Lightweight Professional Travel Tripod?

Dale Lundy · March 16th, 2006, 09:44 PM

Where did you purchase the Gitzo?

Nick Reed · March 17th, 2006, 01:45 AM

I totally agree with Dennis. I have the Miller 1511 system (DS10 head & SOLO Carbon Fiber legs). If I had it to do over again, I would buy the Gitzo system (1325 & 1380). This is absolutely the sweet spot. If you spend any less, you will wish that you hadn't.

Nick

Floris van Eck · May 21st, 2006, 04:27 PM

Damn... these prices. I am also looking for a tripod in the same category as Dale Lundy but I am looking for something < $500.

Dale Lundy · May 22nd, 2006, 09:58 PM

Floris, I can't contradict what the others have said. I haven't used the systems they are talking about, but I expect they are right if you can justify the cost. However I also had budget constraints. I finally bought the Manfrotto 755B legs and 503 head. I recently took it on a trip to Cambodia and France and was very pleased.

I had to have a system that could be set up and taken down very quickly, was lightweight and versatile, but that fit within my budget.

Things I liked: (1) the leveling ball on the 755B (and all MDEVE systems) let me set up quickly and that was critical. (2) the weight was reasonable given that the budget I had to work with. (3) I packed it in my luggage and it survived unscathed. My wife did make a quilted case for it for padding. (4) When I had to set up the most quickly I could use the extension rather than fully extend all the legs. (5) It was stable even when I used the extension.

Things I didn't like: (1) a few less pounds would have still been nice; they just weren't in the budget. (2) The leveling head hooks on with set screws, and since I had to take it off to pack it in the suitcase, I had to carry a small screwdriver with me. Set screws with thumbscrews should be standard.

You can save a bit of weight with the 701RC2 head and it is less expensive than the 503 I chose. While it has less control, I think it would have done what I needed to do and saved a pound and a half.

In short, I won't say what I chose is the best system on the market--the system recommended by the other posters is likely to be better--but for a combination of doing what I needed to do at a price within my budget it worked well.

Dale

Floris van Eck · May 23rd, 2006, 03:46 PM

I already own this combination:

Manfrotto 055DB
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2274?livid=68|69&idx=71

141RC basic pan + tilt head
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2342?livid=80|81&lsf=81&child=1

I am not sure if I only need a good video head (like the 503), or a new video head and new legs. I heard that there are better legs which can be adjusted with one hand, in contradiction to my 055DB.

This combination was recommended by another forum member:

Bogen / Manfrotto 351MVB2 Aluminum Video Tripod Kit with 75mm Half Bowl and 3460 (503) Pro Head, Mid-Level Spreader, Rubber Shoes & Padded case - Supports 13.5 lb (6.1 kg)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

It looks good to me but the weight (5.6kg) makes me think that this tripod is not really suited for travelling by foot. Maybe I just need a cheap/crappy tripod that will just allow me to get my camera leveled.

Still, I would like to hear the advice of people who travel a lot by plane/foot. Or even better, people who hike through forests etcetera.

William Gawler · June 11th, 2006, 03:25 PM

I'm going to Greece on vacation on the 20th and I need a recommendation for a tripod. We already bought a $500 head that we put on another manfrotto tripod we already had. Thing is, it isn't really sturdy enough because the tripod was made for still cameras. The legs don't stay locked very well and it isn't easy to setup fast. It works, but not great.

I need a tripod that is maneuverable, fast and easy to setup on the fly, and is strong enough for an XL2 with all the accessories we bought. We just need the legs since we already have a good head. I'm hoping there is one for under $300 and can purchase it from B&H.

Toenis Liivamaegi · December 27th, 2006, 07:27 AM

Can someone reccommend a light weight fluid head with 4-6kg max capacity?
So far I´m only familiar with Bogen/Manfrotto 501 and 503 heads that weight about 1.6kg but is there any alternative?

Thanks in advance,
T

Vito DeFilippo · December 27th, 2006, 07:44 AM

Take a look at the Manfrotto 701 RC2. 4 Kilo limit. Weighs 0.8K in contrast to the 1.5K of the Manfrotto 501. But still is a fluid head with sliding plate for balancing, and includes a counterbalance spring.

