- Sep 22, 2007
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I'm looking for a recommendation for a good travel tripod (or monopod with adequate supporting legs, such as this). I'd like to purchase in the next few weeks, since the "trial run" will be during a brief vacation in New Orleans in mid-April. Here are my desired requirements:
1. Folds up as small as possible, ideally under 24".
2. Must be lightweight, preferably under 5 lbs (the lighter, the better).
3. Quick setup and teardown.
4. Must be able to hold my EOS 70D with a lens (let's say up to a typical 300 mm lens). I can purchase a lens collar if you guys recommend one for the larger lenses.
5. Must extend to at least 4' high. The little "mini" tripods in the mold of the Joby Gorillapods won't work for me.
6. Budget: I'd prefer to stay under $150, but I'd go to $200/$250 if there is a model that is head and shoulders above the rest and maybe includes additional heads.
7. I'd prefer to purchase from Amazon since I'm a Prime member (easy returns if I don't like it) and I have a ton of Amazon Reward points to spend.
8. In terms of monopods, I want the support legs. I'm not sure I want just a standard monopod.
To give some background, I like to take photographs in environments where lighting may not be ideal (cathedrals, museums, etc). In the past, I've done an OK job bracing against pillars, chairs, etc. so I can get longer exposure time but I'd like to have more stability in the future. I do have an older, cheap tripod that works OK for my needs, but it is large, heavy, and a bit unwieldy and I can't see myself toting that around the cathedrals of Europe or into the Louvre.
That's why I've been leaning towards a monopod with support legs, as I tend to think setup and teardown would be very fast and I wouldn't disrupt anyone in these places by using one.
Thoughts? Here are some I've considered and if you guys have personal experience with any (or ones that aren't on this list), I'd appreciate hearing about it and also, if your recommendation requires additional heads, please recommend those too!
Benro MeFoto -- yes, it is a tripod, but very tiny and light: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846
Benro A38FBS2 with support legs:
http://www.amazon.com/Benro-A38FBS2-...ywords=monopod
Manfrotto 682B:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-682B...ywords=monopod
1. Folds up as small as possible, ideally under 24".
2. Must be lightweight, preferably under 5 lbs (the lighter, the better).
3. Quick setup and teardown.
4. Must be able to hold my EOS 70D with a lens (let's say up to a typical 300 mm lens). I can purchase a lens collar if you guys recommend one for the larger lenses.
5. Must extend to at least 4' high. The little "mini" tripods in the mold of the Joby Gorillapods won't work for me.
6. Budget: I'd prefer to stay under $150, but I'd go to $200/$250 if there is a model that is head and shoulders above the rest and maybe includes additional heads.
7. I'd prefer to purchase from Amazon since I'm a Prime member (easy returns if I don't like it) and I have a ton of Amazon Reward points to spend.
8. In terms of monopods, I want the support legs. I'm not sure I want just a standard monopod.
To give some background, I like to take photographs in environments where lighting may not be ideal (cathedrals, museums, etc). In the past, I've done an OK job bracing against pillars, chairs, etc. so I can get longer exposure time but I'd like to have more stability in the future. I do have an older, cheap tripod that works OK for my needs, but it is large, heavy, and a bit unwieldy and I can't see myself toting that around the cathedrals of Europe or into the Louvre.
That's why I've been leaning towards a monopod with support legs, as I tend to think setup and teardown would be very fast and I wouldn't disrupt anyone in these places by using one.Thoughts? Here are some I've considered and if you guys have personal experience with any (or ones that aren't on this list), I'd appreciate hearing about it and also, if your recommendation requires additional heads, please recommend those too!
Benro MeFoto -- yes, it is a tripod, but very tiny and light: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846
Benro A38FBS2 with support legs:
http://www.amazon.com/Benro-A38FBS2-...ywords=monopod
Manfrotto 682B:
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-682B...ywords=monopod
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