Even Cheaper Ultra compact Tripods for Travel, Hiking Photography Video Cameras

[@Leos74]

As a cyclist, I appreciate your love for compact and lightweight gear. I like to bring my MFT camera with a few tiny lenses on my cycling adventures, but bringing a tripod was always at a cost of increased bulk. Thank you for digging into affordable compact options - without fearing Aliexpress instead of pushing Amazon affiliate links as many other photography youtubers do!

[@lerssilarsson6414]

"Nothing beats this!" Handy for self-defense .

[@RoseTheOver70MakeupArtist]

My goodness I'm 75 years old and I am so glad I found your channel it is just so you can see the honesty in your eyes that you're trying to help everyone I have to video on a telephone because I can't afford a camera I'm a widow Lost everything I live with my son and I started a channel because I have panic attacks I now have the greatest people And you can see you are a great person trying to help everyone people that can't afford things like myself my children buy me stuff My poor son went out and bought all kinds of lights trying not to show up my wrinkles too bad lol And I see now what you mean Because honesty is the only thing that comes through not lighting ‼️‼️ My health is not too great but I'm so happy I found you you can see the honesty pours out of your eyes God bless you and your family❤

[@mikex2805]

I bought the Aircross 3 on your previous recommendation and have been liking it. You don't realize what a difference a few oz makes until you've hiked with it.

[@MarkusPix]

🙏👍

[@agentbey]

Love these reviews. Clear and honest. Thanks, Markus and Cara!

[@KABOBkabob]

Dude this was just in the nick of time for me. A couple of friends and i are backpacking on longboards from the coast of Peru to 15,000ft and back down 100 miles of downhill this summer. I just bought a VX981 per your recommendation for this trip. Excellent camera so far. Tripod was the last piece of the puzzle for me. Cheers to you being one of the few people who actually prioritizes weight with camera gear. Super helpful.

[@MarkusPix]

Wow thats quite a hike. Good luck!

[@alphaskwurl]

Ooooo man that shirt is nice, Markus. Definitely have the same taste in clothes. I rarely find good stuff these days though.

[@agentbey]

Nice intro and love the new outro animation.

[@gabrielmease1169]

I love your reviews/content. Keep up the good work! You really got me to get over gear-itis and I am now shooting on smaller, cheaper, older, stuff and having a blast and getting amazing results. Best part is I have my 7-year-old involved now and he loves it.

[@TitansRevenge3D]

Tripods are underrated! I like having some nice lightweight ones when they are needed, even though I mostly shoot handheld

[@jdd53]

Always informative! Thank you.

[@WorldMoneyWins]

Love your passion Markus. :-)

[@AGNTMedia]

There is just something about your videos Markus, I find them very entertaining and real. Thanks for giving us your opinion.😊 Always looking forward to your next video 👍

[@MarkusPix]

I appreciate that!

[@MileyonDisney]

Thank you!

[@GemluvaBeauty]

Gem 💎 here. You have so information it seems and the way you explain things is a plus for me. Tripods are a must need for any situation and trust me, I am that one that needs more than one though. 😂 Thank you for sharing and new sub here! I love your videos.

[@TekedixXx]

I have always used cheap, light tripods. I have a cheap one with real fluid head I got for like $30 at walmart maybe 15 years ago. Great for anything DSLR sized. The downside to these light tripods is when you get into longer focal lengths. When I'm anywhere above 50mm I find you can really see the camera shake, and running active stabilization (If you even have it) is always hit or miss on tripods and can end up making things look WORSE! Obviously, compensate for this by increasing shutter speed (If you didn't know, your shutter speed needs to be double your focal length or you'll get motion blur, which isn't necessarily bad in all cases), but it's one of those things that I always keep in mind when I'm doing anything with zoom lenses.

