Donna Sullivan
New member
Hi, For backpacking, what is the smallest/lightest tripod that folks have used for a Z8 with a 24-120 lens? I currently use a Leofoto Ranger-225CEX, but would like to go smaller if possible. Thanks for any feedback! Donna
small tripods for Z8
- Thread starter Donna Sullivan
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Welcome to the forum. What is your budget, how much height do you want, and how light or heavy is your preference? If you do not need much height, then you have a lot of choices. Do you need a ballhead or are you happy with what you currently have? This information will help folks provide you with more focused recommendations.
--Ken
--Ken
I used the stiffness scores and tripod specs from the Center Column modified with my weights for the relative importance of optimum weight and height. Here is the ranked list for light tripods. I used an optimum weight of 3 pounds as the lighter tripods tended to compromise stability for a minor weight benefit. I also did not want a tripod that was too short to achieve weight savings, so I optimized for 50 inches.
These are for teh tripod only, and you would need to add an appropriate tripod head. I like the RRS BH30 for a light head.
Below this class, you also have table top tripods. They can be pricey if you get a robust solution.
Prices and models are from several years ago but this gives you a good starting point.
These are for teh tripod only, and you would need to add an appropriate tripod head. I like the RRS BH30 for a light head.
Below this class, you also have table top tripods. They can be pricey if you get a robust solution.
Prices and models are from several years ago but this gives you a good starting point.
| Tripod | Price |
| RRS TFC-14 | $835 |
| FLM CP30-S4 II | $441 |
| Gitzo GT1545T Traveler | $600 |
| Feisol Classic CT-3301 | $295 |
| Leofoto LS-324C | $288 |
| Feisol CT-3342 | $410 |
| RRS TQC-14 | $935 |
| Gitzo GT1532 Mountaineer | $700 |
| Feisol CT-3442 Tournament | $420 |
| LeoFoto LS-284C | $200 |
| Leofoto LS-254C | $216 |
| Leofoto LS-224C | $182 |
| Feisol CT-3441S | $410 |
| Gitzo GT1555T | $700 |
| PD Carbon | $600 |
I don't use the z8, but I use the Manfrotto linked here for a travel tripod. Has a built in ball head with an arca type mount. About 3 pounds in carbon fiber, 4 pounds in aluminum which is the one I have. One cool thing is the center column can go horizontal for macro. 55" when the column is fully down and locked but 65" with it extended. Seems pretty solid for a lower cost travel tripod.
Donna
How do you use your current tripod? It's a 5 section tripod with a 22mm diameter on the largest tube. The smallest tube in the legs is just 10mm. My experience with leg sections that are that thin is you need to be exceptionally careful to minimize vibration and leg flex. On the other hand, if you rarely extend the bottom two leg sections, it's shorter but a lot better. At 2.0 pounds, it's light but not the lightest in the category.
I understand that serious hiking and backpacking addresses every ounce of weight. My brother hiked the AT and read paperback books in sections - each section mailed ahead to minimize weight. Weight carried a premium above everything when you are walking hundreds or thousands of miles. I have a another friend that is a photographer who hiked both the AT and the Pacific Crest Trails and he eliminated his pad for sleeping and chose very light weight shoes.
The lightest tripods I've heard of are the Leophoto CS-224C, the Oben CT-2331, and the Sirui T-025X. All three tripods are around a half pound lighter than your current tripod - but in terms of performance, I don't think I would recommend any of them.
My approach would be to try to get better performance from the weight you have - not something lighter. I don't think the RRS tripod Series 1 is made today, but that type tripod would be a nice upgrade and have the same weight. It's much stiffer than your current tripod and would better reduce vibration.
I'd probably look at a good table top tripod. The RRS TFA-01 Pocket Tripod https://reallyrightstuff.com/tfa-01/ is probably my best recommendation, but it's just 6 inches long and under 5 ounces.
Another approach is to shorten your current tripod. Given the minimal performance you get out of the bottom two leg sections, you could remove the leg sections, have them cut down so they are shorter, and epoxy them into place so they are not used. That might save a few ounces.
Donna Sullivan
New member
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the recommendations. I did look at the RRS table top and see a youtuber recommendation of a Ulanzi MT-24 that may give a super lightweight tripod and more leg extension.
If you are looking at tabletop tripods, there are a number of good recommendations. Two ultra-compact units that I recently tried out with a Z6 & 24-120 are this one from SmallRig: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...30_tabletop_tripod_with_arca_swiss.html/specs and this one from Oben: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1431254-REG/oben_ctt_1000_carbon_fiber_tabletop.html .
The former gives you no height, but the legs are quite stable as they are each a solid piece of aluminum. The ballhead is passable if used with care, but replacing it would give you a much more stable setup. The beauty of this little tripod beyond the sturdy legs is that it is extremely compact and it opens up in about a second.
The latter is made of CF and gives you three-section legs for a bit of height (I do not recommend the extension pole that is included unless it was just holding a phone, small light or webcam). I would not recommend using this at the standard leg setting as it seems a bit tippy, but if you open the legs one notch, it gains a lot of stability. It is also quite compact, but its ballhead is a bit worse than the SmallRig, so I would definitely recommend buying a better replacement. The downside is that it take a moment to set up if you need to spread the legs to the second notch. Not a big deal, but not as fast as the SmallRig.
Both of these units need to be used with care, but they are extremely compact and weigh under one pound. And both appear to be better made than a lot of alternatives at similar prices. I suspect these will compete well with the RRS model described above, as well as with the venerable Leica tabletop and the similar Kirk Photo table tops models. I like to keep one of these in my travel bag so I can do long exposures, but I do not consider them a substitute for a tripod with some height. As I said in my post above, you need to decide what working height you are willing to work with. I have other tripods if I need some height, but I often prefer to travel light, and these give me a stable platform for longer exposures if I can find a flat surface that works for me.
--Ken
I have been a long time user and fan of Gitzo tripods. Over the past year or so I have been using a Peak Design Travel Tripod. I use this when I am expecting to walk longer distances and need a lightweight tripod carried in / on my backpack.