Best lightweight tripod for hiking?

Messiah Khan · 2 May 2010 at 11:36

Currently I have a Gitzo 3540XLS for when I need maximum support, and a Manfrotto 190XProB for my 'lightweight' needs. However I really could do with something lighter. The Manfrotto is still too heavy as I often decide not to bring it due to the weight and collapsed length.

In under 5 weeks I am flying out for a nice long holiday in British Columbia, Canada so I see that as a fine excuse for upgrading my lightweight tripod to something even lighter. At the moment my main contender is the Gitzo GT1541T. If I get one of these I would use it with the RRS BH-55 until I could afford a smaller, light weight head such as the RRS-BH40. Has anyone got a GT1541T? If so, is it as good as it looks and sounds? Any downsides? Also are there any decent contenders that are worth considering?

The heaviest setup that it will be used for is a Nikon D300+Grip+300mm f4, but most of the time the lens used will be a 10-20mm.

Any suggestions?

alexisonfire · 2 May 2010 at 12:35

I love my Manfrotto 718B, it's ultra small when down but still very tall when fully extended. I've used a gripped d80 and 80-200 afs on it with no problems aswell

martinturner · 2 May 2010 at 12:37

Have you looked at any of the Benro travel tripods?

Messiah Khan · 2 May 2010 at 15:39

alexisonfire said:
I love my Manfrotto 718B, it's ultra small when down but still very tall when fully extended. I've used a gripped d80 and 80-200 afs on it with no problems aswell

Thanks for the suggestion, but the Manfrotto 718B is too flimsy. I bought one for my dad, and although it does fold down really small and is light, it isn't strong enough unfortunately.

martinturner said:
Have you looked at any of the Benro travel tripods?

Nope, but will look now.

Messiah Khan · 2 May 2010 at 18:16

Well I have now placed an order for a Gitzo GT1541T.

Should be a bit lighter on my back. On a related note, does anyone know where you can buy a Markins Q3T ballhead from? Ideally in the UK. I can't seem to find it for sale anywhere.

Bluelion · 3 May 2010 at 16:38

What about taking a look at the SLR-zoom version of the Gorillapod? I've only used the smaller SLR version, but it packed away nice and small for easy transportation in the suitcase. You are just left with problem if finding something to rest it on, like a stone wall, if you want a normal height tripod.

Messiah Khan · 4 May 2010 at 13:11

Just ordered a Markins Q3T from Photoproshop. This is going to get expensive. I also want to get a replacement lever clamp from RRS and a L-Bracket for the D300 without grip (So I can leave the grip at home and travel lighter.) but the RRS website seems to be refusing my payment at the moment.

denyerec · 5 May 2010 at 13:31

www.camerabeanbags.co.uk

Instant win.

Amp34 · 5 May 2010 at 14:07

Make sure you post a few photos of the Gitzo, i'm interested to see how big it is in real life, so I can then spend the next few years wishing I had the money... Oh...

Mud · 5 May 2010 at 14:27

Amp34 said:
Make sure you post a few photos of the Gitzo, i'm interested to see how big it is in real life, so I can then spend the next few years wishing I had the money... Oh...

Hell, I can do that for ya (replete with the gripless D300 L-bracket Khan is lusting after ):

(click for bigger)

70-200/2.8 for reference.

Messiah Khan · 5 May 2010 at 17:24

Lol. Yup, that's the setup I'm getting (Have now ordered the RRS L-Bracket and clamp), although I am leaving my 70-200mm at home and taking the 300mm f4 with me on holiday instead.

Managed to walk 21 miles on Sunday with my camera kit I'm taking on holiday (D300, 300mm f4, 30mm f1.4, 10-20mm f4-f5.6, Lowpro Vertex, clothes, food etc), so hopefully that means it is light enough not to annoy the hell out of me even in the heat.

Mud · 5 May 2010 at 17:37

It's the RRS L-bracket that I've got - it very nearly works with the D700 too, I'll probably take a file to it soon so it can work with both.

Amp34 · 5 May 2010 at 17:52

Messiah Khan said:
Lol. Yup, that's the setup I'm getting (Have now ordered the RRS L-Bracket and clamp), although I am leaving my 70-200mm at home and taking the 300mm f4 with me on holiday instead.

Managed to walk 21 miles on Sunday with my camera kit I'm taking on holiday (D300, 300mm f4, 30mm f1.4, 10-20mm f4-f5.6, Lowpro Vertex, clothes, food etc), so hopefully that means it is light enough not to annoy the hell out of me even in the heat.

