BEST, SMALLEST TRIPOD or MONOPOD?

Jonson PL · 10-02-2009, 01:34 PM

Originally posted by creampuff

Gitzo GT0541 Mountaineer
Weighs only 0.8kg with a 5 kg load capacity. 4 section folds up to a mere 48cm. It is a great little CF tripod that is excellent for traveling.
If you prefer a 3 section tripod, can try the GT0531.

I was looking at the Gitzo 1540 in a store, and thought that it was fairly compact. But the one you mention, weigh even less

Last edited by Jonson PL; 10-02-2009 at 01:40 PM.

GerryL · 10-05-2009, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by mickeyobe

I think that what you have described is commonly called an Oxymoron.

A small, lightweight tripod when expanded to a workable standing up height is wobbly, transmits vibrations and is generally very fragile and not too trustworthy.

Those miniature tripods that extend to say 16" are quite good if you can find a sturdy table to set them on when hiking some backwoods trail or a busy urban sidewalk.

A good unipod with a pan head would be preferable.

Mickey

I agree, that is why the more leg division a tripod has, the more it is unsturdy..although it becomes more compact when folded.
..but try to remember what a tripod is really for. It is not to be folded compactly but to be used so a camera would be braced sturdily.

geauxpez · 10-06-2009, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by GerryL

I agree, that is why the more leg division a tripod has, the more it is unsturdy..although it becomes more compact when folded.
..but try to remember what a tripod is really for. It is not to be folded compactly but to be used so a camera would be braced sturdily.

Gerry -- while I do appreciate your logic, there is the adage: "The best tripod is the one you have with you." I just bought a more compact tripod because I tended to leave the "big one" at home.

mickeyobe · 10-06-2009, 07:05 AM

geauxpez,

"The best tripod is the one you have with you."

Whoever coined that adage was wrong, very wrong.
Bracing yourself or your camera against a tree or door frame or lamp post or a car or anything solid and stable is far preferable to a wobbly tripod that might dump your valuable camera if you sneeze.

Mickey

geauxpez · 10-06-2009, 10:53 AM

Mickey, I agree to some extent -- that old adage should be appended to add "within reason", but I assume that it's understood.

Jonson PL · 10-07-2009, 03:17 AM

Originally posted by geauxpez

Gerry -- while I do appreciate your logic, there is the adage: "The best tripod is the one you have with you." I just bought a more compact tripod because I tended to leave the "big one" at home.

I feel the same way about cameras. I need to find a (D)SLR combination that works the best for me.

There was a saying regarding Tripods; I believe it went that one could chose two parameters out of the three; cheap, light, sturdy.

If you want it to be both light weight, but also provide adequate support and well built, then it is gonna get expensive. Then it will be carbon and high quality materials, and well thought out in design.

johnmflores · 10-12-2009, 06:19 PM

I've been pretty satisfied with the Velbon Ultra Maxi SF. Around 13" folded, 48" fully extended. It's managed to hold a K20d with DA* 16-50 F2.8 in portrait orientation. It takes a while to get used to the "trunnion" leg system, but once you do it quickly extends with 3 simple twists of the legs.

I haven't used other portable tripod so I can't compare, but it's been really great for motorcycle travel.

stl09 · 10-12-2009, 07:00 PM

Hi,

I've been looking for the same thing and I found the following that comes very close to what your asking for and price is not bad either.

THK Photo Products, Inc.

Hope this helps....

stl09 · 10-12-2009, 07:03 PM

It looks like this has discontinued. How long have you had this tripod.

Originally posted by johnmflores

I've been pretty satisfied with the Velbon Ultra Maxi SF. Around 13" folded, 48" fully extended. It's managed to hold a K20d with DA* 16-50 F2.8 in portrait orientation. It takes a while to get used to the "trunnion" leg system, but once you do it quickly extends with 3 simple twists of the legs.

I haven't used other portable tripod so I can't compare, but it's been really great for motorcycle travel.

johnmflores · 10-13-2009, 04:39 AM

Originally posted by stl09

It looks like this has discontinued. How long have you had this tripod.

Two, maybe three years. There are slightly bigger models that may still be available. My brother has one, and what it can do that mine doesn't do is spread the legs wide for low to the ground type shots.

gnach · 07-10-2010, 08:31 AM

Very clever assembly. I'm quite tired of being told that I can't bring a mono or tripod into a public facility like a museum, aquarium or amusement park. Stealth seems to be the answer.