[@drone-flights]

Things to consider when filming outdoors: Wind -Does the tripod legs have a stabilizing cross bar to wedge a drink container/towel inside of, for extra stability. The higher the tripod extension, the more likely to wobble in the wind if not stabilized. Level Shot - Does the tripod have a balance gel ball to help level the shot. Adjustable legs in case of uneven ground. In bright sun light, sometimes the LED can be a challenge to use for exact level, so every little extra helps. Control - A handle on the mount to maneuver the camera easily into any position to get a level shot or the right shot. Thread attachment - make sure it’s the right thread hole or screw for your individual camera - they measure in mm. Material - Cheap Aluminum seems to damage quicker under travel conditions. I found all of this and a solid tripod , at a local electronic national walk-in chain for around fifty dollars with around a six-foot reach. I also found that buying cameras direct from a trusted small business U.S. electronic company on-line, they will not only be cheaper than Amazon/China, but may also throw in a lot of quality items for free such as a tripod and other accessories, because they pass the savings on to the customer in order to move inventory without having to pay Amazon for the transaction.

[@TRwalks]

They're really cool! I bought a nice tabletop tripod with a removable head. Then, I got an extinction rod to be able to have it at waist height, which is my favorite height. Appreciate the video. Thanks.

[@MarkusPix]

An extinction head? that sounds scary. 😄

[@TRwalks]

@@MarkusPix 😂

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

tHanks for these videos. I'm still hunting for the Sony 405....I'm searching Craig's and Market. Patience....films the race. tHanks for all the great videos and tips.

[@Sasha-Good]

Fotopro X-Aircross 3 -- weight -- 0,81 kg. 😉 Thx you for your work.

[@DrDicht86]

very nice, the Q160 is nice, love it.

[@EKAdventures51]

I've had a Slik for over 39 years, use it for mega binoculars now, remember when small video cameras weighed 4 lbs, i remember a Panasonic 3 tube which weighed 35 lbs, with no battery, had a motorcycle battery to power it, and a 3/4in Sony recorder, then the tripod, going on ski lifts to capture the downhill powder competitions, Nelson, BC at that time, now I use my Sony 405 with as much resolution :)

[@Localtraveler2376]

Thanks for the info. Great video.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Thanks for sharing.

[@trym2121]

I think you should clarify the fotopro one. One that is shown on the video is the lite/lightweight version instead of the normal one.

[@ColatoFilms]

If you can, try the Ulanzi SK-04. Is super compact, and for what it is, in my opinión, is worth buying. Greetings from Chile! I love your channel 🇨🇱👋🏼

[@MarkusPix]

It doesn't go high enough (6 inches lower) than these one

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thanks!

[@digialityproductions793]

Thank you

[@log0log]

Have you tried Ulanzi MT-79 Portable Light Stand? 2m hight, 1/2kg weight, for $20

[@bartbuerman]

Your never ending (I hope) search for compact and lightweight gear is fantastic! I follow along, as I have a similar obsession. During the pandemic, I transformed a cargo bike into a livestream 'van': the Broadcast Bike! Every piece of gear I need goes in there! So obviously I try to reduce weight and size of just about everything! Based on some of your previous videos, I was able to reduce the size and weight of lightstands and COB lights. Still hoping to reduce tripod size and weight though. Could you once do a video about sturdiness of lightweight camera tripods? Ideally with a bigger than compact camera mounted? Would be totally amazing to see the results of such research!

[@umoransam]

I wonder if there is a way to modify a pair of trekking poles, used for hiking, to add three legs on the bottom of one of them, like on a monopod - or a third leg to a pair of trekking poles - plus some way to tie it all together at the top, so you can mount a camera to make them into a tripod. Then it would be a kind of dual usage for both the hike and shooting. Plus since it is dual purpose, it would be even lighter overall for someone who uses trekking poles when they hike/backpack and save the weight of taking a separate tripod.

[@sclogse1]

That's where lackeys come into play.

