Recommended lightweight CF travel tripod

Mr_Sukebe

Mr_Sukebe

Mr_Sukebe

Man of Honour
Man of Honour
Joined
23 Dec 2002
Posts
10,178
Location
London
I'm going to be spending a number of months in the UAE.
Having spent the last 3 weeks there, I've quickly found that daytime photography looks like a no no, the optimum time is clearly dawn and dusk and that there's some interesting "night" photography opportunities.

For the night photography, I'd like to use a lightweight travel tripod.
Already have Red Snapper aluminium with an Arca Swiss, but frankly it's just too heavy to want to drap around.

Any good suggestions of both legs and head?
I assume the usual suspects from Manfrotto and Slik, but I'd appreciate any good personal experiences of kit.
 
Update. Been doing some reading, and a well recommended option appears to be the Gitzo 1542T (if you have the cash). Any sensible alternatives?
 
How high do you need it to go?

I use a Redged for travel, it's about 1kg, folds up to 30cm and is around 1m fully extended.
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
Any thoughts on a comparison vs the Gitzo? Clearly the Red is half the price.
Click to expand...

I have both a Gitzo and Redged, although the Reged is very well made, it's no Gitzo. It suits a purpose though in that I can chuck it in a 30l day pack with a small camera bag and still have space left for food/waterproofs, where as I have to strap the Gitzo onto the bag and always feels quite big and clunky (I've been spoiled by the Redged dam you Ray for putting me onto them :p ).

If I was heading out to shoot some astro widefield with a wide angle then I'd take the redged as it does the job, is small, light and leaves plenty of space for other stuff.

However if I was heading out do do some tracked exposures greater then 25s I'd take the Gitzo as it's more sturdy once I've loaded the tripod up with an ra tracker.

What you need to weigh up is what will you mainly be using it for and what's most important, general versatility of size/weight, in short if space and weight are the biggest limiting factors then go for the Redged, if they aren't then I'd seriously consider the Gitzo.
 
I bought the Manfrotto 190CX for this job. Almost the same weight (with centre column removed - can't with the CXPro) as the Gitzo and I find it very sturdy. It's easily sturdy enough to shoot with a 120-300 f/2.8 so fine for landscapes. It's also significantly cheaper than the Gitzo! Worth a look at least. :)
 
Thanks for the recommendations guys, much appreciated.
Going back for a couple of weeks shortly and will be trying just hand held. If that proves to be the disaster that could be, then I'll see what's in the Jan sales.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom