light backpacking tripod

coigach · Dec 28, 2008

Have just bought a new-to-me Fuji GA645zi rangefinder. I bought this to take with me on backpacking / mountain walking trips. It's certainly a lot lighter than the 5 lens Pentax 67 kit and heavy tripod I normally use for my landscape photos...!

I'm looking for a lightweight tripod, as light as I can get off with as I'll be carrying it up mountains. For info, the camera is under 1kg in weight and has a short fixed lens. I'm after a 3 section tripod as I think they're more stable (and the length means that it will fit into the ice-axe loops of my rucsack!). Weight-wise I think carbon will be the best bet, a tripod with no centre column would also cut down the weight. I plan to put a light ballhead on the tripod. And finally, price is important too - can't stretch to a Gitzo I'm afraid...:rolleyes:

Any recommendations?

Cheers,
Gavin

Chazzy · Dec 28, 2008

http://www.feisol.com/english/feisolen.htm

But I can't tell you who imports them into the UK--I only know the guy who sells them in the U.S..

Mark Fisher · Dec 28, 2008

Chazzy said:
http://www.feisol.com/english/feisolen.htm

But I can't tell you who imports them into the UK--I only know the guy who sells them in the U.S..

I like my Feisol. I own the smallest one that the American importer has and itweighs about 1kg. I use it with a Hasselblad (mirror and aperture locked) and for a small field camera. It may actually be overkill for the Fuji. Even at that, I'd still recommend it. The US importer is a sponsor here and provided me with excellent service. http://reallybigcameras.com/Feisol/Feisol

Pinholemaster · Dec 28, 2008

Here's an awesome lightweight tripod. 1.2 kg

Doesn't go tall, but gets very very low.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=TP-243&eq=&Tp=

Probably out of your price range if you can't go Gitzo.

r-brian · Dec 30, 2008

I know a lot of people here rave about the Feisol and they are probably very good tripods. But I bought a Flashpoint, which is the house brand for Adorama: Dead Link Removed. I bought the 1228 which holds 17 pounds for my 4x5 Tachi and it works great. The 1128 is the smaller version which may fit what you need. For $159, I doubt you can find a better deal. It is a 4 section, not 3 section you want. And it does have a center column, but the column is a two piece column so you can unscrew the bottom half and only have a 6 inch column. In the year I've had mine, I have not had a single problem, having using it with my 4x5 and a Nikon F3 with a 24-50 and a heavy Vivitar Series 1 35-85 f2.8.

You may want to check out Adorama's little ball heads that go with these tripods, small and light weight and amazingly stable enough.

BTW, I take this tripod with me when shooting at 10,000 ft and it's really nice to have a 3.5 pound tripod.

coigach · Jan 1, 2009

Thanks for help folks.

Cheers,
Gavin

Peter Black · Jan 1, 2009

Happy new year Gavin!

Don't know if you've had a look, but Ffordes are doing a clearance on ex demo Gitzos and Manfrottos. I don't know if they are clearing anything you'd be interested in though. Dead Link Removed

All the best, Peter

ReallyBigCameras · Jan 1, 2009

Gavin,

I'm not located in the UK, but I'm a Feisol dealer (and APUG Sponsor). You can see complete specs and prices on the entire Feisol tripod line at:

http://reallybigcameras.com/Feisol/Tripods

I personally use the Feisol CT-3342 (3-section legs, no center column) for backpacking with my 4x5 Toho FC-45X. It will handle your Fuji GA645Zi with ease. It's longer and bulkier than the CT-3441S Traveler Tripod, but as long as you don't need it to fit inside your pack, or inside an airline carry-on, the size shouldn't be a problem. In terms of weight, it's only about an ounce heavier than the more compact CT-3441S, but gives you the other features you desire (3-section legs and no center column).

If you have any questions about the Feisol products, I'd be happy to answer them here, by PM or though email.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

coigach · Jan 4, 2009

Thanks for info Kerry.

Tom Kershaw · Jan 4, 2009

I use a Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod that attaches conveniently to a LowePro Protrekker.

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=1676&PT_ID=175

Claire Senft · Jan 11, 2009

My recommendation is to carry your present heavy tripod. Do it as often as possible...minimally once a day. The Fuji and your photos will thank you. Your wallet will not change. You will have less reason to spend funds or time to go to a gym or a doctor.

light backpacking tripod

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