Sanford

I just bought a Nikon P900 and am looking for a tripod. I have read that there is a weight/balance problem when using this camera. Does anyone have a suggestion for a lightweight travel tripod. I have looked at MeFoto and am interested.
Thanks for your help.

Yackers Loc: Norfolk, UK

I use a lightweight tripod for travel and it's the Manfrotto Befree - I have the aluminium one (couldn't justify the cost of the carbon fibre). The Befree isn't cheap, but then I always think it is worth spending extra for good quality stuff that is going to last. I have been done the "buy cheap buy twice" route before and wasted a lot of money. Besides, you want something strong enough to support and protect your expensive camera right? The Befree is strong and tough, quick to set up (and pack away again) and easy to use. I wouldn't be without mine when I go travelling. Just an option you may want to take a look at ................

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

I'll second that vote for the BeFree. I ended up buying one after looking at several collapsible travel tripods. I think it's the best designed, and well worth the money. Works fine with a 5DII and a 24 to 105 lens.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I know Manfrotto makes a good tripod but it also uses their own plate connector. Look at tripods that use Arca Swiss plates. They are more standard, easier to find and use and a lot less expensive. I have two Benro Tripods (one carbon fiber and one aluminum) with a Sirui Ball head and a Gimbal head and I can't be happier. Benro makes an exceptional tripod for the price. The Arca Swiss plates fit on all of my heads without a problem and they are much easier than Manfrotto. I also have a Koolehaoda Carbon Fiber Portable Tripod that I like for extended backpacking, very light but reasonably stable and not real expensive and it comes with Arca Swiss connectors and a ball head.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I have a slew of tripods. Yesterday, while on a shoot, I switched to a light-weight tripod because my back has been bothering me. I mounted a Manfroto 405 geared head and my D810 and 14-24 f/2.8 lens. Long story short – it fell forward while I was in a tight space onto a hard tile surface. Both camera and lens were damaged. The 14-24 beyond reasonable repair. The camera can possibly be fixed. I am a professional and I should have known better. I have the right equipment. A sturdy tripod is essential. This was an expensive and inconvenient error I won't make again. I was able to finish the shoot with backup equipment but I was kicked because of my stupidity.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

A p900 isn't in the same league as a D810 ... when I use My D810 .. I always use an expensive tripod unless having to borrow on the fly and don't have a choice ... come to think of it .. I have never shot my 14-24 any other way than hand held ...

Anyway .. the whole idea of the P900 is the convince of the long Zoom and the weight for travel ... so get a light weight carbon fiber ..

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I was going to mention the same thing. I never use my heavier gear on my Koolehaoda light weight tripod. When ever I'm using my Gimbal head I'm on my Benro Carbon Fiber legs if I'm out in the field. My aluminum Tripod rarely goes outside as it is very big. I use it when I need to shoot down on something. When it's fully extended I need a ladder to take the shot and it weighs 6 pounds without the head. Something like the Koolehaoda should work well for you with the P900. There are a lot of other tripods like it out there for around $80 to $200 and they come with ball heads.

https://www.amazon.com/Koolehaoda-K-666-Portable-Aluminium-Monopod/dp/B00FTRV7EC/ref=sr_1_18?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1485963078&sr=1-18&keywords=Koolehaoda

Jim Bob

I'm really sorry about your accident.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Thank you.

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

David, several years ago my car was rear ended while waiting for the light to change. The firemen arrived at the scene, took a crowbar to the trunk, which was spewing flames out of all sides, grabbed my mostly molten camera bag, and as they were tossing the stuff to the side, one of the casualties was my 14-24.

A trip to Nikon's service dept in Melville, 4 days and $425 later, I got back what was essentially a brand new lens. They were able to fix it. They also fixed the 24-70 that was on the camera for $325. Both lenses needed front and back elements, barrels, and many internal parts were heat stressed or damaged. I wouldn't write off the lens until Nikon gets a look at it. I also dropped my 24 PC-E onto rocks, and it tumbled a bit. Really nasty drop. They fixed that too. That thing i helped you will last year is absolutely worthwhile! You have it, use it. BTW, in case you were wondering, the D700 was a total loss.

I hope you threw away the tripod - but not until after you bent the legs so that no one would be tempted to pick it out of the garbage and try to use it.

As you know, I am totally against buying crappy tripods.

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

Don't take this the wrong way - but if you think a travel tripod is going to hold that camera in a stable fashion when it is zoomed out to it's equivalent 2000mm, you are probably going to have to learn the hard way about tripod design, focal length, image magnification and why a cheap travel tripod is not going to work. But the flipside is how can someone be convinced that they probably need to spend more than they spent on their camera to buy a tripod to properly support it. You will learn one way or the other I suppose. Ask any birder who uses a scope how important stability is.

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

My advice is always the same, buying a tripod is like buying a pair of shoes, if you don't try them on before you buy them, shame on you. When I was up against this I went to the B&H store in NYC when visiting my son, spend 3 hours of fun trying them all out, I am glad to report that I did find my IDEAL tripod, it was an off brand (to me) not too expensive and most surprisingly I still own it and it has been beat to (you know). Good hunting. Personally I would never bother buying a tripod for a point and shoot but to each his own. You must need it for long exposures, if not, you don't need it when traveling, it will only get in your way.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

just to share, whether i'm using a tripod, or monopod, or am using a dslr or medium format, I always have the strap around my neck.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Thanks, Gene. I sent it to Nikon yesterday. I'm lucky that I have my 16-35 and 19mm. The camera tested good yesterday. Built like a tank, thank goodness. I have my big tripod and a fee other sturdy ones. I hate being without my 14-24.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Gene, you always come up with the most interesting posts. I cannot believe the damage. Someone ought to try this with Canon so we can have another argument as to which is better. Thanks for sharing.