im really stressed about picking a tripod for my fuji xt30 ii because i have literally no idea what im doing lol sorry if this is basic but i was thinking about those tiny bendy ones because they look easy? but then i thought what if it falls over in the wind?? i only have like 100 bucks and im leaving for japan in two weeks so i need something fast but sturdy... help??
Honestly, i've tried those bendy legs. Nightmare in any real breeze. I lost a lens in Iceland that way... basically it just tipped over. For a fuji xt30 ii, you want the Sirui Traveller 5A Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head because it folds down to 33cm but holds a 4kg payload. Its way more stable for long exposures in Japan than a gorillapod.
To add to the point above: those bendy pods are unfortunately a letdown. I had issues with them sagging under even a light camera like yours. Not as good as expected when youre actually out in the field. The K&F Concept TM2324 Aluminum Travel Tripod is a much better bet. Its super affordable, fits your budget, and way more stable for Japan. Just dont trust those plastic ones.
Unfortunately those flexible legs are rarely as good as expected, honestly. I'd grab the Manfrotto PIXI EVO 2-Section Mini Tripod instead. It handles 2.5kg and is much more stable for travel.
Building on the earlier suggestion, while those tall aluminum pods are okay, they're honestly a pain to lug around Tokyo all day. In my experience, if you want something that will actually survive the wind and not break your back, you should look at a pro-grade table-top setup instead. Most pros i know swear by the Leofoto MT-03 Spider Desktop Tripod. It's tiny but built like a tank... basically indestructible compared to those plastic bendy ones.
Building on the earlier suggestion, the group is right to steer you away from those flexible legs. In my experience, they just dont have the stability for a real camera like the fuji. I've tried many different brands over the years and the one thing I learned is that plastic is your enemy... especially in the wind. > i was thinking about those tiny bendy ones because they look easy? They look easy until your camera is face-down on the pavement. I once used a generic brand that felt sturdy in the shop, but out in the field it just couldnt handle a simple breeze. The metal one I replaced it with is way more reliable tho. Basically, you want something solid. Whether you go with a desktop style or a full tripod like people suggested above, just make sure its all metal construction. It makes a world of difference when you're trying to get a clean shot in a busy place like Tokyo. I've found the pro-grade brands are worth the extra few bucks over the cheap plastic stuff any day.
Big if true