Travel Tripod Recommendations?

  • Thread starter Thread starter PeopleCanFly
  • Start date Start date
P

PeopleCanFly

Guest
So, as blasphemous as it is to use a pair of twigs for video, I'm looking for some recommendations on a compact tripod I can use for personal videos while flying. I'm visiting some family in Arizona next year and I'd like to bring an extremely minimalist Pocket camera for some recreational shooting. I'm going to keep the camera fairly bare bones (Pancake lens, VariND, Sony battery plate, and Rode SVMX) so it doesn't need to be able to hold much weight.

I'm thinking I'll most likely use it for static shots since trying to move uncooked spaghetti around can't end well. Maybe a pan or two if I'm feeling adventurous...and the head allows for it. I'm trying to keep costs pretty low, so at or under the $200 mark would be great. ~$100 is ideal.

I have zero experience with these types of tripods (Or photo tripods in general) so any input is welcome!
 
+1 on the Manfrotto Befree...but only with a very light camera...the tightening on the panning arm is delicate (this is definitely not a production tripod) but it fits in any backpack (16") and weighs just under 4lbs with a little fluid head.
 
I bought one of these, but nowadays would probably go with NorBro's suggestion above for that type of thing, which really still is a bit bulky/heavy for a lot of travel. I also bought a gorillapod. But I couldn't really find anything suitable for biking, hiking, SE Asia backpacking with a travel camera, so I made my own. It's a small basic ball head attached to a clamp you can get in any hardware store. There's usually something nearby you can clamp it to, the ball lets you swivel up to 90 degrees. I've added a quick release so you can switch rapidly between camera, GoPro or smart phone, but optional if you need to decide between that and a toothbrush. Cost under $20.
 
Thanks!

I've been leaning towards that Manfrotto myself since I could keep it in my backpack and still bring a carry on bag. Whats your experience with it overall? My concern is it might not be sturdy enough, somehow, and I'm probably going to hate the head. Working with a 100mm Miller almost daily has spoiled me; Long gone are the days of cheap friction heads! :grin:

Obviously, sacrifices will have to be made for travel needs. I do need a small set of legs, though, like the Befree, otherwise it won't fit in my bag. I won a Merlin 2 off eBay for basically nothing, so assuming I can make that work, I do want to bring that along.

Honestly, I'll probably be fine with just a sturdy-ish set of legs even if I can only get static shots...
 
Just something to consider, depending on what kind of traveling you do and what you shoot but personally, I tend to cover a lot of ground and places. Tripods, even small and light ones, are a PITA to set up and break down and to carry from location to location when extended. I now bring my Zhiyun Crane gimbal, which can capture a pretty convincing tripod shot but then you get all of the wonderful POV walking movement, you can follow subjects, walk through buildings, etc. For some reason, a gimbal also seems to NOT offend as many tourist areas, many of which will NOT allow any kind of tripod. It's a PITA to also carry battery charger but a Crane or something like it and a small mirrorless camera and really small and light, unobtrusive and don't take up much room.

For pro work when I travel, I bring a Miller AIR with my C100/200/300 but for touristy fun stuff, I recommend leaving the tripod at home, bring a gimbal and perhaps a Gorilla pod.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top