Lightweight Tripod info/question

[quiltymom]

Hi! I've decided to purchase a Panasonic Lumix FZ8 for our upcoming trip.

I'd love to bring a tripod along for nighttime & fireworks shots, but it would have to be extremely lightweight so I can carry it. Is there something compact and lightweight out there, or should I just opt for a monopod?

Any info or opinions are welcome. Thanks!

 

[jann1033]

how much does your camera weigh? lots like the gorilla pod by joby( imo i'm afraid to use it with my camera since it weighs close to the cut off point). you can wrap it around fences etc. for stability
i bought a nice bogen lightweight monopod via amazon ( was under $30 when i got it a couple months ago now it's almost $40 so maybe check around and see if it's cheaper somewhere else) however, i don't think i would use it for fireworks, a monopod is not stable enough imo for that. http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-4-Secti...6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1179765767&sr=8-2

 

[quiltymom]

I haven't purchased the camera yet, but I did check out my friends the other night. It was amazing that it was only slightly heavier than my Fuji POS!

Here's what the website says: 310 g (0.68 lb); 357 g with Battery and SD Memory Card (0.78 lb).

Thanks - I'll check those monopods out!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I really like the Gitzo Mountaineer series of tripods for lightweight travel pods. The 6X tubes look really nice. For a lightweight head, it's hard to be the Acratech ball heads. It's not a cheap combo, but you'd be hard pressed to find something better in a full sized tripod/head. It'll weigh about 2 1/2 pounds altogether.

If you don't want a full sized tripod (a real pain at WDW), I'd opt for something like tiny like a beanbag or a gorillapod.

If you go with a lightweight full sized tripod, think about how you can rig up something heavy to hang from it to give it a little extra mass. That'll help reduce vibration and wind shake.

 

[quiltymom]

Thanks - I'll check out a gorillapod - so much of my $$ is going towards the trip that I won't have a lot extra for camera equipment.

Anyone have an opinion about this? I did a google search for lightweight tripods, and this was an option. It's the Quantaray Versipod 2 Monopod-Tripod with Standard Metal Ball Head

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/291660769.htm

 

[Steve's Girl]

I looked at a similar monopod at a local camera store (I believe it was made by Manfrotto). With the extra legs extended, it was not very stable at all. I think it would be fine to use as a monopod with a little extra balance support, but I definitely would not want to let go of it with my camera attached. I think it could fall over if someone breathed on it!

 

[Master Mason]

Personal opinion.

The monos with 3 legs just give you a poor mono pod and a poor tripod.

I use my bogen 680B mono all the time shooting sports, I love it. But it would not in anyway be a tripod replacement, they are for different things.

For your needs with a small camera, I would probably look at a table top tripod, very light, and would fit in your purse. then set it up on a trash can. I have one in my bag, but it won't hold my camera with my new lenses as the total is too heavy, so it will be coming out to make room for the new lens I am getting today

for my tripod, I have the velabon #347, I found it on ebay for about half the price of the stores from a place up in Canada, with my XT and the 70-200 mounted I am about at the max wieght, but it holds it ok, it is fairly light and easy to use. Would be great for your camera. But I wouldn't want to carry it all day either, drop it in a locker till you need it.

 

[jann1033]

i had a regular quantary tripod for yrs and it was fine with a lighter camera like the one you are talking about. it was very stable but got it before the carbon/fancy alloy days so it weighed a ton...maybe go to a camera store and try one out and see if you think it is stable enough but i also would steer clear of the mono-tripod deals. if you can use a timer or remote with your camera that would help as well with reducing shake for nightime stuff

 

[polkadotladybug]

I'm wanting to check out a gorillapod for our trip - but I had to say - do I know you from an ebay board? Your id looks so familiar! Or have you bought something from me via ebay? My id is the same as here - polkadotladybug -

Sorry for the hijack - LOL!

 

[quiltymom]

Polkadotladybug - I just sent you a PM.

Thanks for all of the info y'all have sent so far. I was afriad that the mono/tripod combo was too good to be true, but I just had to ask. I'll look into a flexible gorillapod or a small tabletop tripod. I'm not sure that I want to bother with a regular tripod since we will be running around like commandos on our trip, but maybe I'll spring for something and stash it in a locker as mentioned.

I can walk to a Ritz Camera, so maybe I'll stroll over there within the next few days and see what they have to offer. The staff there is great - I've never had someone try to sell me something that I didn't want or need, plus they have always given good advice. I also go "covert" - I used to be a photographer w-a-y back when so although I'm not up on digital media I do at least know what's up. It's amazing the people who will try to see me something I don't need just because I'm a female.

I'll keep on looking and I'll let y'all know what I come up with. Thanks again!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

so much of my $$ is going towards the trip that I won't have a lot extra for camera equipment.

Skip to Gitzo/Acratech combo I mentioned if you're worried about cost. They are great pieces of gear, but they are on the expensive side.