Tripod ?

[CuriousMike]

This question almost feels like asking about motor oil in a car enthusiasts site.

I currently have the best $45 tripod you could buy from Amazon a few years ago. ( http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-AX620B1...sin=B001D60LG8 )

I use it rarely, so $45 seemed about right.

Except
1. When fully extended, on stable ground, using the 2 second self-timer isn't enough time for the tripod to stop shaking. If I don't use the last of the extended legs, firms up... but still moves in wind.
2. When moving to portrait orientation, the plate that screws onto the camera ... I can't screw it in tight enough. It will rotate after touching the shutter release button a few times.
3. In using it, I've noticed the ballhead comes loose at the most inopportune times.
4. It's not easy to slide the plate onto the head. It's just not "click" easy.

OK, so, for a device I use infrequently, I've decided i need something upgraded.

My criteria for my next tripod is the following.
1. <= $200. Already, many of you are rolling your eyes. "That CuriousMike is a flippin' idiot. You can't get a decent tripod for < $400."
2. Ideally, small enough and light enough to take on a hike. My current tripod meets those the small enough/light enough. I suppose its replacement could be a little bigger or heavier, but not much.

I have a few I found searching.
The Vanguard is the biggest - maybe too big for hiking.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WKOENO/...I2I2WD28XC0FRN

The Manfrotto was in the front running for awhile - but the internet can't decide if it's good enough or not.
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-BeFr...sin=B00COLBNTK

Lastly is the MeFoto, which comes in a smaller size. But I think this one would work for hiking for me.
http://www.amazon.com/Mefoto-A1350Q...s=mefoto&pebp=1421896471836&peasin=B00BETIVWK
Any suggestions on your end ( other than spend $400+ ) ?

Oh - bonus question - I use a black rapid sling the screws into my tripod hole. Is there a way to have a tripod plate that has an insert in it so I can screw the sling into it... i.e., keep the tripod plate on the camera at all times, along with my sling attached?

 

[Spoooon]

Lol. I'm using the amazon basics one with a ball head. Good enough for me right now.

 

[fralexandr]

black rapid fastenR for manfrotto RC2 quick release tripod mount
http://www.blackrapid.com/products/fastenr-t1

blackrapid also has an acratech swift clamp for arca-swiss quick release mounts
http://www.blackrapid.com/products/acratech

the sirui T-025x/T-025 is probably one of the best travel/hiking tripods for ~ $230
http://www.amazon.com/Sirui-T-025X-C...ds=sirui+t025x
it's hard to find a tripod that light/compact with a decent weight capacity.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/sirui-t-025x-travel-tripod-review/introduction.html

-------------
That said, I only have a cheapo sunpak 8001 UT tripod that I rarely use

the dolica you have has a weight hook which can be used for stabilization. just hook a camera bag or something that is within the total weight limit of the tripod legs to it

 

[Syborg1211]

As fralexandr recommended, the fastenR is your best option for using your sling still.

Keep an eye on all the measurements. Closed height is what I always prioritize to make sure the tripod is small enough to pack up and move around with. Max height is super important for me since I'm 6'5". I like the Mefotos (which are a subsidiary of Manfrotto I believe), but the max height wasn't good enough. I used a Manfrotto 055 for a while, but that was too big and bulky to really hike around with. The 3-legged thing Brian ended up being the ultimate for me. Short closed height with awesome max height, but it's a bit pricey.

The detachable third leg that turns into a monopod has become a requirement for me. It's pretty awesome for traveling, and also you can throw your flash onto it and use it as a flash extender.

 

[tdawg]

I've played around with the Manfrotto BeFree carbon fiber version and it seems like a great travel tripod. The aluminum version at $199 is about 1/2 lb heavier than the CF one, so probably not too noticeable. You'd then be able to add the black rapid fastenR and you'd be set since that uses the RC2 quick release plate.

I favor the arca-swiss style plates and tripod heads, and the camera plates from Kirk Photo or Really Right Stuff are excellent as they don't allow the camera to rotate on the plate itself. But going with arca-swiss, your options with keeping your black rapid sling attached becomes more expensive (especially with the black rapid clamp at $149!).

The Sirui looks nice at $235 and would move you toward the universal arca-swiss mount. I'm nervous buying tripods without getting hands-on with them first, as some of these function poorly when actually trying to extend and retract leg sections, and I basically expect the legs to deploy smoothly and effortlessly in a tripod I'm paying over $200 for the legs.

You know what they say about tripods...buy once, cry once!

 

[Berliner]

Inexpensive. Light. Sturdy.

Pick 2.

Sorry.

 

[CuriousMike]

Inexpensive. Light. Sturdy.

Pick 2.

Sorry.

LOL, this axiom is true no matter the hobby.

 

[Imp]

I have that Dolica 620 too... It's okay, very compact, but it has had issues. Worst part is the foam still stinks after a year or two.

I upgraded to this guy:
http://www.amazon.com/Vanguard-Alta-...dp/B001HBIYWM/

Like it a lot more. Bigger than the Dolica and heavier, but it feels sturdier and the mechanisms seem smoother. Paid about $200. It's used exclusively now unless I need a second tripod. I've never used it outdoors though, so never had to worry about wind or people tipping it over.

