Tripod for travel?

Hello!

Here I am again with some nooby questions; this time, I want to ask what are the best travel tripods you guys would recommend? Having done some extensive googling and such, I have looked at the Velbon Sherpa 600R, Manfrotto Compact and the Redsnapper tripods.. I have to say the Manfrotto seems the most appealing because its simply so small and light, but I am worried that this will equate to flimsiness? And given the UK's penchant for random storms and high winds (see news) this would be quite problematic..

My main criteria is that the tripod is light, preferably small too (though this is less of a concern), relatively affordable (below £100) and another gripe is that all of the tripods I've been looking at only extend to around 1.5m.. when im 1.82m =/..

Any advice greatly appreciated,

Alex.

I suspect you are going to have to compromise Alex. A tripod that is tall, lightweight, sturdy, folds to a compact size and is below £100 is an ambitious list requirements. Work out which of those factors are the most important to you. Or go for a monopod.

I would avoid taking a tripod on a trip unless it was absolutely necessary. Travel light and you'll have the energy left to travel further. I susupect the tripod will be left wherever you are staying much of the time.

Alternatives are a travel tripod, of the Leica type preferably, maybe only 6" high when folded out. A bean bag with tripod screw from Jessops, see our Leads to Deals section. Just using whatever available support when necessary - tops of walls, pressing camera against walls and trees, and so on.

SR will deal with most problems, plus higher ISO as required.

It's quite a spec - small, light, sturdy, affordable. I reckon it would be worth you having a look at a Velbon Luxi. I took one of these with me on holiday this year (specifically a Velbon Luxi L) and it was great! noticeably (much) smaller and lighter than my velbon sherpa, and with a good pan and tilt head with spirit levels built in. I found it sturdy enough although I wouldn't trust it at full extension with a monster lens. I have used it no problem with my sigma 70-200, which is a pretty chunky lens. It extends as high as my velbon sherpa although is not so solid, but nonetheless worked. I would recommend having a look at one and trying it out though as I can imagine it won't be for everyone. I got mine from Microglobe who were clearing out various thngs, for about £40, although full priced they should be well under a hundred pounds.

Good alternatives are as John suggests above. I find a Gorillapod is also a decent option with a lightweight lens and a remote release.

Regards

Thanks for the advice! I've been thinking about gorillapods, it's just that I've never used them before so it just seems like an alien concept to literally attach a tripod to say, a fence etc. But I will check it out! Perhaps to compliment an actual tripod when use of which is not possible.

I know this is slightly over my budget but what do you guys think: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Induro-Adventure-AKB1-Aluminium-Stativ/dp/B002SXMROY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325949448&sr=8-1

A little bit late to the party but I am in a similar position to Amama.

Although weight isn't a big concern (as I will be travelling in a Land Rover most of the time) size is. Having searched all the previous posts on here and other forums I have virtually settled on one of these:

link

Mainly because of how small it can fold (less than 15"). The maximum height isn't too much of a problem because it will only be used occasionally and I'm happy to bend. I already have a Giottos full height tripod for times when I want to use it more extensively at home.

There is a demo video of it in use here:

link

I say "virtually settled" because I am always open to other suggestions if someone knows better .

Amama maybe this would be ideal for you?