+1 for MeFoto by Benro, sturdy, folds very compact, lightweight and very flexible, and can convert to a monopod with an Arca Swiss mounting plate, ballhead, carrying case and built in level There are several YouTube videos about the different models, starting at about $120. One nice review is:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kev_B9xSPkc
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
loujenn wrote:
I hike a lot and need a lightweight but full size tripod. Would attach tripod to my backpack which contain extra lenses, flash, etc.. Would like to pay no more than $300.
What are my best options. Thanks for feedback, suggestions.
Lou
Before recommending anything there are several questions that you can answer so you get a meaningful response, based on the approach that you need to match the tripod you get to the task at hand.
What camera?
What lens?
What subject material?
The key is image magnification - if you are using a 90 mm macro at close to 1:1, you will need the same stability in a tripod as you would a 400mm F2.8 at its closest focal distance.
You might want to take a look at this thread - the OP is a backpacker and asked the same question.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-275102-1.htmlWhile the suggestion to look at a Manfrotto 190XPROB might fit your budget, once you add a head this will weigh close to 6 lbs, and is not that stable with anything over 75-100mm, and not a great choice for macro. If landscape is your thing, it should be ok.
In the UHH thread, I provided links to the Gitzo catalog, and the RRS guide to tripod selection - both dismiss load capacity as a meaningful criteria, and specifically call out top tube diameter - as a better predictor of stability - and how all this relates to focal length/effective field of view/image magnification.
Take a look at Sirui.
This one collapses to 14.6" and has a 28mm top tube which should be good for up to a 300mm lens. It only weighs 2.6 lbs. Adding a G10 ball head will add just 2/3 lb, and a G20 ball head would add 7/8 lb. The Sirui ball heads are one of the few value priced ball heads that I have used/reviewed that do not creep when locked down, yet remain relatively smooth to move when the friction is adjusted correctly. You'll be over you budget, but you won't need to buy another tripod unless you start using 600mm lenses.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
loujenn wrote:
Found a Manfrotto carbon tripod (MKBFRC4) with 8.8 lb load capacity, folds to 15.75" and weighs 2.3 lbs. Over my budget by $49, but pretty close. Any thoughts on this option?? Thanks, again.
Lou
I'd avoid it - not very stable.
Manfrotto befree would be under your budget, it runs around $200.00 but they have a rebate of about $100.00 on them.
Luggerbugs wrote:
Also have a look at the MeFoto backpacker. I bought one last year and am very pleased with it. It's small, light and easily holds my full frame camera with 70-200 lens attached.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Sorry, with regard to 'Benbo', my error.
I was not aware of 'Benro' tripods.
I wonder who chose which name first?
Costco stores have the manfrotto befree aluminum for $140
loujenn wrote:
I hike a lot and need a lightweight but full size tripod. Would attach tripod to my backpack which contain extra lenses, flash, etc.. Would like to pay no more than $300.
What are my best options. Thanks for feedback, suggestions.
Lou
Here is the way I do it. I call it my zero gravity tripod because it weighs practically nothing.
If your interested and understand what you are seeing, I can get you in touch with a the machinist who made the parts in the top photo for me. For everything else you are on your own. He makes it out of scrap aluminum and did not charge me very much at all. The photo trekking poles can be found on line. Hanging your backpack adds mass/stability. I carry trekking poles anyway, so that weight does not count.
I hike a lot and have used several different tripods. My carbon fiber tripod is great, but it is too large and gets hung up on tree branches on those off the trail shots. I recently bought the Manfrotto BeFree aluminum tripod and have been very pleased with it. Its compact and can hold up to 8.8 lbs. Only 16" inches folded up, and still is pretty tall at 56" at maximum height.
houdel
Loc: Chase, Michigan USA
I was in the market for a lightweight travel/hiking tripod and just bought an Oben CT-3451 Carbon Fiber Tripod With BE-113T Ball Head from B&H. It list for $479.95, but is on sale for $110 off, plus I got an educational discount which brought my final price down to $341.95. It has a couple inches more height than comparable models I was considering, weighs 2.5 lbs, supports 13+ lbs, folds down to 17", has a panning ball head and converts to a monopod. Sounds pretty awesome, I can't wait for it to get here!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/864559-REG/oben_ct_3451_be_113t_4_section_foldable_carbon.html/mode/edu
troutbum
Loc: north central pennsylvania
I sure am satisfied with my gitzo 2228 explorer carbon fiber, with a gitzo 1276 ball head. Mighty strong and u can configure the tripod like an octopus if needed, it will place the camera where it is needed even at ground level in combination with ball head it is pretty darn versatile. They can be had fairly reasonable off ebay which is where I purchased mine used.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Obens and Three Legged Things are impressive for the value and quality - no disagreement with either, particularly for small and light and rigid. A backpackable tripod should really not exceed 3.5 lbs with head, and should be able to stabilize a 300 mm on a crop sensor. Most under $300 tripods will fall short.
loujenn wrote:
I hike a lot and need a lightweight but full size tripod. Would attach tripod to my backpack which contain extra lenses, flash, etc.. Would like to pay no more than $300.
What are my best options. Thanks for feedback, suggestions.
Lou
I have two Dolicas. They are well made, light weight and much cheaper and they will hold any DSLR and most lenses. (If you have a 500, f2.8, maybe not. LOL)
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