Travelling with a Tripod (RRS 34L)

[dwswager]

Heading to San Sebastian Spain and thinking of taking a 24" tall RRS 34L.  The Carry on bag is a Thinktank Streetwalker Harddrive.

Is this too big to fly with as carry on and should I pack it in checked suitcase?

Should I opt for a smaller tripod like 17" tall and will it make a difference?

I don't mind the weight just wondering how unwieldy it might be for traveling and getting around the city.  The ballhead will be packed inside the Streetwalker or in checked luggage.

[PeterAit]

Heading to San Sebastian Spain and thinking of taking a 24" tall RRS 34L.  The Carry on bag is a Thinktank Streetwalker Harddrive.

Is this too big to fly with as carry on and should I pack it in checked suitcase?

Should I opt for a smaller tripod like 17" tall and will it make a difference?

I don't mind the weight just wondering how unwieldy it might be for traveling and getting around the city.  The ballhead will be packed inside the Streetwalker or in checked luggage.

I don't think tripods are allowed as carry-ons due to "weapon potential."

[Paulo Bizarro]

I don't think tripods are allowed as carry-ons due to "weapon potential."

I never had a problem travelling with mine as carry on.

[Colorado David]

I don't think there are any restrictions that apply to tripods when flying domestically in the U.S.  There may be different rules for international travel.  I have always had my tripods cased and checked, but I do see a lot of people carrying on tripods.

[dwswager]

I don't think tripods are allowed as carry-ons due to "weapon potential."

At least in the USA, TSA allows Tripods and Monopods

MyTSA Tripod

[dwswager]

I never had a problem travelling with mine as carry on.

Is a 24inch tripod too much for traveling based on your experience?  What do you travel with?

I've looked at some of the "Travel" tripods, but the $900 Gitzo Traveler is out.   I saw a Suiri and Davis & Sanford, but is a 18-19" pod that much more convenient to a 24" pod?  And are these little 13" ones with the reverse swing legs sturdy enough? I don't know cause I have no experience flying.  I drive everywhere domestically.

[jng]

I don't know what your intended use is and what kind of gear you're using, but a 3 series RRS seems like a lot of tripod for traveling, lugging around city streets (if that's on the agenda), etc. You might consider going with a more compact alternative, as at the end of the day a slight compromise may work out better than your leaving the heavy tripod in the hotel room because of the inconvenience.

If you decide to go the carry-on route, be sure to pack the tripod in a well padded bag, like one of the bags that RRS sells. If a TSA or gate agent forces you to check it, you'll want at least some protection from the abuse it's likely to get.  At 24" it's technically over the 22" length limit for carry-on baggage in the U.S. (may be different in Europe) so you'll be at the whim and mercy of whatever airport personnel you encounter. Otherwise stow it in one of your other checked bags and hope for the best (lost baggage and stolen items are certainly not unheard of, especially during summer travel season).

I've flown with my compact 1-series RRS tripod without any issues, packed inside my carry-on bag. Yes, TSA regulations state that tripods are permissible as carry-on items but don't neglect the fine print that also states that TSA personnel can make the call on site. I fly a lot and have found for my own peace of mind (admittedly OCD), it pays to be prepared for different contingencies.

John

[dwswager]

I don't know what your intended use is and what kind of gear you're using, but a 3 series RRS seems like a lot of tripod for traveling, lugging around city streets (if that's on the agenda), etc. You might consider going with a more compact alternative, as at the end of the day a slight compromise may work out better than your leaving the heavy tripod in the hotel room because of the inconvenience.

If you decide to go the carry-on route, be sure to pack the tripod in a well padded bag, like one of the bags that RRS sells. If a TSA or gate agent forces you to check it, you'll want at least some protection from the abuse it's likely to get.  At 24" it's technically over the 22" length limit for carry-on baggage in the U.S. (may be different in Europe) so you'll be at the whim and mercy of whatever airport personnel you encounter. Otherwise stow it in one of your other checked bags and hope for the best (lost baggage and stolen items are certainly not unheard of, especially during summer travel season).

