Miniature travel tripods

ukaskew

ukaskew

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Any suggestions for very, very compact tripods to try out? I'm thinking along the lines of Gorillapod size, i.e. small enough to rest under the flap of a small camera bag.

I've used a Gorillapod SLR Zoom for years but one of the legs has given way now and I fancy a change, mainly because I'm a bit bored of trying to get them vaguely level. Whatever I get only needs to support an X-T1 with primes, so nothing DSLR weight.

I can't find much out there, Manfrotto do a Pixi which seems to get good reviews. I ideally want something that will stand on quite narrow surfaces, as nearly all of my night-time city stuff tends to be shot from walls and things which don't have a great deal of working room.
 
ukaskew said:
Any suggestions for very, very compact tripods to try out? I'm thinking along the lines of Gorillapod size, i.e. small enough to rest under the flap of a small camera bag.

I've used a Gorillapod SLR Zoom for years but one of the legs has given way now and I fancy a change, mainly because I'm a bit bored of trying to get them vaguely level. Whatever I get only needs to support an X-T1 with primes, so nothing DSLR weight.

I can't find much out there, Manfrotto do a Pixi which seems to get good reviews. I ideally want something that will stand on quite narrow surfaces, as nearly all of my night-time city stuff tends to be shot from walls and things which don't have a great deal of working room.
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My Sis in law has the Pixi (the bigger of the two) and its pretty good. The ball head is easy to use and the legs extend individually too.
 
The Manfrotto is undoubtedly better, but I sometimes use one of these: available from Argos
 
Like the look of the Pixi, saw one at a show when it came out, certainly seemed stable enough
 
I got a Pixi mini, it does the job nicely for ground level macro, or table top/pillar/wall [anything sturdy] top shooting. I rested mine on a wheelie bin other night for a street shot :D It fits neatly into any camera bag , it's light and cheap but has a solid, premium feel about it. One touch ball head for quick and easy adjustments. It holds my XT-1 + 55-200, wouldn't go above that though unless the lens has a tripod collar. I have used it with a very heavy sigma macro [1.2kg lens] that has a tripod collar for good balance and it's sturdy so long as the shot is pretty straight forward.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00D76RNLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's actually dropped in price since I got one a few weeks back, I paid £18,so better again
 
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How long are your night exposures? Guessing at under 30s (the longest the X-T s can do easily!), in which case a Pod might fit the bill. Basically a bean bag with a tripod screw and it works very well. To save space, it could even be emptied for flights and filled with lentils/rice/dried beans on arrival - even grit/gravel/sand would do.
 
Another alternative is the Pedco Ultrapod II. Although you can't stand it on narrow surfaces, there is a velcro strap on it so you can attach it to lamp post, railings, etc.
 
Nod said:
How long are your night exposures? Guessing at under 30s (the longest the X-T s can do easily!), in which case a Pod might fit the bill. Basically a bean bag with a tripod screw and it works very well. To save space, it could even be emptied for flights and filled with lentils/rice/dried beans on arrival - even grit/gravel/sand would do.
Click to expand...

Do these stay still for 30 seconds or more? Seem perfect for what I'm after really (I don't really need legs, I just need to be able to angle the camera a bit and keep it steady)..
 
I had a pod, they're ok for not-so-long exposures, but they are very limited. You can't angle your camera precisely using them. You literally have to find somewhere to place it at the angle you desire, otherwise it's straight or nowt. I found it fiddly for the most part.
 
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ukaskew said:
Do these stay still for 30 seconds or more? Seem perfect for what I'm after really (I don't really need legs, I just need to be able to angle the camera a bit and keep it steady)..
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Not tried for over 30s but up to then they do once they're set up. No reason to believe that after 30s they magically start to move either! Fairly easy to aim about 15° down or 30° up on a level surface and more with a book/battery (or 2) or similar wedged underneath the front or back. I've even used mine as a bean bag under the middle of a long tele (Sigma 150-500) as both a stand alone bag and using the tripod foot. NOT for long exposures but up to 2s. Stuffed with the plastic beads with which it comes filled, it weighs in at 354g.
 
I've just discovered the Manfrotto Pocket Support (Large), which looks like it might be ideal. Ultra compact, very small footprint when in use and allows some angle adjustment.
 
I have the newer adjustable Pixi and really like it. As the legs extend it can happily support my A7ii with a 70-200 attached.

I use it when travelling light, but always have it in my main camera bag as well, as it's useful for getting really low or into difficult spots.

I added a small Arca plate to the top as well for convenience. Use this with my Osmo as well.
 
Another Pixi Evo user here. Great if I'm about and about with my RX100 or Nex6 and travelling light.
 
Another vote for Pixi Evo. Flexible in use and compact. Got it "free" with a year sub to Practical Photography which cost same as buying the tripod on oen. More magazines to please my wife!
 
alsuser said:
Another alternative is the Pedco Ultrapod II. Although you can't stand it on narrow surfaces, there is a velcro strap on it so you can attach it to lamp post, railings, etc.
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Another vote for the Ultrapod II. I've added a 25mm Arca-type clamp to mine to make it easier to use. Pedco's own quick release is a thing to be avoided.
 
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