What travel tripod setup for SL?

[Dr. G]

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Is anyone using a lightweight travel tripod with the SL?  I was looking for something that is very compact, yet can handle the weight of the SL with the 24-90. 

[thighslapper]

My solution was a 4 section Gitzo Traveller (or whatever the latest Gitzo equivalent is) with an Arca Swiss P0 Monoball.

 

Not cheap and not the lightest ..... but a reasonable compromise between weight, size and rigidity. Ok for 'normal' use in 'normal' weather conditions. 

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[sillbeers15]

I use the GITZO GK2545T-82QD traveler tripod. Light, compact (when folded) and comes with a sling strap. More importantly the length of tripod when folded is within the air travel safety standards max object length for carry on board baggage. When extended, it comfortably brings the camera to eye level for me @ 1.86m. Only bad about the tripod is the fake carbon fiber finishing which vanished after a few contact rubbing by my carrier bag strap.

[ramarren]

My Feisol Tournament CT3442 tripod is what I carry with the SL. Packed down with an Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 head in its case, it's 19" x 4.5" in size and weighs about 4lbs. I can fit it into my carry-on rollaway bag, along with the clothing I need for travel. It can handle stabilizing both the SL24-90 and SL90-280. 

[Alistairm]

My solution was a 4 section Gitzo Traveller (or whatever the latest Gitzo equivalent is) with an Arca Swiss P0 Monoball.

 

Same here. Gitzo 4 piece traveller with Markins M10 ballhead.

[lx1713]

Mine's a Gitzo GT2545T with a Leica Ball Head 18 and wimberley quick release. About 1.5 kg and 47cm length. It's okay with holding a Canon 1DIII with 70-200f2.8 but not for follow focusing nor under windy conditions.

[Dr. G]

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What about the RRS TQC-14?  Is the BH-40 a sufficient ball head with the 24-90, or do I need the BH-55?

[LeicaR10]

Dr G.  The BH-40 is more than sufficient for the SL 24-90.  Mine works perfect in that combo along with the 90-280.  r/ Mark

[Waterden]

The Gitzo GT1555T and RRS BH-25 should be fine. The 24-90 is not exactly a heavyweight. The tripod is rated at 10kg and the ballhead at 4kg. The only issue I would note is that being a 5-section legged tripod it will be less stable in windy conditions than one with only 3 sections. The tripod itself folds down to 35cm and weighs a fraction over 1kg.

[leica1215]

My solution was a 4 section Gitzo Traveller (or whatever the latest Gitzo equivalent is) with an Arca Swiss P0 Monoball.

 

Not cheap and not the lightest ..... but a reasonable compromise between weight, size and rigidity. Ok for 'normal' use in 'normal' weather conditions. 

i am looking at this set up as well, the traveller serious the fold legs over, the P0's base diameter is bigger than tripod top diameter when you fold it over does it bother you? It might not be fold all the way in I guess?

[Bill W]

I use two Gitzo 1228 carbon fiber tripods with RRS 40 ball heads. I use some generic RRS plates that will fit any camera. The 1228's have not ben made for years. They are fairly compact but very sturdy and will support an S or SL.

[jrp]

Very compact also means not very tall, which can make it harder to shoot since the SL screen is non-tilting. As pointed out above, the tripods that fold back on themselves can be hard to pack because the head / knobs get in the way of the legs.

 

For really compact, the little manfrotto table top tripods are better than nothing and unobtrusive.

[John Z. Goriup]

I strongly and sincerely recommend the Really Right Stuff TVC-24 4-section carbon fiber unit with a BH-40 head.................sturdy, stable & light.

 

As I see it, equipping the camera body with RRS's completes L-plate and installing the proper quick-release plate on the head completes the set-up and offers the ultimate in flexibility and versatility, while retaining eminently reasonable portability. I have traveled by renatal car, airplane, trains and hiked many a mile with this rig, and I have used that combo to support my SL with the 90-280on mounted, with a QR plate on the lens foot, in order to balance the camera/ lens combo on the head. The number 40 in the ballhead reflects the diameter of the ball, and based on empirical experience I can assure you it is more than adequate to support this set-up.

 

Stronger, more stable than any Gitzo equivalent - Yes, more money, but well worth it.

