Lightweight carbon fiber tripod with upgraded Sirui TY-50X quick release plate.
When I was looking for a lightweight tripod for traveling I eventually settled on this Sirui T-025X. It's just about the smallest tripod I could find that could extend a few feet and still collapse and fit inside my backpack and not require being strapped outside. This tripod also has a center column that I removed so that it packs down even smaller.
It also has a little carabiner under the camera mount so you can attach additional weight to further steady the tripod. I ended up just attaching a water bottle to it most of the time and this did a good job and keep it steady when shooting in the wind.
One thing I didn't like about the T-025X was the tiny mounting plate it came with. It required using a tool to screw into the camera. Too slow for me and I would quickly lose the tool. I purchasing a larger quick release plate which has enough room to use a D-ring screw so I don't need any tools to mount it to my camera.
While this tripod is fantastic for traveling, it's not without its flaws. The main annoyance for me was stability. Even with a solid weight attached, it was still a bit shaky during breezy conditions while trying to shoot with my heavy 400mm lens. That being said, you just can't expect a lightweight travel tripod to excel in those conditions.
