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LIGHT Tripod System for an Old Guy

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Birna Rørslett:
I also sometimes use a smaller, cut-down Sachtler that only weighs 0.6 kg. It is packed when space (and weight) considerations are important. It has the same "carrying capacity" as the usual travel tripod. On occasion I put it under water as well.

Wannabebetter:
Somewhat off-topic, years ago I realized that any number of broken, used, or otherwise discarded metal legs -- even some rather flimsy off-brand models -- can be cut-down and repurposed for any number of uses, such as tabletop and ground-level macro/micro shoots. Even microphone stands, video conferencing, or desk lamps. Go crazy! 8)

Once the extendable sections are permanently removed from the legs, you can hacksaw as much off what remains of the tripod and/or extendable center column to suit your needs. Those (I forget what they're called) rubber feet you can purchase for canes and crutches can then be placed over the ends for gripping. Or just sand the newly sharpened ends and wrap several layers of waterproof tape around them. (Birna will thank you for it, too!) Alternately, you can devise something from champagne corks and iron nails or wood screws, if you prefer "spiked feet". (Don't even think of bringing that contraption into Birna's home. What am I saying?! Don't come near me, with that weapon! :o) You may be wondering, why not just use the original grips or spiked feet? If they're not already missing -- remember, we're repurposing junk -- they will likely be too small to fit what were the upper legs. In which case sawing-off just enough of the lower sections, with the feet or spikes still in place, to have something to wrap tape around, and shove into the remaining upper legs for a friction grip, should remedy the situation. Or just use epoxy.

Finish the project with a nice, fresh coat of black matte or crinkle paint for that "pro look"  ::) and be the envy of your peers. (Be prepared for a lot of can you make me one, entreaties.)

I believe that with the legs foreshorten thus, any wobbliness and vibration would be significantly reduced and even an inferior head would support reasonable weights in excess of its design parameters.

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