OT: Light Tripod Recommendations

Andy_L wrote on 3/6/2012, 12:35 PM

Anyone have recommendations for a light backcountry tripod capable of carrying a 1-2 pound camera? Don't need a fluid head for smooth pans, but would like to able to tilt. A level bubble would be nice but not essential. Total height around 5'. Absolutely as light as possible -- less than 16oz would be fantastic if it exists. No monopods.

Also -- please list any good choices in the 16-24oz range, too, esp. if they've got worthy features... Thanks!

Comments

monoparadox wrote on 3/6/2012, 2:41 PM

http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-AX680P104-68-Inch-Proline-Tripod/dp/B001DIKUYE/ref=pd_cp_p_2

Make sure you hit the page that has it for $69.

For the money, this one isn't bad. However it won't make a long lasting club to fight off a grizzly.

Plenty of reviews to give you a feel. I hate too tell you what I picked a couple of these up for on a newegg daily deal, so I won't. They are shown as out of stock there.

johnmeyer wrote on 3/6/2012, 3:16 PM

In case you haven't yet searched the forum, here are some excellent older threads on exactly this subject. Since tripod technology does not change very quickly, pretty much everything in these slightly older discussions will still be useful today.

Need tripod recommendation for small camera

Best Portable Tripod?

These last two are not specifically about light tripods, but might still be relevant:

Tripod selection? Your favorite

Tripod recommendation for video camera

farss wrote on 3/6/2012, 4:17 PM

My recommendation would be a set of Miller CF Solo legs with their DS5 head.
We have a DS5 head on a set of different legs and for a palmcorder it is a great.
The Solo legs are lighter and extremely flexible as there's no spreader and their angle can be set to almost 90deg. I've seen shots of these legs lashed to the side of a very steep mountain. They are just rigid enough and heavy enough to be usable without being too heavy to carry. Another plus is carbon fibre is a poor thermal conductor. On top of that we've found the feet on the Solo highly resistant to corrosion as all the steel is coated with something rather magic.

Sure more expensive but this kind of kit although not strictly "pro" will last pretty well.

Bob.

riredale wrote on 3/6/2012, 5:34 PM

For a cheap second tripod (for our secondary HD camera when doing parallel shoots) we bought a Velbon 607 for about $70. Four pounds, pretty stable and well-built. Biggest feature, however, is the one thing usually prized by video guys but which you say isn't necessary in your situation: velvet-smooth pans and tilts.

The thing can really deliver very smooth motion, even when zoomed in. It can't hold a candle to the $500 tripods, but for an inexpensive unit meant for smallish camcorders, it's great.

http://www.amazon.com/Velbon-VideoMate-607-Heavy-Duty-Tripod-Case/dp/B00004TYBM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331075863&sr=1-1