Travel Tripod

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Daniel Hannabuss

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Looking at getting a light but sturdy travel tripod for backpacking around Iceland next year. Been looking at either the Gitzo GT3542LS or the GT3541 Mountaineer. Has anyone got any feedback on these or maybe a different option?

Thanks
 
If you're already looking at the tripods you've named, I think you know what you're doing and don't really need Thom Hogan's Tripod 101 (link). But, it's a good read anyway. You'll see that he does suggest some alternatives, both cheaper ("acceptable") and more expensive ("yes, it is better than a Gitzo").

Do you have a right-angle finder? I find mine quite useful on a travel tripod that doesn't some up to near eye level and for ground level macro work too. I prefer not to use the screen and just can't seem to get my old bones down far enough to pear through the viewfinder.
 
Hey Dan

I am also looking for a decent travel tripod. The choices are not great and I am trying to avoid Gitzo prices.

A couple that were recommended to me were Redged http://www.redgedstore.com/ the TSC-427K looks great and used by Lizzie S

I would order one of these but cant one in stock anywhere.

Also Feisol worth looking at thier traveller range http://www.feisoleurope.com/rapid-tripods-traveler-tripods-c-1_11.html

I have also considered Giottos Vituvian series http://www.giottos-tripods.co.uk/index.php?page=productpage&cat=4e0ae5b2ba971&product=4e0ae6ded2454

I would avoid anything with 5 sections - just got to be a pain in the rear and flexible at full height

Let me know how you get on as I want to order soon for some mountain photography
 
Got a series 1 mountaineer too and totally agree with Mark, its ideal when wandering about a lot or if you need to pack it in a bag.

Also got a series 3 systematic 4 section version and wouldn't really consider it a travel tripod hence the reason I bought the smaller one

Both have their uses and don't forget a suitable head too, I use a Markins M10 on the larger tripod and a lighter smaller Photo Clam (Markins clone) on the other one
 
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I would strongly recommend the Gitzo 1542T. It's easily the lightest/most stable tripod in its class and with a lightweight (Markins) head, it's a superb set up - small, light and easy to travel with.

I have the 1542 and 3542LS and to be honest, the 3542 is too big to travel with for a reasonable amount of time, unless you're shooting with bigger lenses and a big head.

I have a cheap Red Snapper head on my 1542 (my budget wouldn't stretch to the Markins) and together with weigh just over 1.2kg and are easily capable of holding my D3 or D800 with RRS L Bracket and any standard lens, even the 70-200 2.8 VRII.
 
Another vote for the Gitzo 1542T. I use mine with a Redsnapper RSH-61 ballhead, £24.95 and only 268g. The combo is @ half the weight of my other tripod/head (also Redsnapper), at under 1.3kg. It fits nicely under the flap of my Thinktank Retro10 and I take it out regardless of whether I think I'll need it or not as it's so portable. It supports either my gripped 7D or 1D MkIII with a 70-200 2.8L Mk2 attached.

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When selecting tripod & head. Please bear in mind that the most important factor is focal length of the lens. The actual weight of the gear is not that important as you almost never exceed load factor of any tripod. Since you haven't mentioned which lens you want to use, it is hard to give you any recommendations.

The GT3542LS or GT3541 you mentioned are 4 section models with tubes diameter 1.25". These are probably the best tripods on the market. They are good for almost anything up to 500mm and yet are quite portable (but not particularly compact). The LS model is systematic series with flat top and no central column. This tripod design is widely considered as the most stable tripod design on the market.

Gitzo 1542T suggested by others is a very different class of tripod. It is ultra-compact travel tripod with 0.88" tubes. Obviously, it is still an excellent tripod, but it is by no means comparable with GT3542LS as far as stability is concerned.
 
mpe said:
...The GT3542LS or GT3541 you mentioned are 4 section models with tubes diameter 1.25"...

...Gitzo 1542T suggested by others is a very different class of tripod...
Click to expand...

From his initial choice of options, I suspect that the OP knows what to look for.

For anyone else...
PickleB said:
...Thom Hogan's Tripod 101 (link)...
Click to expand...
Quote "I recommend you avoid the 0 and 1 series if you're using any serious DSLR and going for solid stability. The 2 series works fine with D200-sized cameras with lenses up to the 70-200mm; the 3 series is recommended for anything larger."
 
PickleB said:
From his initial choice of options, I suspect that the OP knows what to look for.

For anyone else...Quote "I recommend you avoid the 0 and 1 series if you're using any serious DSLR and going for solid stability. The 2 series works fine with D200-sized cameras with lenses up to the 70-200mm; the 3 series is recommended for anything larger."
Click to expand...

If you're backpacking for a longish period of time (event 2 weeks+), I challenge you to feel comfortable carrying a 3 series tripod and head, especially when you have to carry all your camera gear. I've tried it - it's not comfortable and you end up resenting it and actually not using it because it's a ball ache (from my experience).

What Thom fails to recognise or address is in what circumstances he's been using the tripods. I have a 1-Series and 3-Series and when around home/local area and travelling in my car, the 3-Series goes everywhere because it is more stable. However, when I travelled to Nepal a few weeks back the 1-Series came with me due to the weight and portability.

It's still a more than capable tripod with fantastic stability with a D3, D800 and lens up to the 24-70, and in some circumstances the 70-200.

What the OP has failed to tell us is what kit he'll be taking. If he's planning on shooting wildlife with a 600mm, he'll be better off with a 5-Series/Wimberley. If he's shooting landscapes with a 5D, the Traveller will be fine.
 
Impspeed said:
If you're backpacking for a longish period of time (event 2 weeks+), I challenge you to feel comfortable carrying a 3 series tripod and head...
Click to expand...
You're right. I'd assumed (probably wrongly) from the OP's post and choice of tripod that is experienced and that "backpacking around Iceland" wouldn't be quite as arduous as 2+ weeks in Africa or India.

Impspeed said:
...What the OP has failed to tell us is what kit he'll be taking...
Click to expand...
Another good point.
 
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Even for hiking with pro-sized DLSR gear I wouldn't take anything weaker than Gitzo 2 series. GT2542T is only 0.3kg heavier than 1542T and has about the same folded height. Yet it is much stronger that then 1542T thanks to larger tube diameter and better made top section.

Obviously even he 1542T is two levels above cheaper tripods like 190CX4 or cheap Chinese brands.
 
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