Travel Tripod / Flash

[davidI]

Looking for suggestions for a good travel tripod / flash for a Canon 5DMkII.

I don't want to break the bank since there's a good chance of things getting lost or stolen while on the road, but can anyone recommend a sturdy, lightweight, compact tripod for <$200?

For a flash, I don't do a lot of portrait photography and even less at night. That said, it wouldn't hurt to have a compact flash with me on the road. Any suggestions?

[AccentAE86]

I use the Sunpak RD2000. It's a tiny little guy but you can point it upwards for bounce capability for nice light. It has a little white card too you can flip up, kinda like the 580EX pull out white card. The flash foot folds down completely INTO the flash body so it's very sleek when put away and can literally fit in a pocket. It takes two AA batteries. I use it at some weddings just because it has MORE than enough power if you're shooting indoors at ISO800. Heck, I've used it outside in midday sun direct fired and it did the job just fine.

I wanted a small flash, because most of the time I don't need the power of the 580, or 430 for that matter. I was excited when the 270EX came out but it's shape is SO awkward that you can't easily pack it into a camera bag, nor can you put it in your pocket. No so with the RD2000.

I find I'm using it more than my 580 now. It is perfect for my D700. And as a vacation flash, it's awesome!

1. Tiny compared to the 580II
http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/forumpics/wff/RD2000/20090626_075149_0045.jpg

2.
http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/forumpics/wff/RD2000/20090626_075404_0048.jpg

3. Flip up white card. Also acts as a diffuser for ultrawide shots if you flip it infront of the flash head
http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/forumpics/wff/RD2000/20090626_075643_0050.jpg

4. You have FEC controls on the back
http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/forumpics/wff/RD2000/20090626_075854_0055.jpg

5. And like I said, the foot completely folds INTO the body! Brilliant!
http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/forumpics/wff/RD2000/20090626_075957_0056.jpg

6. It sits flush that way and can fit into tiny spaces so easily
http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/forumpics/wff/RD2000/20090626_080014_0057.jpg





Nikon:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/603411-REG/Sunpak_RD2000N_RD2000_Digital_TTL_Low_Profile.html

Canon:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/603410-REG/Sunpak_RD2000C_RD2000_Digital_TTL_Low_Profile.html

[davidI]

Thanks for all that info. It looks like a great flash and would fit my needs perfectly. Unfortunately, I've found a bunch of articles saying that it won't work with the 5D2 - I'll have to read more to see if they have it sorted out yet or not!

[Mitsu3000gt]

For tripods, sturdy, lightweight, and cheap don't really go together but if you can raise your budget you can get something like a Feisol CT-3442 which is made just as well as any comparable Gitzo for a couple hundred less:

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-tournament-tripod-ct3442-rapid-p-31.html

I've been using that one for about 3 years now with zero problems. I travel everywhere with it and it holds my heaviest setup with ease. I did a lot of research before buying and couldn't find one bad word about them.

Don't cheap out on a tripod and head, good ones aren't that much more than the "cheaper" variety, are a pleasure to use, and they will literally last you a lifetime. They also hold their value extremely well if you take care of your stuff. Also consider the value of the equipment you are trusting it to support reliably, and having good support may seem more reasonable. Buying used is a good option as well.

[The_Rural_Juror]

Does anyone have any experience with this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/323726-USA/Sunpak_MCEF_KIT_FP_38_Flat_Panel_Flash.html