Toenis Liivamaegi · December 28th, 2006, 01:59 AM

I quess 701RC2 it is then as my El Carmagne travel legs can carry only 6kg in total I assume. How bad will the 701 head perform under max load?

Hopefully I can try it out with my HVX today.

Thanks,
T

Vito DeFilippo · December 28th, 2006, 12:43 PM

One of the other members discusses this head here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...manfrotto+head

I used to use it for my Z1. It was small, but surprisingly good. I upgraded to something much more expensive, but if I had to have something lightweight, I would have kept it for sure.

There are a few reviews on the web if you want to search as well.

Toenis Liivamaegi · January 8th, 2007, 02:15 AM

About a week ago I had to shoot some corporate stuff during one day shoot in office with Canon XHA1. I must say that the 701rc2 head with Velbon El Carmagne legs worked well for run and gun type of office shoot, I must say that the XH series camcorders are the max optimum load for 701 head.
Also the XH A1 held up really good in available light indoors.

T

Peter Rhalter · January 10th, 2007, 02:21 PM

The Gitzo G2180 weighs 570 grams and is rated up to 4 kg. I am using it for 2 kg and it works smoothly even at 20X.

Toenis Liivamaegi · January 10th, 2007, 02:33 PM

Thanks Peter,

Is the QR plate of the G2180 reversible? Cause as you might already know I intend to use a light weight CF legs for occasional shoulder support for the camcorder.

Cheers,
T

Peter Rhalter · January 10th, 2007, 02:37 PM

<Is the QR plate of the G2180 reversible?>

I just tried it and yes it is reversible. Hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Peter

Toenis Liivamaegi · January 10th, 2007, 03:31 PM

I see that this Gitzo G2180 head is quite a exlusive item here on DVinfo so I quess that I`ll review it soon, thanks again Peter for pointing that one out as none of the searches on Gitzo heads haven`t brought up the DV usability of those heads.
I can only imagine how portable would it be with the new set of Gitzo GT2530LVL leveling(!) legs that can carry 12kg but weights only 1.6kg.

Cheers,
T

June 11th, 2006, 03:25 PM	#21
William Gawler Tourist Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Springfield, Virginia Posts: 1	Light But Sturdy Tripod Recommendation I'm going to Greece on vacation on the 20th and I need a recommendation for a tripod. We already bought a $500 head that we put on another manfrotto tripod we already had. Thing is, it isn't really sturdy enough because the tripod was made for still cameras. The legs don't stay locked very well and it isn't easy to setup fast. It works, but not great. I need a tripod that is maneuverable, fast and easy to setup on the fly, and is strong enough for an XL2 with all the accessories we bought. We just need the legs since we already have a good head. I'm hoping there is one for under $300 and can purchase it from B&H.

December 27th, 2006, 07:27 AM	#22
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	Lightest fluid head for travelling? Can someone reccommend a light weight fluid head with 4-6kg max capacity? So far I´m only familiar with Bogen/Manfrotto 501 and 503 heads that weight about 1.6kg but is there any alternative? Thanks in advance, T

December 27th, 2006, 07:44 AM	#23
Vito DeFilippo Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 1,585	Take a look at the Manfrotto 701 RC2. 4 Kilo limit. Weighs 0.8K in contrast to the 1.5K of the Manfrotto 501. But still is a fluid head with sliding plate for balancing, and includes a counterbalance spring. __________________ . http://www.nosmallroles.com

December 28th, 2006, 01:59 AM	#24
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	701RC2 it is then I quess 701RC2 it is then as my El Carmagne travel legs can carry only 6kg in total I assume. How bad will the 701 head perform under max load? Hopefully I can try it out with my HVX today. Thanks, T

December 28th, 2006, 12:43 PM	#25
Vito DeFilippo Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 1,585	One of the other members discusses this head here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...manfrotto+head I used to use it for my Z1. It was small, but surprisingly good. I upgraded to something much more expensive, but if I had to have something lightweight, I would have kept it for sure. There are a few reviews on the web if you want to search as well. __________________ . http://www.nosmallroles.com

March 16th, 2006, 09:44 PM	#16
Dale Lundy Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 31	Where did you purchase the Gitzo?

