I've been looking for a tripod to use with my 55-300mm (1.28 pounds) and tokina 11-16mm (1.23 pounds) on my d3100. I'd like the the smallest possible tripod that won't cause it all to topple over. All of the travel tripods that I've seen are way too heavy and large for me to deal with. I'd like something about a foot long. Does this exist? My stuff is over the weight requirement for the small tripods that I've seen. Thanks!
Smallest tripod possible to hold heavy dx lenses
- Thread starter Eob
- Start date
So far, and I've been looking too, this one folds up to just under 14inches and it will easily hold anything you throw on it. I bought this one here on ebay a couple of hours ago.
Q666 Portable Collapsible Travel Camera Tripod Monopod Unipod with Ball Head | eBay
Q666 Portable Collapsible Travel Camera Tripod Monopod Unipod with Ball Head | eBay
Thanks. That one is also too heavy for me. Its 3.2 pounds, so thats like carrying another camera with a big lens. Id like something that weighs half that, or less. Maybe something that doesnt extend much? I'm probably looking for something non exisitant
Fred Kingston
Senior Member
You are... buy a light-weight tripod, one that doesn't have a center post, and then unscrew and remove the bottom two legs and throw them away...
Interesting idea! Do you think that wouldn't affect the weight limit?
rocketman122
Senior Member
youll have to compromise with your list of "demands"
looking at benro and sirui tripods, I didnt see anything smaller than 15"
you want build that wont topple over. almost any tripod will topple over with excessive wind. so dont leave your camera mounted unless youre shooting. when youre done, take it off.
even a light stand I use with my big camera bag tied to it in the middle toppled over. and its not even extended past 2M. sure the beefier and more full sized the more it helps but any tripod can topple over.
that Q666 is highly recommended on facebook photography groups I frequent. many videographers use it as well on travel.
btw, you might consider a JOBY flexible camera tripods for DSLR/SLR cameras and point-and-shoots
it wont let you extend high but its an alternative if you really need light and you need more stability than hand holding or longer exposures.
Fred Kingston
Senior Member
It'll increase the weight limit of a cheap tripod because there won't be any small wobbly leg extensions... the limits are a function of the weakest links...the shall thin leg extensions are the weak link... the cheaper tripods won't have a long center extension either... which is just more weight to carry around, and another weak link...
The height of this would be really limiting, but it might be better than nothing. I mostly want a smaller tripod for long exposures. Do you guys think this is garbage? Its so cheap
Amazon.com : RetiCAM® Tabletop Tripod with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head, Quick Release Plate and Carrying Bag - MT01, Aluminum, Black : Camera & Photo
Amazon.com : RetiCAM® Tabletop Tripod with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head, Quick Release Plate and Carrying Bag - MT01, Aluminum, Black : Camera & Photo
I have this and really like it.
MeFOTO DayTrip Tripod Kit (Black) A0320Q00K B&H Photo Video
MeFOTO DayTrip Tripod Kit (Black) A0320Q00K B&H Photo Video
That looks really nice!
What does mini Arca-type quick release mean? Is it a non standard size? My peak design camera strap uses the tripod mount to attach to the camera, and it makes it into a quick release plate. It requires a tool to take it off, so I want a tripod with a quick release plate. I'm guessing that it wont fit?
It is a slightly smaller ballhead system that uses a smaller base plate. This can be a problem if you are going to use this with more then one camera. You can buy extra mounting plates. Or just use the ball head you already have. The ballhead on the right is the one that came with it. The one on the left is the standard size. It is only about 1/2" higher. The build quality on this tripod is excellent.
Good point. The Mefoto can do this. But, it is a bit tight if you use a battery grip.
I asked if it can change to vertical on amazon, and it does, so I ordered it and just got it yesterday. The mefoto looks great, but my regular sized tripod is pretty shabby, so I think Its better for me to get the super cheap mini tripod and get a nice regular one later. The reticam looks better than I thought, and its so small. It feels sturdy. The one problem is that the quick relase plate seems to be just a bit bigger than the one on my Peakdesign camera strap. It fits and won't fall out, but its very wabbly. I was thinking about ducttaping a small piece of cardboard to make a tighter fit. Thanks for the help everyone!
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