Best Portable Camera Stabilizer/Tripod ...........

[Cut-Throat]

I am looking for a Great Portable Camera Stabilizer/Tripod. This will not be for a Large Camera with Big Lenses, But a portable camera or Phone for taking mostly Night Shots. Portability is the main priority. And then a quality piece of gear that will stand up to use. I have had other mini tripods that were junk or fell apart and did not work that well. This is a Sample Photo I took here in Hawaii last month, but I had to sit the camera on the deck railing as I don't have a way to stabilize it.
So, can I have your recommendation on a good Portable Tripod/Stabilizer?

 

[DektolMan]

I just purchased this carbon fiber tripod for traveling. I am shooting with a 4/3 mirrorless camera system.


https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...be_208t_ct_3535_folding_5_section_carbon.html

 

[Cut-Throat]

I just purchased this carbon fiber tripod for traveling. I am shooting with a 4/3 mirrorless camera system.


https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...be_208t_ct_3535_folding_5_section_carbon.html

Thanks for the tip.... What would you say is the big advantage of the carbon fiber over the aluminum ?

 

[Starsky]

I love the Joby Gorillapod. They come many different sizes and designs; and they are cool because they can be wrapped around things and are small and easy to pack.

The Manfrotto Compact is good if you want a more traditional setup.

 

[OldShooter]

Light weight, very stable, low price. Pick any two.

 

[Midpack]

I love the Joby Gorillapod. They come many different sizes and designs; and they are cool because they can be wrapped around things and are small and easy to pack.

The Manfrotto Compact is good if you want a more traditional setup.

+1. Exactly what I’d recommend too. If none of the many sizes of Joby’s work for you, a small Manfrotto. I have both including the Joby universal smartphone holder. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GHYLK...8932-4f9e16b29bfa&ie=UTF8&qid=1550217848&sr=3

There are Joby knock offs, but some/most are junk.

 

[Ronstar]

I like this one. Manfrotto bought at Best Buy. Works great for phone or small point and shoot. A little shaky on my big dslr.

 

[Ronstar]

Thinking about getting one of these for a table top tripod

 

[folivier]

Like Oldshooter said: pick any 2 of these: lightweight, stability, low price. Can't have all 3.
Gitzo makes excellent carbon fiber tripods, very light and stable, I have a traveler carbon fiber, awesome tripod. CF tends to absorb vibrations unlike aluminum. Important if you're shooting at a slow shutter speed.
Make sure whatever you buy has a nice ballhead, as important as the tripod.
Feisol, Benro, Oben?, Manfrotto all make nice tripods. Read about tripods on www.fredmiranda.com

 

[MichaelB]

For purchases like this I usually check Wirecutter review site https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-travel-tripod/

 

[braumeister]

I bought one of these not long ago because I needed one that fit easily in a suitcase. Pretty happy with it so far.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1296070-REG/manfrotto_mkeles5bl_bh_element_small_aluminum_traveler.html

 

[Cut-Throat]

Light weight, very stable, low price. Pick any two.

I'm not that interested in those features ---

How about Portable (compact - not necessarily light weight), Stable, High Price ?

 

[Cut-Throat]

Anyone use anything like this? And had good luck with it?


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0787YXQN...colid=HFWDZ9DVSBBN&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[folivier]

Here is one to consider, I don't know anything about it other than the review below:
https://www.amazon.com/Leofoto-LS-2...id=1550252438&sr=8-1&keywords=leofoto+ls-223c

https://adelembuttolphgallery.com/leofoto-ls-223c-mini-tripod-review/

 

[Chuckanut]

I use a Gorillapod about 6 inches long. I screw it into the bottom of the camera and use it to brace the camera against a wall, table, pole, etc. If there is nothing else to brace the camera against, I hold the Gorillapod tightly with my left hand/arm pressed against my chest, hold my breath and shoot. It works remarkably well.

If I am shooting out of a car, then I use a tripod. But, I find more and more of my shooting is when I am out on foot, and carrying tripod is no longer an option for me.

