Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Photography => Topic started by: RedLeader on February 08, 2016

Title: Lightweight or smaller tripods for photography
Post by: RedLeader on February 08, 2016
We're off to Hares Gap on Friday night with the plan to do a bit of photography. I've got a rickety old tripod from years ago but it's heavy and not very steady. Does anyone take a tripod into the mountains and if so what sort or do you have any advice.
Title: Re: Lightweight or smaller tripods for photography
Post by: Ed on February 08, 2016
I use a Manfrotto Befree (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-BeFree-Compact-Lightweight-Travel/dp/B00COLBNTK/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=friendsfamily-21&linkCode=w01&linkId=&creativeASIN=B00COLBNTK). It packs down small and is relatively light, yet still reasonably stable.
Title: Re: Lightweight or smaller tripods for photography
Post by: LandyLiam on February 08, 2016
choke choke, I think he was looking something slightly cheaper  ;D  here's what I have, to be honest its fiddly to use and occasionally falls apart (great fun in the dark!) but if you persevere with it does the job for only £8

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hot-53-Camera-Camcorder-Tripod-stand-for-Canon-Nikon-Sony-Fuji-Olympis-/140714006210?hash=item20c33556c2:g:kwEAAOSwv-NWXs-~

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2016/tripod%20ebay%20Medium_zpscohv18yq.jpg)



I also have a 25 year old larger tripod for near the car camps

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/2016/P1110639%20Medium_zpslc8kykrp.jpg)
Title: Re: Lightweight or smaller tripods for photography
Post by: RedLeader on February 09, 2016
I think Liam's is a bit more in my price range. £120 for a tripod would be ballpark 1/3 of the cost of the camera :D

When you say "occasionally falls apart", is that in a camera falling to the ground fashion or just trying to get the tripod up in the first place. Though I suppose that's the benefit of Ed's one, unlikely to drop your expensive camera from a height.
Title: Re: Lightweight or smaller tripods for photography
Post by: Ed on February 09, 2016
I got mine in a lightning deal, tho it was still dear enough at 60 notes.
A colleague of mine spent nearly 300 notes on his. He probably died a little inside (and outside too if his wife found out)
Title: Re: Lightweight or smaller tripods for photography
Post by: andymcinroy on February 09, 2016
I use a Slik Mini II on my backbacking trips.
Just 907grams with a decent ballhead.

I wouldn't bother with a pan and tilt head for photography when hiking.
Unless you get a very expensive pan and tilt you will be plagued by head droop and wonky horizons.
A ballhead is lighter, more stable when locked and quicker to adjust.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slik-43-3IN-Compact-Section-Tripod/dp/B0029QGQ5Q/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1455029709&sr=1-7&keywords=slik+tripod+compact
Title: Re: Lightweight or smaller tripods for photography
Post by: phil_b on February 09, 2016
I started our with a cheap tripod but got tired of watching it vibrate in a light breeze so bought one of these
https://www.calphoto.co.uk/product/Manfrotto-MT190XPRO3-Aluminium-3-Section-Tripod/MNMT190XPRO3?gclid=CMPgusPM68oCFa0V0wodLVAGXw
Might be considered heavy but i have had it everywhere in all kinds of winds and even with long exposures up to 4 mins it hasn't let me down.
Title: Re: Lightweight or smaller tripods for photography
Post by: Rich.H on March 27, 2016
I started our with a cheap tripod but got tired of watching it vibrate in a light breeze so bought one of these
https://www.calphoto.co.uk/product/Manfrotto-MT190XPRO3-Aluminium-3-Section-Tripod/MNMT190XPRO3?gclid=CMPgusPM68oCFa0V0wodLVAGXw
Might be considered heavy but i have had it everywhere in all kinds of winds and even with long exposures up to 4 mins it hasn't let me down.

You realise it may have been cheaper to simply get 3 good tent pegs with firm wire around the heads that grip the tripos feet to keep it stable.  8)