Travel Tripod for Europe

dodphotography · Dec 12, 2017

Traveling to Europe ... Travel Tripod suggestions? I don’t think hauling a Gitzo Series 3 and Cube is happening.

Something that could be tucked under the flap of a messenger bag / be ok going in and out of museums and stuff.

Will hold a Rollei / SWC so weight isn’t an issue.

Thanks, y’all.

BrianShaw · Dec 12, 2017

It's been a few years, but when I was doing what you plan to do I took a monopod. Was easier to carry/use and, I think, almost as effective. I was shooting a Rollei TLR at the time but have done the same with a Hassy and a Speed Graphic too.

The only issue I ever had with that was once with the British police upon arrival. They thought it was an "aerial" and pulled me aside to investigate. Interestingly, it took a demonstration to get them to understand how a one-legged pod can hold a camera. I was never sure that they were convinced but they let me go so what do I care.

jeffreyg · Dec 12, 2017

I take a Gitzo carbon fiber about 21 inches folded plus their ball head together weighing about 5 or 6 pounds. It fits the carry-on size. I keep it in a Domke canvas tripod bag.That setup supports a Hasselblad with as much as a 250mm plus a 2x. I know this is not what you are looking for but most museums do not permit tripods and some do not permit "large" cameras. If you are planning to visit a number of museums take a pocket size digital as a backup. You might even consider a monopod. I have a Manfrotto that has detachable legs but I haven't used it on a trip.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 12, 2017

I have an inexpensive Induro aluminum three-section tripod that is not much longer than my camera bag when collapsed. I've taken it with me to Paris and Mexico for doing night photography. Using it indoors was never an option, and shooting Tri-X or even Kodak Ektar 100 in daytime was never a problem for hand-held shots, even inside museums (well, I did need Portra 800 for some museum interiors). Looking on the B&H website it appears that Induro has discontinued their aluminum legsets so I can't point you to the exact model any more. I know a lot of people are very happy with the Benro Travel Angel tripods - you might look at one of those.

cowanw · Dec 12, 2017

FLM CP26-Travel Tripod on http://www.flmcanada.com/carbon-fibre-tripods.html
available at B&H
is my current tripod which travels in a carry on. My old one had to go in packed luggage.

Helinophoto · Dec 12, 2017

Get a $20 el cheapo tripod that fits in your checked luggage, it's light to carry, easy to pack and does the job if you don't extend the legs too much.
A real tripod would be way too much hassle on a vacation (depending on what camera you are taking with you).

mikemgb · Dec 12, 2017

I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUO068S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It fits in my carry-on, it's light and cheap enough that I wouldn't care too much if it gets lost or damaged. It's even sturdy enough that I use it with my Speed Graphic

macfred · Dec 12, 2017

For travelling with my Rolleiflex or my other medium format rangefinder cameras I carry an old Linhof monopod (transport 48 cm, extended 155 cm, weight 320 g)
and/or THE RED pod (kind of beanbag with a mounting bolt, weight 320 g).

Besk · Dec 12, 2017

Look up the Sirui T-025x. About 12 " long and 2 lbs. Carbon fiber. Around $200 from B&H Photo.
I took one to Belarus this summer for my Rolleiflex. Worked very well. I used the Rolleiflex tripod adapter
with it.

crumpet8 · Dec 12, 2017

I recently bought the one in the link specifically for my TLRs (1kg each) and am very happy with it. It only weighs 1.6kg, the ball works well with casual/fast setup TLR shooting and it’s steady. I tried the manfrotto compact action in the store as that was cheaper and lighter, but it was rubbish.

https://www.stavangerfoto.no/nettbu...de-114169-p0000041645?plid=41645&ref=prisjakt

carlostaiwan · Dec 13, 2017

If you want to visit tourist spots in Europe, Barcelona, Paris etc. careful with pickpocketing, I would carry something light, cheap and discreet like this:

dodphotography · Dec 13, 2017

TheFlyingCamera said:
I have an inexpensive Induro aluminum three-section tripod that is not much longer than my camera bag when collapsed. I've taken it with me to Paris and Mexico for doing night photography. Using it indoors was never an option, and shooting Tri-X or even Kodak Ektar 100 in daytime was never a problem for hand-held shots, even inside museums (well, I did need Portra 800 for some museum interiors). Looking on the B&H website it appears that Induro has discontinued their aluminum legsets so I can't point you to the exact model anymore. I know a lot of people are very happy with the Benro Travel Angel tripods - you might look at one of those.

