I travel by air a lot for client shoots, and I am very particular about my tripods.
After trying out various models, I have settled on the following-
Induro Tripods CLT104 No. 1 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod, 4 Sections
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z17U65G/re ... XAb5E081K1
Sells for about $350
Have been using this tripod heavily for everything and everywhere for about a year now. Tripods I have used in the past have been various Gitzo, Manfrotto, Feisol, Giottos and a few others I don't remember.
Some of the requirements I had for my tripod were-
- Carbon fiber
- Fit in carry on plane luggage when folded
- Twist locks on legs (with larger knurling/grip than Gitzo, so as to be easier on the hands)
- Tall enough maximum height
- durable leg-locking (unlike Feisol for example, which have garbage leg locks)
- Non-twist legs, non-twist center column
- Padded upper legs (I often carry the tripod over my shoulder)
- Included tripod bag
- Does *not* have removable leg that can be used as monopod (these cause problems)
- Adjustable center column
- good warranty
- Center hook if needed
- locking screw on mounting plate
Only thing this tripod did not have that would have been nice, but not required, would have been a built-in leveling column.
