Cameras and travel photography forum

What about tripods?

  • redchesus

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    Hi guys,

    I'm pretty torn about bringing a tripod on my 3 month trip to SEA. On the one hand, I'm trying to stay ultra light (my camera and lenses are already heavy enough!) and not check bags, so I'm not even sure I can get a tripod on the plane. On the other hand, I really don't want to miss out on great sunrise/sunset/evening photography.

    Does anyone have experience with this? What about the possibility of buying a cheap tripod once I get to SEA (cheap tripod > no tripod), has anyone done that? I'll be going to Vietnam first, starting in Hanoi.

    Thanks for your advice!

    #1 Posted: 12/1/2011 - 02:19


  • ryder80

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    hi there,

    i'm on the same boat as you. was thinking of whether or not to bring a tripod. but me being a person who enjoys taking pictures, and a lot of it as well... have no choice but to bring one. During boxing day, i bought myself a tripod that was on sale for $20.00.
    http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/dynex-60-lightweight-tripod-dx-trp60/10092724.aspx?path=0cb9726219739933afcee16273fbc108en02

    after that, i bought my back-pack (55L), and see how the tripod would fit... the tripod is actually quite big and bulky, though it would fit in my pack, but i did find it a bit heavy and took up a fair amount of spare...was reconsidering that... but after searching around again, i actually bought another tripod... much much smaller, lighter, more convient to carry... cost $20 as well.. and weighs in @ around 625 grams.... though the bigger one when fully extended is taller than the smaller one... but not by much where it'll be too short to use... actually the smaller one will still work perfectly fine for me... so most likely i'll be returning the bigger one and lugging the smaller convient one of course.... here's the new one i got...

    http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Tripods&product=1601111

    i'm in toronto, so don't know where your located, and if you have these stores.... good luck

    #2 Posted: 12/1/2011 - 05:51

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  • goonistik

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    Benro makes a series called the Travel Angel. It is a knock-off of the Gitzo Traveler.

    http://www.dpreview.com/news/1010/10102801benrotrvaleangel.asp


    The only issue with benro are the tripod heads. I recommend you get a better one like a Markins. The Benro legs seems to be of acceptable quality. The Gitzo is well-known for its quality, so you can buy it and use it for years.

    If you are looking for a cheap tripod that you can dispose of afterwards, the Benro A-series should be ok. The A-300 probably costs around $70 for about $100 you can get the taller A500.
    Here are the distributors of Benro.

    http://english.benro.cn/SalesServices.aspx?id=30&TypeName=Abrord

    http://www.gitzo.com/

    #3 Posted: 12/1/2011 - 09:28

  • MADMAC

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    I would check baggage and take it.

    On a side note: When I was in basic in 83 at Ft Bragg we had a guy we called tripod. I'll let the readers guess why.

    #4 Posted: 12/1/2011 - 09:55

    ------------------------------
    Victory in Pattani

  • redchesus

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    Thanks guys. I'm looking into the Benro Travel Angel series, not too bad and cheap enough that if I lose it, it'll suck but not the end of the world. I think the airline I'm using allows one free checked bagged so it looks like I might just check my main bag with the tripod in it and not have to deal with TSA's fickle authority.

    Thanks!

    #5 Posted: 13/1/2011 - 00:34

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