Travel tripod help!!

[wickidwombat]

Another vote for benro
I have this one
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Benro-C-2691TB1-Carbon-Fiber-Travel-Angel-Tripod-B-1-/330538387722?pt=AU_TripodsMonopods&hash=item4cf59f890a
or you could go with the cheaper aluminium one which isnt much heavier
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Benro-A2691T-Travel-Angel-Tripod-Kit-B1-Ballhead-/200728042096?pt=AU_TripodsMonopods&hash=item2ebc52da70

[Jamesy]

I forgot to mention that the Benro's come with a really nice lightly padded bag with shoulder strap.

[Jamesy]

Another vote for benro
I have this one
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Benro-C-2691TB1-Carbon-Fiber-Travel-Angel-Tripod-B-1-/330538387722?pt=AU_TripodsMonopods&hash=item4cf59f890a

Is this just a travel tripod for you or do you use it all the time? The reason I ask is I have been considering selling my Gitzo in favour of a 2-series Benro. Nothing longer than a 70-200/2.8 c/w a 5D3. That is what my current Gitzo/Markins/RRS is rated for - so I would want something similar in terms of build.

[wickidwombat]

Another vote for benro
I have this one
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Benro-C-2691TB1-Carbon-Fiber-Travel-Angel-Tripod-B-1-/330538387722?pt=AU_TripodsMonopods&hash=item4cf59f890a

Is this just a travel tripod for you or do you use it all the time? The reason I ask is I have been considering selling my Gitzo in favour of a 2-series Benro. Nothing longer than a 70-200/2.8 c/w a 5D3. That is what my current Gitzo/Markins/RRS is rated for - so I would want something similar in terms of build.

I use it all the time even with a gigapan epic pro 1D camera and 70-200 lens on it even with the benro gimbal and 600mm f4.5 FD lens and 1D. its a great tripod

[scruffysaint]

And yet another vote for Benro. I travel around the world for my photography work, in some very extreme conditions and the Benro Carbon Fibre Flat Traveller has never let me down, it's fantastic. It's light yet very sturdy, I can't recommend it enough.

[vlim]

Take a look at these produits from a dutch company named Redged, i think i Will buy the TSC 428

http://www.redged.com/traveller%20series.htm

[briansquibb]

In most cases, people start to laugh when I recommend my favourite travel-tripod: the Manfrotto 709B.
It is about 250g, as tiny as 3 Pens,  and carries a mkIV with 70-200 on the small included ballhead. So its perfect for backpacking.

Yes, I know: 6cm is not that high. But there is always something you can put the Mini-tripod on. Cars, Walls, ...
If not, it even forces you to choose a more interesting perspective.

the best thing is, if you are in locations where it is not allowed to shoot - churches or museums or platforms or something - it is so small that you can quickly put it next to your shoes, fix your shoe-laces and the picture is made

I would prefer it to nearly every other Tripod I know.

I would suggest a bean bag. It doubles up as a cushion/pillow so no extra weight. The other well used tripod are my knees - sat down, knees up, lens resting between knees

For a full size I have a Manfrotto 055PROB with various heads. May not be the lightest - but it is rock solid and also cheap enough to put in streams/water/sand and not worry about the cost.

[D_Rochat]

I use a Manfrotto 055 xprob with a 498 RC2 for normal use. I find it's a great and very sturdy tripod, but it might  not be something you want to lug around with you each and everyday while traveling. For travel, I use an $80 Manfrotto Compact Series tripod. It's not the most sturdy tripod out there, but it's cheap, very light and packs away small enough to fit in a back pack. You just have to be very careful not to create any shake in the tripod. There is no doubt that there are better travel tripods out there, but if you are looking to save a little money or are on a budget, this is a good option to consider.

[lexonio]

I'd recommend Benro A0961TB00 - here's the one on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRE-SELL-BENRO-A0691TB00-Travel-Angel-Series-Aluminium-Tripod-set-Ball-Head-/230703323654?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item35b6fd5a06

It is much more sturdy than it is described, and I find it very good.

[Jamesy]

I'd recommend Benro A0961TB00 - here's the one on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRE-SELL-BENRO-A0691TB00-Travel-Angel-Series-Aluminium-Tripod-set-Ball-Head-/230703323654?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item35b6fd5a06

It is much more sturdy than it is described, and I find it very good.

How much weight/gear are you putting on the 0-series and B00 ball-head?

[lexonio]

I'd recommend Benro A0961TB00 - here's the one on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRE-SELL-BENRO-A0691TB00-Travel-Angel-Series-Aluminium-Tripod-set-Ball-Head-/230703323654?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item35b6fd5a06

It is much more sturdy than it is described, and I find it very good.

How much weight/gear are you putting on the 0-series and B00 ball-head?

It was able to handle my t2i with my friend's 70-200 2.8 L IS II USM. It supports up to 6kg of weight, and I wonder how is that even achievable, since the 5dmkIII weighs a little less than 1kg, and for example said 70-200 weighs 1.5kg. If you're in for some serious supertele action with extenders and whatnot, you might be better off with more advanced tripods, but for general purposes I find this tripod extremely comfortable, especially factoring in its small size and weight.

[Jamesy]

The 6kg are under ideal conditions and should be taken with a grain of salt. My Gitzo 2-series carbon fiber 2531EX and Markins M10 ball-head are rated to go up to 200mm and that kit is way more sturdy than my Benro C1681 and B0. I checked out the 0-series but thought it would be a tad light for a 5Dx/70-200 combo - I am glad it works for you.

[Physicx]

Thanks everyone who have replied. I am based in the Uk. Searching for the Benro tripods, it looks like that they are not popular here in the uk and there are no local dealers. Many models mentioned on there and on their webistes are not sold here, not even on amazon.co.uk:(

[dichiaras]

I just bought this cheap one with raving reviews,

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/624094-REG/Trek_Tech_00131_T_Pod_Mini_Tripod_w.html

but you if you want something more high quality, there is also the Manfrotto mini-tripod

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680181-REG/Manfrotto__209_Tabletop_Tripod_Legs.html

plus the extension

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554044-REG/Manfrotto_259B_259B_Extension_Column_for.html

It weighs the same (0.35 kg), has the same max height (35 cm), holds half the load (2 kg), and in total costs three times more ($95) than the T-Pod.

[briansquibb]

UK Supplier:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-benro-a-268m8-bh-1m-travel-angel-aluminium-tripod/p1521180