Small Tripod: I'm heading off on vacation soon and I don't want to drag my regular tripod with me. Any suggestions for smaller tripods that I can carry in a camera bag. I have a D800...

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

I'm heading off on vacation soon and I don't want to drag my regular tripod with me. Any suggestions for smaller tripods that I can carry in a camera bag. I have a D800 and normally shoot with a 28-300mm lens.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Zaydewise wrote:

I'm heading off on vacation soon and I don't want to drag my regular tripod with me. Any suggestions for smaller tripods that I can carry in a camera bag. I have a D800 and normally shoot with a 28-300mm lens.

Zaydewise, it would be helpfull if we knew if you wanted to spend $100 or $750. Travel pods run the spectrum.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Do you NEED a tripod

I carry one of these as it covers most situations, lamposts, branches, fences etc

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&sugexp=cqrwrth&cp=12&gs_id=1c&xhr=t&q=manfrotto+clamp&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&bpcl=35466521&biw=1680&bih=943&wrapid=tljp1351542076680022&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=4864351988584870785&sa=X&ei=QOWOUNSMNaqk0QWxyYHACA&sqi=2&ved=0CFMQ8gIwAg#

I use it with a short centre column and ball head

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

I probably would spend $100-125

Ferenco Loc: Swansea, UK

Generally, the lighter the tripod, the more unstable it will be, especially on a breezy day. If you must take a light tripod get hold of a bag which you can fill with sand or pebbles and hang it from the central column to bring more stability.

I think you'll find that this will help.

Regards

F

Lens Cap Loc: The Cold North Coast

I have a similar tripod as this......Joby GP1-A1EN GorillaPod Flexible Tripod (Grey and Black)...http://www.amazon.com/Joby-GP1-A1EN-GorillaPod-Flexible-Tripod/dp/B000EVSLRO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1351553054&sr=8-3&keywords=tripods+for+digital+cameras

Took it to Hawaii last feb. Lets you mount it anywhere.

Just a thought

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Haven't seen or tried this. From Digital Photography School day or two ago.
http://digital-photography-school.com/handlepod-camera-stabilisation-system-review

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Pretty heavy camera and lens for a small tripod.

picpiper Loc: California

I travel with a GorillaPod in my backpack and a collapsible monopod in checked luggage. That HandlePod looks pretty good though - looks like it might offer better gripping on smooth round objects than the GorillaPod which can sometimes be kinda finicky. HandlePod would probably provide more security for your fairly heavy rig.

Try to have a camera handy for takeoff and landing.

Honolulu and SE coast of Oahu

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

Zaydewise wrote:

I'm heading off on vacation soon and I don't want to drag my regular tripod with me. Any suggestions for smaller tripods that I can carry in a camera bag. I have a D800 and normally shoot with a 28-300mm lens.

I own a Benro MeFoto which carries ~9# and is in your price range. It colapses to ~12.6 inches with ball head and expands to 51". Love it....See:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=871068&is=REG&Q=&A=details

I also have its big brother, a Benro Travel Angel C2692T which will carry ~27# and folds to less than 18" with ball head, expands to ~65" but alas it is not in your price range.

Both are fine pods with Arca-Swiss style quick release heads.

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

A vote up for the Gorillapod.
Easy to carry, works in all sorts of conditions and has a cool name too! :-)

GT

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Zaydewise wrote:

I'm heading off on vacation soon and I don't want to drag my regular tripod with me. Any suggestions for smaller tripods that I can carry in a camera bag. I have a D800 and normally shoot with a 28-300mm lens.

http://www.amazon.com/Cullman-Travel-Magnesit-522T-Guarantee/dp/B0045HM1OC

A highly under-rated tripod, the original travel tripod company

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Zaydewise wrote:

I probably would spend $100-125

Zaydewise, you may also want to consider a used alloy pod. I have an alloy Gitzo 126 travel pod that I bought used for $125. Looked on KEH and saw one for $115 but would still need a ballhead. Very high quality and fold to 15", weigh 3lbs. For travel you want four sections so it can go into your camera bag or carry-on.
But for the price and including a ballhead the MeFoto and the Magneset are excellent values for very small travel pods.

krispix Loc: London - UK

OddJobber wrote:

Haven't seen or tried this. From Digital Photography School day or two ago.
http://digital-photography-school.com/handlepod-camera-stabilisation-system-review

Looks like a fun toy, but he's using a D800 with 28-300 lens. I doubt this will carry that sort of weight.
I would recommend the Gorillapod, but go for the top-of-the-range DSLR model. It's quite expensive but, Oh so versatile.

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

I hate being lumbered with extra weight so rarely pack a tripod and when I do i usually lose it!
Get a small bag , plastic or cloth. When you get to your location put some sand or dry earth in it and use it on any flat surface as a rest. Works for me!
This was taken using the bag method, it's Sir Nigel Gresley at Kidderminster station. Shot at iso 800, 1/4sec , 2.8 Fuji F11 [admittedly a very small camera]

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley