Before I left on my solo canoeing trip from Voyager National Park across the BWCA and down the 8.5 mile Grand Portage, I posted a question asking for advice about lightweight tripods. I went ahead and purchased a Slik Sprint Pro. This weighs less than 2 pounds and has four leg sections and comes with a simple ballhead. I figured I'd post a quick review for anyone who is in the same situation looking for a super light tripod for backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, etc....
On it I used, my Nikon D70, a 12-24 DX, a 24-85 AF-S, and a 360Precision Panoramic ballhead with a 10.5 DX lens. I never used my 70-300 ED, although I carried it.
First, forget using the smallest leg sections. It makes the tripod too unstable. And the feet, unless screwed up tightly exposing the metal points screw and unscrew themselves. I used the metal points the whole trip because they seemed to make the tripod more stable.
The center column makes me feel bad with such a light tripod, so I never used it. It unscrews and saves 3.3 ounces by leaving it at home. It's practically worthless to use with the camera I was using anyway. The screw that holds this center column in place doesn't inspire confidence.
The tripod head needs to be cranked down extremely hard to hold the camera in a vertical orientation, and when using the extra weight of the 360Precision tripod head the ball head strained and it took much carry when turning the pano-head not to disturbed the ballhead. It's really not that great, and if I continue to use this tripod on further trips, this ballhead will be replaced. And the center column removed in favor of a direct screw and washer connection.
The tripod produced sharp pictures by itself if the wind wasn't blowing, but with a slight breeze, I found I had to press down on the tripod to stop vibration and with the panos, I had to very carefully move to the next click and then hold my hand while stabilizing the head.
Overall, I'd have to say that you get what you're willing to pay for and carry. In this light of a tripod, stability is compromised using anything but the lightest cameras. Even with the light D70 and lenses I used, this tripod was pushed to its limits of usability. Still, with a few work-arounds, it was nice not to have to carry a heavier tripod. It worked, it got me sharp pictures with the above mention lens combos, and with very careful use I was able to produce good 360x180 panos.
I can recommend this product for backpacking, canoeing, or other trips as long as you're ready to deal with a tripod that isn't made for the demands you are going to place on it.
I remember reading Galen Rowell once when he wrote, that other pros would laugh when they saw the tripod he used on trips, and luckily for me this was a solo trip, because I sort of felt the same.
I wonder how a under 2 pound carbon tripod would perform compared to this. About the same, I suspect.
Bryan