DOES THE PERFECT TRAVEL TRIPOD ACTUALLY EXIST?

I take an early morning walk through some woodland, capture some of the early light. Then I set up camp and have a talk about my experience with my ongoing purchasing of travel tripods and the faults they have had over the last 15 years. I seem to be on a permanent quest to find the perfect travel tripod. Having just bought my 16th travel tripod I put it through it's paces, in preparation for a trip to the Lake District in February.
My KIT
Nikon D850
Nikon 24-70 f2.8
Nikon 14-24 f2.8
Sigma 70-200 f2.8
Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM (Nikon Fit) C Lens
Nikon 60mm macro f2.8
For Video recording.
Pocket Osmo 2
Nikon Z30 with 16-50 3.5-6.3
FeiyuTech SCORP Mini 3-Axis Gimbal
Rode wirless go.
DJI Mini 2 drone.
Tripods.
Manfrotto Element MII Travel Tripod in Aluminium.
Benro Mach3 Tripod Series 4 Aluminium.
Benro B3 Triple Action Ballhead.
SMALLRIG 62inch carbon fibre tripod AP-20.
Software used.
ADOBE Lighroom classic.
ADOBE photoshop.
Nikon capture NX 2.
For video editing.
Pinnacle Studio 26 Ultimate.

[@dirkjanranzijn]

I so enjoy your videos. Thank you very much and greetings from Holland.

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi DirkJan. Greetings from Nottingham. Thank you for watching.

[@thomasphillips5850]

Hi Craig, you got some nice shots here. The tripod dilemma continues for all I think. Great video keep up the good work.

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Thomas, It is indeed a dilemma. Thank you for watching.

[@tuftyhill]

Hi Craig I was going to recommend the Benro tripod that I use but it's definitely not considered a travel tripod. Unfortunately there's always going to be a compromise weight/sturdiness/cost etc. I rarely use the centre column extended unless absolutely necessary as you'll always get a 'wobble' I've actually tried using image stabilisation when on a tripod in windy conditions and I know it seems to split photographers whether you should use it on a tripod but I've had some great results. Obviously I take a few shots just to be sure but for me and the Fuji system it does occasionally pay off rather than ramping up the ISO to get a faster SS. I love the side lighting on the tree's that you captured. I do feel that conifer tree's are often overlooked in woodland as most photographer's focus on Oaks, Beech and Silver Birches. You've proved that they should also be considered in the right conditions

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Paul. I have started to get some positive results with the stabilisation on the 100-400 but for some unknown reason it does seem hit and miss. The centre column on my main tripod (Benro) is well steady even at full height. We don't always need height but it's good to know it's there if required. The part of the woodland I was in was obviously planted by man and I just love the vertical uniformity that the scenes produce. This will be my go to location if and when we get some misty sunny mornings. Sunlight from the left, light rays slicing through the conifers, dappled light falling all the way through the avenue of trees, would be my dream shot in this woodland. Thank you for watching.

[@paulbarnard5267]

Peak Design carbon is my perfect travel tripod. Excellent compromise of size, weight and stability. I often use it with a 100-400 and find it very well dampened.

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Paul. The Peak design name seems to be popping up quite a bit and the warranty takes some beating. Thank you for watching.

[@Rev.DavidJTowns]

i own dozens of tripods and the issue with Manfrotto is the time it takes to get replacement parts and yes they break frequently -- I have been surprised by the Vanguard line up -- they work and less -- if any repair issues.

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi David, It makes me wonder if some are poorly designed to make us buy another and another. I will take a look at vanguard. Not a brand I am familiar with. Thank you for watching.

[@markthorpe108]

Excellent video as per usual Craig. Here’s a challenge, go out for the day on a woodland adventure and take no tripod. It could be argued that all the images you took in this video could easily have been taken hand held. Just a thought that perhaps we become too reliant on a tripod. Less faff hand held and I know you don’t like faff 😂

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Mark some of the images at the beginning of the video were indeed hand held shots.I had to work fast to get the best of the light. On one hand, hand held does give you more freedom of movement when pulling compositions together which is less faff. However I also like the discipline of using the tripod in particular when filming a vlog. You have given me an idea for a future vlog without tripod. I accept your challenge. Thank you for watching.

[@paulcooper9187]

Hi Craig, interesting question. After many lightweight travel tripods, I had almost given up, I could never get them to work with my D800 with heavy pro glass, and kept reverting to my heavy carbon fibre manfrotto 50, which does not frustratingly have affordable spikes , but does work well in wet conditions, doesn’t corrode or get jammed. I then found a Peak Design Travel Tripod, slightly heavy, eye wateringly expensive , but very compact, takes a heavy lens well, and is very easy to use. I have used that for about 18 months with no issues. It’s got spikes as an additional extra, but nothing compared to manfrotto. It’s got an inbuilt Swiss arca mount, with works very well with L brackets. I use it where ever I won’t take the bigger tripod.

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Paul. I think I will eventually just have to bite the bullet and go up a few price brackets. I will take a look at Peak Design for a future purchase. Thank you for watching.

[@paulcooper9187]

@@craig.yates_photography4907 Craig, if you ever want to try one out, I’m only just up the road from you.

[@gordonsimpson1020]

Gitzo Traveler Tripod with Center Ball head - Compact, Foldable and Light, with short column included for ground level shoots - Series 1 - 5 sections - Carbon Fiber - GK1555T-82TQD is the best travel tripod I’ve ever owned, stick some spikes on it!

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Gordon. I will have a look at that. Thank you for watching.

[@tonyb2760]

When and if the "perfect" tripod is ever invented, maybe the same person or company can make the "perfect" backpack to go along with it because that doesn't exist either. Thanks for sharing

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Tony. I seemed to have had better experience with camera bags, moving to bigger bags as the size of the kit has increased. If a group of photographers got together and designed both a camera bag and tripod maybe they could produce something nearer to perfect.However we all have different wants and needs. So maybe perfect will never be able to satisfy the masses. Thank you for watching.

[@steveh1273]

I bought a Gitzo Mountaineer 3500 series many years ago, I've seen no reason to get another since. Heads are another matter, 3 different heads over time.

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Steve. 3 heads wow. I will add Gitzo to my research list. I imagine that the heads are not on the cheap side. Thank you for watching.

[@steveh1273]

@@craig.yates_photography4907 I won't mention my first (cheap) but I own the Arca Swiss ball head with the lock tightening screw, then a couple years ago I put out for the RRS BH55 ball head with the pano attachment and lever handle. It is heavy, but I find it functions expertly and the adjustments for setting the ball head tension is so good that I don't find a need for one of those super adjustable "cube" type very expensive heads that micro adjust in 3 dimensions. Except for the weight, I'm very happy with the RRS and I use 5x4 Linhof view and Fuji GFX cameras. Looks like FLM makes a good tripod for the money, I believe Adam Gibbs uses one.

[@adriantippins3605]

One of the best travel tripods on the market at the moment is the innovative Heipei W28. It's a direct rival to the Peak Design, but has more sturdiness & flexibility of use. I personally use a 3Legged Thing Albert as my travel tripod. I don't think there is a tall tripod that packs up so small. Everything about the 3legged Thing Albert is quality. I use a Benro Mach 3 38CL as my main tripod. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3azooCvqauFpa8

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Adrian. I have heard of 3legged brand but not the Heipei. I do like the look of the Peak design kit but not the price. Maybe that is how much I need to spend. Thank you for watching. EDIT. Just watched that video link, the Heipei certainly has a very stable center column. Very interesting.

[@EddieSkelson]

Every tripod I’ve bought has failed me within 12 months so far. Maybe I’m just too rough with them… or you sabotage em…

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

12 months use is just not good enough. Both mine joined me in the mud this morning on Winnats Pass. I spent the afternoon scraping the mud from all 3 of us. Looks like I am going to have to splash some cash on a more indestructible beast. Thank you for watching.

[@RayLombardi]

To answer you question Craig, perfection does not exist. Absolutely nothing is perfect. To add to that, there are 8 Billion people in this earth, there is no way any one product could please everyone. So, almost by definition, there is no 'solution' to your conundrum. Thanks for the video though, it's nice to debate these topics.

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Ray. Totally agree, nothing is perfect. My experience of these 3 legged money earners is that they should not be so imperfect easily breaking and deteriorating. From all the comments I need to move upmarket. Thank you for watching.

[@fintonmainz7845]

The perfect travel tripod is a monopod

[@craig.yates_photography4907]

Hi Finton. Another interesting thought. I have tripods that have a monopod conversion, but have never utilised that feature. Must give it a try.Thank you for watching.

[@fintonmainz7845]

@@craig.yates_photography4907 to be honest I'm an anti tripod racist. I hate the bloody things. No amount of logical reasoning will change my bias.

[@paulbarnard5267]

@@fintonmainz7845 ummm. Hand held Astro? Extreme example for clarity but tripods are an essential in many situations.

[@fintonmainz7845]

@@paulbarnard5267 I know you're right. I just don't like them.

[@paulbarnard5267]

@@fintonmainz7845 I hear you. Hence the never ending search for small and light but strong and stiff 😀