Recommend me a mini tripod

-markie-

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I have a red snapper tripod which i love.

But i'd like to purchase a mini tripod to keep in my camera bag for those occasions where i want to use one but get caught off guard by bringing my main tripod.

Anyone recommend a good mini tripod for a full frame camera and a standard weight lens. Would be great if the legs when totally horizontal too so i get closest to the ground as possible.
 
I have one of these Manfrotto mini tripods: http://www.wexphotographic.com/manfrotto-pixi-evo-tripod-red-1582546/ but I have a Sony A7r so weights never an issue. I'd recommend it, legs can go pretty flat too.

I have one of these too (well its black and very slightly different so may just be the previous version) - got mine from Manfrotto fro £15 in the sale.

It will take a D750 and prime but not suitable if it has the 24-70 2.8 Nikon. Really good tripod though.
 
Looks great, thanks.

Only 1 thing, is there any that allow portrait orientation too? I guess not due to weight issues and stabilization
 
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Vanguard 265VEO - an amazing little tripod that punches well above its weight. Small silhouette and light yet it can take a decent weight and is remarkably stable.
 
Only 1 thing, is there any that allow portrait orientation too? I guess not due to weight issues and stabilization
Stabilisation is the problem.
You could try a gorillapod, the top of the range is "supposed" to be stable, but heavy gear hanging off the side might be too much for it.
Or you could use an L bracket with a threaded in the upright piece (not all have them) and screw that to the mini.
Depends what gear you are using. Full frame gear weighs a lot.
 
I like the old Leitz/Leica tabletop tripods:

http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/screw-accessories/11989-leitz-small-table-tripod-boxed.html
http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/screw-accessories/4146-leitz-ball-socket-head-1-8.html

They're very strong and can take a heavy load, but they aren't vertically adjustable, so you can't get as close to the ground as you might like.

For portrait orientiation on any mini tripod you might consider fitting an Arca-style clamp and using an L-bracket, which will centre the load as much as possible:

https://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/11106/what-is-an-l-plate

You should be able to find something suitable on Amazon or ebay - inexpensive clamps and plates from China are available under various brands, and you can get custom L-brackets tailored for popular cameras, as well as universal brackets.
 
You could put a proper ball head on a pixi or similar
 
I like the Marsace MT-01. It has a more-or-less conventional ball-head (with an Arca clamp) with a notch for portrait orientation but this can be removed and replaced with your own choice of head. There's a review here by THIRTYFIVEMILL.
 
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