 

[OldShooter]

I'm not that interested in those features ---

How about Portable (compact - not necessarily light weight), Stable, High Price ?

Easy. Gitzo.


Aluminum Reporter models are remarkably cheap on eBay. Get the 4 section legs called the Compact model. Under $150 shipped should be easily achievable with a little patience.So not even that high a price.

 

[Ronstar]

Anyone use anything like this? And had good luck with it?


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0787YXQN...colid=HFWDZ9DVSBBN&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I have not, but it looks like it would work.

 

[DektolMan]

Thanks for the tip.... What would you say is the big advantage of the carbon fiber over the aluminum ?

As others have said the carbon fiber is lighter than the aluminum and absorbs vibrations better. If you are doing longer exposure or HDR it would be better in my opinion.

 

[Ronstar]

I made a couple of my own. One from an Irwin clamp that I use to take photos in my workshop. Another I made from mdf for low level shots.

 

[Freedom56]

I am looking for a Great Portable Camera Stabilizer/Tripod. This will not be for a Large Camera with Big Lenses, But a portable camera or Phone for taking mostly Night Shots. Portability is the main priority. And then a quality piece of gear that will stand up to use. I have had other mini tripods that were junk or fell apart and did not work that well. This is a Sample Photo I took here in Hawaii last month, but I had to sit the camera on the deck railing as I don't have a way to stabilize it.
So, can I have your recommendation on a good Portable Tripod/Stabilizer?

I own a lot of tripods (ten of them now), but the best for travel has to be my ZOMEI Q555 which I picked up on Ebay for $41 with free shipping. It cost a fraction of some of my other tripods but it's the one I use the most now as it is fairly light weight and very durable and well designed.

 

[Ronstar]

Here's the low level stabilizer I made. Something similar yet smaller would work for a smaller camera and might fit in a pocket.

 

[Cut-Throat]

Easy. Gitzo.


Aluminum Reporter models are remarkably cheap on eBay. Get the 4 section legs called the Compact model. Under $150 shipped should be easily achievable with a little patience.So not even that high a price.

I seem to be finding a lot of Gitzo tripods on E-bay... A lot of them are called 'Compact', but they seem to be different and the price varies widely. Is there a specific model that you could recommend?

 

[folivier]

Depends on what you want. Short for tabletop use? Or normal height? Or heavy duty studio type?
This site will let you sort or research different models. I prefer carbon fiber for all of the above reasons. I have a GT1542T with a PhotoClam ballhead.
https://www.manfrotto.us/gitzo/tripods
Don't forget the ballhead, or fluid head if you plan to shoot video. But the fluid head won't support a heavy lens as well unless you can get it balanced with a tripod mount lens.

 

[LOL!]

I use a Pedco UltraPod II because it is lightweight enough for backpacking and ALSO can be strapped to inanimate objects such as a tree or trekking pole. It beats out GorillaPod which many folks have reported breaking. It costs between $10 and $20. See reviews on youtube, such as

 

[mountainsoft]

I use a Pedco UltraPod II because it is lightweight enough for backpacking and ALSO can be strapped to inanimate objects such as a tree or trekking pole.

I use the Ultrapod II with my Panasonic 4K camcorder. I like that it fits easily in my backpack and is quick to set up. I've also strapped it to handrails to film sunsets, and to a tree branch to film us boating on a lake. Handy little gadget that takes up very little room.

However, most of the time I just use an Opteka MP100 Monopod. It helps me stabilize my video, is instantly ready to go when I need to film wildlife, and it makes a handy walking stick too for crossing streams or going down rough terrain.

https://www.amazon.com/Opteka-MP100-Professional-Heavy-Monopod/dp/B0002RBQO0/ref=sr_1_1

Around home where size isn't an issue, I have a Velbon EX630 tripod that I use to film DIY projects.

https://www.amazon.com/Velbon-EX-630-Aluminum-12-0lbs-Capacity/dp/B009D0LCI2/ref=sr_1_1