Categories: Gear, ReviewsTags:

Note: The tripod in this review was provided to me free of charge. Also, this post contains affiliate links.

To many photographers, a tripod is one of their best friends. They allow us to keep the camera still while photographing landscapes, food, timelapse, video, etc. The problem is that a tripod can take up a significant amount of space and weigh us down. And with many photographers starting to use smaller cameras (such as mirror-less) the need for massive and bulky tripods is not as important.

For those of you who know my photography, I tend to use tripods a lot. But there definitely have been times when I’ve left the tripod at home or in the car because I just didn’t want to deal with it. The MeFOTO DayTrip is made to be that in-between: it’s not so big that it gets in the way or can’t be stuck in a purse or small bag, and it’s just big enough to give your cameras something to use for stability or video.

The Details

Here’s a little bit about this tripod, including some of the technical specs (and there are more specs and details over on the MeFOTO website):

  • Made of Aluminum
  • Max load: 8.8 lbs
  • Tripod weight: 1.8 lbs
  • Folded length: 9.4″
  • Extended length: 24″
  • Legs invert and fold back up to 180º
  • Center column is reversible

Initial Thoughts

This is my first MeFOTO product, and I can honestly say that I was impressed when I first pulled the tripod out of its case and had it in my hands. First of all, it feels very solid. Don’t let those cutesy colors fool you—this thing is definitely not flimsy. I also love that it is just so darn small. I’ve used smaller compact tripods in the past, but this one is by far the most “professional” small tripod I’ve used at this price-point. I can definitely see myself using this a lot in the near future.

The Good

Here are some of the awesome things I found that I liked about this tripod:

  • It’s super small! This is the best thing about this tripod. It’s not meant to be an all-purpose tripod, but made specifically for those times you are traveling light and just want something to give you some stability.
  • Not only is it small, but it folds up to be super compact … and it’s really light. I can fit this in my ThinkTank Retrospective 10 bag and it takes up very little space in the bag, especially when paired with my Fuji x100s and filter set.
  • The ball-head is removable so you can replace it with one of your own.
  • It comes in lots of different colors

The “Okay”

This is a great little tripod, but it doesn’t have everything. Here is some of the “okay” stuff about it you’ll want to know before considering this as an addition to your camera gear inventory:

  • Like I said, this tripod is small, which means that it doesn’t extend super high. It can get all the way up to 24″, but that’s with the center column extended, so if it’s a windy day then that might not be a good mix. (However, if you have a table-top you can set the tripod on top of, then you’ll be gtg.)
  • It only works with smaller compact cameras, such as Mirrorless, iPhone, P&S, plastic-body SLR and small lenses, etc, so that pro SLR with 70-200mm lens probably won’t work out so well with it.
  • The Arca-Swiss style head will only fit small tripod plates. So, if you’re like me and you use Really Right Stuff L-Brackets on your cameras, then you’ll still have to use the small tripod plate that comes with the ball-head.

Who is the MeFOTO DayTrip For?

If you’re looking for a very small, simple and compact tripod to use on short day trips, or just something to have in your car or luggage “just in case” you happen to need a tripod, then this is a great option for you. I’ve been carrying this around in my car for those moments I have a camera (most likely my Fuji x100s) and happen to come across something that requires a tripod. It’s a good tripod to stick in your bag/backpack/purse/diaper bag and carry with you everywhere you and your camera will go.

How will I use this tripod?

As I mentioned previously, this tripod will almost always be in my car or with me out on trips. It’s perfect for my Fuji x100s (a small, fixed-lens mirrorless camera), and it will also work well with my Canon 60D (or soon-to-be 70D) and relatively small-ish lens for timelapse video setups.

 

MeFOTO’s Website | Buy This Tripod on Amazon

Note: The tripod in this review was provided to me free of charge. Also, this post contains affiliate links.

To many photographers, a tripod is one of their best friends. They allow us to keep the camera still while photographing landscapes, food, timelapse, video, etc. The problem is that a tripod can take up a significant amount of space and weigh us down. And with many photographers starting to use smaller cameras (such as mirror-less) the need for massive and bulky tripods is not as important.