I've flown with my compact 1-series RRS tripod without any issues, packed inside my carry-on bag. Yes, TSA regulations state that tripods are permissible as carry-on items but don't neglect the fine print that also states that TSA personnel can make the call on site. I fly a lot and have found for my own peace of mind (admittedly OCD), it pays to be prepared for different contingencies.

John

Thanks.

My issue isn't humping it.  The RRS replaced a 10lb (w/head) aluminum pod.  My issue is the logistics of getting it there and moving it around the San Sebastian area.  It will do the same duty there that I do here.  Landscape, CityScape, Long Exposure, Closeups, etc. 

I'm not willing to spend $800-$1000 on a pod I will use once for sure.  I am looking at something like the Davis & Sanford TR654C-36 which folds down (with included head) to about 18.5".  So I'm deciding is 6" shorter length and maybe an inch less diameter worth caring about?  It may be nothing, or it may be everything.  I looked at the 22" carry-on limit, but then I watch the A$$holes carrying full size suitcases on board every time I fly for business.

If I pack it in my checked bag, is the RRS too big around town.?

[jng]

If you're willing to stick the tripod in checked baggage, your travel-related concerns will be mooted, at least until you hit the ground. I'm personally not inclined to walk around foreign cities with a big camera pack on my back - makes me feel conspicuous plus the annoyance (to others) of bumping into people when maneuvering in crowded places. A large tripod strapped to the pack will only exacerbate these issues (if you're worried about them to begin with, that is). But that's just me. YMMV.

I haven't used the smaller, lower cost tripods that you mentioned here. It's totally understandable that you don't want to spend $1000 on a travel tripod that you don't think you'll use again. On the other hand, you just might like it and use it when you don't feel like hauling the weight. 

John

[DanielStone]

Can you just buy a cheap one when you get there, use it, then dump it before heading home?

Something has got to be available for under $100 or so...

Otherwise, I'd check it in my luggage, wrapped in bubble wrap and taped up...

[Paulo Bizarro]

Is a 24inch tripod too much for traveling based on your experience?  What do you travel with?

I've looked at some of the "Travel" tripods, but the $900 Gitzo Traveler is out.   I saw a Suiri and Davis & Sanford, but is a 18-19" pod that much more convenient to a 24" pod?  And are these little 13" ones with the reverse swing legs sturdy enough? I don't know cause I have no experience flying.  I drive everywhere domestically.

I travel with an old aluminium Gitzo series 1 tripod and small ball head that takes Arca style plates. Enough for my Sony A7.

[dwswager]

If you're willing to stick the tripod in checked baggage, your travel-related concerns will be mooted, at least until you hit the ground. I'm personally not inclined to walk around foreign cities with a big camera pack on my back - makes me feel conspicuous plus the annoyance (to others) of bumping into people when maneuvering in crowded places. A large tripod strapped to the pack will only exacerbate these issues (if you're worried about them to begin with, that is). But that's just me. YMMV.

Common courtesy should know no borders!  And I'm not an anal "every shot has to be on a tripod to be good" type of person.  But whatever tripod you use locally should be the one you would want to use on travel, other than logistics end of things.  If you go to crowded venues at home or abroad, it should be the same thing.

Of course, here I leave $10,000 worth of photographic equipment unattended all day in a tent at a public campgrounds at crowded events like F1 or IndyCar or drag races and never think twice while my wife is buying "Pacsafe" backpacks and purses for a trip where will always have it on her person.

[bassman51]

My Gitzo 2541 is sitting in my to-be checked suitcase right now, ball head removed, and wrapped in my jeans.  The ball head will go in my carry-on backpack.   If I also remove the feet, it will fit in a 24" rolling case (which used to be carry-on legal). 

[ripgriffith]

it will fit in a 24" rolling case (which used to be carry-on legal).

Used to be is just that: used to be... There's been serious talk this year among airlines of reducing the current 22" to 20"; recently squashed, but who knows about next year?

