best tripod for bc use suggestions?

[cdlv]

looking for something light weight and durable. have about 5 shitty broken ones sitting around the house. durability takes importance over weight as the tripod need to be able to take some abuse. oh and only needs to hold a rebel xti.

figured that some of you mags would have a good suggestion to what you have used and been happy with.

[pechelman]

it all depends on how rough you are on your gear

but ive had this one http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/291660637.htm
for at least 5 years and its been everywhere with me climbing peaks and long hikes.

I generally dont carry anything while skiing though.

otherwise, a friend of mine had one of these that was stupid bomber at a fraction of the price of a bogen. http://cgi.ebay.com/Heavy-Duty-Metal...QQcmdZViewItem
(at least i think it was that one, it looks very similar)
Although I think his had rubberized foam padding around the leg uppers.

[bklyn]

http://www.gitzo.com/
Look for a lightweight head, for BC use. Depending on how much you want to spend, it might be a bit high. But... for less than the price of your 5 broken ones you'll get one that will sustain some abuse.

[cdlv]

thanks for the suggestions,
bklyn, i'm thinking more towards your line of thinking that more spent is better than 5 cheap broken ones.

as for abuse, these tend to beat the shit out of yr gear pretty quick:

and thats a pretty wide slot

[summit]

that vanguard ebay tripod is a sick sick SICK tripod/head steup for $70

but it is 6lbs

I'm using something very similar to that Quantaray for backpacking (3.3lbs)

I'm looking at buying a Gitzo GT0530 or GT0540 or GT530

The 530 only weighs half a pound and compacts to 1ft in length!

Add a 0.3lbs G1077M ballhead and you are in business...

Of course those Gitzo carbon fiber tripods do cost $330-$430 without the head...

There are also solutions out there that can utilize hiking poles for extra light weight.

[pechelman]

There are also solutions out there that can utilize hiking poles for extra light weight.

no shit? cool!
got a link?

[summit]

no shit? cool!
got a link?

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...028/index.html

[TeleHoar]

I have a Leki hiking staff (monopod) that works well as a ski pole. It has the removable knob with a camera mount underneath. I tied 3 equal lengths of parachute cord to the staff and staked it out like a tent.

I just took it on a hut trip to experiment, worked great! very lightweight as it is your ski pole. (double duty) It held up my heavy SLR no problem.

[summit]

telehoar == BRILLIANT

[cdlv]

looking like the gitzo 0530 is right up our alley. that with the ball head should fit the bill.again thanks for the suggestions.

[cj001f]

I'd invest (or make) a decent hard case instead of buying a more expensive tripod. Some large diameter PVC pipe might work, drill plenty of holes to lighten it and drain water quicker.