Best table top/pocket tripod for heavy pro-body and lenses?

[Lightsped]

What is the best table top/pocket tripod that will support the weight of a heavy pro body and lens? Just something simple that screws into the bottom of the body. Don't need any fancy ball heads or anything like that....

Thanks

 

[runnah]

Manfrotto makes a great table top tripod. Cheap too with a ball head.

 

[Lightsped]

Yeah, I don't need a ball head... Just a simple screw on is fine.... What model number is the Manfrotto?
Thanks

 

[sk66]

Kirk and RRS have versions that will hold just about anything you can put on them ~$100.
Calumet and Manfrotto have versions (very similar) that will support ~ 5-15# for about 1/3 the money.

Calumet Minipod Tabletop

 

[Lightsped]

I have been happy with the Manfrottos I currently have. I am on Manfrottos website now and am unable to find anything that will support a heavy body and lens.

Any idea of the model number?

 

[sk66]

I updated my post... the manfrotto seems to be a 4.5# limit. The calumet is 14#.

 

[Gavjenks]

JOBY GorillaPod SLR-Zoom - Portable, flexible tripod for telephoto lens cameras
gorillapod can go up to 6.5# and wrap around trees and fences and rocks etc. that the manfrotto probably can't. I love mine. It can usually replace a full tripod pretty much whenever (you can find something nearby to wrap it around about wher eyou want your framing usually), if portability is paramount).

 

[Coasty]

I do like my Joby, and it works just fine with my D7000 and kit lens or small primes, it does not cut the mustard as a tabletop tripod with my almost pro D300 and almost pro 16-35 lens.

 

[Gavjenks]

Well yeah if you throw a 3 foot long lens on it and cantilever it out straight forward without doing anything special, it will drop.
There are a ton of tricks though. For example, if you have a huge lens, you can put ALL THREE feet facing forward under the lens, and it will usually hold. Sort of like a rocking chair (but since it's knobbly it won't actually keep rocking).
You can also take a little piece of plywood or whatever and one of those pipe constrictor metal things with you and essentially make a lens collar type thing - where the weight is transferred some distance forward of the normal camera mount, to make it more even and not all hanging off one side.

Once you get the hang of it and with a little creativity, the SLR zoom gorillapod can hold stupid amounts of weight. As in like any possible lens that any of us could actually afford.

 

[table1349]

TFA-01 Pocket 'Pod
100Lb load capacity with no getting used to it.

Here is a nice review: [Review] The Brand New Really Right Stuff Pocket Pod

Or you might check out the line of Pod's. The GREEN Pod Bean Bag Camera Platform GR0079 Filmtools

I have a Green Pod and it works well, unlimited weight limit all for under $25.00.

 

[Coasty]

Well yeah if you throw a 3 foot long lens on it and cantilever it out straight forward without doing anything special, it will drop.
There are a ton of tricks though. For example, if you have a huge lens, you can put ALL THREE feet facing forward under the lens, and it will usually hold. Sort of like a rocking chair (but since it's knobbly it won't actually keep rocking).
You can also take a little piece of plywood or whatever and one of those pipe constrictor metal things with you and essentially make a lens collar type thing - where the weight is transferred some distance forward of the normal camera mount, to make it more even and not all hanging off one side.

Once you get the hang of it and with a little creativity, the SLR zoom gorillapod can hold stupid amounts of weight. As in like any possible lens that any of us could actually afford.

Talk about being in the proverbial box. I have had my Joby for three years, hanging it off trees, my car window, anyplace. But when using as a standard “tripod” I never thought of doing that. Man, I need to get out of the box more often.

 

[Lightsped]

Well, I ordered a Oben TT-50. It looks like a very simple model and was affordable. It is rated to hold 6.6lbs which should be roughly the amount of weight my biggest body and lens combo would be...

Anyone used the TT-50 before?

 

[sk66]

It's essentially the same as the Calumet I linked to. It will hold significantly more weight than the 6# if you don't use that little ballhead it comes with..