Tripod Help!

[LilMommyBug]

Going to Disney in September & wanted a compact, lightweight tripod for my Rebel for fireworks/self portraits

Looking to spend around $50. Ideally I will be able to fold it up and fit it into a regular backpack. That's about all I know that I want.

Any ideas? Should I just get a Gorillapod?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Given the requirements of $50 and the need to hold up a DSLR (even a small one like the Rebel), I think a Gorillapod or some other mini-tripod set on a trash can is the way to go. You'll be much more restricted in where you can shoot from. I'm just concerned that a ground standing tripod in that price range is going to be too flimsy for holding a DSLR steady.

 

[photo_chick]

You can get a cheap tripod from Walmart that will hold a DSLR for that price. However, it's not goind to come anywhere close to fitting in a back pack and it won't be very light. The one I had years ago also had a tendency to collapse whenver it wanted to.

 

[ssanders79]

You can find some that are cheap and compact at target, bestbuy, amazon and other places like that. Just keep in mind that they will most likely be that sturdy and are likely to break under normal use. Bottom line, you get what you pay for. I am sure there are some diamonds in the rough, but I am still searching for it myself.

Here is one I found on Amazon. Read the reviews, one of them mentions it was purchased for a trip to Disney. It migh be what you are looking for as it folds down to ~14".

This is the partial review. At least the positive part referencing Disney.

I bought this tripod to bring to Disney World so I could take long night exposures of the fireworks displays and other night shots and to take long exposures of the many many waterfalls at Animal Kingdom. It served it purpose well. It fit perfectly in my backpack (its less than 14" tall when folded up) and is very light.

 

[LilMommyBug]

Well, I ended up upping my budget some and got a Manfrotto 7301YB. I found one on ebay for $75 so I'm hoping it will work well.