Packable tripod???

[tigger795]

I have a cheap Velbon with a plastic pan-tilt head but would like one with either no head, so I can add my own, or one with a quality ball head. I am curious what fellow DIS photographers suggest for dragging around the parks. I am looking for a tripod that will pack into a normal-sized suitcase but also looking for a somewhat higher-end one as well so it can be used for other than travelling and will last. So smallish closed length is pretty important. I am also pretty short for my weight so maximum height of around 5 feet is sufficient.

Next question, what head do you suggest?

I would like to keep the whole pkg around $500 but could go more if features warrant it.

Thx to all who can help.

 

[Master Mason]

I have a cheap Velbon with a plastic pan-tilt head but would like one with either no head, so I can add my own, or one with a quality ball head. I am curious what fellow DIS photographers suggest for dragging around the parks. I am looking for a tripod that will pack into a normal-sized suitcase but also looking for a somewhat higher-end one as well so it can be used for other than travelling and will last. So smallish closed length is pretty important. I am also pretty short for my weight so maximum height of around 5 feet is sufficient.

Next question, what head do you suggest?

I would like to keep the whole pkg around $500 but could go more if features warrant it.

Thx to all who can help.

I just got a fairly lightweight Velbon #347.... It was retail at about 120, but got it on ebay for half that.....

With the budget your looking at, I would highly recomend the carbon fiber..... I was looking at the the Velbon that Starts with a C... can't rembmer the name, but it was very nice. compact and light.... But it was $250 and was a lot more than I wanted to spend on a tripod at the time.

I also got a monfonto Monopod.... and based on the quality of it.... I am sure their tripods are equally good as well.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I really like the Gitzo carbon fiber tripods. You can get one with 4 section legs if you want it to pack small. For ball heads, I really love the Acratech ball head. The combination will be a bit over your budget though.

You might try some Bogen/Manfrotto tripods. The 055MF4 appears to meet your needs, but I have no experience with it.

 

[Groucho]

The Velbon Maxi 343E seems to have gotten very good reviews, and collapses down into a pretty small package. It comes with a ball head and is only $70.

It's made for traveling, weighing under two lbs, all-metal, and goes from 20 inches to 5 feet. It was more or less "made to spec" for Herbert Keppler.

I'm sure that a heavy-duty Bogen or similar will be sturdier but I suspect that this Velbon will be plenty strong enough for park usage.

For higher-end, you may want to check out the Amnova stuff that sells on eBay. It's mostly knock-offs of the bigger-name stuff but most people seem to be pretty happy with their stuff and they're much cheaper.

 

[Master Mason]

Groucho...

that's pretty close to what I got with the 347 except mine has the pan head.....

 

[boBQuincy]

I also have one of the Velbon Maxi series (347 GB), and it works well for packing and use around the parks. It may be a bit light for serious use but I wouldn't want to carry anything heavier for a long day.

I paid about $100, if your budget goes to $500 that opens up a lot of options!
Maybe a carbon fiber & magnesium Sherpa Pro!

 

[Groucho]

Glad to hear that others like their Velbons, I am figuring that I'll eventually replace my Slik with one of those. The only downside is the lack of a quick-release on the ballhead, but I'd probably replace that head with another one. (I assume that it's replacement, unlike on my Slik.)

 

[0bli0]

my travel tripod is a Manfrotto 055 mf4 - 4 section, it's pretty small and light - carbon fibre & magnesium. it will come in under your $500 budget with some to spare (depending on which head you get with it).

 

[Boss Hogg]

Another vote for Velbon. We've got a Maxi F which gfoes pretty small but is still a good height when extended.

 

[tigger795]

Thanks for all the ideas. Now I just have to make up my mind. I better hurry though. My trip is rapidly approaching.