p.1 #1 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
I have been reading through descriptions of various travel tripods, but would really like to get input on what kind of performance I should expect in carbon fiber tripods having weight of around 2.5 pounds.
My regular tripods include two RRS series two tripods, with the TVC-23 being the most compact. While it might be like comparing apples and oranges to think about the RRS series 2 in comparison to a travel tripod, those are what I have and they are my reference. I know that a travel tripod will be more prone to vibration because of the thinner and more lightweight legs. Question is - what is a realistic expectation? I know it is difficult to quantify, but I would like to hear about the experience that people have with their travel tripods and stability/vibration.
My goal is to get one with travel and hiking in mind for use with a Fuji X kit. I plan to use my RRS BH-40 with it, unless I get a BH-30 at some point.
p.1 #2 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
It all comes down to shooting conditions. I was shooting a waterfall the other day. I had two legs of my 'travel' tripod in the water and couldn't get a sharp shot to save my life. I'm guessing if it sat on the rocks it may have been a little better but probably not perfect (vibration from the water). If there is no wind, no water, a stable platform they can be usable. Of course lens size / focal length come into play as well. I had this tripod with me because of air travel.
I have a TVC-34L with BH-55 and there is no substitute. My Sony bodies look comical on it but who cares. Anything less than a 1-mile walk and this one goes with me. If the picture is worth taking don't let the tripod ruin it.
p.1 #4 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
The Feisol 3441t actually does quite well for me with lenses lighter than the Nikon 80-400mm AFS and when wind isn't blowing too hard (say over 10 mph.) I use this tripod for my Chamonix 4x5 as well. No, it's not as stable as my Gitzo 1325, but it isn't as heavy either. Everything in photography is a trade off.
p.1 #5 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
Agreed. The shooting conditions make all the difference, as well as the gear used with the tripod. The problem is that we don't know what the shooting conditions will be. In your case, with water motion over the legs, that is a difficult situation. Your last statement about using the higher-grade tripod if possible is indeed the way to go. It does not make sense to lose shots because of limited capabilities of the support, which is part of the reason why I started the post.
Sjms - fantastic! Crystal clear long exposure. The RRS TFC-14 and TQC-14 are the ones that I would love to have and are probably the best available. Did you have any wind when you shot this image?
ylimehajile wrote:
It all comes down to shooting conditions. I was shooting a waterfall the other day. I had two legs of my 'travel' tripod in the water and couldn't get a sharp shot to save my life. I'm guessing if it sat on the rocks it may have been a little better but probably not perfect (vibration from the water). If there is no wind, no water, a stable platform they can be usable. Of course lens size / focal length come into play as well. I had this tripod with me because of air travel.
I have a TVC-34L with BH-55 and there is no substitute. My Sony bodies look comical on it but who cares. Anything less than a 1-mile walk and this one goes with me. If the picture is worth taking don't let the tripod ruin it. ...Show more →
p.1 #6 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
yes, but i also had multiple bus loads of other people that helped break up the wind. i did add weight and had to protect it from the human onslaught that surrounded me during the (5) 10-25s exposures. this is one of the most popular spots on Hokkaido. a wee bit on the chilly side too.
p.1 #11 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
Here is a travel tripod that I am very familiar with: The Feisol 3442 weighs a little over 1Kg. I have made sharp exposures with ND filters lasting up to 5 minutes. The 3442 is offered with an optional center column but used without the center column it is high enough me at 6 ft. This tripod folds down allowing it to fit in a 22 in suitcase. We can go on discussing this tripod but there are many descriptions on-line. It represents the lower rung of high end tripods; it is good enough. You can rely on its stability and rigidity. If you plan to mount a 600 mm lens, you won't be satisfied; but up to 300 or 400 mm, it serves well as long as the wind is not too strong. Here is an example of 3 sec exposure made back in December at Hanalei Bay, HI.
p.1 #12 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
Abuttolph wrote:
I have been reading through descriptions of various travel tripods, but would really like to get input on what kind of performance I should expect in carbon fiber tripods having weight of around 2.5 pounds.
