[IanCD]

I've just bought this bag.

It has a fold-away pouch and strap at the side for carrying a compact tripod.

Does anyone have recommendations for one to use with this bag?



Looks like it would comfortably take a tripod which collapses down to about 43cm / 17in.

If possible, I want one that would be light enough to carry with the kit while hiking and cycling, but also well made and strong enough to mount a Nikon D7000 camera and Tamron 70-300 lens (heaviest lens I have at moment).

Camera and lens together are just over 1.5kg.

Thanks,

Ian

[mst]

I once learned in a different forum (or was it here?) that there are three main categories that define a tripod:

1. Strength/capacity
   
   
2. Low weight/Small size (folded)
   
   
3. Low price
   
   
   
   

You can choose any two, but not all three.



Personally, I went for the Gitzo Traveler (mine is a GT1541, the current one is called GT1542). It's good enough in the field regarding list item 1 (not recommended to fully extend the legs and the center with a long lens or in anything other than still air), certainly great regarding item 2 but doesn't really qualify for 3.



Note that it's just a tripod and you'd also need a good head. And maybe some sort of quick release solution (personal preference, though).



Some less expensive, but still high quality brands to consider as alternatives are Velbon and Feisol.



-- Markus

[wojtt]

Another nice and reasonably priced gear is Manfrotto, I can recommend the 190 series, both alu and carbon versions are worth it, and good enough for your setup.. same goes for the heads.



A very lighweight alternative - although with a rather different application - is a Gorillapod :



http://joby.com/gorillapod/focus/



I have used one of those with the D700 and it held up to the task <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[IanCD]

[quote name='mst' timestamp='1302378720' post='7519']

I once learned in a different forum (or was it here?) that there are three main categories that define a tripod:

1. Strength/capacity
   
   
2. Low weight/Small size (folded)
   
   
3. Low price
   
   
   
   

You can choose any two, but not all three.

Personally, I went for the Gitzo Traveler (mine is a GT1541, the current one is called GT1542). It's good enough in the field regarding list item 1 (not recommended to fully extend the legs and the center with a long lens or in anything other than still air), certainly great regarding item 2 but doesn't really qualify for 3.

Note that it's just a tripod and you'd also need a good head. And maybe some sort of quick release solution (personal preference, though).



Some less expensive, but still high quality brands to consider as alternatives are Velbon and Feisol.



-- Markus

[/quote]

Thanks Markus. That's helpful - makes sense.

I was looking at Slik Sprint Mini II GM online earlier - guess that would meet 2 and 3, but not 1...



I just checked out the price of the Gitzo... GULP, ...that is a lot more than I was thinking of..! <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />



Wojtt: Thanks too. I'll check out those Manfrotto

Ian

[miro]

Keep in mind that Tamron70-300 is long relativeliy heavy lens without tripod mount.

My setup of canon 50d+tamron70-30vc tends to have center of gravity far in front of camera mount. This pushes the reqirement for trpipod load x2…3.



My setup of Canon 50d+tamron70-300VC + Giottos 9361+Giottos balhead MH1301 it's just fine. It’is acceptable good to mild windy conditions.



If you use this lens frequently on tripod it’s worth to look for some off-camera mount. E.g Manfrotto lens support.

[IanCD]

[quote name='miro' timestamp='1302507337' post='7527']

Keep in mind that Tamron70-300 is long relativeliy heavy lens without tripod mount.

My setup of canon 50d+tamron70-30vc tends to have center of gravity far in front of camera mount. This pushes the reqirement for trpipod load x2…3.



My setup of Canon 50d+tamron70-300VC + Giottos 9361+Giottos balhead MH1301 it's just fine. It’is acceptable good to mild windy conditions.



If you use this lens frequently on tripod it’s worth to look for some off-camera mount. E.g Manfrotto lens support.

[/quote]

Thanks Miro,

It's mainly this lens that I'm thinking about carrying the tripod for... but it has to fit the Lowepro bag and be light enough to cycle / walk with.

I didn't say in the original post, but I already have an old (1980s?) Stitz 3B/BK tripod - which does take the camera with this lens but it won't fit in the tripod attachment on the bag - and it's heavy..!



This looks like I'll be making another trip to the dealer I've been using (2.5 hour round trip) to try different tripods out rather than ordering online. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Ian

[miro]

One more thinks to consider.

The shops floors are steady mostly from concrete, while in nature I’m shooting in soft Dutch soil /no rocks at all/, even worse sometime I have to shoot at grass fields.

You frame the picture at 300mm you fasten the ball head and move your hand from camera. Due to the off-center gravity the picture framing goes down. Spikes in legs or tripod weighting would help in such situation.



How do I use the tripod?

I’ve made small plank from Al-Mg alloy, just to mount the quick release 20-30mm in front of camera tripiod mount.. Here is the centre of gravity for my canon 50d+tamron70-30vc at 300mm with lens hood. .



When I swap my lenses frequently I work without this plate and just give extra care for steady tripod mounting. E.g. spikes on or cover the bottom legs with sand. Last but not at least weight the tripod with backpack.









My sugestiion is first try to use your old tripod. Find the problems ans commmings, then search the new one according to your own experience.



Forums are nice way to share experience, but problems that I have with this lens on tripod doesn’t mean that are relevant for you.. E.g Klaus have not seen such off-centre problem with T70-300vc because he used long quick release plates /a la Arca Swiss./





success,

Miro