Ultralight Tripod Options

[bradmacmt]

For lightweight tripods I genuinely dislike carbon fiber - they're expensive, and more importantly, require screw-adjustments on the leg sections rather than flip locks.

Do yourself a favor and keep an eye out for older SLIK aluminum models. Either the Slik 500G-7 or 500G-FL. I picked both of mine up off ebay for less than $30 brand new (though I wouldn't be opposed to used).

They're easier to use and mostly lighter than the various carbon options out there.

The lighter 500G-7 packs at 15-7/8" long while the 500G-FL packs at 18-1/4" long.

With any lightweight setup it pays to have a stuff-sack and cord setup to weight it at the center with rocks.

Just briefly perusing ebay before posting this, here's a 500G-FL for sale: https://www.ebay.com/itm/304769574738

 

[carsonkeys]

I ordered an AT-125 with the AT-10 head and was initially very impressed. Unfortunately, the legs are coming out completely different depending on the leg. i.e. smallest segment to largest segment on one, middle segment to largest segment to smallest segment on the other, and finally perfectly largest-to-smallest on the final leg. It does the same when only going one click/segment. Has this been happening to anyone else?

I’m exchanging for another and hoping I just got a lemon.

ETA: One of the legs will not let release the final segment of the leg either. Hoping for an improvement on the next go round - otherwise it’ll be a tricer.

I’m running into the exact same issues with the replacement tripod as well.

For those who own one, are you experiencing the same issues or am I the problem here?

 

[alexnelon]

I’m running into the exact same issues with the replacement tripod as well.

For those who own one, are you experiencing the same issues or am I the problem here?

The design pretty much requires that you twist to unlock all 5 sections, pull them all out, then just lock the ones you want to stay out. I’ve had zero issues with mine, but I always unlock all the legs at once and just know that I can’t pick which leg comes out first.

 

[Happy Antelope]

Have any of you spent time behind both the Tricer and Aziak tripods? I can't decide between the back country light or the tricer AD.

I don't currently stand to glass but the ability with the tricer is intriguing.
Overall I just like the looks of thebAziak more.

Rydell is a great guy and he makes great products at Aziak.

 

[diamond10x]

I’m running into the exact same issues with the replacement tripod as well.

For those who own one, are you experiencing the same issues or am I the problem here?

I haven't had any issues with mine that you've experienced but I also haven't used it but 3 or 4 days total so time will tell. I try my best to make sure it's not getting a bunch of grit in the legs by laying it down in dirt or sand as well as making sure the internal twist locks are fully unlocked before pulling the leg sections. If its anything like my other Sirui tripods, I would be surprised if it doesn't hold up

 

[carsonkeys]

The design pretty much requires that you twist to unlock all 5 sections, pull them all out, then just lock the ones you want to stay out. I’ve had zero issues with mine, but I always unlock all the legs at once and just know that I can’t pick which leg comes out first.

I’m not understanding you here. As far as I understand, it’s designed to give you one leg per click?

 

[alexnelon]

I’m not understanding you here. As far as I understand, it’s designed to give you one leg per click?

It has 5 leg sections that each have an internal friction lock, but in the collapsed position you can only physically twist the bottom section.

This means that the force you apply to the bottom section is (more or less evenly) distributed amongst all the sections at once, unlocking each section independently as you reach the amount of force required to overcome the friction lock for each one.

But since they are all being twisted at the same time, there is no way to control the order in which each section is locked/unlocked because the mechanism (friction) that locks/unlocks each leg also transfers torque to the leg above it.

Basically, since you’re only ever twisting the bottom leg, there’s no way to control which leg gets unlocked first. So just unlock them all from the jump.

 

[WreckedRooster]

I went with the Sirui ST-124 and the small rig. I'm at 3 lbs with it which I'd prefer to be lighter. But it's built like a tank and super stable.

 

[Marty]

I've got about 500 rounds (7PRC, 6.5CM, and 6 ARC) on top of this Aziak Backcountry Tripod and Leofoto MA-30L ARCA/PIC head. It's held 80 and 65mm spotters as well.

At this time, I found this setup to be cost effective for the performance I need. If I was to upgrade for the same application, I'd be looking hard at RRS but at a significant increase in cost.

 

[Marty]

 

[Solm]

Unfortunately wind is often an issue. One can lock down at the points, spread the legs wider, and can weigh down everything by a suspended weight in the middle, but even then if the tripod is not substantial the connection between camera and tripod, ball head or whatever, can disappoint in wind. If you can live with a tabletop tripod then that is probably the lightest way to go.

 

[flyfisher117]

I've got about 500 rounds (7PRC, 6.5CM, and 6 ARC) on top of this Aziak Backcountry Tripod and Leofoto MA-30L ARCA/PIC head. It's held 80 and 65mm spotters as well.

At this time, I found this setup to be cost effective for the performance I need. If I was to upgrade for the same application, I'd be looking hard at RRS but at a significant increase in cost.

What is the stability like with the large spotters? Trying to figure out the largest spotter I could run on mine but don't have any to test.

 

[Happy Antelope]

What is the stability like with the large spotters? Trying to figure out the largest spotter I could run on mine but don't have any to test.

Would this work?

 

[Marty]

What is the stability like with the large spotters? Trying to figure out the largest spotter I could run on mine but don't have any to test.

Nothing the like post @Happy Antelope just put up lol! I found the Aziak backcountry perfectly fine with an ATS 80mm under calm conditions. When the wind picks up, you need to be aware of where you're setting up (windbreaks) and try to weigh down the center column hook to get the best stability. These are all tradeoffs I accept in order to have a lightweight tripod I'm willing to take hunting sheep, goats, and the rest here in Alaska.

Nothing is the best, it's all compromises.

 

[flyfisher117]

Would this work?

View attachment 781239

Nope.

Nothing the like post @Happy Antelope just put up lol! I found the Aziak backcountry perfectly fine with an ATS 80mm under calm conditions. When the wind picks up, you need to be aware of where you're setting up (windbreaks) and try to weigh down the center column hook to get the best stability. These are all tradeoffs I accept in order to have a lightweight tripod I'm willing to take hunting sheep, goats, and the rest here in Alaska.

Nothing is the best, it's all compromises.

Thanks yeah I got the backcountry for the weight, knowing it wouldn't be the most stable. I hadn't even been looking at the largest spotters just because I figured they would be too unstable even with weight on the tripod. Good to know they can work. I likely won't go that big but if a deal pops up it may happen lol

 

[BREAKCONTACT]

I'm pretty sure by now I've bought and tried pretty much every little arca ball head on amazon... quite a few are very lightweight and fit the bill for very light duty use... but the best I've found for a combination of features, lightweight-ness, and able to hold up my rifle... are the Leofoto LH22 and the Aoka kb20. I'm also still partial to the AM225 tripod, as I like that it allows me to go all the way to the ground in a prone shooting position. Not super stable above a kneeling height shooting position... but at 5'8 I can use my angled eyepiece spotter from a full standing height... can use an extension to go higher if necessary. Including an LH22 ball head, it's 1lb 13oz. Hard to beat that for how versatile it is. However, if I'm trying to go "ultralight" I've got a sunwayfoto t16c20n tripod I've modified with longer legs that allow me to go from prone to kneeling height, and it only weighs 13.5oz Including an LH22.

How/ with what did you mod the legs with?

 

[packgoatguy]

How/ with what did you mod the legs with?

Short answer is, I matched the diameter of the legs to carbon fiber tubing I bought online to get the lengths I wanted it.