Help with tripod selection

[Gianna'sPapa]

Will be coming back to WDW in June and need help selecting a new tripod. I need something compact and fairly light that I can throw in a carry-on suitcase and would like to keep the cost around $150. The max it will be supporting will be a Pentax K10d with a Sigma 100-300 f4 zoom. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[saturndb]

This might be what you are looking for. It is a Cullman Magic II. I did a review of this a few months ago.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2285491


Dave

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

That is very interesting. It is definitely what I'm looking for. Compact and light, because the problem in my family is, we have two photographers and she isn't going to carry my and her equipment both! Thanks!

 

[boBQuincy]

Another option might be one of the Velbon Maxi series tripods. Most come with pan heads that should be replaced with ball heads. My other complaint about mid-priced tripods is the quick release on most of them is not worth using but that is something we can upgrade later.
At least your lens has a tripod collar to help balance the assembly.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'd throw in a word for one I got 5 months ago that has been perfect for me - lightweight, compacts perfectly small for packing, yet extends as I need it to as a tall guy, very durably built and handles my camera body with a Tamron 200-500 lens attached. It's a Slik Sprint Pro EZ. It comes with a solid, nicely milled pan/tilt head for around $100, leaving plenty of room for a bigger or more durable head if you want (I'm actually still using the pan/tilt which works pretty well for me - I can't do ballheads with the big tammy lens, and gimble heads are just too big and bulky for me).

 

[jann1033]

This might be what you are looking for. It is a Cullman Magic II. I did a review of this a few months ago.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2285491


Dave

do you remember the weight of your largest set up? mine is only about 3.5 lbs but that's about 50% of the suggested so not a lot of leeway to add another head

 

[saturndb]

I can not remeber the largest wieght I had on it. I do know I used it with my 40d and my old sigma lens....

Dave

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Thanks everyone, you've given me some good options!