Combo tripod

[Shadowman]

I needed a compact travel tripod (<25" folded) and found this Promaster XC525 which also can be converted to a monpod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSm7tlzLMPg

[Stagecoach]

I needed a compact travel tripod (<25" folded) and found this Promaster XC525 which also can be converted to a monpod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSm7tlzLMPg

If only there was one that had an interchangeable centre column with a 'short' section so that you can get your camera right down low.

[Shadowman]

If only there was one that had an interchangeable centre column with a 'short' section so that you can get your camera right down low.

Grahame,

This one's legs can be reversed so that the attached camera body will be positioned downward, you can swivel the head so camera would be positioned in portrait mode. You'd have to work with the limited angle through the tripod legs though. Might be functional if shot tethered.

[Stagecoach]

Grahame,

This one's legs can be reversed so that the attached camera body will be positioned downward, you can swivel the head so camera would be positioned in portrait mode. You'd have to work with the limited angle through the tripod legs though. Might be functional if shot tethered.

That way is extremely difficult to use John, what's more is that 'tethered' is about the last thing I am likely to be wanting to do in a casual use travel situation

[Manfred M]

It depends on the type of shooting you are planning to do John. The five section legs means it will collapse down quite nicely, but it will not be particularly stable. I get really annoyed with companies that base the maximum height with the column extended as this reduces stability even more.

Lots of competition for this type of tripod. For instance, some of the same features (meets your minimum folded length requirement) and one leg converts to monopod; B&H are selling it for $125.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._series_2.html

[Shadowman]

It depends on the type of shooting you are planning to do John. The five section legs means it will collapse down quite nicely, but it will not be particularly stable. I get really annoyed with companies that base the maximum height with the column extended as this reduces stability even more.

Lots of competition for this type of tripod. For instance, some of the same features (meets your minimum folded length requirement) and one leg converts to monopod; B&H are selling it for $125.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._series_2.html

Manfred,

I'm just planning to do some lowlight shooting with the tripod setup at maximum height. Does appear to be a match.

[Manfred M]

Manfred,

I'm just planning to do some lowlight shooting with the tripod setup at maximum height. Does appear to be a match.

Low light shooting at low ISO? I have have a tripod that is similar to the 5-section one in the video. It is not good for long exposures as it is not particularly stable and if I want shots longer than around 1/2 second especially if it is windy out, chances are I'll get motion blur. Fewer sections = larger diameter tubes = more rigid. The 25mm diameter shown is for the largest leg, not the smallest.

It really depends shooting conditions you are looking at.

[Shadowman]

Low light shooting at low ISO? I have have a tripod that is similar to the 5-section one in the video. It is not good for long exposures as it is not particularly stable and if I want shots longer than around 1/2 second especially if it is windy out, chances are I'll get motion blur. Fewer sections = larger diameter tubes = more rigid. The 25mm diameter shown is for the largest leg, not the smallest.

It really depends shooting conditions you are looking at.

I'll be in a warm climate, touristy area, biggest concern will be jostled gear from inquisitive onlookers; hopefully.

[DanK]

I don't know anything about that tripod. It's inexpensive, given that it includes a ball head, so if it is high quality, it would be a bargain. I would have two reservations, however, apart from my general expectation that one generally gets--at most--what one pays for. And that is a very low price for a combination of legs and head. It's less than I paid for my Markins ballhead alone.

There is an XC525 on Amazon. it has a fair number of very negative reviews.

If all you need is something less than 25", you probably don't need 5 sections, with the attendant loss of stability. My 2 section Oben with the markins mounted is only 27". I forgot to measure it without the head, but I would guess it is less than 25", and it is trivial to remove the head. If you can't get a 3-section that is short enough, you might be able to find a 4-section. As Manfred noted, the fewer sections, the better.

I am not in the camp that categorically rejects center posts. It's certainly true that they reduce stability. But a center post that is not too long and that is well damped is fine under many circumstances. Quite a number of the images I have posted here, including long exposures, were taken with my Oben with the center column raised. However, if the center column isn't well damped, or if it is very windy, that's a different matter.

[Shadowman]

I don't know anything about that tripod. It's inexpensive, given that it includes a ball head, so if it is high quality, it would be a bargain. I would have two reservations, however, apart from my general expectation that one generally gets--at most--what one pays for. And that is a very low price for a combination of legs and head. It's less than I paid for my Markins ballhead alone.

There is an XC525 on Amazon. it has a fair number of very negative reviews.

If all you need is something less than 25", you probably don't need 5 sections, with the attendant loss of stability. My 2 section Oben with the markins mounted is only 27". I forgot to measure it without the head, but I would guess it is less than 25", and it is trivial to remove the head. If you can't get a 3-section that is short enough, you might be able to find a 4-section. As Manfred noted, the fewer sections, the better.

