Looking for a Dependable Lightweight Tripod

[djlen]

Ideally I'd like it to be at least 60" in height. Light and then have the ability to break
down small enough to fit into a back pack.
I've got a big old clunky one for shooting around the house or when visiting.
I want something I can take into the field with me
that sets up and breaks down easily and won't take up much room when traveling.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[Derrel]

Adorama Flashpoint carbon fiber, 4-secttion. Available on-line, or across the river in NYC...

 

[jwbryson1]

Budget?

 

[djlen]

Thank you Derrel, I will check that one out.
Jwbryson1, I would like to find something dependable but inexpensive. It will probably take a beating in the field
so I want something sturdy, but reasonably priced. Hope that answers your question.

 

[jwbryson1]

It does not. What is your budget in US Dollars?

 

[djlen]

Well I just checked out Derrel's Adorama Flashpoint carbon fiber, 4-secttion and it's more than I want to spend. Let's call it in the $25 to $40
price range.

 

[SCraig]

Let's call it in the $25 to $40 price range.

Then you need to remove the word "Dependable" from your description.

 

[cgipson1]

I have couple of Slik Sprint Pro's laying around. I will sell you one of those for $60 plus shipping. I used to hike with it, using a bridge camera. It would handle a small DSLR with kit lenses ok... but I wouldn't put anything heavy on it...

Amazon.com: Slik SPRINT PRO 3-WAY Travel Tripod with 3-Way Panhead and Quick-Release: Camera & Photo

Would I really recommend it? No! But it would do if you are careful, and that is all you can afford.

 

[jwbryson1]

I asked because for anything under $200+ new you are not going to get anything dependable, and that's not taking into consideration that we are just talking about the legs, although you can probably get a nice Manfrotto kit with legs + ballhead for around $200'ish.

Look at Adorama and B&H in NYC. Both excellent and highly reliable.

 

[runnah]

Let's call it in the $25 to $40 price range.

Then you need to remove the word "Dependable" from your description.

Exactly, I dropped $400 for my lightweight Manfrotto video/photo tripod and the thing is bulletproof.

Cheap, light, durable. You can only pick two.

 

[invisible]

Let's call it in the $25 to $40 price range.

Then you need to remove the word "Dependable" from your description.

"Lightweight" and " dependable" are usually mutually exclusive as well. Unfortunately, people learn this the hard way – either by getting blurry photos of that once-in-a-time event, or (even worse) by seeing their beloved camera/lens crashing to the ground.

I was on the same boat as you a few years ago. I'm glad I listened to others' recommendations. $25 to $40 will only buy you a headache.

 

[cgipson1]

Let's call it in the $25 to $40 price range.

Then you need to remove the word "Dependable" from your description.

"Lightweight" and " dependable" are usually mutually exclusive as well. Unfortunately, people learn this the hard way – either by getting blurry photos of that once-in-a-time event, or (even worse) by seeing their beloved camera/lens crashing to the ground.

I was on the same boat as you a few years ago. I'm glad I listened to others' recommendations. $25 to $40 will only buy you a headache.

Lightwieght is only undependable if it isn't carbon fiber... The decent CF tripods are very dependable, albeit expensive! (now if they could only make a decent carbon fiber ball head)!

 

[invisible]

Then you need to remove the word "Dependable" from your description.

"Lightweight" and " dependable" are usually mutually exclusive as well. Unfortunately, people learn this the hard way – either by getting blurry photos of that once-in-a-time event, or (even worse) by seeing their beloved camera/lens crashing to the ground.

I was on the same boat as you a few years ago. I'm glad I listened to others' recommendations. $25 to $40 will only buy you a headache.

Lightwieght is only undependable if it isn't carbon fiber... The decent CF tripods are very dependable, albeit expensive! (now if they could only make a decent carbon fiber ball head)!

Good point. I guess "dependable" can have a couple different meanings – it could be a tripod that can withstand abuse, but it could also mean a tripod that won't make your photos blurry if it's windy or be knocked over by stronger winds. I'm in a very windy area so the latter "dependable" is what I think of when discussing tripods.

 

[cgipson1]

"Lightweight" and " dependable" are usually mutually exclusive as well. Unfortunately, people learn this the hard way – either by getting blurry photos of that once-in-a-time event, or (even worse) by seeing their beloved camera/lens crashing to the ground.

I was on the same boat as you a few years ago. I'm glad I listened to others' recommendations. $25 to $40 will only buy you a headache.

Lightwieght is only undependable if it isn't carbon fiber... The decent CF tripods are very dependable, albeit expensive! (now if they could only make a decent carbon fiber ball head)!

Good point. I guess "dependable" can have a couple different meanings – it could be a tripod that can withstand abuse, but it could also mean a tripod that won't make your photos blurry if it's windy or be knocked over by stronger winds. I'm in a very windy area so the latter "dependable" is what I think of when discussing tripods.

Understood! I always hang a loaded gear bag underneath my lightwieght CF tripod to help alleviate that issue. That and a remote, and I am good!

 

[KmH]

Yep. Lightweight often means 'not stable'.

A key specification for a tripod is it's weight capacity. You want a weight capacity at least 2x the heaviest camera/lens combo you expect the tipod to handle, plus weight on the weight hook, but 3x is better.

The more leg sections a tripod has the less stable it can be because each lower leg section has to be a smaller diameter than the one above.