Table Top Tripod Recommendation

Kenntak · 07-05-2013, 09:56 AM

I was looking at purchasing a table top tripod to do some macro and table top work. I have read reviews for the following, and was wondering if any members of this site had any comments or suggestions on these or any other table top tripod:

Oben TT-100 Table Top Tripod

Oben TT-200 Table Top Tripod

Giottos QU 305BU Tripod with MH-1004 Mini Ballhead

Velbon CX-Mini Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head

carrrlangas · 07-05-2013, 12:26 PM

I don´t have any of those. I use the Joby Gorillapod SLR zoom for travelling and it is great.
Only recommendation, buy the best one you can afford.

panoguy · 07-05-2013, 02:01 PM

What kind of gear (camera, lens, etc.) will you be putting on top of it?

I own 4 "tabletop" tripods, and one can hold 55 lbs, while another can barely support my K-5...

Kenntak · 07-05-2013, 03:05 PM

It will support a K-30. I only have the 18-55 lens now, but I want the capability to use it with a good size zoom lens too.

**JimJohnson** · 07-05-2013, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by Kenntak

It will support a K-30. I only have the 18-55 lens now, but I want the capability to use it with a good size zoom lens too.

The problem with any tripod, table-top included, is leverage. In other words, how off-center can you place the gear weight and still have the tripod remain stable. If you can add counter-weights, this is good. The next item (in my opinion) is fluidity of exact aiming, especially if you are planing to to macro photography. If the head jerks in any direction as you move it, it is difficult to control composition.

demp10 · 07-05-2013, 04:00 PM

You can always get a regular tripod that the center column can pivot to a horizontal position (like the Manfrotto 055XPROB ) and use it over a table or any other suitable surface.

Kenntak · 07-05-2013, 06:54 PM

The Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod looks like a great tripod that would last many years. It costs more than I wanted to spend right now, but it seems able to handle just about everything I would need a tripod for. I will have to think about it, I just wish it did not cost so much once you add the ball head.

panoguy · 07-05-2013, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by Kenntak

It costs more than I wanted to spend right now

Read this article by Thom Hogan: Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan

Summary: better to wait until you have the funds for a decent tripod, then buying lots of intermediate ones. However, if you intend to do a lot of tabletop or low-macro photos, a smaller tripod might be in your future anyhow...

Old Man · 07-05-2013, 07:37 PM

I have a Manfrotto #209 I think, with the small ballhead. It has always worked OK for me, but I don't load a lot of weight on it.

**rbefly** · 07-05-2013, 07:54 PM

Hello Kenntak,
I've never tried any of the mini's you posted, but do have one I can recommend; The Manfrotto # 209, about $25.00 USD. Mine is from the stone age, when they were called Bogen in the US (made by Manfrotto). Same product, all these years later.
At the time they also sold the mini-ballhead I have, but that's since been discontinued. They do have newer ones available, and I'm sure the quality is just as good, if not better. Try to get one that's rated for 2 kilo weight bearing or better.
The 209 has an 8mm nut on the bottom for tightening the legs, a balldriver or socket in that size is a must-have.
Altogether you're looking at $70-$80 USD. It's a one-time purchase, it will never break or fail (mine hasn't in 30 years!) and fits easily in a long pocket or bag.
Good Luck!
Ron

pxpaulx · 07-05-2013, 09:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rbefly

Hello Kenntak,
I've never tried any of the mini's you posted, but do have one I can recommend; The Manfrotto # 209, about $25.00 USD. Mine is from the stone age, when they were called Bogen in the US (made by Manfrotto). Same product, all these years later.
At the time they also sold the mini-ballhead I have, but that's since been discontinued. They do have newer ones available, and I'm sure the quality is just as good, if not better. Try to get one that's rated for 2 kilo weight bearing or better.
The 209 has an 8mm nut on the bottom for tightening the legs, a balldriver or socket in that size is a must-have.
Altogether you're looking at $70-$80 USD. It's a one-time purchase, it will never break or fail (mine hasn't in 30 years!) and fits easily in a long pocket or bag.
Good Luck!
Ron

Agreed with rbefly, get the manfrotto - best bang for the buck on table top tripods. Rbefly, the 709b has the mini ballhead that you might be referring to? It is $43 on amazon, here:

manfrotto 709b

Edit for OP - I checked out the 4 you listed. The tt-100 essentially looks like the manfrotto i linked to...I'd get the manfrotto just to ensure you are getting a solid product, never heard of oden. The 2nd two you listed are like a sail mast in the wind - your camera will vibrate and likely fall over quite easily so i'd skip those in a heartbeat. The last velbon would probably be solid enough, but those kind of heads (pan/tilt) are more for video and can be quite annoying to use over a simple ballhead. Go for your first option or the 709b I linked to.

**rbefly** · 07-06-2013, 01:34 AM

pxpaulx, that ballhead looks like a modern version of the one I have. Thanks for the link, good price, too.
Ron

Old Man · 07-06-2013, 02:47 AM

Originally posted by rbefly

pxpaulx, that ballhead looks like a modern version of the one I have. Thanks for the link, good price, too.
Ron

Same here, as the one I have is probably 20 years old and the only number I can find is on the ballhead itself and shows #3009, the tripod is a Bogen.
They are great little tripods, I have never had an issue with mine. That is a nice price on Amazon.

Kenntak · 07-06-2013, 08:32 AM

Thank you everyone for your help. I will get the manfrotto 709b, and save up for a quality full-size tripod down the road.

Kenntak · 07-06-2013, 01:13 PM

Would you recommend getting the Manfrotto 323 Rapid Connect Adapter with the 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate for use with the 709b?