[BradSmith]

Why is it that so many opt for the $1,000 carbon fiber solution from the ultra expensive brands for their dslr or Micro 4/3 kits rather than the $350 - $500 similarly spec'd carbon fiber tripods from Benro, Feisol, Induro, Oben, Sirui, Sunwayfoto, or Manfrotto etc.  Perhaps its is because years ago we didn't have the Asian equipment.  But that of course has changed drastically.   It seems to me that the physically simplest items we use are tripods.  Carbon Fiber tubing, twist or flip locks, connectors and a plate for head  mounting.  I owned an expensive, heavy aluminum Gitzo in the distant, view camera days.  It gave me more problems than my now 10 year old, $450 carbon fiber Manfrotto that is really heavier duty than I need for my current dslr rig.  It has never given me the slightest problem.  I can't imagine a similar tripod from the Rolls Royce companies functioning any better than my less than half priced tripod. 

[chez]

My 13.5" folded Sirui tripod came very close to being taken away at the Taipei airport when going through security. Best to check with all airlines and airports for their policies before carrying on board. I usually put my larger Feisol I to my checked luggage, but thought a 13" tripod should be no problem. Came close to losing it.

[Colorado David]

Why is it that so many opt for the $1,000 carbon fiber solution from the ultra expensive brands for their dslr or Micro 4/3 kits rather than the $350 - $500 similarly spec'd carbon fiber tripods from Benro, Feisol, Induro, Oben, Sirui, Sunwayfoto, or Manfrotto etc.  Perhaps its is because years ago we didn't have the Asian equipment.  But that of course has changed drastically.   It seems to me that the physically simplest items we use are tripods.  Carbon Fiber tubing, twist or flip locks, connectors and a plate for head  mounting.  I owned an expensive, heavy aluminum Gitzo in the distant, view camera days.  It gave me more problems than my now 10 year old, $450 carbon fiber Manfrotto that is really heavier duty than I need for my current dslr rig.  It has never given me the slightest problem.  I can't imagine a similar tripod from the Rolls Royce companies functioning any better than my less than half priced tripod.

I have three Gitzo tripods, two carbon and one aluminum.  The aluminum tripod is a beast that I use as a platform for a jib when shooting video.  I did buy a lighter carbon tripod from an Asian manufacturer.  I compared it side by side with the equivalent Gitzo owned by a friend of mine.  The difference in rigidity was obvious.  I would not buy it again.  I use it sparingly and cautiously with light weight kit.

[NancyP]

That being said, I have had good experiences with the 3472 and 3442 carbon fiber Feisols, used without center columns and used with top-quality ball heads (Arca Z1 for big tripod, Arca p0 for medium tripod). I heard about Feisol a long time ago from a respected contributor at a large format forum, and decided to give them a look. I liked the big tripod a lot, admittedly have only used a lightweight supertelephoto on it (Canon EF 400 f/5.6 L, 1.15 kg lens, a featherweight along with an 0.8 kg camera and 0.3 kg extender). I will find out its true capacity if I rent one of the Big Whites with f/4 or f/2.8 aperture (~ 3.5 to 4 kg). I got their medium size tripod for a travel/ light hiking kit tripod, and actually use that most of the time for landscape and macro. The tubing, locks, and platform are all well made and solid. I haven't tried the center columns that are available for these "systematic" style tripods. It is possible that they are good; it is also possible that the precision engineering isn't as good for the center column mechanism as in the high priced tripods.

[dwswager]

My concern was finding if there existed a size and weight below which a tripod became "convenient" while still retaining the steadiness necessary for use.  Obviously the 24" folded length of my RRS 34L does not fit that bill. 

There are travel tripods from reasonable vendors Sirui, MeFoto (Benro), Davis & Sanford, Giitzo, Manfrotto, etc. with folded length from 12" to 18".  At what point does one see a significant step function in convenience compared to a "normal" tripod in the 22"-28" range?  Of course, folded diameter matter too.  And at this size is it stable?  What I don't want to do is trade the 34L (steady, functional, usable) for something that is less functional and stable without there being some REAL advantage to the reduced size and weight.

My plan in San Sebatian is:

Daytime in the city during walks and for other reasons, I plan to forgo a tripod and carry maybe a table top thing.
Outside the city on the coast or in the mountains and countryside I will carry a tripod.
Nightscapes will require a tripod even in the city.  I hope to identify these opportunities in advance.
When I have to drive, tripod will be in the car.

[PeterAit]

I never had a problem travelling with mine as carry on.

Interesting. To be honest I never tried to carry one on because my carry-on allowance is always taken up by the camera bag and personal items.