d2mini Posted March 9, 2011 Share #1 Posted March 9, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've seen this topic come up here and there and I have been personally been searching for the smallest tripod possible that is (somewhat) full size when extended (not tabletop), and (somewhat) stable. The smallest I found previously was the Benro Travel Angel line of tripods. But they still seemed a tad larger than what I wanted. Well yesterday I finally came across a brand that is scarce here in the states... Vanguard. The Vanguard "Nivelo 204BK" has the smallest size when all folded up that I could find. Just 300mm or 11.8". It's only about 101cm or 40" when extended but that should be fine for me. And it's should be MUCH more stable that something like the Tamrac Zipshot. It's even a few inches shorter in length than the Zipshot when folded. Products And here is a review. Vanguard Nivelo 204BK Tripod Review | Safari Holiday Blog I found it online at 42nd St Photo in NY and ordered this morning. Should have it sometime next week. It will be nice to not have to lug around my full size Gitzo... which i never do unless I'm going out specifically to shoot something I know for sure needs a tripod. And I NEVER take it on vacation with me. This Vanguard will be much easier to pack. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Hi d2mini, Take a look here New Small Travel Tripod. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Hank Taylor Posted March 15, 2011 Share #2 Posted March 15, 2011 JUST what I have been looking for. I'm as bad as some of my friends with bags. I love tripods and have at least 6 but when it comes to traveling I usually end up leaving them at home. This one looks great and I think that I will get another tripod, but this time take this one with me on my next trip Thanks for showing it. Nest regards Hank:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted March 16, 2011 Share #3 Posted March 16, 2011 Hello, it would be good to hear your experience with this tripod. Question: Can the head by changed? (I guess there is a standard screw connecting the head and the center column). best, Helge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmond_terakopian Posted March 16, 2011 Share #4 Posted March 16, 2011 This is quite an interesting product: http://www.3leggedthing.com/travel/3ltx1kit.html Had a look at one a few weeks ago and it was very well made and light. Only downside is it's 10cm longer when folded but looks much more versatile. Gitzo also have a similar style of folding legs on one of their ranges. Edmond Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2mini Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted March 16, 2011 I literally JUST unpacked it. Thoughts at first glance.... awesome small size. Very light. Has you up and running literally in seconds. The head is just ok, a pan/tilt style head and i don't believe it's removable... or meant to be anyway. For travel purposes that's fine with me. Has a good attachment dial setup though, to screw into the camera base. Makes it easy. This tripod obviously doesn't feel as substantial as my pro carbon fiber gitzo with kirk ballhead and RRS plates, but it looks like it would definitely get the job done for casual travel, especially when space is limited. I just got back Miami and this would have been great for my sunrise pics rather than balancing on the railing of my hotel room balcony like I was doing. As to the other tripod "thing" posted above, that's pretty cool. I like it. But 4" is a HUGE difference when traveling light. There are lots of options in that size range. This vanguard was the smallest thing I could find that still resembled a standard tripod. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted March 16, 2011 Share #6 Posted March 16, 2011 I don't know how tall you are but I'm smallish - 5ft 8in and judging from the pictures in the review I don't think I'd be able to use it. I have both a Benro and a Gitzo travel tripod and the Benro fully extended places an M viewfinder at my eye level. Four section legs, weighs 2.7lbs and the lowest leg section has a 19.5mm diameter, 0.5mm less than the top section on this tripod. Also I guess it's what you use it for, I use mine for night shots mostly and you need very good stability for that. This is very small and light though, and I guess the old adage applies; the tripod you use is much better than the one you don't. I look forward to your report on its use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2mini Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted March 16, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I don't know how tall you are but I'm smallish - 5ft 8in and judging from the pictures in the review I don't think I'd be able to use it. I have both a Benro and a Gitzo travel tripod and the Benro fully extended places an M viewfinder at my eye level. Four section legs, weighs 2.7lbs and the lowest leg section has a 19.5mm diameter, 0.5mm less than the top section on this tripod. Also I guess it's what you use it for, I use mine for night shots mostly and you need very good stability for that. This is very small and light though, and I guess the old adage applies; the tripod you use is much better than the one you don't. I look forward to your report on its use. Ya, I'm 5'8" as well but I don't have a need to shoot at eye level. I'm still young and bending over is not a problem. Heck... i bent over pretty far just to afford my M9 gear. The head extends to my belly button, and then the camera on top of that. Hopefully that gives you a good idea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicakillen Posted March 16, 2011 Share #8 Posted March 16, 2011 I use this - Monfrotto 785B (you find it on Google). It is very handy (< 1 kg), of full-size lenght and fits the low weight of an M9. I very often have it in my bag pack without any problem. It has a fast clip-on shoe that makes handling very convenient. This tripod together with the usefull self timer set at 2s, works very well. Regards Anders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2mini Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted March 16, 2011 I use this - Monfrotto 785B (you find it on Google). It is very handy (< 1 kg), of full-size lenght and fits the low weight of an M9. I very often have it in my bag pack without any problem. It has a fast clip-on shoe that makes handling very convenient. This tripod together with the usefull self timer set at 2s, works very well. Regards Anders Now imagine carrying a tripod that's over 5" (13cm) shorter than your Manfrotto. I don't carry my M9 around in a backpack like I would have carried my dslrs. Hence the requirement for something quite a bit smaller. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted March 16, 2011 Share #10 Posted March 16, 2011 ... i don't believe it's removable... or meant to be anyway. I would greatly appreciate if you can check whether the head can be removed/unscrewed. Thanks! Helge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2mini Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted March 16, 2011 I would greatly appreciate if you can check whether the head can be removed/unscrewed. Thanks! Helge Sorry for the miscommunication, but I did look and from my observation, it doesn't look like it is meant to be removed. What I'm not willing to do is force it to see if it really is possible or if it just breaks. The quick-connect screw in the base works well though. Just place the camera over the screw and turn the dial as you watch the screw raise up into the camera base and tighten. Just a few seconds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.