which tripod

I'm not sure where the best place to put this is, but here it goes. I want the lightest way to steady my camera. Whether that be a hiking pole with a mount, a trad'l tripod, or something else, light weight is key.

The Gorilla pod is great for backpacking and other outdoor uses.

They weigh anywhere from 1.8 oz to 9 oz depending on the size of your camera and lense combinantion.

http://www.joby.com/products/gorillapod/

You can wrap the legs around tree limbs, sit it on a table etc. They are versatile and tough.

HBH

Kyle... here is a really great post about what your going through as well.. I don't know what lens combo you will be going for but this should be a read for you. http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CAbO
Alos dont forget about some of the bag tripods and super clamps. Hillbilly.. I have played with the Gorilla and while they may be ok for a camera weighing in at less than 10oz there is no way I would put any of my cameras on one. Even my new P80 weighs in at a little over 12oz with the battery, but I would not dare put it on a Gorilla. Sorry but they just are not balanced in any way, shape or fashion. Remember, one tip and its over. I have seen people crack the outer elements with better quality tripods. Once this is done you simply toss it into the next trash bin you pass by and pull another one out, because the price of labor these days makes it no where economically sound to try a repair. Some of the smaller cameras that will fit into your pocket may be ok with this though, and your not out any big bucks. Usually only a few hundred. But I still would get at the very least a cheap Slik or Verbon or other cheap tripod before any of the mini adjustables. But this is totally only my opinon and you know what they say about opinons .
Eddie

I'm glad yall mentioned the gorilla pod. I was looking at getting one of these for my fujifilm z20. It is a small and light camera. I might still get one, just for pics of me and my friends when we go hiking. I don't know. I like the idea, but if it doesn't do what its suppose to, its worthless. Guess I'll have to read some reviews tomorrow.

Kyle... its not that the gorilla is bad.. its just too light for 99% of my cameras... but for the small one that you have, it may be ok... I do like the Carbon Fiber tripods but they are $$$ Gitzo makes some of the best on the planet.
Eddie

so is it worth my money to buy a new hiking pole that has a camera mount, or are monopods even worth it? Also, my dad has a old alum tripod that he wants to give me, but I haven't seen it yet. Is this thing going to weigh a ton? Its probably about 20 years old (give or take a few years).

Yes it prob. weighs in at around a metric ton... lol... Monopods can be good too as they can also double as a hiking pole. Anything to add stablity really helps. If your looking for the long timed exposures though.. such as one of Tim Ernest waterfall shots where the water looks like smoke... then no. Monopod would prob add a few fractions of a second to your exposure but not much more than that. A super clamp such as Bogen sells will clamp to most anything up to about 6 to 8inches.. best I remember... not sure as I have not looked at one in a while. They also make some nice bags but they will weigh a ton as well, as they will be filled with sand. While I don't care for the Slik brand they do have a few nice tripods as well.
Eddie

guess I just gotta do more research.