Table top and mini tripods recommendations.

<p>Last weekend I headed out with the camera for a drive in the country side. I left my tripod at home thinking I wouldn't need it. Wouldn't you know just after sunset I came upon a beautiful sean that required about a two second exposer. I tried to steady my camera on the hood of my truck the best that I could, but I still ended up with a soft picture.<br /> This got me thinking about buying one of those table top tripods that would fit inside my camera bag and would be quite easy to set up on the hood of my truck if needed.<br /> After looking on the B&H web site, they have over 20 different table top and mini tripods.<br /> I only want to buy one of these just one time, so I need to make the right choice. <br /> Any advice or recommendations are welcome.<br /> <br /> BTW. I have a Nikon D200 and most ot the time use the nikkor DX 12-24 f4 zoom.</p>

<p>See a recent post in the Pentax forum "Best $15 ..." : http://www.photo.net/pentax-camera-forum/00SXjo</p>

 

<p>The Leica one is excellent, but on the pricy side. If you can, head off to a few stores and look at them in person. There are a number of other discussions here on table top tripods, try the search box at the top of the page.</p>

 

<p>Try some old technology and use a bean bag. It has worked for decades and is easy to carry.</p>

<p>Take a look at any of the <a href="http://joby.com/products/gorillapod/">Joby</a> Gorilla pods. With their flexible legs, you can set them up on all kinds of uneven surfaces. You can even wrap the legs around tree branches, railings or anything similar. They work great when you can't carry a full size tripod around. I usually keep one in my car or in my camera bag. The only downside I notice is that they're flexible enough to allow for some camera shake when pressing the shutter button. Using a self timer or a remote shutter button solves that problem.</p>

<p>Oh, another option to consider is a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=window+mount&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2Fproductlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=19&Go.y=11&Go=submit">window mount</a> . They're generally affordable and small enough to keep under your car seat. Might be a little easier than putting a tripod up on the hood.</p>

<p>I bought a Velbon Ultra Luxe I SF with ball head to complement my heavy Bogen. It fits in the camera bag, yet opens to a reasonable height. Very sturdy, but a 100-400 L lens is a bit much for it fully extended. Makes a great table - or hood top tripod. I modified mine so that it takes the same quick release as the Bogen. Finally, with the legs fully retracted and the head at 90 degrees, it makes an acceptable shoulder stock. I'll be taking the Velbon on an upcoming trip rather than the Bogen, but both tripods stay in the car all the time.</p>

<p>It's not exactly a tabletop but have you looked at the Cullman Magic II? I keep one in my car at all times. It won't deal with wind like my Manfrotto and it's a bit troublesome to set up but it can do very well in a situation like you mentioned. You can hang a bag on it and give it some added steadiness. I also use a right angle viewer with it a lot so I can keep the neck extension essentially out of the equation. Parts of it beak down and assemble into a monopod as well.</p>

<p>It was my first tripod, bought for a South American excursion done mostly by bus twenty something years ago. It, a Nikon F body and three lenses all fit into a shoulder bag. I've kept it around for all the original reasons:</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/14703-REG/Cullmann_CU_2722_Magic_2_Tripod.html#features</p>

<p>I never thought I would ever use one of these Gorillapod things but I was shocked at how well it really works, at least with smaller lenses. I also learned the hard way, it works much better with a small ballhead........<br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/494521-REG/Joby__Gorillapod_SLR_Zoom_Flexible_Mini_Tripod.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/494521-REG/Joby__Gorillapod_SLR_Zoom_Flexible_Mini_Tripod.html</a></p>

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<p>Bruce,<br>

Thanks for the link. Have you, or anyone else used the Slik SBH-120 Compact Ballhead 120 that B&H has bundled with the Gorillapod SLR Zoom? I already have the Arca-Swiss <em>B1</em> Ballhead, which is in a differnt league than the one B&H is offering. But the 120 must be much smaller. Also, how do these legs lock together?</p>

<p>Bill, if you will be using a small pod only on the hood of your truck, there are many less expensive alternatives. The whole point of this gorillapod is its flexibility.</p>

<p>I decided it wasn't worth the trouble to swap out the ballhead on my tripod every time I used this little pod. I didn't get the Slik head because it was rated at only 4 lbs. Instead I picked up a Giottos MH-1304, another tiny head that weighs only a couple ounces and is rated for 7 lbs, about the same as the pod. </p>

<p>Neither of these heads have quick release. I thought about one that would take my Arca-Swiss plates but decided they are too big, too heavy, and too expensive. The whole point of this thing is to use it when I don't have my tripod with me so I went for small instead of ease.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/490023-REG/Giottos_MH1304_110C_MH_1304_Pro_Series_II.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/490023-REG/Giottos_MH1304_110C_MH_1304_Pro_Series_II.html</a></p>

<p>I don't know what they use to make the legs flexible but I do know they work. They easily bend to fit the backs of chairs, tree branches, poles, parking meters, etc. I suppose they will weaken over time but I have no idea how long that will be. Haven't tried it yet with a 70-200 f/2.8 but it works fine so far with a D300 and 12-24.</p>

<p>Obviously this little pod is not a replacement for a Gitzo. I still use a full tripod for landscape stuff and wildlife. I think of this little one as the 'better than nothing' alternative. I throw it in my pack when I am out without a tripod. I suppose you could put it in your pants pocket but at nearly 12" long, you might get some interesting stares. :-)</p>

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<p>Bruce,<br>

Again, thanks for reply. After looking at the Ultrapod II mini tripod that Bruce Michel posted a link to, thats pretty much what Had in mind, and for under $20 and it will hold up to 6 lb, I don't think I can go wrong.</p>