Who has a light weight tripod they can recommend?

[Rob]

I am looking for a light weight tripod for my spotting scope.  I want to be able to use it while in a sitting position.  

I will be carrying it in the field so it would be nice if it was under 2 pounds.  one pound would be ideal!

Anyone have one they like?  I have a couple that are nice, but really heavy and too big.  I have others that are too short.  I have one that is the perfect size, but it is of poor quality and the head does not operate smoothly.

Finding the right tripod has proven for me to be a search of the same magnitude as wife's crusade to find the perfect pair of black pants...

[swanny]

Here is what I take backpacking for my DSLR when I feel like packing one. Right at 2lbs and the price isn't bad either.

http://www.rei.com/product/745097

[CanvasGear]

Take a trip to Glazers in Seattle. They stock the full line of Vangaurd tripods. They are a middle of the road quality tripod. I think its the Alta that weighs under 2lbs. These are not cheap junk, more along the lines of semipro and affordable price to match, just as good as Bogen / Manfrotto.

CG

[Rob]

Thanks, I have not had a chance to check these two recommendations out but I will.

I went to Cabelas on Sunday for some other stuff and man.  What a crummy selection of tripods...

[jackelope]

gitzo



how much do you want to spend?

[Rob]

At this point, for a smooth operating light weight tripod, I'd pay a lot!  100 to 150 would be about top, but I could go higher if it was really really cool...

Cool factors would be:
-really light
-smooth pivot
-compact, but able to be used in a sitting position

[Rob]

OK, the Gitzo tripods are very cool....  but 450-800 bucks is a bit more than I want to pay!

[jackelope]

I think $100-150 will get you a decent aluminum sort of lightweight tripod without a head.

[Chesapeake]

I just ordered a Slik Sprint Mini for $76 the other day. Dont have it yet.

I liked the weight, price, and size. Cant say much for the ball heads though. Hoping its better than what Leupold uses on thier compact tripod, but dont have much hope. The ball heads are workable though.

Head Type Compact Ball Head
Max Height w/extended column 43.3(1100mm)
Max Height w/closed column 32.2"
Minimum Height 6.38" (162mm)
Closed Length 13.8 in.(350mm)
Leg Sections 4
Max Load Capacity 4.5 lbs. / 2,050 grams
Weight 1.75 lbs. / 780 grams

[SkookumHntr]

-I was looking at the Vortec HighCountry and really liked it, it was 79 bucks but I didnt have that much so had to get a cheapo 30 doller tripod, that other one was nice though!

[7mag.]

Take a trip to Glazers in Seattle. They stock the full line of Vangaurd tripods. They are a middle of the road quality tripod. I think its the Alta that weighs under 2lbs. These are not cheap junk, more along the lines of semipro and affordable price to match, just as good as Bogen / Manfrotto.

CG

I disagree. I have two Vangaurd tripods, not the cheap one's either, I also have a Manfrotto, which is by far superior. The problem is, finding a light weight tripod (which my Manfrotto is not) that also has a smooth operating head and strong enough to support my spotter.

[CanvasGear]

The problem is, finding a light weight tripod (which my Manfrotto is not) that also has a smooth operating head and strong enough to support my spotter.

Usually just the low end tripods come with heads They are good for a dslr with a short lens. To get a good tripod you buy the legs and head seperatly. Its not hard to find a head that will support a spotter. Pretty much any head rated for 300mm pro lense and pro dslr will do the job nicely.
Even the elcheapo Manfrotto 155XPROB or 055XPROB can be fitted with a head capable of handling a spotter or heavy pro glass.
Benro has a middle ground for about $250 with the head thats acceptable but at 2.5 lbs a sand bag is usually needed if it windy.
 
CG

[CheyTac]

 The Slik Pro 614 DX Compact Carbon Fiber Tripod with 3-Way Panhead works very well and is light weight.

[CanvasGear]

You may also want to look into the Bog-pod cld3s it only goes about 3 ft tall and down to about 6". Its 2lbs and rock solid. The quick release heads are pretty good and you can shoot from it.

CG

[jackelope]

You may also want to look into the Bog-pod cld3s it only goes about 3 ft tall and down to about 6". Its 2lbs and rock solid. The quick release heads are pretty good and you can shoot from it.

CG

At 2 pounds how does your tripod and spotter stay standing if the wind is blowing? That doesn't sound too stable.

[MikeWalking]

At 2 pounds how does your tripod and spotter stay standing if the wind is blowing? That doesn't sound too stable.

Mines....Sunoco?  don't feel like putting on my slippers to go look in the jeep...very light, 30$?  as far as wind a heavy stick or a couple rocks against the feet. I'm usualy resting some weight on it anyway..

[MtnMuley]

Another vote for the Vortex High Country.  Very lightweight, smooth and compact.  Very affordable as I believe I picked mine up for around $80.

CheyTac --  What is the price of that tripod, weight, and overall closed length?  I should just look it up, but I'm feelin' lazy!

[CanvasGear]

You may also want to look into the Bog-pod cld3s it only goes about 3 ft tall and down to about 6". Its 2lbs and rock solid. The quick release heads are pretty good and you can shoot from it.

CG

At 2 pounds how does your tripod and spotter stay standing if the wind is blowing? That doesn't sound too stable.

