Recommended light weight tripod for travel ???

billpepsi · 2nd May 2005

Any CSers here own or have used Slik 330 DX or 340 DX (see below)? Any positive or negative feedback so far?

http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-pro-03.html

http://www.thkphoto.com/products/sli...-pro-03-1.html

I'm looking for a light weight travel tripod + head which weighs in total less than 2kg, to hold a D70 + (kit lens or 70-300mm). So far those light weight ones from Gitzo, Manfrotto and Velbon are CF series which are a little $$.

Any other recommendations?

theITguy · 2nd May 2005

Did you delete the original thread? I wrote some stuff for you just now, after pressing Submit Reply I realised it was deleted. Dunno why you want ot delete it.

All I can say is (to cut it short), I own this tripod and some of my friends who also shoot says that this is light compared to what they seen. It can hold about 2KG+/- without problem.

Lastly do not be blinded Manfrotto, Gitzo etc. Many CSers are brand crazy and rather buy clones of the original.

billpepsi · 2nd May 2005

Originally Posted by theITguy

Did you delete the original thread? I wrote some stuff for you just now, after pressing Submit Reply I realised it was deleted. Dunno why you want ot delete it.

All I can say is (to cut it short), I own this tripod and some of my friends who also shoot says that this is light compared to what they seen. It can hold about 2KG+/- without problem.

Lastly do not be blinded Manfrotto, Gitzo etc. Many CSers are brand crazy and rather buy clones of the original.

Sorry, I did delete the previous post b'cos the Search feature in CS can't locate the thread so I thought it could be corrupted, hence deleted and resubmit again.

BTW, is yours 330 DX or 340 DX? is Cathay the only place that sells these two models? b'cos other shops I visited carry either Manfrotto, Gitzo or OEMs.

dragos · 2nd May 2005

using the 2nd one, not bad.

theITguy · 2nd May 2005

I have the 330DX, bought for about $130 and I add a $30 tripod strap (handy to just hang it to your body for prolong period of time as tripod is light) at Cathay. The head is make of a heavy metal cast and I am practising to use it as a defensive weapon against others whenever the need arise.

There is also a 500DX which is about $160, weights 2.4KG, just like the 330DX but holds up to 5KG instead of the recommended 3KG (from Christopher at Cathay) the last time I went to buy my tripod. Bigger, longer, goes higher but still cheaper than the Manfrottos or Gitzo as it comes with a panhead also, partly reducing the overall cost.

Go down and see yourself, the 330DX, 340DX and 500DX are all nice and light alternatives.

billpepsi · 2nd May 2005

Originally Posted by theITguy

I have the 330DX, bought for about $130 and I add a $30 tripod strap (handy to just hang it to your body for prolong period of time as tripod is light) at Cathay. The head is make of a heavy metal cast and I am practising to use it as a defensive weapon against others whenever the need arise.

There is also a 500DX which is about $160, weights 2.4KG, just like the 330DX but holds up to 5KG instead of the recommended 3KG (from Christopher at Cathay) the last time I went to buy my tripod. Bigger, longer, goes higher but still cheaper than the Manfrottos or Gitzo as it comes with a panhead also, partly reducing the overall cost.

Go down and see yourself, the 330DX, 340DX and 500DX are all nice and light alternatives.

Yeah, will get it soon, but can't decide 330 DX and 340 DX

330 DX
------
3 section leg
longer when fully extended
max load 4kg
price ~$130

340 DX
------
4 section leg
shorter folded length
max load 5 kg
price ~ $160

... still thinking

Firefox · 2nd May 2005

For the price of the 340DX, you can get the Pro 500DX. I have one.. Do feel like swapping out the stupid panhead for a Quick Release Ballhead though..
Height wise, the camera viewfinder should be able to reach 1.7m w/o extending the center column.

AReality · 2nd May 2005

I got the slik sprint pro, with 3-way head.
Can hold more weight than u think...
Very small for travelling also.

uncleparty · 4th May 2005

only used 3 different tripods ever, so cant really recommend and compare for you. but i own a 340dx and this is wat i feel... i guess depending on how u use, u may actually have less good/bad points.

this is why i like the 340dx...
1) the legs are light
2) i like the quick release screw, cos u dun need a coin or key to use it.
3) because the legs open up individually without a metal piece holding all 3 legs together, i can do this and go hands free >>>

what i dont like about the 340dx (ofcourse depends how u use)
1) the ability to open the legs a two different angles is quiet pointless for me. find i can get a better straight angle on uneven ground if i adjust the length of the leg rather than angle.
2) the foam pieces on the legs, and cork on the quick release.
3) the head weighs a ton in comparison with the legs, so the weight is sometimes lopsided when u carry.
4) would have preferred the legs square instead of cylinder.
5) generally feels a little more clumpsy to set up compared to other tripod. (maybe its the legs, maybe not used to it, or maybe im just made for a cheaper tripod hahaha

