Tripod/monopod for travel

[Nevermore1]

Hi, I've been out of the loop for a while but have a spur of the moment trip to Thailand coming up. I'm looking for recommendations for something compact and easy to set up/break down. I will be bringing either a Canon 70D or 6D Mark ii (not sure which lens yet). I'm not super concerned with what I get being top quality, I mainly need something that will help give some extra support for the camera as I've had some health issues lately where I sometimes have issues holding the camera steady. I have a very nice tripod already but my family isn't the type to wait for me while I mess with it and I'm hesitant to bring a $600 tripod in case it gets lost. Thanks.

 

[smoke665]

Have you considered a collapsing Monopod?

 

[adamhiram]

A few years ago, I picked up a Sirui ultra-compact travel tripod, and it has been my go-to tripod for anything outside of home/studio use. It is rated to hold up to 13lbs, is almost full-size at a maximum height of 54", and folds down to just over 12". That means it fits INSIDE your bag, which makes it much easier to travel with, and avoids the hassles of bringing it places where they might not allow tripods. Being so lightweight, I typically hang a bag or water bottle from the hook to keep it steady. I am still amazed that something so compact can hold a full frame SLR with bigger lenses,

I bought it 6 years ago, so the specific model I have may be discontinued or replaced with a newer model, but it looks like it can still be purchased directly through Sirui, and I saw some Amazon sellers offering it as well.

 

[snowbear]

I have a Manfroto monopod I picked up at Best Buy a number of years ago. I used it a little, but lent it to my boss for a trip to Ireland. He loved it. It's packed from the move so I don't know the number.

 

[JoeW]

Go to a photo store and try out some of the tripods and monopods. People can make recommendations and that's all fine and good. But there are a gazillion variables--some of which will matter to you, some of which won't. Like
--Weight
--How quickly it deploys
--How stable it is
--How small it reduces to
--How easy it is to carry
--How easy or slow it is to attach the camera--quick release plate? Detachable head?
--Do you even want to consider a full tripod and maybe look at a platypus instead? Or a mini-tripod that stabilizes the camera but you have to view it with an articulating screen?
--How expensive? (as a rule, the sturdier but lighter tripods are composite which means more expensive).

And until you go put your hands on the tripod and set it up/break it down, see what's involved, you won't know. It's like buying a camera bag/backpack--you need to try it on and see how it wears to be able to make an intelligent decision.

 

[smoke665]

Go to a photo store and try out some of the tripods and monopods.

Ah the mythical, magical photo store, I remember them well.....unless you're unlucky enough to live outside a major metropolitan area, even then you might not be lucky to find one.

 

[cgw]

Have you considered a collapsing Monopod?

Yup. Everybody overpacks. The last thing you need to futz with is a tripod. A monopod will do you fine. Measure camera height at eye level and buy accordingly. Fewer sections the better=less time spent adjusting and better rigidity. Leave the camera attached and just unlock and drop the necessary sections. You'll also be less conspicuous and likely gain entry to places where tripods are banned.
I like Manfrotto.

 

[Nevermore1]

Ah the mythical, magical photo store, I remember them well.....unless you're unlucky enough to live outside a major metropolitan area, even then you might not be lucky to find one.

I'm one of the lucky ones and live not too far from Ace Photo (actually used to work across the street from it, it wasn't good for my bank account).

 

[Nevermore1]

Yup. Everybody overpacks. The last thing you need to futz with is a tripod. A monopod will do you fine. Measure camera height at eye level and buy accordingly. Fewer sections the better=less time spent adjusting and better rigidity. Leave the camera attached and just unlock and drop the necessary sections. You'll also be less conspicuous and likely gain entry to places where tripods are banned.
I like Manfrotto.

Thanks, that's one of my concerns. I don't want to bring too much. I'm trying to go with the minimal amount of equipment - my camera, a lens, a few batteries, and whatever I get to help support my camera.

 

[Nevermore1]

Have you considered a collapsing Monopod?

I have but am so out of it when it comes to stuff currently that I'm not sure what good and what I should avoid brand wise. My current tripod is a Sirui.

 

[Dale H. Cook]

I have a Manfroto monopod I picked up at Best Buy a number of years ago.

I bought a Manfrotto MMXPROA3BUS monopod at my camera store a few years ago, and have been very pleased with it. It is strapped to my bicycle frame and a hard camera case is mounted on the rear rack for bicycle trips.

 

[smoke665]

You'll also be less conspicuous and likely gain entry to places where tripods are banned.

Valid point. There's been an increase in security at many places over the years. Bag searches and/or restrictions are common on entry to many places.