What's the best digital slr tripod made for travelling, backpacking (which is still very sturdy!)?

What's the best digital slr tripod made for travelling, backpacking (which is still very sturdy! )? Other contstraints: Photography.

Similar questions: digital slr tripod made travelling backpacking sturdy.

Depends on your camera; I love the Gitzo/Manfrotto combination; carbon legs have best strength-weight ratio but pricey! Did you really mean "Didn’t you mean feet? I will go with that assumption.

It depends on what camera you have -- how heavy it is. There’s a big difference in weight between a Canon Digital Rebel XT / EOS 350D (4 lbs. ) and a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II (9 lbs.

), for example, even though both are digital SLRs. Make sure you get a tripod that’s strong enough to carry the weight of your camera, but not overkill. The way to go is to buy your tripod legs and head separately.

Then you can pick and choose exactly what you want for the use you’re going to make of it. Carbon legs are very light and also sturdy. Expensive, yes.

But worth it! I take my Gitzo G1155T carbon tripod legs + Manfrotto #222 joystick ball head everywhere I go with my camera, including hiking. The collapsed length (legs + head): 14.2" + 8.3" = 22.5"; weight 2.2 lb + 1.7 lb = 3.9 lb.

Combined price is out of your range, though, unfortunately. I don’t see that exact Gitzo tripod for sale on amazon.com, but I’ve attached links to a couple of similar ones. The Gitzo G1155T is available elsewhere for less, e.g. , http://www.acephotodigital.com/sc/review-product-information.asp?id=964599073&rf=froogle&dfdate=01_15_2007.I don’t see a used market for these babies because photographers love them and hold onto them.

You might be able to find a smaller, less expensive, travel set of legs. But I’d still recommend going with carbon for the strength-to-weight ratio. You might want to consider a monopod, for hiking, etc. Very light, but not as stable as a tripod, of course.

You have to get some of the stability by leaning up against a tree or something. I recommend Gitzo again (see below). The joystick ball head has transformed my photography.

I wouldn’t go back to anything else now.It lets you adjust the camera to any position within a 180-degree hemisphere, with a simple squeeze of the trigger and a fraction-of-a-second repositioning. The Manfrotto #222 comes with a quick release plate, which is very handy. (Manfrotto #222 is now sold as Bogen 3265.) Hope that helps.

Polymath's Recommendations Gitzo Series 1 Sport, 6X Carbon Fiber 3-Section Tripod Legs with Sliding Column, Maximum Load 9.9 lbs. & Maximum Height 58.3". Amazon List Price: $613.00 Gitzo Series 0 Weekend, 6X Carbon Fiber 3-Section Tripod Legs with Sliding Column, Maximum Load 6.6 lbs.

& Maximum Height 45.7". Amazon List Price: $475.00 polymath's Recommendations Gitzo GM2560T Traveler 6X 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod (Height 14 - 56", Supports 9.9 lbs) Price doesn't show on this one, but if you follow the link, it's currently selling at amazon.com for $209.90. Polymath's Recommendations BOGEN 3265 GRIP ACTION BALL HEAD WITH QUICK RELEASE PLATE Amazon List Price: $116.50 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) Also known as Manfrotto #222.

Weighs 1.7 lb. Have to factor that in to the weight the legs can support. Polymath's Recommendations Gitzo Table Tripod Legs with Rapid Sliding Column 8.75'-18" - Supports 5.5 lbs.

Amazon List Price: $157.00 Gitzo Vertical Ball Head for Series 00 Tripods (Supports 2.2 lbs) Amazon List Price: $50.00 Another less expensive, and lightweight possibility. Gitzo table tripod legs combined with vertical ball head. Inferior option, though.

Consider the weight of the camera. This ball head probably won't support a digital SLR. And if you go with a sturdier head such as the Bogen 3265, you've got to subtract its weight (1.7 lbs.

) to find the remaining weight the legs can carry (3.8). Cutting it close with even something as light as the Digital Rebel XT..

Get a carbon fiber with three elements per leg. Go to the store and find one that is high enough for you. You want a carbon fiber one, because they are light but robust.No more than three elements on the legs, otherwise the thing becomes too wobbly.

Get a sturdy metal ball head too. If you can find them in the US get a Velbon, they are cheaper than the Gitzo's & co (at least here in China). For 300 USD you get a great tripod plus ball head.

I have been using mine for over two years and love it, although it could be higher (I am six foot five). The only drawback is that any tripod that is sturdy enough to support a camera and lens and reaches eye level is going to be big. Here is how you choose between the good and the bad: Take your heaviest and longest lens, stick them on your camera and mount everything on the tripod.

Look through the viewfinder and tap lightly against one of the legs. On a good tripod, you will see only small vibrations that stop soon. On a bad one, the whole image shivers and shakes for a long time.

Since the mirror slap of a DLSR is quite substantial, your tripod will have to absorb these vibrations whenever you release the shutter. Sorry - but there is only one thing: suffer when you walk....

Two inches is tough, I think Wow you’re gonna be hard-pressed to find any tripod that collapses to 2 inches and is still sturdy enough to support the weight of a dslr and lens combo (which can range from 2lbs to over 15lbs). I’ve spent about 50 hours researching tripods over the past few weeks and I don’t know of any! Tripod shopping can be frustrating with all the options out there, but the simple truth is that if you’re serious about your photography you will need to spend some money on your tripod.

And to paraphrase the words of noted photographer Thom Hogan, you can save at least US$700: just buy the right stuff the first time. I settled on a set of Bogen 3021 legs (about $150) and a Really Right Stuff BH-25 ballhead ($100 for the basic one). The Bogen legs weigh 5lbs though, so that’s right at the upper limit of your requirements.

There is one kit that I wouldn’t consider myself because it’s only got a maximum load of 7lbs and I’ve read some less-than-sterling reviews of Bogen ballheads but you can take a look yourself - it’s on Amazon: Sources: http://www.bythom.com/support.htm phototakeouter's Recommendations Bogen-Manfrotto 725B Digi Tripod with Integrated Ball Head with Dove Tail Plate and Carrying Bag (Black) Amazon List Price: $110.00 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) Bogen-Manfrotto 3021BPRO Professional Tripod without Head (Black) Amazon List Price: $223.00 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 21 reviews) (The second item is the set of legs that I chose myself. ) .

Carbon Fiber Tripods These tripods are very strong and very light. Gitzo and Dr. Slik make some of the best ones. They have hooks so you can hang your camera bag underneath to keep them steadier in a wind.

They are also quite expensive.

I know you said eye-level But I really want to suggest the Gorillapod to you. IT is very sturdy, very light etc. There is a lighter version (click gorillapod) in the menu there, but I am linking you to the more heavy-duty model as I am not sure how heavy your SLR is.IT isn't eye-level in that respect, but it can be attached to stuff at eye level or even much higher, and the flexibility offered by it is unmatched. Gorillapod SLR SpecificationsCapacity: SLR-type cameras & camcordersMax Weight: 800g (1.75 lbs)Size: 250 x 50 x 50mm (9.8 x 2 x 2")Weight: 165g (5.8 oz) Sources: joby.com/gp2.html .

Look at all those accessaries for a digital SLR camera! What are the absolute essentials for a beginner in photography? " "what would be the best travel tripod, sturdy but light and compact" "what is the best digital camera for wildlife photography?

Does SLR make a difference in this case? (budget.

Look at all those accessaries for a digital SLR camera! What are the absolute essentials for a beginner in photography?

What would be the best travel tripod, sturdy but light and compact.

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