[@danielfrank-vetter163]

Thanks from Germany

[@MarkusPix]

You're welcome from Las Vegas 😄

[@lachopakapura]

Hi Markus great video as always. Can you share in a video some of the horrors stories that you have encountered regarding video gear? old stories and new like "when I worked at.. blank.. this or that.. we had an expensive x camera and the sound guy dropped it in the Lake, kind of story😊

[@Photobuffeddy1314]

Cool 🆒 😅😊

[@Jwitherow1964]

I like the one you show us from Amazon small light carbon fiber it was only 89.00, but you use it for a light stand too.

[@MarkusPix]

Yes I have hundreds of tripods and light stands, but Im always adding to the collection and sharing it with people

[@frankfoti]

Hi Markus. I have a question and its about sound treating a room . I recently rented a beautiful spacious place 800 sqft. I love it. However, the floors are marble the walls are concrete, the ceiling is 14ft high( no wood beams just concrete) So sound bounces all over the place and it makes it very difficult to record without echo. I have placed sound boards, rugs, heavy thick curtains but the echo is still there. Perhaps making a video on how to "Echo Proof" or "sound treat" an apt would make a great vid. Keep in mind its a rental, so..... Also, im not interested in the best microphone for this issue. Im interested in how to naturally reduce the echo of the room. Thanks- youre da best.

[@MarkusPix]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH2pZ3Woqpupf5Y Sound boards are usually useless. The mic also makes a diff. A DPA 6060 picks up echo while a C)S11D doesn't as much. Try not using a shotgun mic

[@frankfoti]

@@MarkusPix Thanks, great vid!

[@DeluxSkater]

hey markus! thanks for the review, im contemplating between the Fotopro X-Aircross 3 Lite Video vs ULANZI F38 Quick Release Video. X-Aircross sells for 208 Euros and the Ulanzi F38 for 230 Which one would you recommend ? both have a video head but it seems to differ ever so slightly. One has an arca swiss plate the other doesn't.

[@winterwold]

Those twist drag lock legs. Can they be locked halfway? Or only fully extended? Also can you remove the center column on the 49usd one? Just use a differential ballhead on it?

[@MarkusPix]

Yes all those legs can be set to whatever length you want.And yes on the 49 dollar one you can remove the center column and also replace the ballhead with anything 1/8 inch

[@DoughboyGod]

💪❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥💪

[@markattardo]

I liked the looks of the freewell when I saw it. Not crazy about the price, but it is what it is. Do you find those lighter tripods have more wiggle to them? Thanks for another informative comparison!

[@MarkusPix]

The Fotopro X-Aircross is pretty much the exact same thing but with a more portable lighter head and half the cost. The little 49 dollar ultra compact one has more wiggle yes. If you mean all of these "lighter" tripods in general, they are actually pretty non-wiggly. They are just featherlight so maybe they're affected by wind more

[@markattardo]

@@MarkusPix Thanks for responding! By wiggle I was thnking about making an adjustment to a camera and you watch watch your composition shake for a few seconds. Again, thanks for the comparison and response!👍👍

[@conraddubose7518]

Hi Markus. Thanks for the review. Are any of these strong/steady enough to use with a camcorder? I use a Panasonic X900M and a Sony AX 53. I've been using a Manfrotto Befree Live. Extends to 60", it's steady and smooth, but it weighs close to 4 pounds. I've begun walking more to access interesting sites, and something lighter would be great.

[@MarkusPix]

Yes they can hold those but these are designed for hiking and travelling to be the most lightweight possible and temporary use. For more regular or home / studio use, I would stick with the Manfrotto

[@photobyTaps]

Very nice! Is it California legal? We're not allowed cool things that might look "tactical" lol

[@MarkusPix]

And I guess it would require a Prop 69 sticker saying it causes cancer if eaten.

[@BuildingByFaith]

Compact is good. I have to be able to lock in the height at various points and not just full. Thanks.

[@MarkusPix]

All of these can have legs adjusted to any height

[@BuildingByFaith]

@@MarkusPix that's good to know. Thanks.

