Compact Tripod
 

Last summer while passing through Munich before hitting the Alps, I came across a photo shop that had a compact tripod set up in the store window.

I immediately grabbed the last two that he had because the shop owner told me they were discontinued. I'd like to know if anyone out there knows of the following tripod brand and model. Are they out of business? Are there others out there that compact? I sold the other one to my friend that toured Africa over the winter, so I am down to one unit now. I travel alone, so a tripod is a must.

The tripod is made by SUSIS, model 107, 8 section. Dimensions are 11.5" collapsed and a full 46" extended. It has a ball swivel head instead of the usual bulky head with adjustment handle. It is extremely light weight and as a result, not super sturdy in winds, but you can't have it all.



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Alex

Alex's BMW Motorcycle & Global Touring Page http://www.ott.igs.net/~ace

Your tripod sounds pretty cool. If you carry a lite camera, I would also reccommend the MINI-TRIPOD HT-111. I'm not sure who makes it but I purchased two on eBay for $8.00. The tripod stands 5 inches high and has three bendable legs to balance your camera on almost any surface. I just checked and they are still for sale here. Pefect for overlanding.

I regularly see these mini tripods with the bendable legs in photo supply stores. They are as compact as you can get.

They are fine as long as you have something to put them on such as a pic-nic table or motorcycle, in which case, the motorcycle won't be in the photo.

Having used my SUSIS tripod for two Alps tours now, I only found one drawback due to the design. After about 100 uses, some of the legs tend to stiffen or seize up. I now carry a very small spray can of Exxon spray lube with me and use it to both clean and lube my tripod.

The tripod legs disassemble and can be cleaned easily. The reason for the seizing becomes apparent upon cleaning. The main upper 8th section of each tripod leg are made of aluminium tube and the latter 7 sections are chrome plated steel or brass. As the 7th section slides into the aluminum tube, it slowly scrapes away at the aluminium creating tiny filings.

A minor drawback considering the compact size and advantage of the overall length.



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Alex

Alex's BMW Motorcycle & Global Touring Page http://www.ott.igs.net/~ace

UPDATE - Another compact tripod
 

I recently bought a Manfrotto 714SHB compact tripod with ball head.

This unit is a ideal for motorcyclists that want a full size tripod that is both solid and compact at 35 cm collapsed. It also comes with a nice shoulder bag.

Check out the specs: Manfrotto 714SHB Tripod

Try googeling "micro tripod"... another tip, use googles immage finder to seek out your site, much easier.

I've bought one of these, probably no more than 3-4 inches tall, but works superbely. It has a pen clip which is also very useful. It is small and light enough to fit in your shirt pocket.

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thum...cro_tripod.jpg

Pedco Tripods
 

Hi there

Whilst I have never used one, they look pretty good
Click here for their webiste

They have quite a collection too :)

For heavier gear
 

Just in case anyone is looking for a tripod that can support heavier gear (SLR + tele-zoom, or for night time photography in rough/windy conditions), try the Gitzo Mountaineer range, or most other Gitzos (preferrably carbon fibre).

They're not cheap but worth every penny – the last tripod you'll ever buy! Their latest ones, I heard, are even small enough to fit inside aluminium panniers.

Bjorn

DIY tripod
 

After looking at some camera related projects on the blogs of bodge-paradise MAKE magazine I found a few more or less usefull camera mounting systems (handlebar1, handlebar2, don't know how they handle vibration), I stumbeld on this practical quick DIY project tripod, based on a japanese gadget

http://www.jakeludington.com/images/...ounted.v15.jpg http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...c_1908_4311193

enjoy !

I have a Velbon travelling tripod which folds down to under 12 inches and extends to normal tripod dimensions, which supports my Canon 5D with a 100-400mm lens with no problems and is easily carried in my panniers ...cost was around £50.00.

I also have a ram mount on the handlebars, which is good enough to use for when I can't be bothered pulling out the tripod and require some stability (when stationary).

http://www.midnightphotos.co.uk/user...ull/6/3586.jpg

Any chance you could post the model number and a link to it on the Velbon web site?

Manfrotto 714shb
 

Having recently returned from a 6 week tour using this tripod, I can say that it is first rate. Very versatile and easy to use. No problems with it whatsoever.

It's the Velbon Ultra Luxi F

http://www.velbon-tripod.com/ultra_maxi.htm

Thanks for posting the link to that tripod as well as to similar tripods in that line.

BTW, that tripod works out to 15.3" collapsed according to the link.

I was looking at the Velbon "ball head" model prior to deciding on the Manfrotto. I prefer ball head tripods...a bit less bulky that a pan head tripod.

This is a good thread.

I'm looking for something ultra everything..:)

Strapped on the rear, easy to access, use, repack and go on. Maybe a semi waterproof, lightweight draw string bag...

The manfrotto's are great tripods. just too expensive for something that'll get treated quite roughly on the bike, hence the Velbon that I bought.