Compact Tripod's
 

Hi All
I am in the market for a new compact light weight travel tripod I have been looking at the Manfrotto and Giottos range.
Any recommendations!
the main thing is to be able to open the legs wider.

I would like it to be suitable for any Canon Camera upto an EOS 5mk11 without a grip

Thanks

Robster

Benbo
 

I really recommend you check out the Benbo range they do a Mini trekker

you'll love them or hate them but if you fall in love you will never use another lol

For natural history macro work I just cant imagine being with out mine

:)

Hi ether

Thanks very much have been to the website and had a look, just need to get one in my hands to get a feel for it.

Robster

I use the 5D MkII, but I'd say you need to think more about the lenses than the camera body as they can add significant weight and leverage, especially if you're shooting wildlife.

Unhesitatingly I'd recommend Giottos over Manfrotto. I've had both, and had to sell a 055 ProB X as it wasn't up to the job. One of the problems with the Manfrotto is that the centre column only has two positions, vertical or horizontal, the Benbo and the Giottos will both allow variable angles. There is also the price of accessories to consider with Manfrotto, such as spiked feet (another £20) carry strap (£30?) etc etc. By the time you've brought a Manfrotto tripod to the spec of the others you could have bought a Gitzo!

Calumet have their own brand which is very like the Manfrotto, but they also have a range called Induro which look very interesting. I bought mine from Fotosense who are approved dealers for quite a range, have competetive prices, although knowledge and service can be a bit lacking. Take a look at Gitoto's range topping carbon fibre model at £150.

Manfrotto still do make very nice heads however and you can always mix and match, all the heads I use on the Giottos are Manfrotto.

Thanks Flake
Calumet is right next door to my place of work at Euston will pop in and take a look, with regards to lenses it would not be any great big lens just the 28-105L or 28-70L but which one thats another dilemma and at the most the 70-200L.
I had a look at the Gitzo's at Jacobs in Birmingham and must be honest am swinging towards them.

Definitely best to go have a look at some first. I also have a 5d Mk II. For really lightweight travel I have a Silk Sprint Mini II ([URL="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slik-Sprint-Mini-II-Tripod/dp/B000Y095OS"]Amazon Link[/URL]). It's cheap, very small, very light and looks the part too. Will it hold your camera in a storm? No. Is it anywhere near as good as larger alternatives when you have that option? Definitely not. But it is tiny and is better than no tripod at all. I take it with me on all foreign trips (it easily slips into a small rucksack).

I have used it with my 70-200 f4 IS, but I wouldn't go any bigger than that at all.

Cheers,
Steve

[URL="http://www.imagearcade.net"]ImageArcade; Photography By Steve Ayres[/URL]

Dunno if the head is strong enough for a 5D (depending on the lenses you use) but the Manfrotto Modo tripods are very good for the price and size.

Doesn't the manfrotto modo only support 1kg in weight, might be a bit small for a 5DMKII
I've been looking at giottos aswell, seems to be getting some good feedback through the mags, it seems well made and a 5year warranty is pretty good.
Their website is great, especially the videos showing the kit - but have a look at the MT8240B. weighs 1kg and supports 3kg. You'll need a head, but a small ball and socket won't add much weight.
Trying to get to see some of this kit in the flesh myself this weekend, wil let you know howI get on- heres a link to the site
[url]http://www.giottos-tripods.co.uk/index.php?page=productpage&cat=491314946d55b&product=49186bda92fe1[/url]
OC

Thanks very much orangechips.
must be honest some of the compact tripods dont look as if they can take an eos 5, I thought some of the heads did not look upto it either.

A compact is pushing it - remember it is good practice two have enough load capacity that equates to double the weight of the equipment it is holding, even better practice to triple it.