Good travel tripod

PB_PM

You are just comparing Manfrotto products. Not a far comparison at all.

Manfrotto 055XPROB = 2.4KG (7KG load capacity)
Gitzo GT3531s = 1.4KG (18KG load capacity)

Thus, an aluminum tripod that cannot even hold half as much gear, weighs twice as much.

PaRealtor

Wow! Didn't know tripods could get so expensive! Glad I read all of your post. Looks like my MeFOTO RoadTrip Convertible Tripod, in Metallic Red should work for a Me!!! #:-S

PaRealtor

I forgot, most of you are REAL photographers.

PB_PM

I don't think there is a difference between real phot

Wow! Didn't know tripods could get so expensive! Glad I read all of your post. Looks like my MeFOTO RoadTrip Convertible Tripod, in Metallic Red should work for a Me!!! #:-S

Photography is an expensive hobby/career. That said there are some items that seem very expensive at first, but more than pay for themselves in the long run. When purchasing gear (camera bodies aside) don't just think of a 1-2 year period, think of the usage over a 5 or 10+ year period. When you look at it long term, buying a high end product today is actually cheaper.

TaoTeJared

You are just comparing Manfrotto products. Not a far comparison at all.

Manfrotto 055XPROB = 2.4KG (7KG load capacity)
Gitzo GT3531s = 1.4KG (18KG load capacity)

Thus, an aluminum tripod that cannot even hold half as much gear, weighs twice as much.

I'm sorry but unless you are shooting a 4x5 field camera, that is quite overkill. Still Gitzo's own series is still not twice as much. Those are huge tripods. And I was trying to illustrate with a product people can afford and see in most camera stores.

Alum: Gitzo Series 3 3-section Aluminium Tripod = load cap 40lbs weight 7lbs
CF: Gitzo GT3531s = load cap 40lbs weight 4.7 lbs

PB_PM

I'd rather have overkill that lasts than cheap junk. :P

Honestly, if you want to carry around Manfrotto tripods and replace them every ten years be my guest. I'll be keeping my Gitzo for the next 30+ years.

Parke1953

I just realized that just about anything I buy now will out last me. LOL

ChasCS

@Parke1953,
But admittedly, we both agree, '53 was a very good year... ;-)

At least if brought me into the light, from the darkness!!

PaRealtor

Photography is an expensive hobby/career. That said there are some items that seem very expensive at first, but more than pay for themselves in the long run. When purchasing gear (camera bodies aside) don't just think of a 1-2 year period, think of the usage over a 5 or 10+ year period. When you look at it long term, buying a high end product today is actually cheaper.

So True! I will keep that in mind. Have to remember quality equipment is also important! A friend of mine is still using her D90 (strictly a hobby) and her photos are gorgeous after all these years!

Photobug

+1 PaRealtor. So many people don't master their cameras. Once you do you can really optimize the results and get a higher number of keepers. Good luck and welcome.

PaRealtor

Thank you!! Looking forward to learning all about my New equipment.

Msmoto

Let's see, photography, sail boats, swimming pools, motorhomes, all can be very expensive hobbies. And, at the same time, I see images all the time taken with a D70s, and $200 lens which can certainly rival what I shoot.

I think the point is, which has been discussed here, is learning the camera is the key. Whether one has a $100 or $1000 tripod will never make as much difference as understanding what the camera is doing and utilizing its capabilities properly.

Oh, 1942 was a very good year. LOL

WestEndBoy

I find myself saying the same thing as Msmoto just said to numerous people on a regular basis that ask my about my gear. It is out of reach for most. They ask why I spent so much and we all know the answers to that question.

I find it gives them comfort and encouragement about their photography hobby.

ChasCS

Pricey, but worth every penny pinched...
A little pride in ownership goes a long way there too.
Funny to me, how many of us, pride ourselves in our photographic collections/possessions, but then go and knock ourselves down, for the, in our own minds, poor quality of the shoot.
Like it's been said, many many times before.
There are thousands of pictures taken every single day, but very few real "keepers", much like fishing...

tiCreativeMedia

boy, this thread is BIG... @proudgeek I have the mefoto now and it's just nowhere near sturdy enough. I don't think the head can even hold that big lens. I used it with my 105 lens last thing and it was even vibrating on that. it does however have the hook, as @kyoshinikon mentions.

