Tripod question

[tazdev3225]

I like to ask what are probably stupid questions so here is a new one. I have 3 tripods and I like them all for different reasons. I do, however, dislike them all for one very big reason. They are all heavy. If I am going somewhere that I will drive from spot to spot I am covered but if I have to walk any distance my tripods are too heavy. Is there a good lightweight tripod that I can get that is easy to carry around but is fairly sturdy?

 

[annnewjerz]

I'm no tripod experts, but I have been researching them a lot for the past few months and carbon fiber tripods are very light, very sturdy (depending on how many leg sections, the brand, etc.) and the other thing that they all have in common is that they are all usually much more expensive than the heavier aluminum ones.

Some brands that I have seen people on the boards post about having success with are Bogen/Manfrotto, Gitzo, Benro, Velbon.

Good luck and happy shopping!

 

[boBQuincy]

Is there a good lightweight tripod that I can get that is easy to carry around but is fairly sturdy?

Ah, the triangle of tripods: Weight; Stability; Price. We get to choose two of those, the third is then determined for us.
You chose light and sturdy, that also means expensive.

I have a Velbon Maxi 347 that is light (about 3 pounds), and not too expensive ($100), but it is not that sturdy. I also have a Velbon 640 that is almost as light (4 pounds), pretty sturdy, and about $600 (including ballhead). The light and sturdy tripods only go up in price from there!

Back to the 347, it does ok with a light camera and a small lens. Hanging the camera bag on it also helps (as it does with most light tripods). For heavier cameras and longer lenses it is just out of it's element (by that I mean a Canon 30D and 70-200).

 

[Master Mason]

As Bob said you have light, steady and cheap, you get to pick two of the three. I finally went with a Slick 714 carbon fiber and a manfrotto ball head, I have been very happy with it, it holds my 40D with battery grip, and70-200 f/2.8 with no problem unless it is incredibly windy or something.

 

[YesDear]

Reading the comment about the wind issue reminded me of an event you need to learn from.

I am an insurance agent and I insure a TV production company. The owner of the company was on a shoot one day. He had a very stable pro TV camera tripod with an 80k Sony HD camera on it. He walked away from the tripod for a second and a gust of wind caught the rig just right and his insurance company got to pay for a 28000 repair bill. He also lost coverage at next renewal for breakage of his own equipment by dropping it. He was very embarrassed an understood the insurance company's position.

This was not a gorriapod for video either. Each let of the tripod had a main support and side supports. He now sandbags every tripod no matter what.

So even very sturdy tripods are not error proof.

 

[boBQuincy]

$28,000, ouch!!!

While on that topic, there are a few things that help make a tripod unsteady. One is a long lens without it's own tripod collar, using the camera's tripod socket. Another is portrait mode, where the balance point is now shifted to one side.

Depending on where the legs are placed this can be enough to put the tripod close to the edge of instability. Good thing my reflexes are still half-fast!

 

[tazdev3225]

Thank you all for the input. I have 2 very heavy and sturdy tripods and one I use for my minicam because the other cameras are to heavy for it. I may just stick to trashcans at WDW for night shots or my advances P&S for the next trip and hope for a good deal somewhere.