March 17th, 2006, 01:45 AM	#17
Nick Reed Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 78	I totally agree with Dennis. I have the Miller 1511 system (DS10 head & SOLO Carbon Fiber legs). If I had it to do over again, I would buy the Gitzo system (1325 & 1380). This is absolutely the sweet spot. If you spend any less, you will wish that you hadn't. Nick

May 21st, 2006, 04:27 PM	#18
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	Damn... these prices. I am also looking for a tripod in the same category as Dale Lundy but I am looking for something < $500.

May 22nd, 2006, 09:58 PM	#19
Dale Lundy Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 31	Floris, I can't contradict what the others have said. I haven't used the systems they are talking about, but I expect they are right if you can justify the cost. However I also had budget constraints. I finally bought the Manfrotto 755B legs and 503 head. I recently took it on a trip to Cambodia and France and was very pleased. I had to have a system that could be set up and taken down very quickly, was lightweight and versatile, but that fit within my budget. Things I liked: (1) the leveling ball on the 755B (and all MDEVE systems) let me set up quickly and that was critical. (2) the weight was reasonable given that the budget I had to work with. (3) I packed it in my luggage and it survived unscathed. My wife did make a quilted case for it for padding. (4) When I had to set up the most quickly I could use the extension rather than fully extend all the legs. (5) It was stable even when I used the extension. Things I didn't like: (1) a few less pounds would have still been nice; they just weren't in the budget. (2) The leveling head hooks on with set screws, and since I had to take it off to pack it in the suitcase, I had to carry a small screwdriver with me. Set screws with thumbscrews should be standard. You can save a bit of weight with the 701RC2 head and it is less expensive than the 503 I chose. While it has less control, I think it would have done what I needed to do and saved a pound and a half. In short, I won't say what I chose is the best system on the market--the system recommended by the other posters is likely to be better--but for a combination of doing what I needed to do at a price within my budget it worked well. Dale

May 23rd, 2006, 03:46 PM	#20
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	I already own this combination: Manfrotto 055DB http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2274?livid=68\|69&idx=71 141RC basic pan + tilt head http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2342?livid=80\|81&lsf=81&child=1 I am not sure if I only need a good video head (like the 503), or a new video head and new legs. I heard that there are better legs which can be adjusted with one hand, in contradiction to my 055DB. This combination was recommended by another forum member: Bogen / Manfrotto 351MVB2 Aluminum Video Tripod Kit with 75mm Half Bowl and 3460 (503) Pro Head, Mid-Level Spreader, Rubber Shoes & Padded case - Supports 13.5 lb (6.1 kg) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search It looks good to me but the weight (5.6kg) makes me think that this tripod is not really suited for travelling by foot. Maybe I just need a cheap/crappy tripod that will just allow me to get my camera leveled. Still, I would like to hear the advice of people who travel a lot by plane/foot. Or even better, people who hike through forests etcetera.

January 8th, 2007, 02:15 AM	#26
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	About a week ago I had to shoot some corporate stuff during one day shoot in office with Canon XHA1. I must say that the 701rc2 head with Velbon El Carmagne legs worked well for run and gun type of office shoot, I must say that the XH series camcorders are the max optimum load for 701 head. Also the XH A1 held up really good in available light indoors. T

January 10th, 2007, 02:21 PM	#27
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	Lightest fluid head for travelling? The Gitzo G2180 weighs 570 grams and is rated up to 4 kg. I am using it for 2 kg and it works smoothly even at 20X.

January 10th, 2007, 02:33 PM	#28
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	Thanks Peter, Is the QR plate of the G2180 reversible? Cause as you might already know I intend to use a light weight CF legs for occasional shoulder support for the camcorder. Cheers, T

January 10th, 2007, 02:37 PM	#29
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	Lightest fluid head for travelling? <Is the QR plate of the G2180 reversible?> I just tried it and yes it is reversible. Hope that helps. Best wishes, Peter

January 10th, 2007, 03:31 PM	#30
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	I see that this Gitzo G2180 head is quite a exlusive item here on DVinfo so I quess that I`ll review it soon, thanks again Peter for pointing that one out as none of the searches on Gitzo heads haven`t brought up the DV usability of those heads. I can only imagine how portable would it be with the new set of Gitzo GT2530LVL leveling(!) legs that can carry 12kg but weights only 1.6kg. Cheers, T