Dolica ST-500 (Gray)

Practical and portable

A tripod is a great way to get the shot you want from your camera or camcorder, free from jitter and blur. However, there's an inherent flaw with the design of most tripods that put the camera on eye level: they're not so fun to travel with. Packing up the camera case and tripod and bringing them with you becomes a both-hands-needed job that gives you a great workout. The models that are better to travel with often sacrifice features for size. With the ST-500, you won't need to worry about that. Using lightweight materials, this 3-tier Dolica tripod reachs heights of up to 68", yet weighs less than four pounds and folds down to a 28" size to carry with you. It even has a built-in handle! But this feitherweight's portability doesn't come at the expense of functionality. A three-way panhead, 90° vertical platform, quick-release plate, and geared elevator give you the creative freedom you need to get the shot you want. Meanwhile, a center leg lock with counterweight hook, quick-release leg locks, rubber feet, and a built-in bubble level ensure you have a stable, level place for your camera.