Msmoto

IMO one wants a minimum weight capacity of 30 pounds….this requires about $200 investment for the legs…..Add at least $100 for a head. Thus, $300 minimum. Almost anything less will have performance problems at sometime or another…Just my opinion.

What one gets with the $1500 set up is much nicer finish, function, reliability, and of course the name…LOL

heartyfisher

I am sure its nice to have a $1000 tripod with 18Kg carrying capacity but my heaviest kit is 2kg and i don't take that for travel..

WestEndBoy

I like this, weighs a bit more than zero (8.5oz) but will hold 6+lbs

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/470237-REG/Joby_GP3_A1EN_Gorillapod_SLR_Zoom_Flexible_Mini_Tripod.html

I just bought this one to hold my SB-910. When my 8 year old boy opens his J3 for Christmas, he can use it to.

PB_PM

For small cameras, or a DSLR with a light weight prime, gorillapods are great. Defiantly worth looking at. Like at @jshickele I tend to use it for mounting flashes.

mikep

@mikeP: If you feel that their is a specific model and manufacture for the end user to consider by all means provide us with the link and tell us why you have chosen that model

to be honest, i think that digitalrev video is very disingenuous, and it compares a gitzo to some cheap rubbish tripods that can be had in hongkong for maybe $10 each.

a gitzo compared to a $100 aluminium tripod will be very similar in performance.

the manfrotto i have, a 055XDB, it weighs 2kg, goes higher than my 1.8kg gitzo, i have had it 5 years and its great in every way. i just set it up, lay on the floor underneath it, grabbed the centre column and lifted myself off the floor for 5 seconds and it took my body weight no problem. ie, it didnt collpase with my 80kg (180lb) body hanging from underneath it. ie, i just put the weight of sixty seven nikon d4s and it handled it without failing.

i just have an issue with recommending newcommers, or anyone else looking for tripod advice to buy $1000 tripods when there are so many great options out there for $100. as far as i can see the only reason to buy a carbon tripod is so your hands dont get cold when you touch it in the winter .... and to me, that is not worth $900

as a side, expensive tripods also do not hold much in the way of resale value, buy for $1000 today, get $500 tomorrow on ebay if you are lucky

carbon tripods are great, but they are not needed, and certainly not for beginners, or anyone else, unless the person doesnt care about the money.

and lastly, you would be wrong to assume, as someone up there did, that professionals use expensive equipment all the time. totally wrong. in my experience hobbyists and gear-heads are the ones more likely to buy expensive gear, while people who are in the business of photography are likely to try to keep their costs to a minimum and use cheaper (yet perfectly viable) options. the hobbyist watches a youtube vid and assumes that they need a d4 and a gitzo to take a picture of a tree, the professional knows they can get the job done with a far cheaper setup.

Jordanpaul

Manfrotto tripod is the best tripod,I am having the same since 2 years.
Still new as i bought today..

framer

Manfrotto tripod is the best tripod,I am having the same since 2 years.
Still new as i bought today..

LOL

Photobug

My Gitzo 3 series carbon fiber tripod with 4 extensions fits into my larger luggage. It sure beats the aluminum ones I had before it. Have had it about six years and my only complaint...why the heck didn't I buy it 10-15 years ago.

sevencrossing

like the OP I am looking at the Manfrotto Befree Travel Tripod MKBFRA4-BH

For sale on Amazon UK @ £113

I already have a rugged Manfrotto 055PROB with several heads brackets and Quick Release Plates

I don't use tripods very often so I don't want the cost of switching to RRS or Gitzo

I want this one to live in the camper van, where space is at a premium

has anyone got first hand experience of the model

spraynpray

People saying they use a normal tripod for travel isn't really helping the thread. A 'travel tripod' will always be smaller and lighter than a normal tripod and as such will be a compromise on rigidity and capacity (otherwise everybody would buy one and use it as their normal tripod). When a low budget is stipulated, more of a compromise must take place.

I do take my normal tripod with me when I travel as it is light enough to carry easily and small enough to fit in a full size suitcase in the hold. My tripod is the minimum I need and I will not buy anything of lower specification so therefore I don't have a travel tripod. If, however, your travel kit includes a small light camera, then sure, tripods like the Befree will work ok, but I take my DSLRs on holiday with me so those model types are no good for me.

@sevencrossing: I don't have first-hand experience of that model, but am deeply suspicious of Manfrotto tripods below my 055CXPRO3 as even the 190 range (very popular) is 'twangy' by comparison.