The Bog-pod cld3s is so low to the ground wind is not an issue. Its a sit down or lay down tripod only there is no center post just legs and head. You can shoot or spot prone or sitting on you butt only.

CG

[7mag.]

The problem is, finding a light weight tripod (which my Manfrotto is not) that also has a smooth operating head and strong enough to support my spotter.

Usually just the low end tripods come with heads They are good for a dslr with a short lens. To get a good tripod you buy the legs and head separately. Its not hard to find a head that will support a spotter. Pretty much any head rated for 300mm pro lense and pro dslr will do the job nicely.
Even the elcheapo Manfrotto 155XPROB or 055XPROB can be fitted with a head capable of handling a spotter or heavy pro glass.
Benro has a middle ground for about $250 with the head thats acceptable but at 2.5 lbs a sand bag is usually needed if it windy.
 
CG

So how expensive is a "good" tripod? My Manfrotto was $380.00. It came with a fluid head. If the good ones are sold separately, how much is that going to cost me?

[MtnMuley]

I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for, especially optics or optic equipment.  However, the Vortex for $80, was the best overall tripod I put my hands on.  Money wasn't an issue, but being fluid and being compact and stable sure was.

[CanvasGear]

The problem is, finding a light weight tripod (which my Manfrotto is not) that also has a smooth operating head and strong enough to support my spotter.

Usually just the low end tripods come with heads They are good for a dslr with a short lens. To get a good tripod you buy the legs and head separately. Its not hard to find a head that will support a spotter. Pretty much any head rated for 300mm pro lense and pro dslr will do the job nicely.
Even the elcheapo Manfrotto 155XPROB or 055XPROB can be fitted with a head capable of handling a spotter or heavy pro glass.
Benro has a middle ground for about $250 with the head thats acceptable but at 2.5 lbs a sand bag is usually needed if it windy.
 
CG

So how expensive is a "good" tripod? My Manfrotto was $380.00. It came with a fluid head. If the good ones are sold separately, how much is that going to cost me?

Depends on how steady you need and the lenght and weight of your scope. I have an Acra-swiss rated at 66 lbs I use for my Canon 500mmF4L, should do the trick just under $500. I doubt the average spotting scope user needs to spend enough money to make a scope rock solid in the field. If I was shopping in the OP's price range I'd go bog pod. If I had more then I'd go high end Vangaurd. If I wasnt concerned about breaking a nice tripod the Gitzo and acra-swiss.

CG

[sako223]

The thing I found limiting about some cheaper tripods is collapsable bracing between the legs. When I stepped up to a Manfrotto, no braces, and quick set up with versatility for uneven ground or spreading it out to get under the tripod.
One other thing seems better is adjustable flip levers to tighten the legs. The twist ones diminished grip for me.

[jjhunter]

I've gone thru a bunch of cheaper tripods and finally bucked up and bought a "tripod for life".   The Outdoorsman ultralight tripods are pretty amazing and worth every penny.  I have the medium tripod with pistol grip head.  They are $600-$700 bucks if memory serves me right?  Anyway, they we designed with the hunter in mind.  Kinda hard to describe unless you use one in  the field for a day.   Absolute perfection!

May be a little out of your price range right now, but something to consider in the future.

[Rob]

Thanks for all the input.  I just spent about 1.5 hrs looking over all the recommendations.

So far, for the money and weight I am liking the Slik Pro 613 CF.  It comes in at 1.6 pounds and after adding a head, it looks like it will be about 2.2 pounds.

I was almost sold on the bog pod, but I think it is more weight that I was looking for.  The pod is 2 pounds, and then when you add in the spotting scope mount it jumps to 2.7 pounds.  It is cheaper, but when adding up the pod plus the head we are only talking about a 40-60 dollar difference when compared to the slick pro 613 with a pan head.

The high end tripods are also nice, but even if they were in budget, they all seem to be pretty heavy when you add in the head.  This is to be a packable tripod so I'm willing to trade some stability to shave off weight. 

[CanvasGear]

Thanks for all the input.  I just spent about 1.5 hrs looking over all the recommendations.

So far, for the money and weight I am liking the Slik Pro 613 CF.  It comes in at 1.6 pounds and after adding a head, it looks like it will be about 2.2 pounds.

I was almost sold on the bog pod, but I think it is more weight that I was looking for.  The pod is 2 pounds, and then when you add in the spotting scope mount it jumps to 2.7 pounds.  It is cheaper, but when adding up the pod plus the head we are only talking about a 40-60 dollar difference when compared to the slick pro 613 with a pan head.

The high end tripods are also nice, but even if they were in budget, they all seem to be pretty heavy when you add in the head.  This is to be a packable tripod so I'm willing to trade some stability to shave off weight.  

I have the 614 for back packing wide angle photography its ok for short glass 20mm and 17-40L but only if I shoot from my knees. The center support is worthless but the 3" center stub works but again only for short glass with no wind. Ive read that the 613 is only slightly better. Both are mid sized tripods thus why they weigh so little.

CG

[elk311]

I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for, especially optics or optic equipment.  However, the Vortex for $80, was the best overall tripod I put my hands on.  Money wasn't an issue, but being fluid and being compact and stable sure was.

Ditto!    Great tripod! Super lightweight and very packable !!!