Timeline for Travel / Hiking tripod recommendation
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
18 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 2018 at 13:36 | answer | added | Sherwood Botsford | timeline score: 0 | |
| Jul 6, 2012 at 16:26 | vote | accept | John Thomas | ||
| Jul 4, 2012 at 21:30 | answer | added | peter_budo | timeline score: 4 | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 19:19 | answer | added | user2719 | timeline score: 14 | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 19:03 | answer | added | Viv | timeline score: 6 | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 19:00 | comment | added | Dan Wolfgang | Expanding upon jrista's discussion of stability and weight, the manufacturer's measured support weight is perfectly balanced on the pod/head. When you tilt the head or use a long lens, it's no longer balanced and the weight shift effectively causes a much larger load. So, you're 5lb load is effectively 10-15lbs. Worth reading: bythom.com/support.htm, reallyrightstuff.com/WebsiteInfo.aspx?fc=70, reallyrightstuff.com/WebsiteInfo.aspx?fc=67. | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 17:28 | comment | added | jrista | As for stability, when what your mounting is more than about 1/3rd the weight limit of the pod, your stability is going to suffer. You also have to realize that when you mount your gear, your exerting even greater force than the gear itself...a 12lb limit is pretty low in that sense (I have this problem with my GT0541). You did list stability at the top, and you mentioned quality a few times. I don't think either of these products are really going to meet that requirement. Even the Sunpak...it has a very TALL center column, without which you only get 50" of height. | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 17:24 | history | edited | K'' |
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| Jul 4, 2012 at 17:20 | comment | added | jrista | I recommend you read the comments on those products as well. The pod itself seems ok, however several customers have complained about the ball heads. One customer has photos of how the ball head broke to pieces within a few months. In all honesty...you really, really do get what you pay for. If all you need is a light tripod that will work for a single trip, and don't mind dropping a couple hundred bucks for what might be a single use, I'd say go for it. Otherwise, your budget is pretty low to get what you need...an "outstanding product". | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 17:20 | comment | added | John Thomas | @jrista: ??? ...the maximal load of Sunpak is 15.4 lb (7.0 kg) and for Sirui is 12.8 lb (5.8 kg). My setup is 5.5 lb (2.5 kg). What do you mean with "Your total getup is at least 5.5 pounds, which is over a third of the weight limit of the latter item"? Also, perhaps I wasn't very clear - the requirements are/were guidance lines - don't take them as dogmatic values. However I think that you have a point about stability, which is, in fact, the main reason for asking this question. | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 17:02 | comment | added | John Thomas | I found this bhphotovideo.com/c/product/740308-REG/… and this bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822241-REG/… ...and I'm thinking that it can exists something better or an alternative for my needs. | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 16:57 | comment | added | jrista | The above products are extremely light and therefor less sturdy. You could drop a 5D III and 70-200 on there, but its going to be a rickety setup. To get something more appropriate to the gear, you might need a GT2531 and GH3781QR. These two are some of the lightest in their class at 3.8lb and 1.6lb (5.4lb total), but they clock in at $624.57 and $389.89 respectively...$1032.46. Similar products can be found from other brands for similar prices. To get what your asking for...you simply need to spend the money...it doesn't come cheap! | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 16:50 | comment | added | jrista | To offer an example, I purchased one of the lightest weight tripod and ball head combos, both Gitzo. The tripod is weaved carbon fiber, and the ball head is sturdy but small and light. The 'pod cost $480, and the head cost $290. Thats $770 for the combo...a GREAT product, however far from the best. Its light weight does cost me in terms of stability, however for hiking its simply essential. The same products today on Amazon: GT0541, GT1780QR...$524.95 + 214.95...still $740. Thats the lightest and cheapest "quality" comes. | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 16:42 | comment | added | jrista | Sometimes you just need to spend the money to get what you need. What your asking for exists, however it is nowhere remotely close to $250 total package out the door. A **good** ball head *starts* around $250, and they top out a little under $1000. A lightweight but sturdy tripod capable of holding a 5D III + 70-200 *stable* is going to cost you closer to $500 than $250, up to $$ thousands. You could certainly try to get something cheaper (still more expensive than $250), but your stability will suffer so much that its not worth it. What your looking for is about $500-$750 at least. | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 14:29 | comment | added | Itai | Sorry to say but there is a reason you did not find this, your requirements are unreasonable particularly trying to include a ball-head in there. Even without the ball-head, it would be quite improbable to meet your specifications at that price. | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 13:34 | history | tweeted | twitter.com/#!/StackPhotos/status/220510910077341696 | ||
| Jul 4, 2012 at 11:56 | comment | added | Dan Wolfgang | Hold a heavy load, lightweight, with a good ballhead, and under $250? You're dreaming. | |
| Jul 4, 2012 at 10:37 | history | asked | John Thomas | CC BY-SA 3.0 |