Should be fine, are you talking about just day trips or longer?

I walk with a similar (ish, at least weight and size wise) setup along with camping stuff and it's fine. The tripod really is the biggest weight so getting that down was a priority for me too.

Messiah Khan · 5 May 2010 at 21:30

Mud said:
It's the RRS L-bracket that I've got - it very nearly works with the D700 too, I'll probably take a file to it soon so it can work with both.

I'm guessing you have the Marking Q3T there? If so, did the clamping plate come glued to the head? I've read that Markins glue their clamping plates on to the head, which is a bit annoying as I am going to replace it with the RRS clamp.

Amp34 said:
Should be fine, are you talking about just day trips or longer?

I walk with a similar (ish, at least weight and size wise) setup along with camping stuff and it's fine. The tripod really is the biggest weight so getting that down was a priority for me too.

It will just be day trips. The weight etc I am fine with, the problem comes when you combine the weight with the heat. In the Okanagan valley it is quite likely to get up to 40 degrees C, which will turn me to a big sweaty mess!

It is quite refreshing getting the weight down though. I used to go out with a fully loaded Pro Trekker weighing well over 20Kg. I'm now down to about 8Kg fully loaded, and I can loose another 2Kg if I trade the Lowepro Vertex in for a GuraGear Kiboko bag. Another 1kg could be lost elsewhere, bringing me down to 5Kg fully loaded for a setup that is versatile and produce top notch results. If I wanted, I would have 15Kg to play with for clothes, tent, super-teles etc before I reach my uncomfortable weight limit.

Mud · 5 May 2010 at 21:43

Messiah Khan said:
I'm guessing you have the Marking Q3T there? If so, did the clamping plate come glued to the head? I've read that Markins glue their clamping plates on to the head, which is a bit annoying as I am going to replace it with the RRS clamp.

Sorry, Kirk BH-3. I did say in your TP thread

Messiah Khan · 5 May 2010 at 22:10

Mud said:
Sorry, Kirk BH-3. I did say in your TP thread

Oh I didn't recognize you there with your other avatar.

Mud · 5 May 2010 at 22:14

I don't tend to notice usernames without avatars, you're more identifiable at a glance than me on here given underboss avatar and sig. I am stealth :|

Amp34 · 5 May 2010 at 22:55

Messiah Khan said:
It will just be day trips. The weight etc I am fine with, the problem comes when you combine the weight with the heat. In the Okanagan valley it is quite likely to get up to 40 degrees C, which will turn me to a big sweaty mess!

It is quite refreshing getting the weight down though. I used to go out with a fully loaded Pro Trekker weighing well over 20Kg. I'm now down to about 8Kg fully loaded, and I can loose another 2Kg if I trade the Lowepro Vertex in for a GuraGear Kiboko bag. Another 1kg could be lost elsewhere, bringing me down to 5Kg fully loaded for a setup that is versatile and produce top notch results. If I wanted, I would have 15Kg to play with for clothes, tent, super-teles etc before I reach my uncomfortable weight limit.

TBH at that sort of temperature any excercise will turn you into a big sweaty mess. I was taking around 8kg on my back when on a fieldtrip in the Pyrenees a couple of summers ago, temps were around 40 most days and there is no way of stopping it, just take lots of water (and something to use as a towel!).

I try and keep my bag weight under around 12kg, which can be a nightmare with camera stuff and camping gear, i'd never contemplate 20kg!

Messiah Khan · 10 May 2010 at 13:41

The tripod and head (Is the mk2) have arrived, and the L-Plate and RRS B2 LR II clamp are on their way. One problem I have though;

The Markins Q3T came with the clamp glued on. So I have used a Propane torch to heat the clamp and remove it, ready for the RRS B2 LR II to be fitted. but when I removed the clamp, the 3/8"-16 stud remained in the clamp, not in the ball as I had hoped. So now I need to source another 3/8"-16 stud (Can't get the leverage needed to remove the stud without shredding the threads.). Anyone know where I can get one? Are they fairly common (ie, can I get one from say ******s or B&Q?)

The other alternative; Can I not fix the clamp using a 3/8" hex bolt fitted from the top of the new clamp? The RRS B2 LR II looks like it has a chamfered edge on the mounting hole which suggests it fits a hex bolt?

Mud · 10 May 2010 at 15:58

I have no idea about the availability of the stud, I had no problems with my Kirk...but if you go down the DIY route assumedly it's 3/8" Whitworth thread.