Looking for a lightweight tripod around 200-260$

[Idanz0r]

Hello friends,

I'm looking for a light weight tripod, around 1-1.5 kilos, which can handle my K200D with a DA* 50-135.
I also wish to have a good height of 160CM if possible.

I'll buy the tripod from Adorama or BH, so if you can recommend me for tripods from those store, it will be great.

I'll also buy a tripod head, but i don't care which type(unless it has 'panorama' feature), i guess you guys know what bests.


Thanks in advance.

[Tom S.]

This is a bit more than you were looking at spending, but it is an excellent tripod.

FEISOL CT-3441S with Center Column and a Tripod Bag

I have one, and is simple, small (when stored), strong and light weight. Extended height is 70 inches, yet when stored it's only 17 inches long. Weight is a shade over 2 pounds, but the load rating is 22 pounds.

BTW: Before ordering, I complained about the shipping cost ($25 for a 2 pound item) and they knocked $10 off the cost.

[stevebrot]

I assume that you want a head included at that price/weight? You probably could have found this on your own, but it seems to meet your basic qualifications:

Benro | A-068M8 Travel Angel Aluminum Tripod with B-00 | 458-068

You might want to look at the Induro Adventure series.

Steve

[EricT]

I just recently bought the Benro a-269m8:

It's lightweight (1.6kg), very flexible and easy to use, and the legs fold 180 degrees for very compact storage.
I got it with the BH-1 ballhead for $185, but it also come with a more capable ballhead, the B-1, at $245. The first rates the tripod for 6kg, and the second for 12kg. The ballhead also comes with a built in bubble level and a quick release.
The maximum height of the tripod is 157cm, but with ballhead and camera on top of that, the viewfinder is above my eye-level, and I'm about 170cm.

All in all, I'm very happy so far! I haven't had it long enough to really comment on the build quality, but it certainly seems well built. I'll try to do a complete review after I've used it for a while.

[Idanz0r]

Thanks for the replies friends. The benro and the Induro AB2 looks fantastic.Can anyone tell me what are the advantages of the ball head?.

[IsaacEastgate]

The advantage of the ball head is that with one knob you can adjust the tilt of your camera 3 ways, whereas conventional tripod heads use 3 seperate hinges with 3 seperate knobs.

p.s. i am look for the same thing, but these tripods are not available in the uk (or are they?), anyone know of anything in a similar price range?

[WheresWaldo]

Originally Posted by IsaacEastgate

The advantage of the ball head is that with one knob you can adjust the tilt of your camera 3 ways, whereas conventional tripod heads use 3 seperate hinges with 3 seperate knobs.

p.s. i am look for the same thing, but these tripods are not available in the uk (or are they?), anyone know of anything in a similar price range?

Nearly everything is available wherever you live, eBay is a good place to start looking, All the Benro stuff and Feisol stuff is up there with worldwide shipping.

[Ben_Edict]

I use a Velbon Sherpa Pro CF540 as my lightweight companion. Together with a Novoflex Ball 30 it carries my K20+grip+ 70-200/2.8 easily. I can even add a 1.4x tc to go up to 300mm and it is a sturdy little combo. If I don't extend it fully, I can even use the old Pentax A 400/5.6 with the K20 and get sharp images, though the dampening out of vibrations needs a little bit more time (the 400mm lens is quite long).

The Velobon is very nicely made and comes complete with a bag to add weight to the legs for stabilisation.

Ben

[IsaacEastgate]

True, didnt search hard enough

[IsaacEastgate]

i am considering the following auction (would appreciate your help ericT):
Brand NEW BENRO A269 A-269M8+BH-1 BALL HEAD TRIPOD KIT on eBay, also, Tripods Supports, Photography (end time 03-Mar-09 07:55:02 GMT)

what is pictured? Sometimes it has 5 leg sections, sometimes 4, sometimes it has a sliding quick release and sometimes a conventional one, what am i getting?

[Ben_Edict]

Originally Posted by IsaacEastgate

i am considering the following auction (would appreciate your help ericT):
Brand NEW BENRO A269 A-269M8+BH-1 BALL HEAD TRIPOD KIT on eBay, also, Tripods Supports, Photography (end time 03-Mar-09 07:55:02 GMT)

what is pictured? Sometimes it has 5 leg sections, sometimes 4, sometimes it has a sliding quick release and sometimes a conventional one, what am i getting?

I would not buy a 5 section tripod. Even the four sections on the Velbon I use are tedious. Also the last sections get very spindly and I mistrust their stabilty. A three section tripod excerts more robustness, but a four section modell is an acceptable compromise for travelling. Also, look for another ball head. The Benro heads have a good reputation and look nice from the outside. I have disassembled one of the bigger modells and must say, they are not made to last.

Ben

[Confused]

Hi Idanz0r

You really ought to have a good look at this tripod, particularly the carbon fibre version [1.6kg]:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...giottos+tripod

http://www.red-door.co.uk/pages/prod...1B-Tripod.html

[EricT]

Originally Posted by IsaacEastgate

i am considering the following auction (would appreciate your help ericT):
Brand NEW BENRO A269 A-269M8+BH-1 BALL HEAD TRIPOD KIT on eBay, also, Tripods Supports, Photography (end time 03-Mar-09 07:55:02 GMT)

what is pictured? Sometimes it has 5 leg sections, sometimes 4, sometimes it has a sliding quick release and sometimes a conventional one, what am i getting?

Mine has 5-sections. I almost never use the lowest section, I agree with Ben that it gets a bit wobbly. However, I can stand upright perfectly fine with just four sections extended.
That auction is a bit confusing, sometimes it says B-1 ballhead, sometimes BH-1. The BH-1 is a conventional ballhead, while the B-1 is Arca-Swiss slliding type.

[Idanz0r]

I love this forum!@!@!

Confused, i cannot manage to find the tripod through adorama or BH, do you have any suggestions?

[Confused]

Hi Idanz0r

I believe the details for the current US distributor of Giottos are as follows:

United States
HP MARKETING CORP.
MR. BOB SALOMON
ADD.: 16 CHAPIN ROAD, PINE BROOK, NJ 07058, U.S.A
TEL: +1(973)808-9010 x15
FAX: +1(973)808-9004
E-mail: bob@hpmarketingcorp.com
Website: www.hpmarketingcorp.com