jmahto Posted February 26, 2017 Share #1 Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with this product. Simply sharing my experience. Title says it all. I came across this unique tripod concept called Trailpix. This is supposed to be used with two hiking poles with one additional tent pole. I usually hike with only one pole (it is actually an wooden stick) therefore I had to improvise and get legs for this tripod. First I thought of getting some carbon fiber tent poles to keep the weight down but then realized that thin bamboo sticks (used for gardening) are as stiff and as light as carbon fiber ones. Nature produces the best composite material. I used plastic tubing at the end of the stick so that I can extend the legs if needed. To my surprise it was remarkably stiff and perfectly usable with M lenses up to 90mm. I also tried with 135mm and x2 extender and it is fine but one has to be careful about shutter shock (specially around 1/4 sec). My Sony Nex-6 has no such problem with long lens due to electronic first curtain. This setup is more suited to Nex but in normal M lens usage (28-90), suitable for M as well. The pictures below are self explanatory. With shorter legs Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! With legs extension (total height around 31 inches) Edited February 26, 2017 by jmahto 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! With legs extension (total height around 31 inches) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/269820-hiking-tripod-for-m240/?do=findComment&comment=3222574'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 26, 2017 Posted February 26, 2017 Hi jmahto, Take a look here Hiking tripod for M240. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jmahto Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) Now the weight (269grams or 0.6lb) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited February 26, 2017 by jmahto Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/269820-hiking-tripod-for-m240/?do=findComment&comment=3222577'>More sharing options...
jmahto Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) And the long exposure (12 sec) shot using this tripod Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited February 26, 2017 by jmahto Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/269820-hiking-tripod-for-m240/?do=findComment&comment=3222581'>More sharing options...
ECohen Posted February 27, 2017 Share #4 Posted February 27, 2017 Very cool and ingenious idea for a travel tripod. If I may ask what is the lens rig you are shooting with ?...another ingenious invention of yours? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted February 27, 2017 Very cool and ingenious idea for a travel tripod. If I may ask what is the lens rig you are shooting with ? ...another ingenious invention of yours? Thanks. That is 135 tele elmar head with focusing helecoid. Since it becomes R mount, I can use 2X APO with this (not shown) to get 270mm. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugby Posted February 27, 2017 Share #6 Posted February 27, 2017 Jayant. Thankyou for sharing this information. I have spent many years ( and dollars) looking for and buying ultra lightweight tripods. I would like to check with you, do you attach any weights to the centerline of the tripod ? to try to get the center of gravity central and lower. I currently use the lightest weight carbon fibre Gitzo, and the 1st thing I always do, is hang anything I can find to it's center hook to prevent a camera fall over in the slightest wind, or slightest bump. regards Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted February 27, 2017 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Jayant. Thankyou for sharing this information. I have spent many years ( and dollars) looking for and buying ultra lightweight tripods. I would like to check with you, do you attach any weights to the centerline of the tripod ? to try to get the center of gravity central and lower. I currently use the lightest weight carbon fibre Gitzo, and the 1st thing I always do, is hang anything I can find to it's center hook to prevent a camera fall over in the slightest wind, or slightest bump. regards Yes, I have attached weight to this tripod. There is no separate hook but one of the screw knobs of Traipix acts as anchor for attaching small backpack weight. I have tried to attach almost 9 lb of weight to this setup. It is quite sturdy. Having said that I will say the following: - I don't rely on weight to prevent camera fall. After the shot is done I take the camera off. I have learned hard way not to leave camera on tripod. Weight or no weight. - The extra weight is actually not needed in my setup if there is no wind. It is sturdy enough. If there is wind then weight will help only so much in this setup. I will go for shorter legs, add some weight and check in magnified LV image for shake before taking picture. Don't expect it to be as sturdy as Gitzo traveler. And usual tripod techniques are necessary for good results. Using delay timer. Using front curtain electronic shutter (if available, as in Nex series), Switching off LV before pressing shutter (as in M240 to avoid double shutter close/open), using tripod collar instead of camera mount etc. etc. applies here as well. In my experience these become important only if you are shooting at 90mm+. With 18-50mm you don't need that much precaution. My sample night shot was with 40mm and there was enough wind to blur leaves in 12 sec exposure. I had no problem in that much breeze. Finally I will add this. If there is a vibration problem caused by shutter shock then adding weight is not the primary way to fix it. Only proper technique and more rigidity (shorten and tighten everything) will help. Edited February 27, 2017 by jmahto 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vladik Posted March 4, 2017 Share #8 Posted March 4, 2017 It made me laugh, I am sorry. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted March 4, 2017 Share #9 Posted March 4, 2017 A clever idea, if it's necessary to further refine it you can buy all lengths and diameters of carbon rod from Ebay dead cheap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblutter Posted March 4, 2017 Share #10 Posted March 4, 2017 I love my Manfrotto 290 carbon. Put a decent ball on top, about 10lbs total, fits in any suitcase. We're off to for a trip shortly! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cirke Posted March 4, 2017 Share #11 Posted March 4, 2017 (edited) I find the idea fantastic :-) a Trailpix + a good knife ! I use a Joby Gorillapod Edited March 4, 2017 by siangue Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo63 Posted March 5, 2017 Share #12 Posted March 5, 2017 I ise a Sirui T-025X as a travel tripod. It is undersized for an M, but works with good technique. If i need a rock solid tripod, i take my old Slik pro700 - weighs heaps but is rock solid with anything up to 200mm Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) A clever idea, if it's necessary to further refine it you can buy all lengths and diameters of carbon rod from Ebay dead cheap. I explored the CF options. Surprisingly there is not much weight saving compared to bamboo stick of same length. Stiffness is also similar. After a certain length, flex becomes an issue even with CF. Then diameter of legs and stiffness of joints matter. I would rather go with RRS or Gitzo's traveler options as next step but on multiday backpacking, saving 2lb over these options becomes significant (2lb extra food means one more night in wilderness). Edited March 5, 2017 by jmahto Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share #14 Posted March 5, 2017 It made me laugh, I am sorry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share #15 Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) I ise a Sirui T-025X as a travel tripod. It is undersized for an M, but works with good technique. If i need a rock solid tripod, i take my old Slik pro700 - weighs heaps but is rock solid with anything up to 200mm Deciding on tripod is so tricky. I have finally decided on three tier setup. Lightest for backpacking as this one. Second is for traveling as yours that fits into in cabin luggage (I have Afaith Q666 that is clunky but I am happy with. I will soon replace the ball head with RRS BH-25 to get 2.6lb combined weight). Then I am going to get heavy 5-6lb tripod to be kept in car trunk. No one tripod can do it all. Edited March 5, 2017 by jmahto Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted March 11, 2017 Share #16 Posted March 11, 2017 I suppose if one is using hiking staffs. I have a Gitzo GT0540 CF tripod which works well for me with either a small Kaiser ballhead or one of the Leitz ballheads. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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