Travel Tripod for 3-4 pound DSLR: I have had a 6 pound STAR-D "professional" tripod for over 40 years, but because of the weight I often don't bother to carry it around. I have been...

BenSanford Loc: Falls Church, VA

I have had a 6 pound STAR-D "professional" tripod for over 40 years, but because of the weight I often don't bother to carry it around. I have been looking and trying to research tripods, but that's difficult on the internet because there are so many products, and apparently some of the brands with good reputations are now selling cheaper copies of their former models, apparently with a drop in quality.

I'm looking to purchase a quality tripod, but is the Gitzo GK1555T-82TQD worth the close to $1000 price, when something like MeFOTO Classic Carbon Fiber Globetrotter Travel Tripod is available for a third of the price? I don't want to spend over around $500, but don't want to feel I compromised on weight or quality to save a few $'s

I will likely be using either the Nikon 28-300 zoom, or the 18-35 mm for landscapes. Camera with either lens is under 4 pounds, but the 28-300 does get a bit front heavy when zoomed out to 300mm.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

BenSanford wrote:

I have had a 6 pound STAR-D "professional&quo... (show quote)

Check Sirui Carbon Fiber at B&H. Have one, love it for travel. Heavy duty local I use Gitzo Carbon Fiber.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

The Globetrotter may work for you, depending on what camera you want to use it with. I have a Globetrotter and it is well made. Not the equal of a Manfrotto, but a heck of a lot lighter.

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

BenSanford wrote:

I have had a 6 pound STAR-D "professional&quo... (show quote)

Load weight is not a consideration for tripod selection, but stability is. Most mfgrs do not show stability specs, but Gitzo and RRS do. You can translate Gitzo's specs, directly to Induro's line if you match top leg section diameters. I use a Feisol CT-3442 which is light, stable enough for a 300mm lens and most macro, and with a CB50D head, will cost about $500.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

BenSanford wrote:

I have had a 6 pound STAR-D "professional&quo... (show quote)

Try looking at the Slik CF-422 and CF-522. The Slik CF-422 got a top 10 honor of Outdoor Photographer's innovative products for 2017.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Gene51 wrote:

Load weight is not a consideration for tripod selection, but stability is. Most mfgrs do not show stability specs, but Gitzo and RRS do. You can translate Gitzo's specs, directly to Induro's line if you match top leg section diameters. I use a Feisol CT-3442 which is light, stable enough for a 300mm lens and most macro, and with a CB50D head, will cost about $500.

Another vote for the Feisol. Amazed at how light it is—and stability is very good for most uses.

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

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Another vote for the Feisol. Amazed at how light it is—and stability is very good for most uses.

Not that it matters, but for those who incorrectly use load capacity as a measure of stability, it does have a 55 lb safe load capacity. There is nothing close to it in terms of light weight and stability.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BenSanford wrote:

I have had a 6 pound STAR-D "professional&quo... (show quote)

I have a nice little MeFoto tripod that collapses to 12" I've used it for DSLRs and camcorders. It's perfect for traveling. Although it's not as steady as my big Vanguard, it sure beats hand-holding.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

Benro carbon fiber Travel Angel is in your price range, and mine has been very good for a light weight unit. It handles a Canon 5d Mk 4 and 70-200 f 2.8 + teleconverter just fine. Left it on the jeep one time and had it fall off at 50 mph and skid across 4 lanes of traffic. When I picked it up, it was still fully functional, just a little road rash.

Bill

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

BenSanford wrote:

I have had a 6 pound STAR-D "professional&quo... (show quote)

Santa Claus brought me a Mefoto Classic Carbon Fiber Globetrotter travel pod. I am impressed, it works well for me as my longest lens is a 50-300 mm zoom. You Can purchase a longer mounting rail to help balance your rig if needed.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

After checking out several travel tripods a few years ago I ended up with an Induro tripod and I have been very please with the build quality and performance of my tripod. Look into the CLT203Classic Series 2 which has two twist legs or the CLT204 Classic Series 2 which has 3 twist legs. Induro tripods are build well and come with a carrying case and long and short center columns. Finally, look at the thickness of Induro carbon fibre legs for the money.

Peanut_the_cat Loc: Bradenton, Florida

I spent most of my life compromising on tripods which was a mistake. Several years ago I bit the bullet and bought a Gitzo. Life changing. Me and my tripod are never separated. I almost never take a picture without the tripod and as a result, my photography has improved as it now takes longer to compose. Remember a tripod can last you all your life whereas with cameras and lenses we are forever changing them. My advice, buy a Gitzo and never look back. Remember next year or the year after they will always be almost out of reach. So do it now.

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

BenSanford wrote:

I have had a 6 pound STAR-D "professional&quo... (show quote)

Listen to Gene51. His physics are correct. I have never regretted getting the Feisol.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

BenSanford wrote:

I have had a 6 pound STAR-D "professional&quo... (show quote)

Never Never Never buy a MeFOTO. They are crap. But a Gitzo or Manfrotto is cool. For your purposes I'd look at an aluminum Manfrotto with twist lock legs. Make sure it is rated at double the weight you plan to use it for. The ball head is nice too but I'd opt to adapt is to an Arca Swiss plate system.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

jeep_daddy wrote:

Never Never Never buy a MeFOTO. They are crap. But a Gitzo or Manfrotto is cool. For your purposes I'd look at an aluminum Manfrotto with twist lock legs. Make sure it is rated at double the weight you plan to use it for. The ball head is nice too but I'd opt to adapt is to an Arca Swiss plate system.

I fail to see how you arrived at your comment. Mefoto is not expensive but both Amazon and BH reviewers give it a 4.5 out of 5.