10-06-2009, 07:05 AM	#19
mickeyobe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,759	Best, Smallest Tripod or Monopod geauxpez, "The best tripod is the one you have with you." Whoever coined that adage was wrong, very wrong. Bracing yourself or your camera against a tree or door frame or lamp post or a car or anything solid and stable is far preferable to a wobbly tripod that might dump your valuable camera if you sneeze. Mickey

10-12-2009, 07:03 PM	#24
stl09 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 487	tripod It looks like this has discontinued. How long have you had this tripod. Originally posted by johnmflores I've been pretty satisfied with the Velbon Ultra Maxi SF. Around 13" folded, 48" fully extended. It's managed to hold a K20d with DA* 16-50 F2.8 in portrait orientation. It takes a while to get used to the "trunnion" leg system, but once you do it quickly extends with 3 simple twists of the legs. I haven't used other portable tripod so I can't compare, but it's been really great for motorcycle travel.

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10-02-2009, 01:34 PM	#16
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Originally posted by creampuff Gitzo GT0541 Mountaineer Weighs only 0.8kg with a 5 kg load capacity. 4 section folds up to a mere 48cm. It is a great little CF tripod that is excellent for traveling. If you prefer a 3 section tripod, can try the GT0531. I was looking at the Gitzo 1540 in a store, and thought that it was fairly compact. But the one you mention, weigh even less Last edited by Jonson PL; 10-02-2009 at 01:40 PM.

10-05-2009, 08:05 PM	#17
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by mickeyobe I think that what you have described is commonly called an Oxymoron. A small, lightweight tripod when expanded to a workable standing up height is wobbly, transmits vibrations and is generally very fragile and not too trustworthy. Those miniature tripods that extend to say 16" are quite good if you can find a sturdy table to set them on when hiking some backwoods trail or a busy urban sidewalk. A good unipod with a pan head would be preferable. Mickey I agree, that is why the more leg division a tripod has, the more it is unsturdy..although it becomes more compact when folded. ..but try to remember what a tripod is really for. It is not to be folded compactly but to be used so a camera would be braced sturdily.

10-06-2009, 06:05 AM	#18
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	Originally posted by GerryL I agree, that is why the more leg division a tripod has, the more it is unsturdy..although it becomes more compact when folded. ..but try to remember what a tripod is really for. It is not to be folded compactly but to be used so a camera would be braced sturdily. Gerry -- while I do appreciate your logic, there is the adage: "The best tripod is the one you have with you." I just bought a more compact tripod because I tended to leave the "big one" at home.

10-06-2009, 10:53 AM	#20
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	Mickey, I agree to some extent -- that old adage should be appended to add "within reason", but I assume that it's understood.

10-07-2009, 03:17 AM	#21
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Originally posted by geauxpez Gerry -- while I do appreciate your logic, there is the adage: "The best tripod is the one you have with you." I just bought a more compact tripod because I tended to leave the "big one" at home. I feel the same way about cameras. I need to find a (D)SLR combination that works the best for me. There was a saying regarding Tripods; I believe it went that one could chose two parameters out of the three; cheap, light, sturdy. If you want it to be both light weight, but also provide adequate support and well built, then it is gonna get expensive. Then it will be carbon and high quality materials, and well thought out in design.

10-12-2009, 06:19 PM	#22
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	I've been pretty satisfied with the Velbon Ultra Maxi SF. Around 13" folded, 48" fully extended. It's managed to hold a K20d with DA* 16-50 F2.8 in portrait orientation. It takes a while to get used to the "trunnion" leg system, but once you do it quickly extends with 3 simple twists of the legs. I haven't used other portable tripod so I can't compare, but it's been really great for motorcycle travel.

10-12-2009, 07:00 PM	#23
stl09 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 487	Hi, I've been looking for the same thing and I found the following that comes very close to what your asking for and price is not bad either. THK Photo Products, Inc. Hope this helps....

10-13-2009, 04:39 AM	#25
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by stl09 It looks like this has discontinued. How long have you had this tripod. Two, maybe three years. There are slightly bigger models that may still be available. My brother has one, and what it can do that mine doesn't do is spread the legs wide for low to the ground type shots.

07-10-2010, 08:31 AM	#26
gnach New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1	Very clever assembly. I'm quite tired of being told that I can't bring a mono or tripod into a public facility like a museum, aquarium or amusement park. Stealth seems to be the answer.