Tripods

What is the best tripod to take with you on a trip overseas. Ihe ones I use (Manfrottos) are heavy and barely fit in my suitcase, while taking up a lot of room. I am looking for a small, but strong and stable tripod.

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Permalink Reply by Don Campbell on September 27, 2009 at 8:07pm

Hi John, I bought a gitzo carbon fiber 4 section tripod. I love it! It was a little spendy and I bought a better, stronger ball head as well but easily fits in my carry on luggage and is very light. I take it everywhere. Hope that helps!

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Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on September 28, 2009 at 9:36am

I have a small Velbon Carbon Fiber that fits easily into an overhead compartment on an airliner and lashes easily to my back pack when I am mountaineering or hiking out in the desert. I use it with my Toyo 4x5 so it's plenty strong and very steady provided there isn't a strong wind. My only complaint is that it doesn't go very tall without the center extension which is wobbly of there's a breeze. The big plus is the weight (lite) small size and the best leg locks I'm familiar with. It's about half the cost of a Gitzo and there isn't much difference between them; unless you just want a Gitzo. Also, Slik makes an excellent crabon tripod. Ifweight is an issue get a magnesium Velbon head. They are excellent.

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Permalink Reply by John Daly on September 28, 2009 at 9:44am

I will check them out. What model number do you have?

Thanks,

John

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Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on September 28, 2009 at 7:31pm

Off hand I don't know. I have two Velbon tripods marketed in the U.S. by Hakuba. They easier of the two has leg locks that lift up and push down rather than rotating. Makes it much easier to operate in very cold conditions; like if the locks get wet and then freeze. Rotating locks won't release. A lifting latch will.

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Permalink Reply by John Daly on September 28, 2009 at 9:21pm

Yes, my two Bogens (Manfrottos) have the lock. I sold my Gitzo on eBay because of the twist/rotate action. It is slower too. I also have pistol grip heads for the speed and ease.

I just need something a little lighter when I take a long trip. With IS in my lenses it is not as crutial but with landscapes I always seem to want a tripod.

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Permalink Reply by mortenpedersen on November 9, 2009 at 6:14am

I use an Velbon Carbon Fiber too, and have no complaints about it whatsoever, besides that it has a defect after a fall :) but I guess you can't blame them for that ha ha

Morten
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