I am not in the camp that categorically rejects center posts. It's certainly true that they reduce stability. But a center post that is not too long and that is well damped is fine under many circumstances. Quite a number of the images I have posted here, including long exposures, were taken with my Oben with the center column raised. However, if the center column isn't well damped, or if it is very windy, that's a different matter.

Its odd that they split the reviews into three different items, seems it was based on color of the tripod; but there were a quite a few negatives; most interesting was the photographer who walked away from his setup and heard a crash. Quite a few negatives because there weren't any instructions inside ( I just searched YouTube), also quite a few didn't like the twisting locks on the legs as opposed to clip locks. My main concern will be the maximum load the tripod can hold ( it says 22lbs), I don't expect the attach that much though.

[rpcrowe]

Several members of my many photo clubs rave about the Sirui tripods which, in some models, can be converted to a monopod...

Regarding the manufacturer's maximum weight suggestions. I always take these with a big grain of salt! I would never expect to support anywhere near the weight that most manufacturers claim for their tripods or monopods...

The things that I would look for in a tripod/monopod are:

1. Minimum folded length which must fit into my bag that I check in when flying. Often, you will not be allowed to carry a tripod or monopod into the cabin on flights...
2. It must have a head that incorporates an Arca Swiss Compatible clamp. Using an A/C clamp with an L bracket on the camera will allow you to get away with a lighter weight tripod and head because the weight of the camera is always centered over the apex of the tripod. You don't need to hang the camera cantilevered over to the side when shooting vertical shots...
3. It must be lightweight. An extra pound or so of weight is very important.
4. Height must be comfortable for me to use. I don't mind bending a little bit when using a travel tripod.

I modified a Slik tripod into a very decent travel tripod by replacing the long center column with a shorter optional column and by replacing the OEM head with a lighter Adorama F-1 head. This tripod doesn't convert to a monopod though...

Lately, I have been carrying a really tiny tripod which supports my Sony mirrorless A6500 just fine.



I can usually find someplace to set up this table-top tripod. It weighs just over ten ounces. I have had this little pod for 25 years now. I also carry a Carbon Fiber monopod which weighs less than one pound. I chose the Amazon Basic Carbon Fiber Monopod which is a great buy at $50 USD. Both the tiny tripod and the monopod share the Adorama Flashpoint F-1 head.

BTW: A length of double sided Velcro material can secure a monopod to a fence, a pole or virtually anything. I always carry a length of this material which probably weighs an ounce or two...

I also have a nylon monopod holder which fits onto my belt - great for carrying the small Amazon monopod. This belt holder also has a pouch into which I slip the foot of my monopod - making a really secure yet totally mobile setup.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Ba....c100005.m1851

[pendennis]

The Promaster carbon fiber tripods are lightweight, but I put my XC325C back in the closet, in favor of my Manfrotto MT055 carbon fiber. While the monopod is a nice idea, there's just not enough material in the Promasters to make them sturdy enough. Additionally, the ball head is just not heavy enough. The more sections, the less stability, as others have mentioned. Don't skimp on the head.

Carbon fiber is a wonderful material; you should also consider aluminum. Consider the ball head separately; alternatively a 3-way head is much easier to use. Ball heads, with their platforms, are a bit unstable when unlocked, and you have to think in terms of multiple movements all at once. You don't have that problem when a single axis of a 3-way head is adjusted.

Just some alternatives.

[rpcrowe]

The Promaster carbon fiber tripods are lightweight, but I put my XC325C back in the closet, in favor of my Manfrotto MT055 carbon fiber. While the monopod is a nice idea, there's just not enough material in the Promasters to make them sturdy enough. Additionally, the ball head is just not heavy enough. The more sections, the less stability, as others have mentioned. Don't skimp on the head.

Carbon fiber is a wonderful material; you should also consider aluminum. Consider the ball head separately; alternatively a 3-way head is much easier to use. Ball heads, with their platforms, are a bit unstable when unlocked, and you have to think in terms of multiple movements all at once. You don't have that problem when a single axis of a 3-way head is adjusted.

Just some alternatives.

Actually, for a monopod alone without putting a tripod in the equation, I prefer a tilt head. I use a Kirk MPA-2 tilt head on my heavy monopod (the one I use for my full frame canon camera and long lenses).

The tiny Flashpoint F-1 ball head is fine for my small Sony A6500 camera/lenses, especially since I need a ball head for one of my small travel tripods and the ball head can do dual purpose without adding any weight to my kit... Most of the time I don't work with the monopod head locked down, rather I just have a moderate amount of tension applied to it.

Flashpoint F-1 ball head. Adorama no longer carries this little head which weighed only a few ounces.

[Tri Danimal]

I have this Siri tripod for my backpacking tripod. It works pretty darn well, for the price i would totally reccomend it.