Long distance travel, need a VERY SMALL mf tripod

[Renzsu]

So I'm going to NY in June and I've been thinking of bringing either my new GW690III or Hasselblad with me to shoot some iso 100 slide film. I'll be shooting with my M6 mostly but I've been thinking how it would be nice to have MF with me as well for some slower street shots or rooftop stuff.
Since I hate hauling gear around, I'd like to have something with me that can steady the MF cameras without taking up too much space and weight, ideally something like Leica's tabletop tripod, something I can fit in my Domke F-6 with the rest of the gear.

Is there something out there that can take the weight of these cameras (they're not that heavy actually for MF gear..)? Is there something foldable that works or would I need a super compact fully functional tripod?
I've been thinking about monopods but I don't think those are really suitable.

 

[rodt16s]

In the past I cut a piece of 8mm perspex 100x125mm or so in size , 3 rubber feet, drilled a hole in the middle and when required attached with appropriate scew a large benbo ball and socket. Worked ok for flatish above ground positions and very portable.

 

[Renzsu]

rodt16s, a diy project might be interesting enough, perhaps if nothing else pops up that is a bit more flexible..

Double Negative, the gorillapods are actually not very small I think, especially the DSLR and up.. plus to be honest I don't really trust them to be stable enough for the mirror slap of the Hassy.

 

[laurentb]

I'm using a Manfrotto table top tripod for my rolleiflex MX-EVS. The Rollei is well balanced and not hat heavy (1200 grms or so) and it works fine.

I made an extension (DIY, based on aluminium profiles I had available) to raise the camera 15 cm more, and it still works fine.

I finally broke a leg of the tripod by abusing it too much (it fell several times) so I bought a new one (709 digi they call it) and it's not that fine. The ball head is integrated in the design and is a piece of c..p (at least for a REAL camera, might work fine for a digi P&S). I ended up stealing a leg from the new one to repair the old one, which is born again ;-)

I use a #482 ball head on this tripod.

Hope this helps...

 

[besk]

If a Leica tabletop trip is suitable then I believe they are plenty sturdy enough (with a good head) for a Hasselblad etc for travel. I use a Really Right Stuff BH-25 head on mine.

Previously, I adapted a Vietnam era sniper's tripod for use with a Hasselblad. A little larger but about the same weight. They advertise something similar in Cabela's sporting goods catalog.

 

[Renzsu]

Found this combination, might be interesting.. do you think the head would be sturdy enough though?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/571437-REG/Giottos_QU305B_1004_QU_305B_U_pod_Mini.html

I wouldn't really want to spend more than $100 for the tripod/head combination, so this seems to be rather nice.

 

[Renzsu]

sorry, you guys replied as I was looking up that Giotto combination 🙂

I'm using a Manfrotto table top tripod for my rolleiflex MX-EVS. The Rollei is well balanced and not hat heavy (1200 grms or so) and it works fine.

I made an extension (DIY, based on aluminium profiles I had available) to raise the camera 15 cm more, and it still works fine.

I finally broke a leg of the tripod by abusing it too much (it fell several times) so I bought a new one (709 digi they call it) and it's not that fine. The ball head is integrated in the design and is a piece of c..p (at least for a REAL camera, might work fine for a digi P&S). I ended up stealing a leg from the new one to repair the old one, which is born again ;-)

I use a #482 ball head on this tripod.

Hope this helps...

Thank you! That ball head looks quite affordable yet more sturdy than the setup I found before.

If a Leica tabletop trip is suitable then I believe they are plenty sturdy enough (with a good head) for a Hasselblad etc for travel. I use a Really Right Stuff BH-25 head on mine.

Previously, I adapted a Vietnam era sniper's tripod for use with a Hasselblad. A little larger but about the same weight. They advertise something similar in Cabela's sporting goods catalog.

I looked up the BH-25.. looks amazing, but a bit too pricey for me, since I don't really use tripods often. If I wasn't on a tight budget for this though... 😎

 

[xxloverxx]

The DSLR Gorilla Pod is more stable than it looks (I had doubts at first), and, while I've never stuck a Hassy on it, I've used a Hassy before, and I'm sure that with proper procedure (gently squeezing the shutter release, for example), you'll be fine.

The DSLR Gorilla Pod, measured from ~the bottom of the rubber foot to the tip of the ballhead (at its highest point) is ~30cm. Small enough for me to always bring along, strapped to the bottom of my little bag.

 

[Landshark]

If you can swing it the Leica table top tripod & head will handle anything that you have mentioned. It can be used as a TT tripod, chest pod or you can hold it against a wall or other surface. Don't cheap out on a head though.
The large Leica ball head is about 5" tall & makes life much easier.

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

Recently, i bought the new Velbon Ultra REXi L. This is a very good compact travel tripod.
Ciao.
Vincenzo