 

The biggest, least intelligent and most expensive mistake you can possibly make in this regard is to buy the smallest, lightest, shortest and cheapest unit and play some 'minimalist' game by rationalizing that you really don't use a tripod that often, therefore lets skimp. Been there and done it, and I can tell you from frustating personal experience those compromises never work because they simply won't support the camera in a stable manner and it takes forever to set things up.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

JZG

[Dr. G]

I strongly and sincerely recommend the Really Right Stuff TVC-24 4-section carbon fiber unit with a BH-40 head.................sturdy, stable & light.

 

As I see it, equipping the camera body with RRS's completes L-plate and installing the proper quick-release plate on the head completes the set-up and offers the ultimate in flexibility and versatility, while retaining eminently reasonable portability. I have traveled by renatal car, airplane, trains and hiked many a mile with this rig, and I have used that combo to support my SL with the 90-280on mounted, with a QR plate on the lens foot, in order to balance the camera/ lens combo on the head. The number 40 in the ballhead reflects the diameter of the ball, and based on empirical experience I can assure you it is more than adequate to support this set-up.

 

Stronger, more stable than any Gitzo equivalent - Yes, more money, but well worth it.

 

The biggest, least intelligent and most expensive mistake you can possibly make in this regard is to buy the smallest, lightest, shortest and cheapest unit and play some 'minimalist' game by rationalizing that you really don't use a tripod that often, therefore lets skimp. Been there and done it, and I can tell you from frustating personal experience those compromises never work because they simply won't support the camera in a stable manner and it takes forever to set things up.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

JZG

 

 

Is the TVC-24L too big for travel?

[Jeff S]

One can travel with any tripod, but preferences and travel methods vary. I own the TVC 24L and the TQC 14, along with the BH30 and BH55 heads (and an accessory leveling platform). This creates options that can suit all types of subjects, shooting conditions and travel methods.

 

But there are many other fine alternatives, both tripods and heads, that can equally suit. There are lots of related discussions that reveal different setups. Same as camera and lens choices.

 

Jeff

[Bill W]

The TVC-24 would be too short for me. i am 6'3" and it is around 49" extended. The L would be a better fit as it will go to almost 5'.  It is hard to wear out a carbon tripod and my "old" Gitzo's are still in great shape.

[Jeff S]

The TVC-24 would be too short for me. i am 6'3" and it is around 49" extended. The L would be a better fit as it will go to almost 5'. It is hard to wear out a carbon tripod and my "old" Gitzo's are still in great shape.

TVC 24L goes to 66 inches.... 5.5 ft... and of course greater eye height with head and camera (and more with leveling base).

 

Jeff

[John Z. Goriup]

Is the TVC-24L too big for travel?

As someone else observed above, that depends entirely upon your travel mode, requirements, equipment, expectations, capabilities, etc., but if the TVC-24 isn't quite right for you for whatever reason, why not consider Really Right Stuff's TQC-14 Quick-Column Series 1 Tripod.

 

Also in carbon-fiber, 4 section legs, a few dollars less, lighter ( 2.7 lbs vs. #.3 lbs for the TVC) less tha 18" long ( less ball head )set up for RRS's BH-30 bullhead, 25 lbs, capacity and importantly, a center column for speed and height adjustment. Rest assured that any old wives tales you may have heard about center columns being a risk for stability and a liability are just that. RRS center columns are a useful frequently used feature that maintains perfect rigidity.

 

I may sound as if I'm working for RRS in my enthusiastic endorsement of their products, but I have no connection whatsoever with them, Ihave however used their products for decades without ever having a single problem or feeling that anything of theirs was ever over-stated in its capability or unable to perform its function as advertised. Joe Johnson ( Company owner )is one Hell of a talented engineer, insists on the best solution for any product he chooses to design, personally test every product and is deeply involved with the manufacturing of RRS products - the Company has an exemplary record of customer service.

 

If you prefer flimsy, minimalist and cheap, RRS stuff is probably not for you, if you're looking for an effective, long-lasting quality product made by photographers for photographers I recommend RRS.

 

JZG

[Chuck Albertson]

I went to the RRS Website, only to find it hijacked by someone selling cheap ski accessories.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I prefer to just carry a decent set of legs and a great head. I've tried ultralight and always wished for more height and more stability. So a set of Sirui legs and my D4 geared head travel with me everywhere I go. I also always use a nodal slider not only for panoramics but also for better balance and stability.

 

For me, compromising stability for a few hundred grams is not worth it.

 

Gordon