[@collegemtl]

Hello Mark , i have a question, maybe you know about it , triying to minimize hazards at wedding events , using a tripod for video , some one told me about cravity gls431b which is a lightstand for DJs and they got up hight with a flat base so no legs , but dunno how sturdy can it be , have you heard about it? Or any input on that , thanks Mark for everything you teach us here

[@MarkusPix]

I use something similar for my backdrops kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoDGpGiEi8Rop80 They're ok, just if you extend them all the way they get a little wobbly at the section joints

[@collegemtl]

@@MarkusPix thanks a lot for the reply , always helpful

[@landonking2937]

You mentioned back in your video, "The Amazing Alzo," the Aoka Carbon Fiber Tripod to be used as a base for a travel light stand setup. I saw it again being used by a backpacker for filming (Darwin Onthetrail). Would you consider that to be an even lighter and more compact travel tripod solution, or is the small size and need for an extension to get up to chest/eye level to much of a tradeoff?

[@MarkusPix]

The higher up the tripod part goes, obviously the less things will sway back and forth. But I use light stands a LOT as a stand for my RX100 when filming myself talking if there is no wind

[@PapaBruno]

I need to work on my handheld skills. I'm far too shaky. 😂📷👋 I would love to have the new super compact and lightweight Ulanzi TT08 but can't afford it right now.

[@ADAtrips]

Looks great but I have a question: How do the China ones send so inexpensive? 🌴🌴Aloha

[@MarkusPix]

Good question. I surprisingly got mine within two days of ordering, so I think they have fulfillment warehouses across the country like Amazon does. At least some of the stuff, obviously not all of it.

[@Rabbitunderground]

Is there not a single light stand with camera tripod combined?

[@MarkusPix]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qImmq4CdnbqYotE and kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGGyYoGHn5dkbtE

[@erbterb]

Dear gear geek. I am new to flash photography and bought used stands. These do not have extending legs like my tripod which stupid. Do you know of any good terrain flash stands with extending legs to compensate for rocky terrain, or are we stuck in the middle ages? I will then be the champion that picks up the lady's napkin to defend modern photography! In the worst case we will have marry a light tripod with a flash top to get the best of bot worlds.

[@akhyarrayhka4048]

the twist tripod is prone to fail after a few years, always opt for the flip lock

[@KnifeGuy_]

"I don't even use tripods, the only thing I ever use tripods for is to put a little camera on...."

[@lackoliver55]

How Small Can We Go!

[@Pine4205]

TY. Me, too.

[@Jwitherow1964]

Yahoo

[@crazyobservations3080]

I'm terrible with hand held video. I don't even like to touch the camera once its recording so its all remote and its almost always on a tripod or mount. I like the elcheapo tripods from wally world. super cheap super lite and priced to be disposable.

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

I'd need the Yunteng to have an eye level one 😅

[@MarkusPix]

Are you seven feet tall?

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

@@MarkusPix 😄not quite, but over 72". I usually pull the legs of tripods in closer together to get a little extra height out of them. Of course they aren't as stable that way...

[@MarkusPix]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGGyYoGHn5dkbtE

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

@@MarkusPix oooh, awesome! Thanks!

[@ericyeo3799]

Hey Markuspix, check out the new? Ulanzi MT-79 light stand. 2M tall, ultracompact 37cm length(with head), 550grams. USD$20. I think you'll like it. I've used it for lights and small cameras.

[@MarkusPix]

Yes its pretty good. I like the Ashiner 70 better, its the same thing but less than half the weight! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGGyYoGHn5dkbtE Here is the listing www.amazon.com/dp/B09SG2BVZX?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[@ericyeo3799]

Hi @@MarkusPix i tried that but it just was not tall (needs to be above eye line) nor stable enough (base was too small) for a light Godox ML60 or AD100 at max height . The MT-79 has a much bigger base, sturdier and taller! The Ashiner is much better for applications below 1.6m. They probably apply to different users.

