Would you be interested in such a tripod (ultra traveller)?

[Matus]

At some point I was looking for a tripod that would be bale to hold your ultimated travellers camera (like 35mm RF or lightweight MF RF or so) that you take for more days long treks and so should be VERY light. The parameters of such a virtual tripod are listed bellow. The limited height would allow to shoot from one knee and at the same tine would make this very light tripod more stable.

The current tripod that come close from the design point of view is the Feisol CT-3441 apart from beeing too large and too "heavy" (cca 1kg with ball head CB30) and handles more than necessary (reportedly light 4x5 when using somewhat stronger head). I was thinking of something like scaled-down version of this tripod (without the funny telescopic center column) and with thinner legs (28mm would be too much).

I browsed the Gitzo tripods and did not find any that would really fit.

Proposed parameters :
- weight ~ 500g (including a small ball head)
- max load ~ 2 - 3 kg
- made out of carbon and aluminium
- collapsed size ~ 40 cm
- fully extended ~ 110 cm
- number of leg sections: 3 (2 leg joints per leg)
- max. leg diameter ~ 22mm (?)
- center column - only a very short one of ~ 15 cm, if at all


No - I am actually not gpoing to make one, but maybe somebody who does and come across this thread may if we show the interest ...

I am interested in your opinions

 

[besk]

Must be a little taller for me to be interested. I am sure it can be done- it is just that no manufacturer has really tried.

 

[John Lawrence]

Although not matching your criteria exactly, some of the so called "pocket" tripods of the 1950s and 1960s come pretty close. Bilora was just one of many that made one, which (if I remember correctly) was about 100cm extended and 30cm closed with a ball and socket head. You can usually pick these up at fairs or on ebay pretty cheaply - around $15 - 20.

 

[oftheherd]

Seems a little small to be useful to me, but to each his own. Other than the construction materials, you might even find one out there that size.

 

[FPjohn]

I suspect that a monopod or tabletop tripod fills this niche in practice. Still, the unmet need for such a compact tripod seems to exist.

Have you looked at the TP 243 RSS tripod?

yours
FPJ

http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/accessories/tripod_accessories/2200.html

http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/05.html

 

[bennyng]

Gitzo's carbon fiber traveller will come very close to the state wish list above.

Cheers,

 

[fbf]

benro C-068M8

 

[venchka]

I guess I better be real careful with my Slik 500-G. A nice little pocket tripod. Perfect for a nice smooth rangefinder, especially one with a leaf shutter. Fully extended you need to hold it tight to keep it from moving. works very well.

 

[venchka]

Offset tripod socket: RRS makes a quick release plate for the Leica M socket location that centers the camera.

 

[John Lawrence]

It has often bugged me that the mounting point of an M is not in the center of the bottom plate. This forced me to get another tripod, though the one I had would have been strong enough to balance it.

One cheap alternative is to get an R G Lewis (or other maker) Camera Cradle. These were produced in the 1950s and 1960s and they come up quite often on Ebay.

 

[Fraser]

I have a giottos mt 9241b that i bought for taking on holiday easily fits in case extends to a good height and was less than £100.

 

[Rprice]

As far as tripods go for traveling, If I think I am going to need one I just take my full size with me. It is light for its size and stable, if I think I may need to travel lighter, I take my mono pod, the bottom screws off and three steel legs fold out for a little more stability. I have always found that the travel pods that are out on the market never fit the bill for me, too many leg extentions or not stable enough for a long exposure. The benifit of having one is only for portability, the sacrafice has been the weekest point, stability. If I need a super steady "small tripod" I use my RSS tripod http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=TP%2D243&eq=&Tp=

 

[Frankie]

The best table-top type ball-and-socket heads are made by Leica. The current one measures 5.5" in height. Leica did make a shorter one (4.5") and a long discontinued even shorter one (2.5"). I have all three.

These versions are all chrome finished...not to be confused with a 2.5" small black finish one which is junk (I also have one).

This ball-and-socket head design is distinguished by latitudinal groves machined into the ball, and locks positively only with slight turn on the thumb lever....expensive but well worth it. [The black one has no groves in the ball].

You could find the 2.5" and 4.5" versions regularly on eBay. Expect to pay $100.

Leica also makes matching screw-in tripod legs (via standard 1/4"-20 thread). However I found the Manfrotto version a better design (collapses into a smaller package).

My standard travel tripod is therefore the smallest Leica head mated with the Manfrotto legs. The whole package folds up to 8" in total length and about 1.5" maximum diameter...slip into any back pocket or camera case.

This set up is good enough to support any Hasselblad size camera and with utter confidence...tried-and-true for over 30 years.

 

[kxl]

I have a Feisol 3442 that meets my needs for an RF or P&S. Rather than a full sized ballhead, I use a Bogen #3232 tilt-swivel head. IMHO, anything lighter than the 3442 puts the camera at risk at the first strong gust of wind.

I also have a Gorillapod for table top or street level shots. The gorillapod has flexible articulating legs that can wrap around a rail or fence.