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Tripod choice for international workshops--carryon vs checked baggage
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Mar 3, 2017 16:32:54   #
Photocraig
 
I use a Kirk Ball Head with an Arca Swiss coupling. I ALWAYS carry the head in a padded bag separated from my tripod. Even with car travel. Ball Head packs to a similar size of a standard Zoom. For my Hawaii trip I'm thinking of shipping it.

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Mar 3, 2017 18:57:44   #
latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS
 
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
Not trying to sell you, but here's an option: the Feisol & Sirui ball head I use weighs in at 3.6 lbs and fits my 5-11 height. The next larger Feisol, CT 3472 is 4" higher and with a Sirui ball head weighs in at 5.4 lbs. with the ballhead removed, mine folds to 18.9" and the larger one is 20.5". Both have carry cases. The 3472 + ball head should fit your height and will run around $570.00 + $160.00 for the BH. Both are well made. For what it's worth, I don't find these weights to be heavy eve on long hikes. Good luck.
Not trying to sell you, but here's an option: the... (show quote)





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Mar 3, 2017 19:13:12   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
If it important enough to have a tripod, buy a heavy duty one that meets your needs. Avoid center columns if possible. I have never tried to carry on my Gitzo 1548. It's just too cumbersome to carry along with other carry 0n stuff. It always goes in the largest suitcase with lots of clothes packed around it. I remove the gimbal or ball head. Never had an issue.

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Mar 3, 2017 20:11:57   #
jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio
 
jblazar wrote:
I have a dilemma. I am 6'2" and want a tripod I can use without bending over. I'm looking at Gitzo and Really Right Stuff. These are expensive tripods, so, ideally, I'd like to carry it on when I fly. But with all my camera gear and other things to carry on, I may not have room. And the smallest tripod when folded (19.6"), a 6 leg section from Gitzo (5562LTS) is 6.5 pounds--rather heavy to lug around. Lighter ones are longer when folded and won't fit in carry on luggage. So what is all of your experiences with checking an expensive tripod? Any incidents of theft? Breakage? I've thought of getting one of those GPS tracking devices to make sure it gets loaded onto the plane and not removed from my luggage when it goes through screening. Am I being paranoid? Spending the money to go on a 7-10 day or longer photography workshop and getting there without a tripod is scary. Thanks for any suggestions.
I have a dilemma. I am 6'2" and want a tripo... (show quote)

Call RRS. They have great support people. They will need your height and the weight of the equipment you plan to mount on the tripod. Also tell them you want the tripod for traveling. They will discuss the options with you and tell you the pros and cons of each option.

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Mar 3, 2017 20:21:19   #
DELTA777
 
You want a nice tripod get the Grottoes MH5310 it fits perfectly in a carry on suitcase I use that when I fly when I drive I take my Bogen

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Mar 4, 2017 17:46:29   #
jblazar Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
 
I need it to be at least 62" high for astrophotography (Milky Way) pictures, as it has to angle up and crouching to look into an up-tilting LCD screen is not comfortable for my older body. I am considering getting a hot shoe cell phone holder and using DSLR Controller, but I like using my magnifying Hoodman with eyecup on the LCD screen to block out ambient light when I'm composing and focusing.

I've now set up the RRS TVC-34L (it has no center column) with my head and camera. Setting it at 62" (68.5" with head and camera) works well. A Gitzo with that height (GT4542LS) weighs more and isn't as small folded. The RRS has even more available height, going to 68.8" without a head or camera; 75.3" (at eye height) with head and camera. This gives me some flexibility on uneven ground. So I'm happy with this RRS.

Thanks for all your good advice.