).

hope it helps

billpepsi · 4th May 2005

Originally Posted by uncleparty

3) because the legs open up individually without a metal piece holding all 3 legs together, i can do this and go hands free >>>

Excellent idea, I didn't think of this ... hands free

If you want to sell your 340DX, pls PM me.

ericp · 14th May 2005

Also have 340DX, legs very light, but ditch the 3-way panhead. Right now I have a mini ballhead on mine, but plan to put a proper lightweight ballhead on it soon, with Arca-Swiss type of QR. Legs by themselves are about 0.5kg, I think ... and to steady them (eg. in stiff breeze), just hang something heavy off them (eg. plastic bag with rocks).

Excellent travel tripod, IMHO. I stick it into a unpadded Slik tripod bag, nice and lightweight and not bulky at all, protects the tripod somewhat while making it easy to go into luggage.

2nd May 2005	#1
billpepsi Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The 3rd Rock Posts: 1,272	Recommended light weight tripod for travel ??? Any CSers here own or have used Slik 330 DX or 340 DX (see below)? Any positive or negative feedback so far? http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-pro-03.html http://www.thkphoto.com/products/sli...-pro-03-1.html I'm looking for a light weight travel tripod + head which weighs in total less than 2kg, to hold a D70 + (kit lens or 70-300mm). So far those light weight ones from Gitzo, Manfrotto and Velbon are CF series which are a little $$. Any other recommendations? Last edited by billpepsi; 3rd May 2005 at 10:07 AM.

2nd May 2005	#4
dragos Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Apex Circle Posts: 1,360	using the 2nd one, not bad. __________________ http://www.apexcircle.com Paranormal @ http://hellgates.com/

2nd May 2005	#8
AReality Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,393	I got the slik sprint pro, with 3-way head. Can hold more weight than u think... Very small for travelling also. __________________ . The Visual Journalist

4th May 2005	#9
uncleparty Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 255	only used 3 different tripods ever, so cant really recommend and compare for you. but i own a 340dx and this is wat i feel... i guess depending on how u use, u may actually have less good/bad points. this is why i like the 340dx... 1) the legs are light 2) i like the quick release screw, cos u dun need a coin or key to use it. 3) because the legs open up individually without a metal piece holding all 3 legs together, i can do this and go hands free >>> what i dont like about the 340dx (ofcourse depends how u use) 1) the ability to open the legs a two different angles is quiet pointless for me. find i can get a better straight angle on uneven ground if i adjust the length of the leg rather than angle. 2) the foam pieces on the legs, and cork on the quick release. 3) the head weighs a ton in comparison with the legs, so the weight is sometimes lopsided when u carry. 4) would have preferred the legs square instead of cylinder. 5) generally feels a little more clumpsy to set up compared to other tripod. (maybe its the legs, maybe not used to it, or maybe im just made for a cheaper tripod hahaha ). hope it helps __________________ Edmund Leong Photography

2nd May 2005	#2
theITguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In this small world Posts: 2,042	Did you delete the original thread? I wrote some stuff for you just now, after pressing Submit Reply I realised it was deleted. Dunno why you want ot delete it. All I can say is (to cut it short), I own this tripod and some of my friends who also shoot says that this is light compared to what they seen. It can hold about 2KG+/- without problem. Lastly do not be blinded Manfrotto, Gitzo etc. Many CSers are brand crazy and rather buy clones of the original.

2nd May 2005	#7
Firefox Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bedok Posts: 716	For the price of the 340DX, you can get the Pro 500DX. I have one.. Do feel like swapping out the stupid panhead for a Quick Release Ballhead though.. Height wise, the camera viewfinder should be able to reach 1.7m w/o extending the center column.

14th May 2005	#11
ericp Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 577	Also have 340DX, legs very light, but ditch the 3-way panhead. Right now I have a mini ballhead on mine, but plan to put a proper lightweight ballhead on it soon, with Arca-Swiss type of QR. Legs by themselves are about 0.5kg, I think ... and to steady them (eg. in stiff breeze), just hang something heavy off them (eg. plastic bag with rocks). Excellent travel tripod, IMHO. I stick it into a unpadded Slik tripod bag, nice and lightweight and not bulky at all, protects the tripod somewhat while making it easy to go into luggage.