 lbs Capacity. Folded it measures 18 inches.

https://www.amazon.com/Vanguard-VEO-264CB-Fujifilm-Mirrorless/dp/B0723C4BH6?th=1

I bought mine on sale for $150 at the end of 2019 from Adorama, so check around since they no longer have it.

I noticed in that same link a couple of similar items in aluminum with much lower prices. Since I'm not terribly concerned about the weight, do you think the Vanguards in aluminum are just as good as the carbon fiber?

MDI Mainer

K.Cole wrote:

I noticed in that same link a couple of similar items in aluminum with much lower prices. Since I'm not terribly concerned about the weight, do you think the Vanguards in aluminum are just as good as the carbon fiber?

I suspect that within a given brand the quality of their carbon vs aluminum models is really a function of the relative merits and demerits of each material, and weight is one (and perhaps the main) concern, but not the only factor. But I would think that both types represent the same overall quality level of that brand. I can't speak for Vanguard, but I have long had an aluminum Manfrotto and a carbon fiber Manfrotto, identical models except for the construction material, and both are excellent pieces of big and heavy-duty equipment. That's why I bought the travel model Vanguard when I went mirrorless.

Here's a piece on the advantages and disadvantages of these materials. According to the article aluminum is heavier and thus actually preferable and more stable for use in windy, outdoor conditions, which makes sense to me. So unless you'll regularly be carrying the tripod some distance from your bike, a good aluminum tripod may actually serve you (and your wallet) better.

https://shotkit.com/carbon-fiber-vs-aluminum-tripod/

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

K.Cole wrote:

Greetings all, I'm in need of a small tripod that ... (show quote)

Gene51 is correct. Your requirements are very tight and very limiting. The only two tripods that I know may come close to those requirements are the Slik CF-635 and Slik CF-634. The Slik CF-635 folds to 14.6", weights 1.9 pounds, has max height of 51", supports 6.6 pounds of camera, and is about $200 right now. The Slik CF-635 folds to 18.7", weights 2.0 pounds, has max height of 62", supports 6.6 pounds of camera, and is about $210 right now. As noted, these are not a perfect match to your requirements but are probably going to be the best matches. I own the predecessor to the CF-635, the CF-625. Be aware that the heaviest Olympus system I could put on it, the E-M1X and new 150-400 f4.5, will not exceed the 6.6 pound camera support. This will not be true for APS-C and full frame cameras with a really long lens on the body. But it will meet the weight needs with smaller lenses on such.