Tripod recommendations

Barks · 29 Jul 2021 at 05:01

Looking for a lightweight tripod to take hiking/mount on the back of my Shimoda X30 (height 50cm).

Had a look out there and there are so many I don't know where to begin. Saw a K&F carbon fibre one 68cm but a lot of reviews claiming they got cheap/tat versions.

Just wondered if anyone on here had gone for a specific brand and been really happy with their choice? I don't really want to cut corners so happy to splash out on something more durable that will last 5-10 years.

Raymond Lin · 29 Jul 2021 at 09:08

Off my head

Manfrotto
Benro
3 Legged Things
Gitzo

And · 29 Jul 2021 at 09:15

Gitzo. I have a 3-series systematic and a 5-series systematic, used heavily over the last 8 years or so, still going strong.

Raymond Lin · 29 Jul 2021 at 09:24

Just to prepare yourself and your bank balance...Gitzo commands big bucks.

DanF · 29 Jul 2021 at 10:42

Picked up a 3 Legged Thing PUNKS Brian carbon a few weeks ago. It's pretty nice build quality and light with the centre pole removed.
It probably depends on the weight of kit you want to put on it and lens lengths.

dave28 · 29 Jul 2021 at 10:47

i buy the manfrotto brand but my one is alloy.

they do light ones though, look for carbon fiber models but they cost more however

ethan · 30 Jul 2021 at 00:13

Barks said:
Looking for a lightweight tripod to take hiking/mount on the back of my Shimoda X30 (height 50cm).

Had a look out there and there are so many I don't know where to begin. Saw a K&F carbon fibre one 68cm but a lot of reviews claiming they got cheap/tat versions.

Just wondered if anyone on here had gone for a specific brand and been really happy with their choice? I don't really want to cut corners so happy to splash out on something more durable that will last 5-10 years.

I just sold the 3 legged Thing Jay . Carbon fiber, 7.72 to 47.56 inches. Provide your own head. Extremely robust and lightweight. I went for its larger Brother "Mike". This is the Jay version. Apparrently you get a free set of feet which I paid extra for :

FREE PROVANZ SPIKED FEET WORTH £45!

Free ProVanz spiked feet worth £45 with selected Three Legged Things Legends Tripods.

The free item will be added to your basket automatically, if stock is available. If the item is out of stock online, then it cannot be included automatically. In this case, Please CONTACT US with your order number so we can make sure to send you any missing item as soon as stock arrives.

OFFER EXPIRES: 02-08-2021

: https://www.wilkinson.co.uk/3-legge...aaMBK1nN-8t673BY-0vtTU6IsgZFZ4tRoCz_AQAvD_BwE

Merlin5 · 30 Jul 2021 at 00:38

I have this Manfrotto Befree GT.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07M6HMZTB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's excellent. Lightweight carbon fibre, very solid and more affordable than Gitzo. Comes with a nice red and black shoulder bag.

And I bought this as well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079CW7T7S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And if you want to do panoramas, I bought this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07NB83PS2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Barks · 30 Jul 2021 at 04:49

Wow when I said I didn't mind splashing out I wasn't prepared for you guys

Thanks for all the suggestions, having a look through now.

Barks · 30 Jul 2021 at 05:01

This is looking like the one for me

https://www.manfrotto.com/uk-en/bef...re-travel-tripod-twist-ball-head-mkbfrtc4-bh/

Merlin5 said:
I have this Manfrotto Befree GT.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07M6HMZTB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's excellent. Lightweight carbon fibre, very solid and more affordable than Gitzo. Comes with a nice red and black shoulder bag.

And I bought this as well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079CW7T7S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And if you want to do panoramas, I bought this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07NB83PS2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Or assuming this is a superior product and worth splashing out slightly more on? Also sorry for noob question but why do you need the second plate, doesn't the item come with a ball head?

Snapshot · 30 Jul 2021 at 09:02

The plate goes on the camera so it can be easily attached to/detached from the tripod. Having two plates makes it easy to switch between cameras.

Merlin5 · 30 Jul 2021 at 11:40

Barks said:
This is looking like the one for me

https://www.manfrotto.com/uk-en/bef...re-travel-tripod-twist-ball-head-mkbfrtc4-bh/

Or assuming this is a superior product and worth splashing out slightly more on? Also sorry for noob question but why do you need the second plate, doesn't the item come with a ball head?