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Mar 4, 2017 17:53:24   #
JP Pixburgh Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
jblazar wrote:
I have a dilemma. I am 6'2" and want a tripod I can use without bending over. I'm looking at Gitzo and Really Right Stuff. These are expensive tripods, so, ideally, I'd like to carry it on when I fly. But with all my camera gear and other things to carry on, I may not have room. And the smallest tripod when folded (19.6"), a 6 leg section from Gitzo (5562LTS) is 6.5 pounds--rather heavy to lug around. Lighter ones are longer when folded and won't fit in carry on luggage. So what is all of your experiences with checking an expensive tripod? Any incidents of theft? Breakage? I've thought of getting one of those GPS tracking devices to make sure it gets loaded onto the plane and not removed from my luggage when it goes through screening. Am I being paranoid? Spending the money to go on a 7-10 day or longer photography workshop and getting there without a tripod is scary. Thanks for any suggestions.
I have a dilemma. I am 6'2" and want a tripo... (show quote)


Why don't you just send it to yourself FedEx overnight to the hotel you're staying at. That way you don't have to worry about theft, assuming you insure it, packing it in insane ways and it will probably be there before you even arrive. Being lightweight it probably won't cost you too much to send it. Plus FedEx has the right box to pack it in. Just make sure you insure its value and you'll be all set.

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Mar 4, 2017 18:07:38   #
jblazar Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
 
I would do that for US workshops, but it would be quite expensive for international ones.

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Mar 4, 2017 19:30:22   #
Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA
 
jblazar wrote:
I need it to be at least 62" high for astrophotography (Milky Way) pictures, as it has to angle up and crouching to look into an up-tilting LCD screen is not comfortable for my older body. I am considering getting a hot shoe cell phone holder and using DSLR Controller, but I like using my magnifying Hoodman with eyecup on the LCD screen to block out ambient light when I'm composing and focusing.

I've now set up the RRS TVC-34L (it has no center column) with my head and camera. Setting it at 62" (68.5" with head and camera) works well. A Gitzo with that height (GT4542LS) weighs more and isn't as small folded. The RRS has even more available height, going to 68.8" without a head or camera; 75.3" (at eye height) with head and camera. This gives me some flexibility on uneven ground. So I'm happy with this RRS.

Thanks for all your good advice.
I need it to be at least 62" high for astroph... (show quote)


You'll not be unhappy with your decision. Its an absolutely great piece of equipment.

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Mar 4, 2017 20:50:08   #
jblazar Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
 
Photographer Jim wrote:
You'll not be unhappy with your decision. Its an absolutely great piece of equipment.


Thanks, Jim. I think you are right. Now to get to a workshop and have a chance at taking some great pictures.

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Mar 5, 2017 11:06:43   #
RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas
 
Hello jb

Look into promediagear.com they make three tripods one being 77 inches tall and no Center column and it's made of carbon fiber 10X 42mm legs.

http://www.promediagear.com/


1
jblazar wrote:
I have a dilemma. I am 6'2" and want a tripod I can use without bending over. I'm looking at Gitzo and Really Right Stuff. These are expensive tripods, so, ideally, I'd like to carry it on when I fly. But with all my camera gear and other things to carry on, I may not have room. And the smallest tripod when folded (19.6"), a 6 leg section from Gitzo (5562LTS) is 6.5 pounds--rather heavy to lug around. Lighter ones are longer when folded and won't fit in carry on luggage. So what is all of your experiences with checking an expensive tripod? Any incidents of theft? Breakage? I've thought of getting one of those GPS tracking devices to make sure it gets loaded onto the plane and not removed from my luggage when it goes through screening. Am I being paranoid? Spending the money to go on a 7-10 day or longer photography workshop and getting there without a tripod is scary. Thanks for any suggestions.
I have a dilemma. I am 6'2" and want a tripo... (show quote)

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Mar 5, 2017 13:14:11   #
D.T.
 
Get the Gitzo lightweight tripod and buy a lightweight fishing rod tube. it should not cost very much and might just outlast your tripod. Take the tripod with you so you can be certain that it fits. Take the head off and put it in your camera bag.
Or, to help your budget, go to fed-ex or a fishing store that sells cardboard tubes-which you can cut down to the right size. They may have plastic caps or inserts for the ends, or use packing tape criss-crossed a few times (put some extra tape in your bag, just in case TSA is curious and wants to see what is inside, so you can re-tape it).
Either approach will protect it and you can attach it to your camera bag strap to get both as carry-on onto the airplane. Easy to stow overhead-and it IS PROTECTED!
Good luck!

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