Tripod Troubles

[funkpilz]

I have a Manfrotto 190XproB, so it's a tad lighter than others, but still a burden to carry around. I'm going on a trip to Scotland next week for 9 days, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. I'm taking my M2 and my GS-1, and I'm debating whether to bring the tripod as well. It would take up a lot of room in my suitcase, and last year when I forgot it, I still took some nice pictures.
What do you guys think? Should I shlep the thing and spend more time with photography, or should I be free to enjoy the trip?

 

[ruby.monkey]

Personally I'd leave the tripod behind and just enjoy the trip.

 

[Rogrund]

Yes, skip the tripod. Have a nice trip!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another vote for leaving the tripod behind. But consider an UltraPod ultra-light table-top tripod or something similar (the larger UltraPod is best, far better than the old Leica table-top 'pod) which weighs next to nothing and is astonishingly useful.

Cheers,

R.

 

[PKR]

Take a Manfroto clamp and a small Ball head. You can always find a chair indoors or the top of the car door or a fence post/tree limb outdoors.

 

[david.elliott]

If I want a tripod, but want to travel light, I take the manfrotto table top tripod and some gaffer tape: http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-709...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279375056&sr=8-1

 

[peter_n]

I wouldn't take a tripod weighing 4lbs on a trip. My normal tripod weighs about that and it's never been out of the country. So I'd agree with the others above and say don't take the tripod.

I've tried taking a monopod and a table-top overseas and neither really work for me. A couple of months ago I bit the bullet and bought a quality travel tripod and ballhead for my last trip and was able to take it everywhere in blazing heat with no real problems.

Your tripod has a load capacity of 11 lbs, weighs 4 lbs and folds up to 22½". A good travel tripod can vary in spec details, but the expensive Gitzo 1541T has a load capacity of 17.6 lbs,weighs 2.1 lbs and folds up to 16.1". The cheaper Benro C-268M8 has a load capacity of 26.4 lbs,weighs 2.8 lbs and also folds up to 16.1".

These are so called traveler tripods and specifically designed to be relatively small and light yet very sturdy. Gitzo also makes a version of the 1541T that can be used in sea water with no ill effects. If you like using a tripod I'd recommend looking into something that's specifically designed for travel.

 

[ferider]

Totally depends on what you want to shoot. Some controlled landscapes ? Then yes. Otherwise no.

You say "suitcase". Implying that you don't carry it around a lot (in contrast to, say, back-pack).

Scotland must be pretty now.

Roland.

 

[Matus]

Well, I do not have personal experience with GS-1, but if you do not plan to take a tripod you would probably be better of with a TLR (or RF) but I guess that is not exactly what do you have at hand right now.

I have never used monopod, but it sounds like a good idea for the GS-1 which may need some support for medium speeds (or allow you to use mirror lock-up with more precision than hand-held). The question is which lenses do you plan to take for the GS-1 (wides, normal, long)?