I’m looking for a very compact travel support for landscape photography when I can’t carry a full-size tripod. My camera setup is roughly a 1 kg DSLR with a 0.5 kg zoom lens, so most tiny tabletop tripods seem too weak. Requirements: - collapsed length around 30–35 cm max - suitable for uneven ground such as rocks or grass - acceptable for a DSLR with a moderate zoom, but not intended for very heavy telephoto lenses - doesn’t need to reach normal tripod height - not mainly for windy conditions - can be expensive if needed - monopod is not an option Are there any genuinely small but robust tripod-style supports that fit this use?

Compact tripod options for a DSLR when a full-size tripod is too big

Asked 12/29/2011

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I’m looking for a very compact travel support for landscape photography when I can’t carry a full-size tripod. My camera setup is roughly a 1 kg DSLR with a 0.5 kg zoom lens, so most tiny tabletop tripods seem too weak.

Requirements:

collapsed length around 30–35 cm max
suitable for uneven ground such as rocks or grass
acceptable for a DSLR with a moderate zoom, but not intended for very heavy telephoto lenses
doesn’t need to reach normal tripod height
not mainly for windy conditions
can be expensive if needed
monopod is not an option

Are there any genuinely small but robust tripod-style supports that fit this use?

dslr landscape camera-support tripods travel

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

2 Answers

I think you want to be lookin' at the Joby GorillaPod lineup. The SLR-Zoom model (see also this question) holds up to 3kg, is 9.8" (by 2.4"x2.4"), and the three legs can be "extended" — or in this case, weirdly twisted — individually. It's also relatively inexpensive, but you'll pay extra for a ballhead (recommended!).

They also have larger and smaller models.

Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1943

14y ago

AI Answer

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Yes. For a compact DSLR support, a few common options fit your description:

Joby GorillaPod SLR-Zoom: a popular compact choice that supports heavier camera setups than most mini tripods. Its flexible legs can be positioned individually on uneven surfaces, which suits rocks or rough ground. A ball head is commonly recommended.
Gitzo GT3320BS: suggested as an ultra-compact but much more robust tripod option, with a folded length around your limit. This is closer to a premium compact tripod than a mini tripod.
Beanbag-style supports: if you mainly need stability in a very small package, a beanbag support can work well on rocks, walls, branches, or the ground. Some photographers carry it empty and fill it on location.

So the answer is basically yes, but the best choice depends on whether you want true tripod legs (GorillaPod / compact Gitzo) or the smallest possible support (beanbag).

Compact tripod options for a DSLR when a full-size tripod is too big

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