A good small tripod?

I'm looking for recommendations on a good small tripod. I picked up a cheapo one from walmart that is about 12" collapsed and 24" extended. The size is perfect but everything else is horrible:blush2:

I'd like a small one so I can hook it on the side of my camera bag and not have to carry around 2 bags when I go hiking, etc.

Any of these Giotto, Gitzo, Manfrotto, or Slik should have a small tripod which should meet your size requirments but the lighter it is the more it may cost. As for the head unless your going to us large (heavy) telephoto lenses a small ball head on the tripod would save you some weight.

I've had two Gitzo tripods and they are really good, but not inexpensive. However, a tripod is one of the few things in photography (especially digital) that won't go obselete next week! My 1228 is several or more years old (purchased used) and still going strong.

Bogen/Manfrotto's 3025 head (there may be a new number for it now) is really solid, light weight and inexpensive. It's a 3-way head so it's not as quick to use as a ballhead, but sometimes it's nice to adjust one axis at a time.

I have the Manfrotto 3001BN tripoad with the 484RC2 head and its really good (for me). The heaviest setup I have for it is my D2h & 150 macro lens. My camera backpack has a tripod holder on the side, and I'm able to hike around all day with it and not be too heavy. Of course depending on what I'm planning on shooting I end up just leaving my camera on the tripod.

The Velbon Maxi 343E is a decent lightweight tripod. It's pretty lightweight so you have to be careful with it. It won't be to stable in the wind either, but it is inexpensive and offers decent support.

I picked up a Benro on ebay as kind of an experiment, and so far I like it quite well. I bought a Markins Q3 Emille head for it and for me it's a great lightweight setup for around $400. I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend. The Velbon is of course much less expensive, but isn't nearly as sturdy either.

I have a velbon p-max that I took backpacking around europe. I love the twist lock legs as it means you can set it up or pull it down in a real hurry and it leightweight carbon design is great. It isn't exactly as firm as a good steel set of legs but with size and weight in mind it is ok and the locking mechanism is strong enough that its head will cope with longer heavier glass. that said i only ever use it with a cable release.

I have a Velbon MaxiF which I find excellent on the boat where space is at a premiun - packs up small and is very light. The head I chose comes with levels for landscapes. Ypu can turn the head around so use the camera upside down to. All legs are twist lock.

It will also drop almost flat for those low shots and expands to suit my 6' height.

It supports my 5D with a 100-400 zoom in moderate winds.

Roger