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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Tripod
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10/29/2005 12:59:28 PM · #1
What is a good travelling tripod? I mean 1 that will collapse small enough to fit in a carry-on bag (maybe down less than 20"), yet raise to a decent height (I can live with 36-40"). Oh yeah, as always, price IS a factor.
10/29/2005 01:10:34 PM · #2
I use Bogen 724 for hiking. It's folded length is just under 20".
This isn't going to support a huge lens though.

Bogen at B&H
10/29/2005 01:10:40 PM · #3
//www.rtsphoto.com/html/cullm2a.html

Years ago I found just the little tripod. What it lacks in features, strength, and support is more than made up for in convenience.
10/29/2005 01:19:36 PM · #4
I have a gitzo 026 that I've been backpacking with for over 12 years. Stable as you can get for its small size. I've shot hundreds of hour + exposures with no troubles.
10/29/2005 02:12:06 PM · #5
Here's an inexpensive option, the Calumet 6011 compact tripod. It fits in my carry-on, comes with a small, decent quality ball head that is compatible with Bogen RC2 style plates and has a bubble level and panning feature, has 3 leg angles (can go low but column is problematic) and it's pretty stable. The really nice thing is the price.
It's not like my 3021B Pro/488RC4, but it does the trick for travel.

Edit: Fixed link


Message edited by author 2005-10-29 14:15:20.
10/29/2005 02:58:27 PM · #6
I have a bogen 3001Pro Tripod that I'll be putting on ebay soon. It's 22" without the head. I'm not selling it with a head. I have carried it on several times with the 322RC2 head. Sometimes in my rolling bag, other times in a carrybag for a camp chair. PM me if interested.
10/29/2005 02:58:28 PM · #7
Drat, double post.

Message edited by author 2005-10-29 14:58:52.
10/29/2005 03:11:42 PM · #8
Velbon ULTRA-MAXi-F folds to 14".
10/29/2005 03:38:06 PM · #9
It is not my intention to insult the original poster or subsequent posters but I have always found these particular posts to be counter-productive.

The primary purpose of a tripod is to keep a camera/lens very still so as to produce a sharp image in less than perfect photographic situations.

Lightweight tripods does not a sturdy platform make! unless of course we are talking about carbon fiber which would actually fall into the "lighter weight" category.

A good friend of mine was using a lightweight slik tripod while on vacation, he set it up to take a self portrait of himself and his girlfriend, while waiting for the self timer a slight wind blew the tripod right over and the resulting fall destroyed both his camera and lens, so much for the lightweight option.

I hate tripods but like all of you I find them to be a necessary evil. While on vacation I carry a manfrotto/bogen 055C with a 308RC ball head, light? NOPE heavy as heck but it produces excellent results every time and is sturdy enough to keep even a 300 f2.8 stable during slower exposures. Even as of 2 months ago I have never had a problem carrying it on when flying to domestic or foreign locations.

I hope you find what you are looking for but I thought I would just share my .02 after 25+ years of experience.

Don
10/29/2005 06:12:27 PM · #10
Thanks to all that answered and I'll do some research to see which suits me best.

Don - While I respect (and will take into mind) what you say, I never meant the tripod had to be light or flimsy. The tripod I have is a cheap one (but sturdy enough for the moment) and I would need one fullfill both home and travelling. The problem I have (don't know about others) is that I can BARELY squeeze the one I have in my carry-on and would like to have one a bit smaller, even if that means heavier. Last trip to Denver I went through security and they didn't know what the handle on the top was (they thought it was a screwdriver), so I had to take my clothes out before 'un-squeezing' the tripod out, then back in after they verified I wasn't carrying 'contraband'.

P.S. I NEVER EVER check baggage of any sort. If it's a long trip, I ship it and then carry on my more important items (in case that shipment gets lost). I get a shipping discount being an employee.
10/29/2005 06:34:43 PM · #11
Originally posted by donfanatic:

...Lightweight tripods does not a sturdy platform make!...


So true! Although I value the lighter weight of my Calumet "travel tripod" when I'm schlepping it through airports, I love a larger/heavier model when I'm able to use one. I often hang my camera bag off the compact tripod to provide stability. Everything's a compromise.
10/29/2005 10:25:27 PM · #12
Interesting information. I was not aware that one could carry a tripod aboard a flight. I thought the leg extensions and weight would qualify it as a "weapon" so have always packed mine in checked baggage, sometimes exceeding the 50 pound limit and costing me extra bucks.

With that said, I use a Manfrotto 3021pro which weighs around 5 pounds without head. Have recently researched and seriously considered the carbon-fibre model with 4 section legs, however for $300 it only saves me 1 pound. Not enough weight savings to justify the expense.

I will continue to carry my tried and true, always dependable 3021.
10/30/2005 07:24:54 PM · #13
Each airline has their own policies and I would check with them (you can do it on their website) on what you can carry-on. You can use this link as a basic guide. I have flown with AirTran, American, ATA, America West, Continental, Delta, Northwest and US Airways. The limits on that link are close enough.
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