For those of you who know my photography, I tend to use tripods a lot. But there definitely have been times when I’ve left the tripod at home or in the car because I just didn’t want to deal with it. The MeFOTO DayTrip is made to be that in-between: it’s not so big that it gets in the way or can’t be stuck in a purse or small bag, and it’s just big enough to give your cameras something to use for stability or video.

The Details

Here’s a little bit about this tripod, including some of the technical specs (and there are more specs and details over on the MeFOTO website):

  • Made of Aluminum
  • Max load: 8.8 lbs
  • Tripod weight: 1.8 lbs
  • Folded length: 9.4″
  • Extended length: 24″
  • Legs invert and fold back up to 180º
  • Center column is reversible

Initial Thoughts

This is my first MeFOTO product, and I can honestly say that I was impressed when I first pulled the tripod out of its case and had it in my hands. First of all, it feels very solid. Don’t let those cutesy colors fool you—this thing is definitely not flimsy. I also love that it is just so darn small. I’ve used smaller compact tripods in the past, but this one is by far the most “professional” small tripod I’ve used at this price-point. I can definitely see myself using this a lot in the near future.

The Good

Here are some of the awesome things I found that I liked about this tripod:

  • It’s super small! This is the best thing about this tripod. It’s not meant to be an all-purpose tripod, but made specifically for those times you are traveling light and just want something to give you some stability.
  • Not only is it small, but it folds up to be super compact … and it’s really light. I can fit this in my ThinkTank Retrospective 10 bag and it takes up very little space in the bag, especially when paired with my Fuji x100s and filter set.
  • The ball-head is removable so you can replace it with one of your own.
  • It comes in lots of different colors

The “Okay”

This is a great little tripod, but it doesn’t have everything. Here is some of the “okay” stuff about it you’ll want to know before considering this as an addition to your camera gear inventory:

  • Like I said, this tripod is small, which means that it doesn’t extend super high. It can get all the way up to 24″, but that’s with the center column extended, so if it’s a windy day then that might not be a good mix. (However, if you have a table-top you can set the tripod on top of, then you’ll be gtg.)
  • It only works with smaller compact cameras, such as Mirrorless, iPhone, P&S, plastic-body SLR and small lenses, etc, so that pro SLR with 70-200mm lens probably won’t work out so well with it.
  • The Arca-Swiss style head will only fit small tripod plates. So, if you’re like me and you use Really Right Stuff L-Brackets on your cameras, then you’ll still have to use the small tripod plate that comes with the ball-head.

Who is the MeFOTO DayTrip For?

If you’re looking for a very small, simple and compact tripod to use on short day trips, or just something to have in your car or luggage “just in case” you happen to need a tripod, then this is a great option for you. I’ve been carrying this around in my car for those moments I have a camera (most likely my Fuji x100s) and happen to come across something that requires a tripod. It’s a good tripod to stick in your bag/backpack/purse/diaper bag and carry with you everywhere you and your camera will go.

How will I use this tripod?

As I mentioned previously, this tripod will almost always be in my car or with me out on trips. It’s perfect for my Fuji x100s (a small, fixed-lens mirrorless camera), and it will also work well with my Canon 60D (or soon-to-be 70D) and relatively small-ish lens for timelapse video setups.

 

MeFOTO’s Website | Buy This Tripod on Amazon

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Nicole is a photographer, published author, and educator specializing in Lightroom, Photoshop, and photography. She is best known for her books on food photography but is widely versed in various photographic genres, including landscape, nature, stock, travel, and experimental imagery.

3 Comments

  1. Pictures of Things August 21, 2013 at 4:50 am - Reply

    With the details being written about this tripod, I could say that this is efficient and handy. I seldom bring my tripod during our outing because it is heavy. This new product is worth a try.

  2. Ben January 18, 2014 at 2:34 am - Reply

    Hi Nicole, thx for the review.. Which bag r u using? Thinktank? Thx
    Cheers

    Ben

    • Nicole S. Young January 18, 2014 at 12:58 pm - Reply

      Hi Ben, the bag shown in the photo is a ThinkTank Retrospective 10: http://nicolesy.me/1e1XehH. The Retrospective bags are my favorite messenger bags out there, I highly recommend them. (I also just bought a Retro 40, which fits my 13″ MacBook Pro.)

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