[@MarkusPix]

Yes those light saber stands are great for portability, but the MT79 weighs 1.3 lbs. For that kind of weight, you can get a real light stand with a much wider, sturdier base. This one actually weighs less than the MT79 and costs only $29 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074VNRN5X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc= This one also weighs less than the MT79 and is one of my all time favorite ultralight stands but costs quite a bit www.amazon.com/Nissin-Carbon-Fiber-Light-Stand/dp/B075MCHGSQ

[@MarkusPix]

So I got an MT79 just to see and yes you're right, it is the perfect height, i was shocked how tall that thing goes considering how flimsy the feet are. It collapses shorter than my favorite ultralight "real" light stands and weighs about the same. It just sways like hell though, definitely not usable with any kind of wind. It can maybe hold a little light, but no modifiers or camera. But for quick set up of lights for on-location vlogging, I might consider playing with a couple. Thanks for mentioning it Eric.

[@ericyeo3799]

I use it for lights, mostly indoor events and weddings so no issue with wind. Another plus is it deploys quickly and I can adjust the height 1 handed. Hope you continue to explore these, I'm a big fan of your approach and philosophy!

[@vernon_4411]

Some of the current newly released small, lightweight tripods are Ulanzi TT09, iFootage TC3B+K3 and TA3B+K3.

[@MarkusPix]

The TT09 only goes up to 46 inches and weighs a whopping 3.3 lbs. It's an obese midget

[@djfroggy80]

Great tripods but not as good as your shirt ! Cheers from 🇫🇷

[@MarkusPix]

Merci 😊

[@dchmielarski]

Markus, it sounds like you have a cheap and light tripod personal issue, lol 😆

[@temporal0044]

👍

[@BobCollins42]

Your throwaway comment that 60" is the "right" size is more than annoying to those of us who are taller and looking for a tripod. One size does NOT fit all!

[@MarkusPix]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGGyYoGHn5dkbtE

[@donaldnelson5647]

Add a ULANZI BG-3 battery stick to your tripod and you gain 7.6 inches height plus a 10,000mah battery pack.

[@MarkusPix]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYSbd5ShjK6GftE

[@Elvis_Pond5]

You do not want to skimp on a quality and sturdy tripod when it's holding a $500-$3000 camera

[@MarkusPix]

That's pretty much me 😅 living on the edge. Seeing what i can get away with. Origami lifestyle.

[@jerran_duty]

So glad you’re not pushing the exact same gear every KZbinr pushes lol, though I do like the Markus reviews of the hottest gear no one needs 😂

[@TeeFetch]

I like photography but everything confuses me. Just lights and point and shoot basically. Settings Im hit or miss or give up and go full auto.

[@billyoung9538]

The big issue with Temu is many of the products have been directly linked to Chinese Forced/Slave labor market. So individuals need to decide how they feel about potentialy supporting that practice when purchasing from there. As for people who might make the argument that some more well known brands might do the same. If one believes that to be true then treat them the same way. The point of this post is the buyer should be informed and aware so they can make a conscious decision.

[@sclogse1]

What's your source of info, so I can know about the other products?

[@alphaskwurl]

The problem is China has the absolute biggest share of production because countries & company's support the process and people are so cost conscious that the problem only grows. A majority of stuff we people own comes from China, and until Governments stop keeping them in business, the problem will perpetuate. But when you've got people like Biden, Pelosi, Mitch McConnell and so many others in positions of power getting huge kick backs from China, the problem will never end.

[@Leos74]

Not sure about the secrets behind where these products come from, but delivery is free (or atleast very cheap) because China profits off Universal Post Association's "developing country" pricing, which means that they can send out stuff for free thanks to to high fees in developed countries that can afford that.

[@FrankMakesMovies]

Well put and on point!

[@alphaskwurl]

I guess my comment was deleted. Someone in Chinas pocket didn't like that. I'm probably on lists anyway. The basic idea was it will never stop because the US and other countries feed into it cuz they do not care about human life.

[@stkuj]

I use a tripod hacked into a light stand...

[@MarkusPix]

I've made several videos about that

[@samphelps856]

Thank you