Sturdy tripod for mirrorless camera

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Pietrach

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Hi
I am at a stage where I want to invest in a good sturdy tripod for my sony a6000.
I am willing to look at all options recommended but what I need in general:
- sturdy for long exposures
- needs to be able to go down low
- weight is also a consideration as I often take it backpacking
- should include a good ball head
- prefer taller tripods say 160-170cm.

The reason I am stating my camera (sony a6000) is that I want something that is just right for the light system. I dont need this tripod to carry 10-20kg of camera and the added bulk that goes with it.

Thank you
 
On ballheads - for sturdy, good to use and (relatively) light, have a look at Acratech. They have a UK distributor and a range of models.
 
I have one of these https://uk.kentfaith.com/KF09.015_t...MIp9SBov365AIVybTtCh2a1AkHEAQYAyABEgKj8vD_BwE

It is sturdy, ball head locks well even with heavy lenses and does not cost the earth. I like having monopod/tripod in one and also the adaptability of the camera positions. It is tall, I am 6'2" and can't see through the viewfinder when fully extended.

Packs to just under 50cm and weight 1.6kg, bag that comes with it is decent quality as well.

I have a carbon fibre one as well which does the job and is really small and light, but this one is definitely more sturdy.

It is that old compromise, sturdiness vs weight, what is more important to you?

T
 
Tdes said:
I have one of these https://uk.kentfaith.com/KF09.015_t...MIp9SBov365AIVybTtCh2a1AkHEAQYAyABEgKj8vD_BwE

It is sturdy, ball head locks well even with heavy lenses and does not cost the earth. I like having monopod/tripod in one and also the adaptability of the camera positions. It is tall, I am 6'2" and can't see through the viewfinder when fully extended.

Packs to just under 50cm and weight 1.6kg, bag that comes with it is decent quality as well.

I have a carbon fibre one as well which does the job and is really small and light, but this one is definitely more sturdy.

It is that old compromise, sturdiness vs weight, what is more important to you?

T
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Out of interest, what camera gear do you use on it?

I have an old Redsnapper which although 9 years old is perfectly fine aside from the weight when hiking. I actually got around to weighing it last weekend and it's 2.5kg all in. I've been comparing on The Centre Column but a light weight one isn't tall and a taller one that's a reasonable weight saving is too expensive. A well priced and good height one doesn't save me enough weight for the cost.... And on it goes lol

I've been looking myself on and off but it's a difficult thing to do looking at photos online...!

I use an A7 and my heaviest lens is the Samyang 24 /1.4 for Astro.
 
I've been looking for a compact tripod that's sturdy enough for mirrorless cameras and can be inverted... The vanguard 235 ab looks good - anyone have experience?
 
I bought one of these for my M4/3 kit https://www.wexphotovideo.com/manfrotto-befree-gt-carbon-fibre-tripod-kit-1665783/
Light'ish, strong'ish and cheap'ish, thereby it fulfilled the criteria of tripod buying.
Seems fine for my needs which is architecture, landscapes, low light and anything else that crops up.

Light and compact enough to take on my travels. but not too heavy that its a burden
Ball head seems decent enough too, supports my cameras and lenses without the dreaded droop

Long gone are the days of a series 3 Gitzo systematic now my gear is that much smaller and lighter.
All about compromise and this tripod fits the bill, sounds like it might for the OP too
 
Having bought a tripod recently, I found that the locking mechanism for the legs is very important. I am not a fan of the twist leg locks. (This may vary between manufacturers) I am not an expert on tripods but it’s important to buy from a place with a no quibbles return policy.
 
Never had any problems with twist locks on Gitzo, FLM or the Manfrotto I recently bought.
Both lock systems work if they are of decent quality, like most things I suspect.
 
tijuana taxi said:
Never had any problems with twist locks on Gitzo, FLM or the Manfrotto I recently bought.
Both lock systems work if they are of decent quality, like most things I suspect.
Click to expand...
I just got a Velbon. Maybe they’re not as good.
 
Mintchocs said:
I just got a Velbon. Maybe they’re not as good.
Click to expand...

No experience with them Clint, but the ones I have used have all locked adequately
FLM was the best of the bunch, minimal twisting with them, but the others have worked well enough

What don't you like about them?
 
LeeRatters said:
Out of interest, what camera gear do you use on it?

I have an old Redsnapper which although 9 years old is perfectly fine aside from the weight when hiking. I actually got around to weighing it last weekend and it's 2.5kg all in. I've been comparing on The Centre Column but a light weight one isn't tall and a taller one that's a reasonable weight saving is too expensive. A well priced and good height one doesn't save me enough weight for the cost.... And on it goes lol

I've been looking myself on and off but it's a difficult thing to do looking at photos online...!

I use an A7 and my heaviest lens is the Samyang 24 /1.4 for Astro.
Click to expand...

EOS R and 77d with 24-70 L f2.8 ii and 70-200 L f2.8 ii.

I think that the 24-70 is more of a test even though it is lighter as the 70-200 has a mount foot on it so the kit is more balanced and less front heavy.

I have another cheaper tripod from when I started out, it is ok with 77d and kit lens (no probs at all) but struggles to hold up the 24-70 f2.8 without slipping a bit unless you really belt it up.

This one has quite a big ball in it so locks up well without having to get a pipe wrench out :D

If I lost this one I would 100% buy the same again, just on the look out for a video fluid head for it now.

I love the adaptability of it, when you travel with kit it is good if it can do more than just one thing!

T
 
Tdes said:
EOS R and 77d with 24-70 L f2.8 ii and 70-200 L f2.8 ii.

I think that the 24-70 is more of a test even though it is lighter as the 70-200 has a mount foot on it so the kit is more balanced and less front heavy.

I have another cheaper tripod from when I started out, it is ok with 77d and kit lens (no probs at all) but struggles to hold up the 24-70 f2.8 without slipping a bit unless you really belt it up.

This one has quite a big ball in it so locks up well without having to get a pipe wrench out :D

If I lost this one I would 100% buy the same again, just on the look out for a video fluid head for it now.

I love the adaptability of it, when you travel with kit it is good if it can do more than just one thing!

T
Click to expand...

Thanks. Your gear certainly out weighs mine lol

I've had a quick look. They also do one with just a standard ball head and without the extra bit that goes horizontal - I think I'd prefer that. Still goes to just a touch higher than I have now with 1kg less weight.
 
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Just remember this. Confucius say. A tripod is for life not just for Christmas.
 
Although you do not have a heavy camera the weight parameters need to be considered in part. I had a really light entry level camera and lens combo. Even the 70-300mm wasn’t heavy. On my travel tripod it’s a 0 size ball head and didn’t need tightening too much to lock the head. With my. Xt3 and 10-24 or 55-200 I have to lock the head tighter to stop it sagging under the relative weight. I got the K20x ball head from Siriu for that reason although on purely a weight basis I could use the K10x and saved money. The ball of the head is tiny and would require tightening much more. Currently I just need to lip take up the loose movement. Over time with wear I expect that will need to eat tighter.

My travel tripod is the Benro carbon slim TSA08C00 and main tripod Benro mach3 TMA38CL - CL for carbon with long leg sections. The 38C has shorter leg sections is slightly cheaper and lighter but as I’m 6ft2 the 38CL is at head height without the centre column
 
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