Travel Tripod and Head recommendation

[James Blonde]

I'm looking for a decent travel tripod and head that I can use with my D7100, D90 and probably, at some point, something along the lines of a D750 or D810 (or any replacement in the next 6 months or so). Largest lens at the moment would be a 70-300. I mostly do landscape work, but something that can stably pan would probably be useful too. I've currently got a Carbon Fibre Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 with a joystick head, and my cameras are fitted with an RC2 plate so I guess it makes sense to get an RC2 compatible head. Problem with my current tripod really is that it's too big and bulky for travel (and possibly a bit heavy, even though CF, but I suspect that'll be the head more than the tripod). The cheap travel tripod I do have is just too fragile and unstable. Budget I guess would be <£250 all in, but if a larger budget would make such a big difference, then I'd consider breaking it.

Review sites are too American and reviews too inconsistent to help. I guess a bit of personal experience and opinion would help!

 

[Byker28i]

Hum, asking a bit from travel tripod? My requirement was light, small so would fit in a suitcase without hampering an airlines luggage weight, could take a full frame dale and at a push a large telephoto.
I ended up with a manfrotto befree, as I have other manfrotto tripods/heads. Takes a 5d mk3 and 70-200 f2.8 is with to, provided you put the lens on the tripod mount to help balance the weight.
Won't pan though and has a fixed head, but folds down really small, is very stable at half height I.e. Sitting height and not bad at full extension. I guess it depends on what you want from a travel tripod. I also have a red snapper carbon with manfrotto head, that goes everywhere in the car with me, just in case.

 

[mpe]

Consider Feisol CT-3332S:

http://www.globaltechcommerce.co.uk/feisoluk/72-ct-3332s-ultra-traveller.html

It is a fantastic tripod that can not only replace your travel tripod but also your 190CXPRO4.

Ideally you should get a decent ball head, but if you like the pistol head you already have you can keep it and use it on the tripod.

I suggest to act quickly as prices are likely to go up as result of sterling devaluation.

 

[tijuana taxi]

Your current tripod folds down to 50cm and weighs 1.3kg, that's not bad at all. How about getting a new head to use with it rather than the large and weighty pistol grip job?

My Gitzo is slightly lighter and 2cm shorter when folded, never found it a problem to carry especially with the head removed if needs be. Small good quality ball head would be ideal, Markins Q3 for example, easy and cheap enough to pick up generic Arca Swiss plates.