I'm looking for a very compact and lightweight tripod for trekking/hiking (ultralight) with the following specs:
- should carry my 7D with 70-200mm/4L (the lighter one) at max
- well below 1kg
- size does not matter
- lightweight ballhead
Since the size does not matter (I don't need 140cm, center column, etc - ~ 60-90mm are enough) I thought about using a Gitzo GT1550T and remove 2-3 sections to reduce weight. The center column can also be removed.
This seems to be the lightest option I came across. And I would still stay modular and flexible with it.
However, I'm not sure if the legs of the 1550T can be removed at all, so I'd like to ask for your opinion on this, if you own such a tripod.
I'm also open to other suggestions, the key point is to stay lightweight - when the size doesn't matter (through removing leg sections, which adds to the supported weight because the thinner sections are not used in practically).
I also don't know what ball head to use. I don't need Friction or other stuff really when travelling. Some suggested a reallyrightstuff ballhead, but I don't know which one - any suggestions?
I'd be very thankful for your input!
Greetings,
Christoph
I'm in the exact same boat - I was looking for something to replace my Giottos for hiking. I placed my order on Friday for a Feisol CT-3442 which weighs 2.27lb from reallybigcameras - haven't received it yet but I did quite a bit of research on it and the vast majority of people were happy with it. Here's the best review I found:
As for ballhead - I recently upgraded mine to a PhotoClam PC-33NS and I'm very happy with it. I've never used a RRS or Markins head so I can't compare it to those, but it's small, light, and effective enough for me. Actually, the main reason I decided to give Feisol's a shot was because I was impressed with the PhotoClam!
It is not practical to remove any leg sections from a Gitzo and still use it. You would have no foot on the bottom of the remaining leg section, so you would not have good support, plus you would damage the tripod legs. The column can be removed, but I am not sure if the GT15xxT series have a provision to mount a ball head on the legs when the column is removed. Larger Gitzos now do. If you really only want a very short tripod, and really want to save weight, look at table top tripods, or other small support solutions.
For a small ball head, there are lots of sources. For high quality, look at RSS or Markins for small ball heads that would work with small tripods, and also offer some form of Arca Swiss clamping system. For as light as you seem to be wanting to go, you may want to screw the ball head in to the camera each time you use it, and thus may not want an Arca Swiss system. I could never stand that for regular use, but if you have a specific trip that requires minimum weights, you may manage that way.
If you remove leg sections, simply put crutch tips on the bottom of the leg. Local pharmacy should be able to fix you up. If the best you can do is a large crutch tip, fill the space with something like rubber cement.
The PC-30 or 33 might work well. I just purchased a 1541T and Markins Q3T ballhead for my lightweight pod set-up but I would have tried a Photo Clam if I had known about them...Heck, I still might
As for tripods, I'd go with a 1550T or 1541T and not remove any leg sections.
Zero series Gitzo - GT 0540 - Gitzo G1077M ballhead - Manfrotto QR - 2lbs. - modify and remove the center tube if you don't need it. It will handle your 70-200 - use the collar if you need more stability.
When you're doing serious backpacking / backcountry skiing - you need food, water and warmth - you don't need a heavy tripod and camera equipment.
The PC-30 or 33 might work well. I just purchased a 1541T and Markins Q3T ballhead for my lightweight pod set-up but I would have tried a Photo Clam if I had known about them...Heck, I still might
As for tripods, I'd go with a 1550T or 1541T and not remove any leg sections.
Have a great trip!
I was surprised that he RRS ultralight was lighter and Less expensive that then the Markins. The Q3T is listed as 385 gms and the RRS as 186 gms. both weights include clamps. The
RRS is $200 less, ( a shocker, unless I am reading the specs incorrectly.)
You're comparing apples and oranges here. The RRS BH-25 is great as a table tripod head, or on a Gitzo series 0 for ultra-light travel. The Markins Q3 is a much more full-featured head, with adjustable tension, separate pan lock, and the sweet spot we've come to expect from premium heads. It's more comparable in size and performance to the RRS BH-40 (which is about 2.5 ounces heavier).
Re series 0 and series 1 Gitzos: series 0 (0540/0541) is handy for ultra-light travel and hiking, but it's essentially an oversized table tripod. A series 1 (1541, etc.) is far more stable, especially with your mid-tele zoom.
I used to have a series 0, but eventually found my travel needs met better by a Leica table tripod (when I really wanted to be compact and light) and a Gitzo series 1.
I also have a 1 and a 2EX series Gitzo(s) - I do a lot of solo backpacking and backcountry skiing - desert & high Rocky Mtns - so ultra light is one of my main objectives, including photography. My Zero Gitzo and One series ballhead gets the most use. I've never missed a shot due to a light weight tripod - learn how to use the equipment for it's strengths and avoid the weakness.
i have 2xxx with an AS b1 dp, it's not ultralight at around 2.5kg but it's very slick to use. i also have the the rrs bh 25 on a gorilla pod and it fine but there is no real fine adjustment on it, i wouldn't want to use it on a full tripod, even a small one, 200mm is too much for it. check out the arca swiss P0 and the rrs bh 30, same weight the AS can probably hold more and tend to be a bit smoother. kirk do replacement clamps for AS for there original plates.
I use the Feisol 3442 with a Markins Q3 head for my trekking. Light and compact enough, yet can easily hold the 7D / 70-200f4 combo in a wind. One thing to be careful about is not too over do the lightness of the outfit as you are going into the mountains there is often a good wind up there and a light outfit will be useless with the 70-200. Better to take something a little heavier and useful in all conditions than to take something light but useless.
It's really difficult ... some say the 0 series and a bh-25 are enough - others say they cannot even imagine it
I surely won't hike with a 2,5kg tripod, or anything above 1kg - anyone who disagrees, try it yourself first, if your backpack is filled with food.
Still thinking about the 0 series with only 2 sections + bh-25... I've read the bh-25 does quite good, and is often used for this kind of equipment, without any problems
Ok I think the decision will be between the GT0531 (since I don't see a reason for the 4 segments if I don't use them) and the GT1550T - both with BH-25.
Interesting for me is that the first one, 0 series has a supported weight of 5kg, whereas the 1 series has a supported weight of 2kg...
If you intend to do panos, the Markins Q3 might be a better choice of ballheads, since it has a pan base, which I think the BH25 does not. I have the Q3 on a 1550 and love the combo, although I think if I had to do it again, I'd get the four section tripod instead of the five section, for better stability, and quicker setup.
chbla wrote:
Ok I think the decision will be between the GT0531 (since I don't see a reason for the 4 segments if I don't use them) and the GT1550T - both with BH-25.
Interesting for me is that the first one, 0 series has a supported weight of 5kg, whereas the 1 series has a supported weight of 2kg...
It's head that only supports 2kg, 1550T comes with useless head that you need to replace right away.
Thanks for the clarification - I didn't read the specs of the head
But makes me wonder why they do this..
So the GT0531 would be ok for my purpose? I'm not sure about the 3 vs 4 segments.. but if I don't use the outer segments anyway, It doesn't matter I guess.