Scott... quick logistical question and advice needed. I understand that in many spaces you cannot use a tripod but what happens if you have it with you? I am on a tour in Paris where I'll be gone with students from AM to PM with no real chance to head back to the hotel... the joys of chaperoning! Would it be safe to check the tripod into a coat check or would they let me carry it in as long as it's tucked in my messenger bag?

I do a lot of long exposure work so a monopod is out. I should have mentioned that intention with my work and the quest for a small tripod. I don't travel much which is why I have never really ventured down this path before.

jeffreyg · Dec 13, 2017

We have visited many museums in Europe and I checked both exposed cameras and ones in backpacks when required and had no problems nor problems with pickpockets. You can carry money and documents under clothing and I have a couple of pants from the Columbia brand that have a pocket with a zipper that zips the opposite way. You can also secure a pocket with safety pins. Be aware of your surroundings, don't become distracted easily and don't take an expensive watch. I have taken everything from 4x5, 2 1/4, 35mm, digital slr to point and shoot on various trips for over fifty years and (so far) never had a problem.

Take what you are comfortable with and enjoy your trip.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

jack straw · Dec 13, 2017

I have recently been using a Mefoto Globetrotter and it does the job nicely. It is the aluminum model, and about $230 depending on where you buy it. It is a great size for travel and works fine with my Hasselblad. My one complaint is that the fit into the carrying case it comes with is very tight.

Mick Fagan · Dec 13, 2017

I spent two months this year in Iceland, then we headed to Germany, with very few exceptions, I carried this tripod.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/QZSD-Q-...07441308?hash=item4d6507079c&autorefresh=true

There are some outstanding features of this tripod as far as I'm concerned, firstly it folds down to 35cm and very easily fits into my 35 llitre day back pack. It also fits into many other things as well; in fact, we have carried it in little aluminium cases and once in a small unused fishing tackle box along with other stuff to keep things dry.

The second amazing feature, is weight, it is very light, hovering around the 1kg mark including the small but excellent head.

The third very good feature is the monopod, which is made by partial disassembly and re-assembly using the gold leg of the tripod and the extending centre column; this works very well with a Nikon F3 with MD4 drive and 180mm lens, which is an unwieldy combination as it is front heavy but works well with the monopod.

I am not saying this is a super sturdy tripod, but I can tell you, the tripod you can carry and have with you, either because of size or weight, is the tripod you will use.

I have had this tripod for 3 years now, it is the tripod I now take whenever I am not using a 4x5 camera with my Berlebach tripod. There are certainly better tripods, really better tripods, but this one for travel, is the bee knees.

If you search for Q-666C this is the one, cheaper alternatives do not have the capital letter C at the end. "C", denotes carbon fibre.

Mick.

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 13, 2017

dodphotography said:
Scott... quick logistical question and advice needed. I understand that in many spaces you cannot use a tripod but what happens if you have it with you? I am on a tour in Paris where I'll be gone with students from AM to PM with no real chance to head back to the hotel... the joys of chaperoning! Would it be safe to check the tripod into a coat check or would they let me carry it in as long as it's tucked in my messenger bag?

I do a lot of long exposure work so a monopod is out. I should have mentioned that intention with my work and the quest for a small tripod. I don't travel much which is why I have never really ventured down this path before.

I would think that in major museums, etc., you'd be fine with checking in to the coat check, and in other places like Notre Dame, if you didn't take it out and try to use it, you'd be ok with carrying it on you. I never tried carrying it in the day time as I never wanted the hassle. I had the luxury of being there with my father, staying in an apartment on the Ile St. Louis, so I could leave it at home during the day, and break it out at night when I wanted to do long exposure work.

mooseontheloose · Dec 14, 2017

dodphotography said:
Scott... quick logistical question and advice needed. I understand that in many spaces you cannot use a tripod but what happens if you have it with you? I am on a tour in Paris where I'll be gone with students from AM to PM with no real chance to head back to the hotel... the joys of chaperoning! Would it be safe to check the tripod into a coat check or would they let me carry it in as long as it's tucked in my messenger bag?

