Looking for a cheap and small photo tripod

[Ags]

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/fotomate-tripods/fotomate-vt-6006-heavy-duty-2-way-tripod.html

I only have one tripod and would like to be able to set up my scopes when imaging with camera lenses. Can this tripod carry an AZ-GTI, light  ZWO camera and 100 mm macro lens? Can the Tilt head be used for polar aligning? The alternative I am considering is the SkyWatcher steel tripod for AZ5, but really looking for something compact when stored.

Edited December 10, 2020 by Ags

[Ags]

Any ideas for a tripod that can hold 5 kilos, pack small and costs nothing?

[Ags]

Looking at this one now:

https://braun-germany.de/en/professional/153-braun-nox-180-professional.html

[DaveL59]

I think the issue you'd have will be stability on lightweight tripods, esp with a 5KG load. A carbon fibre one might work or one designed for video use but the latter won't be compact or light and either won't be low cost. Perhaps a lucky used find might land you something but I'd expect even then you'd be looking at £80+

[Ags]

The Braun Nox 180 I am looking at now is rated for 12 kgs...

[DaveL59]

what's the screw thread in the base of the mount you're looking to fit, 3/8 or 1/4-inch?

If 3/8 you can get an adaptor, assuming the head on the Braun is removable (likely but worth asking, perhaps) unless you plan on mounting it on the ball head.

[Ags]

All my stuff is 3/8 fortunately. As far as I can see the ballhead is separate.... worth verifying.

[DaveL59]

you may find that the tripod column is 1/4 once the head is removed, just a thought 🙂 

[Ande]

Just bought one of these, and am absolutely delighted with it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B088H64CSV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Very well priced for what it does, but not exactly cheap.  Rated at up to 30kg’s, so plenty of scope with it, no pun intended.  I can have it set at it’s maximum height, and it is still lovely and solid, and allows me to polar align without having to limbo dance.

[Ags]

Looks amazing!

[Paz]

I have one of these Neewer carbon tripods and I use it with a small refractor for visual. Depending on the configuration I'll usually have 3.5-4.5kg loaded on it.

Neewer Carbon Fiber 66 inches/168 centimeters Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

I would say it is ok - it's not as solid as a normal telescope mount like a Skytee 2 obviously but is packs down small and light.

Edited December 24, 2020 by Paz

[Ags]

I think i have found what I need, going on the basis that ARTCISE tripods seem rather good. They are hard to come by but I found a smaller one with 18 kg load on Aliexpress:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001609653198.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.1.62207a36oFjH91&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.169870.0&scm_id=1007.13339.169870.0&scm-url=1007.13339.169870.0&pvid=3ba10565-5dc5-4cdf-936d-3e695f034e92&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.169870.0,pvid:3ba10565-5dc5-4cdf-936d-3e695f034e92,tpp_buckets:668%230%23131923%2369_668%23888%233325%237_668%232846%238110%23376_668%232717%237558%23170_668%231000022185%231000066059%230_668%233468%2315618%23976

Not sure about import duties and so on given aliexpress but 112 euros is a good starting point. Another nice thing is this has a center column but it is screw-on not telescoping so should be a lot more stable should I ever choose to use it.

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by Ags

[Ags]

And purchased - i will post my findings when it arrives.

[Ande]

8 hours ago, Ags said:

I think i have found what I need, going on the basis that ARTCISE tripods seem rather good. They are hard to come by but I found a smaller one with 18 kg load on Aliexpress:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001609653198.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.1.62207a36oFjH91&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.169870.0&scm_id=1007.13339.169870.0&scm-url=1007.13339.169870.0&pvid=3ba10565-5dc5-4cdf-936d-3e695f034e92&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.169870.0,pvid:3ba10565-5dc5-4cdf-936d-3e695f034e92,tpp_buckets:668%230%23131923%2369_668%23888%233325%237_668%232846%238110%23376_668%232717%237558%23170_668%231000022185%231000066059%230_668%233468%2315618%23976

Not sure about import duties and so on given aliexpress but 112 euros is a good starting point. Another nice thing is this has a center column but it is screw-on not telescoping so should be a lot more stable should I ever choose to use it.

 

From what I can gather, the centre column isn’t generally recommended for imaging, due to the small chance of vibration. But it’s a nice, extra option to have for general use. The tripod looks great by the way. Be nice to hear your thoughts once it lands

[Ags]

Yes just got the center column option as it might sometimes come in handy. Looking forward to trying out the tripod for visual and AP.

[Ags]

Stilll haven't had a chance to use the tripod, but I did get a bill for EUR 39 import duties today. 😕

[Marc1964]

On 24/12/2020 at 00:05, Paz said:

I have one of these Neewer carbon tripods and I use it with a small refractor for visual. Depending on the configuration I'll usually have 3.5-4.5kg loaded on it.

Neewer Carbon Fiber 66 inches/168 centimeters Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

I would say it is ok - it's not as solid as a normal telescope mount like a Skytee 2 obviously but is packs down small and light.

When you say a small refractor, how small? How about 3kg and an 80/560 refractor? 

[Paz]

6 hours ago, Marc1964 said:

When you say a small refractor, how small? How about 3kg and an 80/560 refractor? 

I use a 72mm f6 with it, here's a photo...

[Marc1964]

@Paz I see. How have you attached what is, I assume, a vixen mount to the tripod head? 

[Paz]

It's a TS optics alt az head (bought separately from the tripod I should have said) that allows me to use a scope dovetail mount rather than a camera mount.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p9334_TS-Optics-Tilting-Head-and-Altazimuth-Mount-for-photo-tripods.html

Edited February 21, 2021 by Paz

[Marc1964]

38 minutes ago, Paz said:

It's a TS optics alt az head (bought separately from the tripod I should have said) that allows me to use a scope dovetail mount rather than a camera mount.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p9334_TS-Optics-Tilting-Head-and-Altazimuth-Mount-for-photo-tripods.html

Many thanks for the information, makes perfect sense and very helpful 👍