Lightweight Tripod

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Paul Giverin - 11 Jun 2007 12:53 GMT

I've got a cheapy tripod which does me for most things and which is fine
if I'm travelling by car but this year I would like to take a tripod
with me on a couple of trips abroad when I am flying.

Obviously weight and size are an issue here and I'm looking to buy a
lightweight tripod. I've been looking at a Slik Compact XL which weighs
in at only 670gms (compared to the 1400gms of my cheapy tripod). It is
only 390mm long. The trade off is that it only extends to 1.1 metre high
but I can live with that. Details here:- http://tinyurl.com/2gf7nj

Is Slik a half decent brand? Are there any other tripods of similar
weight and size I should be considering? I really don't want to be
spending more than £50.

Cheers,

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Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

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Rob Morley - 11 Jun 2007 17:46 GMT

> I've got a cheapy tripod which does me for most things and which is fine
> if I'm travelling by car but this year I would like to take a tripod
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> weight and size I should be considering? I really don't want to be
> spending more than £50.

I got the slightly smaller Slik Compact Tripod (i.e. not the XL model) a
while back. Pros: small, light, reasonable quality materials (and
claims to be made in Japan), better than not having a tripod in some
situations. Cons: small, light, flexible (but not rickety), twist
collars are more fiddly than lever cams, the rubber feet aren't very
securely attached.
As it cost a tenner delivered (on eBay) I'm happy with it - if I was
looking to spend £50 I might consider the Manfrotto MODO Mini/Maxi
(lever cams, QR plate, ball head, available on eBay for £45 delvered).
A quick look on eBay also comes up with the Slik Sprint Mini which looks
quite interesting at £35 delivered.

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Paul Giverin - 11 Jun 2007 21:28 GMT

>I got the slightly smaller Slik Compact Tripod (i.e. not the XL model) a
>while back. Pros: small, light, reasonable quality materials (and
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>A quick look on eBay also comes up with the Slik Sprint Mini which looks
>quite interesting at £35 delivered.

Thanks for that Rob. Its certainly given me a few options.

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Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

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Mark Dunn - 12 Jun 2007 09:43 GMT

Can that Manfrotto really be rigid enough? I've used Manfrottos, of course,
but only the ones made out of girders. It'd be handier with a spirit level,
though.

> >I got the slightly smaller Slik Compact Tripod (i.e. not the XL model) a
> >while back. Pros: small, light, reasonable quality materials (and
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Thanks for that Rob. Its certainly given me a few options.

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Paul Giverin - 12 Jun 2007 22:06 GMT

>Can that Manfrotto really be rigid enough? I've used Manfrottos, of course,
>but only the ones made out of girders. It'd be handier with a spirit level,
>though.

I suppose when going for a small, lightweight tripod, there is going to
be a trade off .

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Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

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