Well the orange top plate that came with my Befree GT has a lip on the front of it and is only designed for a Sony camera to sit on it, so I bought the second plate for my Canon camera and now I keep that plate on for both cameras. They do a Befree GT tripod with the standard black plate so I should have just bought that one in the first place.

In terms of differences between my Befree GT and the Befree Advanced you chose, it appears to be height, weight and payload. The advantage of the one you chose seems to be that it's slightly lighter and closes a couple of cm shorter. The advantage of mine is that it extends 12cm higher and can take 3kg more payload. The extra payload also perhaps suggests it's a slightly stronger and ultimately more durable tripod. But in reality both tripods are probably as durable as each other.

I like and often need the extra height on mine so for that alone I'm really happy with it. But frankly, don't think I'll ever need anywhere near the 12kg payload.

So unless you need the extra height, it looks like you'd be better with the one you chose as 9kg payload should be enough, plus it's lighter and smaller. And it'll no doubt be very durable.

Befree GT Carbon
Weight 1.55kg
Payload 12kg
Max height 162cm
Closed 43cm

Befree Advanced Carbon
Weight 1.25kg
Payload 9kg
Max height 150cm
Closed 41cm

Barks · 30 Jul 2021 at 17:06

Merlin5 said:
Well the orange top plate that came with my Befree GT has a lip on the front of it and is only designed for a Sony camera to sit on it, so I bought the second plate for my Canon camera and now I keep that plate on for both cameras. They do a Befree GT tripod with the standard black plate so I should have just bought that one in the first place.

In terms of differences between my Befree GT and the Befree Advanced you chose, it appears to be height, weight and payload. The advantage of the one you chose seems to be that it's slightly lighter and closes a couple of cm shorter. The advantage of mine is that it extends 12cm higher and can take 3kg more payload. The extra payload also perhaps suggests it's a slightly stronger and ultimately more durable tripod. But in reality both tripods are probably as durable as each other.

I like and often need the extra height on mine so for that alone I'm really happy with it. But frankly, don't think I'll ever need anywhere near the 12kg payload.

So unless you need the extra height, it looks like you'd be better with the one you chose as 9kg payload should be enough, plus it's lighter and smaller. And it'll no doubt be very durable.

Befree GT Carbon
Weight 1.55kg
Payload 12kg
Max height 162cm
Closed 43cm

Befree Advanced Carbon
Weight 1.25kg
Payload 9kg
Max height 150cm
Closed 41cm

Thanks for this, I think you’re probably right and I guess a bit of weight saving won’t hurt. Something occurred to me, if I’m planning on strapping this on the back of a rucksack during hiking through varying conditions, should I be looking at a tripod designed for severe weather conditions or is it not really a consideration? I can’t really find much info on this.

Raymond Lin · 30 Jul 2021 at 19:03

Barks said:
Thanks for this, I think you’re probably right and I guess a bit of weight saving won’t hurt. Something occurred to me, if I’m planning on strapping this on the back of a rucksack during hiking through varying conditions, should I be looking at a tripod designed for severe weather conditions or is it not really a consideration? I can’t really find much info on this.

You would want one that has a hook in the centre column which allows you to hook your backpack onto which makes it more stable.

And · 30 Jul 2021 at 19:28

Luckily for me what a 5-series 4-section Systematic costs now I bought a 5-4 and a 3-3 (with money to spare) all those years ago

Raymond Lin said:
Just to prepare yourself and your bank balance...Gitzo commands big bucks.

Raymond Lin · 30 Jul 2021 at 19:33

And said:
Luckily for me what a 5-series 4-section Systematic costs now I bought a 5-4 and a 3-3 (with money to spare) all those years ago

I am not familiar with names…

I have this one. Traveller something something.

And · 1 Aug 2021 at 12:32

Systematic are without the centre column so just legs and a flat base.

Raymond Lin said:
I am not familiar with names…

I have this one. Traveller something something.

Terminal_Boy · 1 Aug 2021 at 12:36

If the OP has a light camera/lens combo (M43 for example), the Velbon UT-43 D II is super compact and light.

Angst · 2 Aug 2021 at 09:45

If you can get a second hand Gitzo then I would always recommend that, they are almost indestructible.

Tysonator · 3 Sep 2021 at 19:07

Befree GT is a good choice