I am getting ready for some serious time on the road. Yeehaw! With travel in mind, I bit the bullet and got a new travel tripod. My major concern was balancing weight, packability for flights,  and stability. I was not 100% gung-ho for one thing over the other. As is my way, I researched for hours. Days! Weeks! The first piece I got clear on: I definitely wanted a double folding travel style. With that out of the way, I quickly came to see that paying a couple hundred dollars more for  carbon fiber over good old aluminum would only save me a few ounces. Since I am not plotting a pack trip, I decided the savings of hundreds was worth it to carry a few more ounces a little way on my adventures. In the end I went with MeFoto Globetrotter in Aluminum. I wanted one of their pretty colors, but I just could not see paying an extra $30 or $40 that they wanted, so black it is.

It arrived quickly from ye olde B&H. A quick examination proved that it is well made and easy to use. I tried it out the night of the super-moon a couple weeks ago.

The conditions were not great, but I found the MeFoto intuitive and easy to use on site. That was a relief, especially as my studio tripod is a pan head. My monopod is a pistol grip, and this new piece is a ball head. For long exposure, I’ll have to pay  attention and let the vibration settle. Note to self – pack all the options for remotes. Lightweight does mean more vibration, but I do think I hit the sweet spot. It’s not too bad. I’ll let you know how it goes in AUSTRALIA!!! I’m really looking forward to the trip and giving this new piece of gear a work out. I am trying to brush the cobwebs off and change my habits up/push myself.

I also grabbed myself a ten stop neutral density filter. Maybe with my groovy new tripod I can bring home some long exposure beauty shots from my adventures down under.

And, after that comes my gig for CARNIVALE IN VENICE!!!! I think the new travel tripod is going to have a great first year.