Toronto Photography Meetup Group

So, going to Quebec for a week soon and I don't really want to be lugging around my Manfrotto 055XBPRO as it's bulky and too heavy.

I'm looking at the Benro A-1691 Travel Angel, does anyone have any experience with this tripod? My gear at the moment is Nikon D300s and the heaviest lens I own is the 80-200 2.8D, so I'd like it to support that weight.

Is it a good tripod and are there any other alternatives?

Thanks!

My sister just picked up this one for her trip to Australia next week:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8 ... Fiber.html

I picked up a BENRO Travel Angel C-1681 + B-0 (C1681TB0) Carbon Fiber for my trip to Paris and London last year and it performed flawlessly. It depends on how much gear you intend to prop on the top of it. The Benro 1 Series held up my 40D with 17-55/2.8 IS with no issues at all.

I also have a Gitzo 2531EX with Markins head/RRS clamp that is rock solid but much longer than the Benro.

Be sure to check eBay as the Benro's are way cheaper coming from China rather than local or even through B&H/Adorama.

Good luck!

I have the carbon-fibre version of this tripod (C169) with a B-01 ballhead. I have been traveling with it for 2 years and it has served my purposes very well. It is very light and most importantly, folds up to a very manageable size. Highly recommended.

I have an Induro AB0 (I think it's the 0, anyway) and it works pretty well for lugging around. I also found the Manfrotto 209 (table top) was super helpful on my last trip to Europe. I didn't bring the Induro because I was planning to be walking around a lot, and didn't want to carry the tripod. I kept the 209 on the camera (looked almost like a bayonet at times!) and I found it invaluable to be able to rest my camera on mailboxes, against walls, ledges, etc. to get that extra stability.

Having switch to a Black Rapid strap, though, I guess I need to change the head on that little guy somehow so that I don't have to constantly remove the plate from camera body to use it.

I use a an industrial Ty-Rap on a Really Right Stuff L-Bracket, that way I don't need to remove anything to go from my Black-Rapid strap to a tripod mount. BR also make a special Manfrotto adapter here:
http://www.blackrapid.com/product/hardware/fr-t1/


BlackRapid_RRS-4313 by ~Jamesy~, on Flickr

[quote="Jamesy"]I use a an industrial Ty-Rap on a Really Right Stuff L-Bracket, that way I don't need to remove anything to go from my Black-Rapid strap to a tripod mount. BR also make a special Manfrotto adapter here:
http://www.blackrapid.com/product/hardware/fr-t1/

Jamesy, I assume this was directed to me. I have the fr-t1 on my Black Rapid, I just don't have a head on my mini tripod that will take the Manfrotto QR plate. However it sees that the basic Manfrotto 323 QR Plate system will attach directly to the mini pod. It will add a bit of bulk, of course, but will greatly increase the usability.

Thanks,

Andrew

Thanks for everyones advice! I purchased the A-1691 and it is fantastic!

Is there anything cheaper? say around $200?

There are tons on Benro A-1691's for around $200 on eBay:
http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_nkw=benro+a+1691

Chevy:
I have an Induro AB0 and am pretty happy with how light it is: it weighs in at 1.2kg, and can support 4.7kg. It's not going to hold substantial glass, but with a folded length of 20.5", and a max height of 56.9", it has served me pretty well over the last little two years.

I picked it up at Vistek for like $140 I think.

I know it's no Manfrotto or Gitzo, but it does the job for me.