I do a lot of long exposure work so a monopod is out. I should have mentioned that intention with my work and the quest for a small tripod. I don't travel much which is why I have never really ventured down this path before.

I’ve been in this situation myself and I always check the bag. In fact, in some museums, you may have to. After carrying a camera bag all day, it’s nice to have a break from it now and again.

dodphotography · Dec 14, 2017

mooseontheloose said:
I’ve been in this situation myself and I always check the bag. In fact, in some museums, you may have to. After carrying a camera bag all day, it’s nice to have a break from it now and again.

no fear of leaving a highly valuable tool with the coat room, safety wise?

BrianShaw · Dec 14, 2017

dodphotography said:
no fear of leaving a highly valuable tool with the coat room, safety wise?

I do. When visiting a museum that does not allow bags I plan ahead and leave my camera gear at the hotel or in the car... not that it is any safer there, but...

mooseontheloose · Dec 14, 2017

dodphotography said:
no fear of leaving a highly valuable tool with the coat room, safety wise?

No. That said, it's not like I'm travelling with a $1000+ tripod. But I've left my entire camera bag with multiple cameras and lenses in it, without worries. I've never heard of anything being lifted or stolen from a bag check in any country that I've been to.

In many cases, they have lockers (in addition to the usually free coat/bag check) if you prefer to lock things up more securely.

M. Axel Wikstrom · Dec 15, 2017

For travel I use a 4-section carbon Induro tripod (C014) with a small Linhof aluminum ball head. No quick release plate on the head. For the Hasselblad I screw on a Hasselblad quick release plate; for my 6x9 technical camera and others, I simply loosen the ball and screw it into the bottom of the camera - which is almost as fast as a "quick release" plate.

chrisaisenbrey · Dec 15, 2017

Another problem is that some museums have x-ray scanners at the entrance. So don’t carry film with you which you don’t need the same day.

TheRook · Dec 15, 2017

On my last overseas trip, I brought a retractable monopod with me, for use with my TLR camera. I did not need a tripod at all - the compact, light-weight monopod was plenty adequate.

Steve Goldstein · Dec 15, 2017

The unit suggested by mikemgb in post #7 looks very similar to the one Mick mentioned in post #15. I just ordered one even though I have a Feisol 3441S , which seems very similar, and a somewhat bigger Gitzo CF that I only use locally. The two key selling points to me, of roughly equal importance, were (1) it can be partially disassembled to become a CF monopod and (2) it has flip locks. Both my current tripods and my Gitzo 1560 monopod use twist-locks, which are tough to use in cold weather while wearing mittens, especially the skinny aluminum Gitzo monopod. It was around 14F (-10C) while I was out walking in the woods this morning and I had trouble getting any purchase on the monopod while wearing my heavy mittens - and I sure didn't want to get the life force sucked out of me by touching that aluminum with bare hands!

I couldn't not buy it at that price. A decent CF monopod costs more.

One can't have too many tripods, right?

Ian Grant · Dec 15, 2017

What's the difference between a travel tripod for Europe compared to say a travel tripod for North America ?

For travel I bought a Slick Sprint Pro II with a ball head, Calumet sell the same tripod under their own name with a 3 way head I think Calumet (stores in Europe) has just been bought and there's a recent name change. It's small light, fits in a small back pack, and it's OK - I use it with my 5x4 Super or Graphic or a TLR. It's not my main tripod it's purely for when I need to travelling light. I guess I've had it 7 or 8 years and it's not let me down, I tend to have to work hand held (in many places I shoot when in Greece/Turkey) and so it gets used when I can use a tripod.

It's been to North America and served me well

Ian

Travel Tripod for Europe

dodphotography

BrianShaw

jeffreyg

TheFlyingCamera

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cowanw

Helinophoto

mikemgb

macfred

Besk

crumpet8

carlostaiwan

dodphotography

jeffreyg

jack straw

Mick Fagan

TheFlyingCamera

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mooseontheloose

dodphotography

BrianShaw

mooseontheloose

M. Axel Wikstrom

chrisaisenbrey

TheRook

Steve Goldstein

Ian Grant

Travel Tripod for Europe

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