p.1 #1 · need recommendations finding a cheap budget carbon fiber tripod for travel
Im looking for a carbon fiber tripod thats under say $200 for traveling. I know that some will say that carbon fiber and budget dont go together but I dont mind getting an off brand one as long as its decent and I wouldnt mind getting it a bit beat up while traveling. Has anone had any good luck with something they found used, or on ebay or amazon?
p.1 #2 · need recommendations finding a cheap budget carbon fiber tripod for travel
There is a bit more to the equation:
What is the total weight you will be putting on the tripod?
How tall are you vs the max height of the tripod?
Three section of four section legs? < Forth section gets pretty thin, ergo potentially more vibration prone.
Is there a collapsed size required to fit, say into a specific smaller carry on roller?
Will you be shooting in windy conditions?
Small and light versions don't work that well in windy locations. A few years back I required a solution that still fit these issues and found the Benro Travel Angle which supported 22 lbs & had 3 section legs but its no longer in production. The closest replacement is their Tripster Carbon Fibre version which is a 4 section pod and just a few bucks over $200 that supports 18 lbs. The series 2 version handles up to 26 lbs, it's a 3 section pod but is $300.
p.1 #3 · need recommendations finding a cheap budget carbon fiber tripod for travel
theredkni463 wrote:
Im looking for a carbon fiber tripod thats under say $200 for traveling. I know that some will say that carbon fiber and budget dont go together but I dont mind getting an off brand one as long as its decent and I wouldnt mind getting it a bit beat up while traveling. Has anone had any good luck with something they found used, or on ebay or amazon?
Assuming that you are not including a head in that $200 target price?
I usually use much beefier tripods, but some years back I got a small, light, cheapie Induro model (need to check to see which model number) that packs very small for emergency use while traveling. It is sturdy enough for a light APS-C camera with small lenses in non-windy conditions.
I do feel that you are unlikely to find a “serious” tripod (one that is stable and stands up to regular use, especially with a non-tiny camera) for that price… unless you stumble on some remarkable deal from a private parity on a used unit. But good luck!
p.1 #4 · need recommendations finding a cheap budget carbon fiber tripod for travel
B&H has the Benro CLT204 2-Series Induro Classic Carbon Fiber Tripod on sale today only for $169. But that’s without a head. As others have mentioned, you aren’t likely to get decent legs and a head for $200.
p.1 #5 · need recommendations finding a cheap budget carbon fiber tripod for travel
jwpstl wrote:
B&H has the Benro CLT204 2-Series Induro Classic Carbon Fiber Tripod on sale today only for $169. But that’s without a head. As others have mentioned, you aren’t likely to get decent legs and a head for $200.
That looks similar to my older super-lightweight travel (only) tripod, an Induro CT-014. If so, it is reasonably secure for a very light camera in windless conditions. In order to get the camera close to eye-height (but not quite there, I’m about 6’ tall), you have to fully extend the legs and the center column.
That’s not a tripod I’d want to rely on for regular use, but I’ve used it while traveling for some nights photographs that would not have worked otherwise. I put the clamp version of RRS’s BH-25 “micro ballhead” on the thing. It works, but it has only a single lever to tighten the head, meaning that when you loosen it it pivots in every direction.
I think the question here is what how the OP expects to use the tripod. If the idea is to have essentially an emergency tripod for occasional use when shooting handheld is simply not possible and only a tiny tripod will do… then it can work. On the other hand, for more than that sort of very occasional use, shooting for $200 for a decent tripod and head for more frequent photography is going to be pretty tough.
p.1 #6 · need recommendations finding a cheap budget carbon fiber tripod for travel
What camera and lens? What type of shutter speeds, golden hour sneaking past handheld speeds, soft silky water, car light trails, daylight group shots needing tripod to get everyone in?
Not impossible but might require some refining expectations or sturdier tripod, etc.
p.1 #7 · need recommendations finding a cheap budget carbon fiber tripod for travel
Im looking for the lightest possible for travel photography. I was wanting to stay maybe under 3lbs or 1.4kg total weight and a three section leg tripod. I currently use a Leica SL2-S with looking to purchase a 24-70 Sigma MKii in a couple of days. I'm about 5'9" tall and just want a tripod with a bit more length in case I have to set it up on a uneven surface. I dont shoot much in windy situations when I go shoot so i dont think i'll need anything crazy sturdy.
p.1 #8 · need recommendations finding a cheap budget carbon fiber tripod for travel
I did a quick look at B&H, I guess I'd think, from that, 3 sections will be hard to find. I probably wouldn't go "cheapest" nor "lightest?" from Amazon.. All of my tripods currently are Sirui. My W-1204 was a result of a feature search/comparison shopping several years ago. The others were a bundled freebie, one really good sale, one an open box. So handy, not necessarily the "perect" but more"good enough" considering. My lightest (smallest) are aluminum, mostly because those two were cheap/free. I'm reasonably confident on Sirui quality. Since I "shopped" several years ago, not sure what "brand" I might suggest today. Leofoto was getting good comments but I don't have one of their tripods.
p.1 #9 · need recommendations finding a cheap budget carbon fiber tripod for travel
theredkni463 wrote:
Im looking for the lightest possible for travel photography. I was wanting to stay maybe under 3lbs or 1.4kg total weight and a three section leg tripod. I currently use a Leica SL2-S with looking to purchase a 24-70 Sigma MKii in a couple of days. I'm about 5'9" tall and just want a tripod with a bit more length in case I have to set it up on a uneven surface. I dont shoot much in windy situations when I go shoot so i dont think i'll need anything crazy sturdy.
That might prove to be elusive. Compromise to 4 section legs and maybe...
Major tradeoffs are limited height and narrow leg angle. The latter can be fixed in 5 minutes with a hand file. If you can live with these this is a very high quality tripod for the money.
