I've been looking for a lightweight but useful tripod for a long time, and have been torn between the expensive but fantastic Gitzo Mountaineers, and the Manfrotto Modus or Velbon Ultra Luxi/Maxi options. In the end, though, I went for something in between - the Velbon Sherpa Pro CF-545, accompanied by the PH-157Q head, as I got it in a deal.
This Sherpa is carbon fibre, and the legs come in at 1.29kg - which makes it very easy to carry. This is the 4 section version - there is a 3 section one, but I sacrificed a little stability for reduced pack size - it's 42.5cm closed, which means it easily goes in a suitcase, and fits in a bag from an old and terrible dirt-cheap tripod, even with the head attached. It features a splittable aluminium centre column - I normally leave the extension at home to reduce weight, but it's capable of a decent height fully extended. Other features include a stone bag (also left at home) and a hook for adding weight in the form of the camera bag, threads on both ends of the centre column to allow use close to the ground (15cm) when using the legs fully open, and spiked/rubber feet. It holds 4kg, which is fine for my travel kit, which rarely gets over half that. Build is a little mixed - the legs are great, the magnesium alloy body is also very good, the leg clips are OK, but the centre column lock feels very flimsy. Still, not a great issue as I don't really use it.
It came with a pan and tilt head, that I was going to bin - but it fits in the bag along with the tripod, and my lighter Manfrotto 460MG doesn't, so I'm still using it. It's adequate, with a QR plate that's a bit frustrating at times. The head locks well enough, without too much droop, so it's better than I was expecting TBH.
All in all, a pretty decent option for travelling, and a pod I'm far more likely to use than any heavier one. Cost around £150-200, so it's certainly not dirt cheap, but it represents good value for the weight and rigidity.
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