 

[blastingcap]

the sirui T-025x/T-025 is probably one of the best travel/hiking tripods for ~ $230
http://www.amazon.com/Sirui-T-025X-C...ds=sirui+t025x
it's hard to find a tripod that light/compact with a decent weight capacity.

I concur. You want to have a quality travel tripod because you can use it for both travel and non-travel.

 

[CuriousMike]

I went and handled the Manfrotto BeFree (BestBuy) and the Vanguard (Fry's) and... I'm underwhelmed.

At $200 each, I don't know what I expected.

The Manfrotto, while looking nice, when fully extended was flimsy.

The Vanguard, while looking cheap, when fully extended was solid. The ballhead-thing seemed nice. But it had a ... cheap ... look to it. It felt ok. I really wanted to like it. I figured it was the one I was walking out with. It was biggish for hiking and heavyish. But maybe manageable.

Do I lower my expectations?

I wish I could handle the Sirui.

 

[blastingcap]

I went and handled the Manfrotto BeFree (BestBuy) and the Vanguard (Fry's) and... I'm underwhelmed.

At $200 each, I don't know what I expected.

The Manfrotto, while looking nice, when fully extended was flimsy.

The Vanguard, while looking cheap, when fully extended was solid. The ballhead-thing seemed nice. But it had a ... cheap ... look to it. It felt ok. I really wanted to like it. I figured it was the one I was walking out with. It was biggish for hiking and heavyish. But maybe manageable.

Do I lower my expectations?

I wish I could handle the Sirui.

I've handled one. The Sirui is good for the price.The center col. is merely removable and not reversible but some tripods don't even have removable centers anyway. Even the ballhead is decent, and it's arca-swiss compatible like any good high end ballhead should be--avoid heads that use their proprietary b.s. because you're then locked into some weirdo system while everyone else is enjoying widely intercompatible arca-swiss plates. That Sirui is one of the few carbon fiber ~$200 travel-style tripods I'd recommend.

 

[CuriousMike]

Well, I went to a store and saw the MeFoto and it ticked all the boxes.... so I went with it.

They had 3 sizes of the MeFoto ( backpacker, road trip and globe trotter ).

At first, I thought the Globe Trotter was it - it was compact and only moderately heavy.
The salesman double-dog-verified what I wanted, and had me try the road-trip; a bit smaller and much lighter. Still super sturdy. So that's the one I went with.


Comes with an "arca swiss" plate ( which I guess is a semi-standard ) and the ballhead was pretty nice.

 

[tdawg]

Here's an arca-swiss plate that allows you to use your plack rapid without interfering with mounting to a tripod. http://www.customslr.com/products/m-plate-pro

 

[CuriousMike]

I bought a different plate when I bought the tripod that allows the BlackRapid screw to go thru.

Normally, there's about 4 threads showing when screwing the plate into the camera.
With this setup, there's about 3 threads showing. I haven't attached it to my camera yet, but I'm hoping it's sufficient. If it's wonky, I'll look into that plate you linked.

/thumbsup

 

[blastingcap]

it was compact and only moderately heavy.

Eh, I guess if you consider 3.6 lbs. moderately heavy and are ok with it... your old one was 2.9 lbs. so you are actually downgrading in terms of weight.

The T025X is 1.7 lbs. including ballhead, which is more what I'd consider backpacking-suitable.

I know it's only like 2 pounds difference but I've been on hikes at high elevation where I've felt every pound and I would have gladly paid a little extra to remove 2 pounds from my pack.

But I'm also a tripod and ballhead snob so take that for what it's worth.

 

[doubledeluxe]

Inexpensive. Light. Sturdy.

Pick 2.

Sorry.

This.

You cannot get all. I have inexpensive and sturdy. On paper an extra 3 lbs might not seem like much but it REALLY is when you need to carry it for more than a few minutes.

 

[CuriousMike]

Eh, I guess if you consider 3.6 lbs. moderately heavy and are ok with it... your old one was 2.9 lbs. so you are actually downgrading in terms of weight.

...

But I'm also a tripod and ballhead snob so take that for what it's worth.

My old tripod was actually 4lbs, not sure where you get 2.9lbs from.
So, the new one is slightly lighter.

I heard everyones recommendation of the TX025 and read many reviews on it.
This is just one of those things that I felt I needed to actually hold and play with, and the Sirui wasn't around me.

I rarely hike more than 2-4 hours, so the extra weight savings of the TX might not be fully appreciated. I mean, I'm already lugging a D610 + 24-120 f/4 lens.

I can also fully appreciate your tripod/ballhead snobbery. While in the store, there were some absolute gorgeous setups. All well above my econosphere.

 

[blastingcap]

My old tripod was actually 4lbs, not sure where you get 2.9lbs from.

http://www.dolica.com/tripods/ax620b100-62-proline-aluminum-alloy-tripod-and-ball-head

"The Dolica AX620B100 is our best-selling tripod with many features of top tier brands at a fraction of the price. The AX620B100 is ideal for indoor and outdoor photography. Thanks to its light weight, at 2.9 pounds...."

2.9 pounds may just be the legs and not legs + ballhead, though. So if it's 4 pounds well, at least you lost a few ounces going to your new one.

And yeah if you aren't planning to do any backpacking or serious hikes maybe it's worth it to pocket the difference.

I'm not a tripod/ballhead brand snob btw, I go based on performance and features. You will not catch me dead with an overpriced Gitzo for instance.

Enjoy your new tripod.