My regular tripods include two RRS series two tripods, with the TVC-23 being the most compact. While it might be like comparing apples and oranges to think about the RRS series 2 in comparison to a travel tripod, those are what I have and they are my reference. I know that a travel tripod will be more prone to vibration because of the thinner and more lightweight legs. Question is - what is a realistic expectation? I know it is difficult to quantify, but I would like to hear about the experience that people have with their travel tripods and stability/vibration.
My goal is to get one with travel and hiking in mind for use with a Fuji X kit. I plan to use my RRS BH-40 with it, unless I get a BH-30 at some point.
The TVC-23 is fine for travel, but you can get the TQC-14 series if a lighter tripod is really needed. I don't think less than a pound is worth it. Windy conditions and slow shutter speeds are where I see the most tripod differences.
p.1 #13 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
I have the Feisol 3442 and I just bought the RRS QFC-14 and there's definitely a noticeable difference in stability between the two. I was skeptical that the RRS would be a worthwhile upgrade given the price and its substantially shorter max height. Many folks seem to feel the two are comparable. Using them side by side, it's pretty clear to me that the RRS is much more stable, especially with my 100-400. I was planning to send the RRS back if it wasn't a decent upgrade, but unfortunately for my wallet it is. Hopefully I can adjust to the shorter height. I also ordered the TVC-23 and 24 to test out. I'll report back on those when they arrive on Monday.
p.1 #14 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
Don't forget your basic physics in this - stability is as much about weight and centre of mass as it is about stiffness. A 1Kg tripod with 2Kg of ball head, camera and lens perched on top is never going to be stable to any kind of shear force like wind or running water, no matter how stiff or "high quality" it is. You need to lower the centre of mass to make it stable - either take a heavier tripod, lighter camera or hang some weight off the centre hook. All other things generally being fixed variables, then a bag of rocks is what you want. And that will improve stability more than any increase in stiffness - I would certainly venture that a Feisol 3442 with a bag of rocks hanging off the centre-hook should outperform any equally lightweight Gitzo without.
p.1 #15 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
Exactly my goto travel version is the Benro FTA18CC which satisfies the size and weight requirements and when in specific conditions I just hang weight on the hook.
p.1 #16 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
in the end the real world difference between a good tripod and an excellent tripod are the details. one must decide if paying for those details is worth it in ones overall use. some take those physics issues a little more to heart in said details.
p.1 #17 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
For my travel tripod I swear by Sirui. Excellent quality small ball heads (I use the G10KX - 311g) and tripods (I use the T1204X - 940g). In fact I rarely get the large, heavy Manfrotto tripod & ballhead out any more (esp. now I've sold my Nikons and large glass), though they did accompany me on my first Icelandic trip.
The Sirui have been with me everywhere from a short weekend jaunt down to Hong Kong (I live in Shanghai) to full blown multi-week treks in the Himalayas. Recently back from a 12 day trek on the Tibetan Plateau (NW Yunnan, China) where that set-up was again my go-to tripod kit.
p.1 #18 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
No doubt a RRS tripod is superior in some ways, but it is a trade off. You mentioned that it is shorter than the Feisol, so that in itself make the tripod more stable. Just the same, it is shorter and less useful for that reason. Also, does it make sense to discriminate travel tripod by how it handles a 100-400 zoom? Is the 100-400 a travel lens? The OP mentioned a Fuji mirrorless camera as his interest for assessing what he might expect from a travel tripod.
p.1 #19 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
sjms wrote:
in the end the real world difference between a good tripod and an excellent tripod are the details. one must decide if paying for those details is worth it in ones overall use. some take those physics issues a little more to heart in said details.
Very true. And, this is getting to part of what my inquiry is about. While I would love to get a top-of-the-line travel tripod, the cost is not feasible right now (unless someone buys my Gitzo Series 5 that is listed in the B&S). So, there has to be a sort of optimization of performance for price.
I really appreciate the discussion, recommendations, considerations, and example photos. This is all really helpful and there is a lot of information to consider. Thanks everyone.
p.1 #20 · Realistic Expectations of a Travel Tripod
and many don't get that or feel that they have hit their "limit" whatever that may be.
i have just received (literally) a product prototype today to critique. my daughter (the one with the design degree) and I (the one who has used this junk for a lot longer then she's been around and having other related skills) are double teaming it. and already have a whole sheet of things and it came out of the box an hour ago. a good father/daughter thing on the weekend.
my goto travel version is the 