07-05-2013, 09:56 AM	#1
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198	Table Top Tripod Recommendation I was looking at purchasing a table top tripod to do some macro and table top work. I have read reviews for the following, and was wondering if any members of this site had any comments or suggestions on these or any other table top tripod: Oben TT-100 Table Top Tripod Oben TT-200 Table Top Tripod Giottos QU 305BU Tripod with MH-1004 Mini Ballhead Velbon CX-Mini Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head

07-05-2013, 07:54 PM	#10
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Table-Topper? Hello Kenntak, I've never tried any of the mini's you posted, but do have one I can recommend; The Manfrotto # 209, about $25.00 USD. Mine is from the stone age, when they were called Bogen in the US (made by Manfrotto). Same product, all these years later. At the time they also sold the mini-ballhead I have, but that's since been discontinued. They do have newer ones available, and I'm sure the quality is just as good, if not better. Try to get one that's rated for 2 kilo weight bearing or better. The 209 has an 8mm nut on the bottom for tightening the legs, a balldriver or socket in that size is a must-have. Altogether you're looking at $70-$80 USD. It's a one-time purchase, it will never break or fail (mine hasn't in 30 years!) and fits easily in a long pocket or bag. Good Luck! Ron

07-05-2013, 09:20 PM - 1 Like	#11
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Originally posted by rbefly Hello Kenntak, I've never tried any of the mini's you posted, but do have one I can recommend; The Manfrotto # 209, about $25.00 USD. Mine is from the stone age, when they were called Bogen in the US (made by Manfrotto). Same product, all these years later. At the time they also sold the mini-ballhead I have, but that's since been discontinued. They do have newer ones available, and I'm sure the quality is just as good, if not better. Try to get one that's rated for 2 kilo weight bearing or better. The 209 has an 8mm nut on the bottom for tightening the legs, a balldriver or socket in that size is a must-have. Altogether you're looking at $70-$80 USD. It's a one-time purchase, it will never break or fail (mine hasn't in 30 years!) and fits easily in a long pocket or bag. Good Luck! Ron Agreed with rbefly, get the manfrotto - best bang for the buck on table top tripods. Rbefly, the 709b has the mini ballhead that you might be referring to? It is $43 on amazon, here: manfrotto 709b Edit for OP - I checked out the 4 you listed. The tt-100 essentially looks like the manfrotto i linked to...I'd get the manfrotto just to ensure you are getting a solid product, never heard of oden. The 2nd two you listed are like a sail mast in the wind - your camera will vibrate and likely fall over quite easily so i'd skip those in a heartbeat. The last velbon would probably be solid enough, but those kind of heads (pan/tilt) are more for video and can be quite annoying to use over a simple ballhead. Go for your first option or the 709b I linked to. Last edited by pxpaulx; 07-05-2013 at 09:25 PM.

07-06-2013, 01:34 AM	#12
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	That's It! pxpaulx, that ballhead looks like a modern version of the one I have. Thanks for the link, good price, too. Ron

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07-05-2013, 12:26 PM	#2
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	I don´t have any of those. I use the Joby Gorillapod SLR zoom for travelling and it is great. Only recommendation, buy the best one you can afford.

07-05-2013, 02:01 PM	#3
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	What kind of gear (camera, lens, etc.) will you be putting on top of it? I own 4 "tabletop" tripods, and one can hold 55 lbs, while another can barely support my K-5...

07-05-2013, 03:05 PM	#4
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198 Original Poster	It will support a K-30. I only have the 18-55 lens now, but I want the capability to use it with a good size zoom lens too.

07-05-2013, 03:52 PM	#5
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,772	Originally posted by Kenntak It will support a K-30. I only have the 18-55 lens now, but I want the capability to use it with a good size zoom lens too. The problem with any tripod, table-top included, is leverage. In other words, how off-center can you place the gear weight and still have the tripod remain stable. If you can add counter-weights, this is good. The next item (in my opinion) is fluidity of exact aiming, especially if you are planing to to macro photography. If the head jerks in any direction as you move it, it is difficult to control composition.

07-05-2013, 04:00 PM	#6
demp10 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta Photos: Albums Posts: 602	You can always get a regular tripod that the center column can pivot to a horizontal position (like the Manfrotto 055XPROB ) and use it over a table or any other suitable surface.

07-05-2013, 06:54 PM	#7
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198 Original Poster	The Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod looks like a great tripod that would last many years. It costs more than I wanted to spend right now, but it seems able to handle just about everything I would need a tripod for. I will have to think about it, I just wish it did not cost so much once you add the ball head.

07-05-2013, 07:02 PM	#8
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by Kenntak It costs more than I wanted to spend right now Read this article by Thom Hogan: Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan Summary: better to wait until you have the funds for a decent tripod, then buying lots of intermediate ones. However, if you intend to do a lot of tabletop or low-macro photos, a smaller tripod might be in your future anyhow...

07-05-2013, 07:37 PM	#9
Old Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 171	I have a Manfrotto #209 I think, with the small ballhead. It has always worked OK for me, but I don't load a lot of weight on it.

07-06-2013, 02:47 AM	#13
Old Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 171	Originally posted by rbefly pxpaulx, that ballhead looks like a modern version of the one I have. Thanks for the link, good price, too. Ron Same here, as the one I have is probably 20 years old and the only number I can find is on the ballhead itself and shows #3009, the tripod is a Bogen. They are great little tripods, I have never had an issue with mine. That is a nice price on Amazon.

07-06-2013, 08:32 AM	#14
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198 Original Poster	Thank you everyone for your help. I will get the manfrotto 709b, and save up for a quality full-size tripod down the road.

07-06-2013, 01:13 PM	#15
Kenntak Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 198 Original Poster	Would you recommend getting the Manfrotto 323 Rapid Connect Adapter with the 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate for use with the 709b?