ultra compact tripod for hiking and climbing?

HowdyDoo

HowdyDoo

Well-known member
I have searched the forums and still haven't found what I need.

Currently I have a really fantastic tripod setup. I own a Cartoni Focus that sits on some fiberglass Miller Solo sticks. It's awesome and I love it.

However, I need to find an even smaller and lighter tripod. Something I can hike and climb with for days. I would go with a monopod but I don't like the feel of footage shot on a monopod.

Any suggestions? I suppose I could just get one of those crappy Walmart Vinten tripods but those sure are flimsy. Is there anything ULTRA compact that is built with fiberglass and possesses a head capable of supporting the HVX? I am willing to sacrifice features for portability.
 
thats a dilemma. i have tried all sorts of cheap/light tripods but couldnt stand the head movement always jerky start and stops no matter how hard you try.
they are all ok for static shoots never for panning. i once used used the Junior Rig by dvtec and it was good and very compact to carry. it comes with a nice kind of fluid head that adds some drag to camera moves and smoothens the shoots. i still have it in my kit and use it occasionally when i don't want to be noticed or have to be very fast and in unpredictable situations.
 
I got the Manfrotto 503 head and 755B leg, it's perfect for me. Smaller than that your pan will be so, so. It take a lot of energy just to go on top, you don't want to come back with bad pan. And it's not to expensive and the 755B has fast and easy leveling adjustment.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/3314

There is probably a smaller kit out there, but with higher price tag.
 
I agree with Joe completely here. The small lightweight tripods really stink for the most part.. unless you buy one of those sacchler documentary tripods that cost like 6k bucks. They are sweet.


I personally would go with the monopod and they make a variety now that come with several leg/arm apendages to use your body and the ground as support. My buddy has one and he gets some great shots with them... For going out into the wild I'd get one of those. There are several options and variety other than just the pole with the mounting screw....

For my personal tripods I like the big heavy big body ones that can take a punch... Kind of like my women!... Just kidding!
 
I know a couple of folks, including myself, who've taken a CineSaddle along, too. Makes a great pillow at night, nice and soft on your rump when taking a rest, and allows for any shot in the wilderness, and a few a tripod won't get. I use my CineSaddle probably more than I use my Tripod these days. Very light weight, very durable, very worth the price.
 
Cinesaddle is good. Also Manfrotto has a Monopod now that has a fluid head on top and 3 little feet in the bottom. It is still a monopod, but the best tripod you can get without using a tripod.
 
I was searching in that direction too, couldn't find it. It's all small and light but working as sh*t. You already have a light working combo. How to use a beanbag and a shouldermount like the dvrigpro?
 
In the great outdoors, the CineSaddle has always been more useful to us than any tripod. Tripods just are not designed for the woods. Have been using a CineSaddle and MiniSaddle shooting in the wilderness and on boats for six months now, would never use anything else. But that's just me.
 
I have the Bogen 503 head sitting on the Gitzo Mountainer MK!! Carbon Fiber legs. You have to use the legs to level the head, but it is really really light and the 503 is pretty smooth. I hike in snow and weight is critical.
 
Did any of you check out Cartoni's new HiDV fluid head? Very compact and light.
With a Gitzo GT3540LS it's 3,4kg in total.
 
HowdyDoo said:
I have searched the forums and still haven't found what I need.

Currently I have a really fantastic tripod setup. I own a Cartoni Focus that sits on some fiberglass Miller Solo sticks. It's awesome and I love it.

However, I need to find an even smaller and lighter tripod. Something I can hike and climb with for days. I would go with a monopod but I don't like the feel of footage shot on a monopod.

Any suggestions? I suppose I could just get one of those crappy Walmart Vinten tripods but those sure are flimsy. Is there anything ULTRA compact that is built with fiberglass and possesses a head capable of supporting the HVX? I am willing to sacrifice features for portability.
Click to expand...
You should also check out Feisol tripods:
http://feisol.com/english/feisolen.htm

Their products get very good reviews. They have a smallish tripod that I'm purchasing for backpacking.

Sorry, can't offer any advice on the head....................... although, the Bogen 503 is mentioned around here a lot.

Regards
JohnG
 
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You might check out the Libec TH-M20 ($270). It may be a little large for backpacking, but it is pretty light and if you add a sliding base plate for $30 or so it is actually a usable little fluid head tripod. If you get it though ask for a bag of extra brakes for the legs as they tend to pop out.
Easy to put back in though.
 
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