Tripod for Hiking with an A-1 or AE-1

Can anyone recommend a good light weight tripod to use while hiking? I will not be using any lenses larger than a 135/3.5 with a Canon 2x doubler. I'd like to keep the price below $200.

Have you tried looking in a thrift shop first? I've seen plenty of lightweight, reasonably sturdy tripods (Slik and other brands) in thrift stores for $10 or less. A $200 tripod sounds like overkill for what you're using.

 

Also, depending on your needs, you might consider a monopod or clamp/screw attachment for a hiking pole. They can be useful when you want to travel light.

Edited December 8, 2020 by m42dave

thrift shop

I agree. - Sorry, good light & cheap, you can get any 2 of those traits. - To burn $200, I'd maybe combine thrift shop legs with a half decent head of choice, since tripod heads can be the most annoying part.

Commercial products targeted at you: Manfrotto Beefree, something "Rollei"?

Which height would you like to be able to use?

Flip or twist locks for the legs?

These days there should be hope to spot a review video of every Amazon listing somewhere on Youtube. - Dive into them!

I haven't solved the hiking tripod issue for myself yet. I only got spoiled by way less portable stuff in between.

m42ave and Jochen have the core of it.

 

If you're asking this question in the Canon FD forum, you can't be too picky about the tripod being new.;)

We have a little Velbon PH243 that we used all over Europe and lots of hiking trips. Its very light yet for up to a 200mm f2.8 (using the lens tripod mount) its pretty stable. Sure its not my wooden Berlebach but then you need a wheel barrow to drag that thing around with you. They seam to be discontinued but there is one on ebay right now

Thrift shop is a good start! I picked up a well worn Manfrotto (I think..label has worn off) aluminum one with snap leg stops and a removable center post (with 2 extensions - like a hiking pole), for about $9 and added a 494 head...it gets used much more than my expensive and very heavy Gitzo.

I haven't been inside of another building other than my own home since the middle of March so thrift shops are out for now. Besides I really like new things. My family was quite poor when I was young until my parents business took off after a few years. The joy of getting brand new clothes, books and toys has never worn off.

I haven't been inside of another building other than my own home since the middle of March.... .

 

In spite of this and your desire for new, you do know that Goodwill and Salvation Army have online sales sites carrying lots of used camera gear, and then there is the big auction site as well.

Take a look at this tripod, includes tripod legs and head. I haven't used it, but it is at the right price, seems like what you are looking for, comes from a good manufacturer, and is at one of the stores which, during the holiday season, has extended the time for returns. It's not tall, but you are asking for a good, light, inexpensive and new tripod, which is tough to find.

There is a light tripod with head on sale at B&H until midnight New York time. Like the one I mentioned above, I don't have experience with it, but you might want to check it out and return it if you don't like it.

There is a light tripod with head on sale at B&H until midnight New York time. Like the one I mentioned above, I don't have experience with it, but you might want to check it out and return it if you don't like it.

The reviews for the MeFOTO Road Trip S carbon fiber tripod on the Net were excellent and the sale price is $80 off so I just ordered it. Thanks to all for the good advice.

I'm glad the information was useful and hope the tripod works out for you. BTW, back when I used a short tripod, I found it very helpful to put a right-angle viewer on the camera. Made focusing and viewing much easier on my neck.