Recommend a tripod

[remedyzrider]

Looking for something generally portable on a backpack able to hold a DSLR with small to moderate lense (i.e. no massive, heavy lenses). I'll be off to my honeymoon in Hawaii soon and this will really come in handy. TIA

[sonicGLI]

Without a max price, we can no help. Tripod quality, unlike most other things, almost always determines quality (especially in the build and weight department). A quality, lightweight tripod will set you back a few hundred. Unfortunately, throwing in those two requirements makes a tripod expensive, otherwise you have to choose one or the other (quality -vs- lightweight).

Quality:
- Cheap: Heavy but stable or light but unstable.
- Expensive: Heavy or Light and able to hold heavy DSLR+Lens combos, stable, etc.

Lightweight:
- Cheap: Horrible quality plastic making it unstable with crappy leg controls (that slip or are difficult to use).
- Expensive: Carbon Fiber (or other exotic material) that remains stable.

My favorite lightweight + quality tripod is a Gitzo (I have two of them, one larger, one smaller).

[peoples_car]

I have this; Oben 1410 Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head and it serves my purposes perfectly.

Sturdy, light, nice enough ball head to support my gripped D90, and collapses to 21" so it fits in my carry on luggage, and all for $120.

Could not be happier and recommend it enough

[keystervr6]

I recommend one with three legs.

[synthsis]

I have a Dolica and hit handles my D300 w/grip, flash, and any lens with no issues. I think it was like $50.

[ohsnappe2]

I recommend one with three legs.

funny cause i reccommend one with 1 leg.

monopods are much lighter and awesome!

[sonicGLI]

funny cause i reccommend one with 1 leg.

monopods are much lighter and awesome!

I have a couple monopods, but can't remember the last time I used them. They were great to hold extremely heavy lenses (ie, 300/400L) but I rarely use those lenses anymore. Plus, the OP said he's going on a honeymoon in Hawaii, I'm assuming he'll be wanting to take some longer exposures of the landscape (during golden hours) and he'll need 3 legs to truly stabilize the camera.

Otherwise, a monopod is a great addition to your gear.

[Ohwiehm]

I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 488RC2 ball head. It set me back around $300 but it was worth it. Packable? Definitely in your luggage, but it might be hard to keep it in a carry on. Have a great time in Hawaii.

[Cousin Eddie]

I have a Manfrotto 7322CY Carbon Fiber tripod. It is super light, compact and has a ball head. I love it.



Pic for collapsed size reference. It just fits in my Manfrotto Veloce Vii backpack:

[FourthGenHatch]

I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 488RC2 ball head. It set me back around $300 but it was worth it. Packable? Definitely in your luggage, but it might be hard to keep it in a carry on. Have a great time in Hawaii.

I think I have this exact same one.

[sonicGLI]

I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 488RC2 ball head. It set me back around $300 but it was worth it. Packable? Definitely in your luggage, but it might be hard to keep it in a carry on. Have a great time in Hawaii.

One of my assistants has this one (I think, if not, it's very similar) and she loves it.

[remedyzrider]

Thanks everyone for the valuable input. I never really set a budget as I'll spend what it takes to get a quality tripod that meets the requirements of a novice shooter. I ballparked the $100 to $300 range. I'll take a look into all the recommendations.

[GolfTango]

I have this; Oben 1410 Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head and it serves my purposes perfectly.

Sturdy, light, nice enough ball head to support my gripped D90, and collapses to 21" so it fits in my carry on luggage, and all for $120.

Could not be happier and recommend it enough

Wow, that's a pretty nice set up for $120.

[remedyzrider]

I have this; Oben 1410 Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head and it serves my purposes perfectly.

Sturdy, light, nice enough ball head to support my gripped D90, and collapses to 21" so it fits in my carry on luggage, and all for $120.

Could not be happier and recommend it enough.

Pulled the trigger on this. Seems like great performance for the money. Great recommendation

[Dirtistasty2]

For really small and light, I can recommend the Manfrotto MKC3-H01. It's only around 60" tall and isn't suitable for really large lenses, but has been stable enough for me to get some HDR images in windy situations. I don't think I'd trust it for really long exposures over one minute though, at least not at maximum height. The pistol grip head makes setup very quick too, not good for panos tho.

http://www.manfrotto.us/compact-5-se...eo-kit-with-qr

Sample HDR images taken using this tripod:

Entrance to the Walt Disney Concert Hall by Manila Vanila, on Flickr


Coat Hanger at Night by Manila Vanila, on Flickr

[peoples_car]

Pulled the trigger on this. Seems like great performance for the money. Great recommendation

Glad I could help

[vwtuner4ever]

I also have the CF Manfrotto tripod. It,s the best in my book. I have an Acratech head. Damn good quality.

[hipster.]

I use the 547b Manfrotto legs with a 701HDV video head



But then again, I shoot video

[EvilGTI]

I use the Slik 500HD


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ipod_with.html

[yel0wsn0]

But then again, I shoot video

I use a video head and shoot stills, I strongly believe they are the best heads to use for precise yet not painfully slow adjustments. Especially with larger cameras.

[sonicGLI]

I use a video head and shoot stills, I strongly believe they are the best heads to use for precise yet not painfully slow adjustments. Especially with larger cameras.

What about portrait orientation

[yel0wsn0]

What about portrait orientation

Rotating backs

In all seriousness, the times I use my tripod are slim to none. I much prefer Tri-X pushed to 1600 and shoot handheld. If I do some tripod work in a studio it will be with a MF/LF camera and rotating backs are available.

Finally It is possible to do a portrait orientation... it's just a pain