Tripods Tripods....

Hi all, Thought I would pick your collective brain regarding a tripod. I am looking at a lighter weight tripod for hiking and packing for air travel.. I currently use a Gitzo 1348 for all around use.

I wanted something I could carry with me while travelling and also use for hiking, but it might have to support a 200mm-400mm lens when out travelling.

Hope that makes sense? Any suggestions as to what might work that is lighter in weight but would support the big tele lens if i were to use it while on vacation or travelling?

The other question is since the lighter tripods are shorter.. What is one to do who is 6'2" tall but using a tripod that is only 54 inches tall...

Narrowed down the decision to a 2540 and 1540.. Would I notice much difference in the 1/2 pound ???

If the difference was only a half-pound, I'd ignore it and get the one I really wanted.

The half pound depends on what you use it for and how far you go. If you are backpacking with a heavy pack, 1/2 pound is a lot. I have the 1127. It is too damn short, but it is light and stable, especially with a bungee cord to stomp on when it is windy.

Although you wouldn't want to add a half-pound to every item in your pack, I doubt that adding a half pound to a 30- or 40-pound pack is going to be noticeable. For me at least, being budget-conscious, I didn't find the weight savings of a carbon-fiber tripod to be worth the extra expense. I did get the smaller, lighter Kirk BH-3 ballhead instead of the BH-1, but in that case I actually got lighter for cheaper.

Eric, I just came across this review you might be interested in.

http://www.moosepeterson.com/moosenews/archives/2007/03/14/amazing-tripods-031407/