AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

So after acquiring my first travel tripod, a Mefoto Backpack Air, I decided to compare it to my full size units in size, weight, and vibration. None of my full size gear is newish- all but one are from film days.

Walt PT-3
My oldest, which I bought for use with my 4x5 film cameras. Full height 67.5 inches with full center column extension. Folded height 34 inches. Weight 5.4 pounds. Supports anything I can put on it. Took (indoor) exposure of 25 minutes with zero shake while people were walking about in our rickety 1840 house. With two section, one inch aluminum tubular legs, with top-mounted “flip locks”, you just can’t budge this thing. I haven’t fully tested its limits.

Vivitar 66
Also film era, with aluminum legs, this is a 3 section model with channel legs and flip locks. Pan and tilt head with a level that’s visible even with a mounted camera, this was rock steady in a six minute exposure with my D7100. Won’t hold as much weight as the Walt, though. Full height 66.5 inches, Weight 5.4 pounds, fiolded height 27 inches. Geared column extension with crank. This was designed as a video tripod. I’ve used this with 4x5, medium format, 35s, and digital.

Promaster 4300
Also a three section, channel leg, flip lock model, this has a removable pan head (I also have a gimbal that fits). No level, but as steady with a heavy camera as the Vivitar. Steady at 6 minutes with my D7100. Weight 4.8 pounds, full height 65.5 inches, folded height 25 inches. I’ll use this when I can afford the weight and need a choice of heads.

Mefoto Backpack Air
Weighing in at 2.5 pounds, and folding down to 11.5 inches, this is the carry-with, go-anywhere model that fits INTO any of our bags. At full height it extends to 63.5 inches, but is not very stable at that height. I’ve kept the last center extension down, shooting at a height of 56.5 inches and stooping a bit. Five tubular aluminum sections, with a single twist lock at the bottom. Also has three fixed angles for low viewpoints, and converts the center column into an ultralight monopod or selfie stick. At 56 inches, I could see a little vibration beyond 6 minutes. Might be better sitting on solid earth.

That’s my lineup and I’m quite happy with it. Those bulky old film era models are rock solid, but I am VERY happy with the new Mefoto. I’ll test it under some more trying conditions and let you know about the stability.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

Andy

mcmama

I got one, too, this week. I’m very impressed. I look forward to taking better landscape photographs now that I’m able to carry a tripod with me.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

If you recognize its limitations, it’s a great addition. The best tripod is the one you have with you when you need it.

Andy

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

Andy, I enjoyed your write up and tripod comparison. I do have a question regarding your testing the travel tripod. What did you have on it? Interested in size, weight length of lens, etc.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your interest. These were very unscientific tests, but I used a D7100, mounted on the tripod, with a Nikon 70-300 DX zoom attached. I focused on a target two rooms away (our refrigerator!), zoomed out to 300, and took a variety of long exposures while my wife and I walked around the house preparing dinner. Normal footsteps, occasional thumping and bumping of pots and pans, etc.

I don't think either of us bumped a tripod, but I took no special precautions to protect the tripods from vibrations and left the IS on the lens turned off. I just wanted to see how long I felt safe with the new backpacker. Because I had never really tested any of my other tripods, I thought this was an opportunity to see of the old models really were acceptable compared to some of the newer and pricier gear. I think they were, as I didn't really come close to pushing the limits on my oldest and heaviest.

I intend to make some more comprehensive tests outdoors with some really long exposures, if it ever gets over 20 degrees and stops raining/snowing/sleeting,but I thought it was an interesting start.

Andy

PS: I did have to readjust the ball head on the Mefoto after mounting the lens as it drooped slightly. I didn't find the ball head control as precise as the levers on the pan heads, but it was pretty easy to allow for it.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I am guessing you all took that deal on B&H? I was tempted.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Yup. Forty bucks? How could anyone resist.

It's nothing like a heavy duty model, but was surprisingly stable and well built. I would not dare use it at maximum center post extension, but I think I will be able to get some good use out of it at the cost of stooping a bit. The size and weight are phenomenal, and I can tuck it right into one of the outer pockets of my Billingham large bag, so it's not hanging on by straps and catching on everything. I had seen one at a Mike's Camera location in California last fall and thought it looked pretty appealing - but the 120 dollar price tag seemed too much for an experiment.

Andy

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

Andy, thanks for the details. Sounds like a good travel model. Your larger and older are no doubt more stable and safer to use, but at the expense of portability! I missed the $40 deal from B&H.....too bad. Does the Mefoto have a hook or other means of attaching weight to bottom of center pole for extra stability, especially in case of wind?

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Yes. There's a hook at the bottom of the center column. I haven't tried it yet. Keep checking on the B&H website - the blue one was still only $60 the last time I checked, and that's still a bargain. I'll be checking in to see if it goes down again - my wife decided that she'd like one.

Andy

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

I will look at the blue one. Thanks for the tips. At my age, I simply cannot carry the weight I once could when out hiking. Yes I would have to be extra careful, but otherwise I am often limited by low light as hand holding of course means sufficient shutter speed or higher than desired ISO req. to avoid blur.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Right now @ $79.

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

Tripods are used to support a camera and lens steady for still photography. In selecting a tripod, you look at stability, portability and versatility. I find that a 500 lb. block of concrete with a 1/2" steel rod embedded and a camera support welded to it, will keep a camera stead in all conditions other than an earthquake or a nuclear blast. However, portability and versatility are almost zero.

In all seriousness, all tripods are a compromise that require the photographer to determine which factors are important. High cost carbon fiber tripods will yield better results under most conditions. However, cheaper tripods will give good performance under less exacting conditions. What you shoot, where you shoot, when you shoot and how you shoot should determine what tripod you need.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Yes. And that’s why you need more than one. I lean toward one at each extreme and one kind of in the middle.

Andy

Bipod

You've covered it, Andy. Different tripods for different uses. It's good to have choices!
(In a strong wind, the heavier the tripod, the better.)

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Yup.

That old two section film model would probably stay put through a hurricane with my Crown Graphic on it, and a gale force wind with my DX.

But I don’t want to take it on a hike up Mount Katahdin.

Andy