traveller tripods

<p>I am considering getting a carbon fiber traveller tripod as I will be taking trips to Machu Picchu and Galapagos Is. and Alaska. I have had my beloved Bogen-Manfrotto 3221 tripod (5.75#) and Kirk BH-1 ballhead ( 1.75#) for years but am looking for something more compact in the suitcase and lighter carrying. My longest telephoto is a Nikon 70-200/f4 with my D7100. Based on criteria for folding length 16-20 inches, weight 2.5-3.5#, load capacity of > 20 # and max. height of at least 50 inches without center column extended, I have been especially looking at Benro Travel Angel 9X series 2 with 4 section legs. Other models are: Benro GC268T GoTravel 4 section and the Sirui N-2204X. I will keep using my Kirk BH-1 ballhead with the traveller tripod. Does anyone have experience with or knowledge of how these models measure up with competitors and among themselves? Is the 90 degree rotating center column preferred over a detachable monopod option with the two Benro's? Are Sirui tripods well built and respected when compared with the other "non-Gitzos", esp. the Benros? Does the 2.4 # lighter tripod weigth difference between my Manfrotto 3221 and the Sirui make a significant difference and sense in order to make purchase? I realize that last question may be a bit subjective. I appreciate peoples' input. Skip Wilson</p>

<p>Can't talk about those specific tripods, but I do have a Bogen 3221 and a lightweight tripod (2.5 lbs without center column) and the difference in weight is very noticeable, even if I attach the center column to my lightweight tripod. This is especially true after lugging it around for a few hours and/or to destinations with uneven terrain, such as your planned trips.</p>

 

<p>My only advice and I have two Gitzo, Three Manfrotto and a Giottos, is to TRY before you buy</p>

<p>thanks for your responses. That is what I needed to hear, that someone thought the weigth difference from their Bogen 3221 and the new carbon fiber travel pods was noticeable enough when it came to carrying it around.</p>

<p>Do you want light or do you want rigid or do you want both, that is in fact three choices.<br>

Light means poor damping<br>

Rigid can mean more weight<br>

You get what you pay for. As I say I have Gitzo (2), manfrotto (2), Giottos (1), and nothing will part me from my Gitzos.<br>

If you can afford it look for the GT3540L</p>

<p>I have a heavy old tripod and a much lighter "travel" sort of tripod. Yes, the weight difference is noticeable in use. And perhaps as noticeable when it comes to travel is the size difference. The smaller, lighter tripod is also a 4 section tripod and while it doesn't have foldback legs, the difference in length collapsed makes for easier packing and easier walking, it can be strapped on the back or even the bottom of a pack and be reasonably out of the way for city walking, etc. The big one is big. Longer, bigger around top and bottom. It's not easily dealt with in congested areas. </p>

<p>Note that any tripod overloaded is going to be less satisfactory than one within it's appropriate load range (load, weather, focal length, head capacity, etc.) so trading too much for travel convenience may be false savings. Aside from physical size though, one can also look to scrubbing unneeded items from one's overall kit to also cut down weight. Maybe a lens, some batteries, other accessories, large versus small flash, etc., and also reduce weight. </p>

<p>Many years ago I had an old Vivitar tripod with a tilting column. I never used it that way. I have used the light tripod, legs together, like a monopod in some settings. Not a completely adequate replacement for a monopod but it worked for what I wanted at the time. I don't have a tripod that can be adapted to use as a monopod after disassembling the legs/post, etc. I have some questions in my mind about the potential trade-offs in rigidity or reliability in including those features. Not that they may not be useful, just that I don't need them in the way I do things so having them as options is less a feature for me than it might be for others.</p>

<p>Benro has made good strides in "recent" (to me) terms, Sirui is getting good discussion but it hasn't been around as long as some of the others so it's a bit hard to judge. It's newer than Benro/Induro, which is newer than Gitzo so long term reputation isn't there yet. I doubt my next tripod will be a Gitzo (not withstanding maybe from the used market) because for my uses, there are less expensive alternatives which will do what i need. OTOH, there is some risk in going for the newest cheapest alternatives and time in the market can show and has for several new brands that they have improved and continue to do so - and are knawing off chunks of the traditional brands market share. </p>