Tabletop tripod for dSLR? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/23/2006 08:38:35 AM · #1

I know these aren't usually designed for slr cams, but can anyone recommend a decent, affordable tabletop tripod that can be somewhat effective with an SLR? Just looking for something that can be used in a pinch on park benches, in NYC, etc. I saw a bunch at B&H about a month ago but didn't know what would be total crap and what could be a decent one.

Thanks,
Mike

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

08/23/2006 08:47:09 AM · #2

i use a promaster 6.5" . it is a rock-solid piece of equipment with a ball-head. great for walls, benches, streets, pews, as well as tables.
here are some examples...

08/23/2006 09:01:01 AM · #3

Originally posted by skiprow:

i use a promaster 6.5" . it is a rock-solid piece of equipment with a ball-head. great for walls, benches, streets, pews, as well as tables.
here are some examples...

Thanks Skip... is it this one:

Promaster T1

edit-

Any thoughts on how these might work:

Sunpak

Silk

Message edited by author 2006-08-23 09:13:06.

hyperfocal

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

08/23/2006 09:10:43 AM · #4

Another option would be a bogen super clamp with a head mounted on it.

There is usually always a rail, table, etc. that it can be mounted on, and it is rock solid if your surface is also. And with several attachment points for the head it can put your camera into positions that a tripod could never dream of.

08/23/2006 09:15:57 AM · #5

Originally posted by hyperfocal:

Do you use one of these? The concept sounds good but without ever looking for things to clamp on to I'm a bit concerned that it won't serve the purpose.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

08/23/2006 09:22:51 AM · #6

I haven't tried one yet, but might be another option:

The Pod bean bag support.

hyperfocal

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

08/23/2006 09:24:27 AM · #7

Originally posted by PSUlion01:

Do you use one of these? The concept sounds good but without ever looking for things to clamp on to I'm a bit concerned that it won't serve the purpose.

I use one all the time, especially with macro. Obviously its usefullness depends on your surroundings. I doubt it would do very well in the desert for instance, and it isn't much good at ground level without something to clamp on to it. But given a suitable clamping surface it can't be beat for stability and positioning.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/23/2006 09:32:17 AM · #8

Ok thanks. I'm mainly interested in using it around the city and when I'm traveling. Sometimes I need the stability but just want to set up on top of a newspaper machine or something.

The beanbag seems cool...I'll check that out also.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

08/23/2006 03:35:26 PM · #9

Originally posted by PSUlion01:

Promaster T1

that's it! i paid somewhere between $20-30 for mine. i like it because it is not just STURDY, it gives me a ton of flexibility. i really like being able to hold it against a wall or on a pew or other places where a regular tripod is either not allowed or inconvenient. for the money, i haven't seen anything that comes close to it. (i like the bean bag idea, but that's not going to work against a wall. i like the clamp idea, but when you're out and about, you might not always have a place to clamp down.)

kearock

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

08/23/2006 04:11:12 PM · #10

Even the little under $5 flexible leg ones will work just fine as long as you don't want to use a gigantic lens. The cheap tilt head ones such as this won't support a dSLR as it's too much weight for the ratchet mechanism in the head, but the flexible leg ones such as this one or this one will actually support an SLR. My camera gear is downstairs at the moment, but I think it's the first of those two that I have. Even if it isn't quite as much support as the those discussed in this thread that are more like real tripods with short legs, it does the job just fine with all of my lenses and it's so tiny it fits easily in any bag.

edit to add: Also, the flexible legs make it really flexible in terms of where you can put it to get the angle you want.

Message edited by author 2006-08-23 16:14:51.

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/23/2006 04:30:36 PM · #11

I bought one for $15 at walmart. Cheap little thing but its got telescoping legs so they can vary in height and it folds down to maybe 10" tall. Worth every penny. Has supported my D30 with 17-40 attached. Sturdy enough that I had no shake on a 30 second exposure and no remote in moving water (okay, I'm dumb and ill prepared - cept I had the tripod. :)).

Nikolai bragged about his so I had to have one... :) I think he got his from best buy.

Message edited by author 2006-08-23 16:31:44.

modgethanc

Nikon D90

Nikon AF Fisheye-Nikkor 16mm f/2.8D

08/23/2006 04:32:30 PM · #12

If I need something to brace my camera on usually the camera bag works well :D

hyperfocal

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

08/23/2006 06:07:14 PM · #13

Here are the superclamps I had mentioned earlier today...

fotomann_forever

08/23/2006 06:08:52 PM · #14

Originally posted by PSUlion01:

The beanbag seems cool...I'll check that out also.

Beanbags are sooo convenient. A good choice.

Message edited by author 2006-08-23 18:09:05.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/23/2006 06:15:43 PM · #15

The Sunpak DigiPro CS is great for that. The legs can unlock and splay out so it can get really low. Yet it also can get to 48" or so. It's so light weight, you can even walk around with it attached to the camera (which is a good thing since there's no quick release).

It's not the sturdiest, and you have to be careful to tighten the legs all the way. I don't recommend it for heavy lenses at all. But it's a great tripod based on the saying: the best tripod is the one you have with you. It's no big deal to carry with you, unlike a heavy duty tripod. (And it's not expensive either, and comes with a ball head.)