I’ve been scouring the web for weeks and honestly I’m just about ready to throw my laptop out the window. I’m heading to Iceland next month and I need a solid travel tripod for my S5II but everything I read is so contradictory. I was looking at the Peak Design one but some guys say the vibration is terrible with heavier full frame setups like mine and then others say the Manfrotto Befree is too bulky for real hiking. I have about 400 bucks to spend and I just want something that wont fall over in the wind but also wont break my back when I’m trekking for 5 miles. Does anyone actually use an S5II with a travel tripod that doesnt suck?
honestly i been super happy with the Benro Rhino 24C Carbon Fiber Tripod with VX25 Head lately. it works well for my S5II and i have no complaints about the stability.
I've found that most of those trendy ultralight legs really struggle with a heavy S5II setup in high winds. Unfortunately, I had issues with vibration on the Peak Design Travel Tripod Carbon Fiber and it just wasnt as good as expected for the price. The Sirui T-2204SK Carbon Fiber Tripod with G-20KX Ball Head is a much more solid choice for under 400 bucks. It wont let you down.
Solid advice 👍
Iceland is gonna be amazing!! Honestly I was so paranoid about my gear falling that I spent forever looking for the stiffest thing possible. Ended up with the Leofoto LS-284C Ranger Carbon Fiber Tripod with LH-30 Ball Head and its fantastic. Way more stable than those thin travel ones because it has no center column... super reliable. TL;DR: get 28mm carbon legs for stability in the wind!
Building on the earlier suggestion about those ultralight legs struggling in the wind, I totally agree. It really sucks when you get home and find every long exposure is blurry because of micro-vibrations. I had a similar nightmare in the Scottish Highlands a few winters back where my old travel pod just couldnt hack the gusts with a heavy lens attached. I switched over to the Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod and it has been a total tank for my S5II. It is a bit heavier than those super skinny carbon models but the stability is night and day. Honestly, if you catch a deal, you can snag it for way under your 400 dollar limit, which is nice for the wallet. I usually just hook my camera bag to the center column for extra weight when the wind starts howling. It might feel like a bit of a workout after 5 miles of trekking, but knowing my gear is safe and the shots are sharp is worth the extra pound or two imo. Iceland is brutal so you definitely want those thicker legs.
Would love to know this too