TL;DR: Skip the center column for better stability with that long lens. Look at the Leofoto LS-224C Ranger Series Carbon Fiber Tripod paired with a Leofoto LH-25 Low Profile Ball Head for the best stiffness-to-weight ratio. Seconding what was said earlier about the torque! That Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS lens is basically a long lever on a light body like the a6700. If ur doing long exposures at waterfalls, wind is gonna be ur biggest enemy. I actually think the Peak Design Travel Tripod Carbon Fiber is great for packing, but it trades off some rigidity because of those thin leg segments. If you want maximum stability, a 'Ranger' style tripod (no center column) is technically superior cuz the apex is much wider. It’ll handle the 70-350mm way better without creeping. Just make sure to use a slim SmallRig Arca-Type Quick Release Plate for Sony Alpha 6700 to keep that screen flip-out functional tho! gl!

Sooo, I've actually had a different experience when trying to balance budget and weight for my a6700. Respectfully, I'd consider another option before dropping $600 on the big names... honestly, some of the mid-range stuff is realy solid now. 1. SmallRig AP-01 Lightweight Carbon Fiber Tripod: This one is basically a steal. It's super light for hiking, and the legs are stiff enough for that 70-350mm lens. The center column is removable too, which highkey helps with stability.
2. Sirui T-025SK Carbon Fiber Tripod with B-00K Ball Head: I love how tiny this gets. It fits inside my pack rather than strapped outside. It's a bit shorter, but definitely more stable than you'd think for the price. Also, lowkey tip: grab the SmallRig Baseplate for Sony Alpha 6700 4338. It adds like zero weight but gives you that Arca-Swiss mount without blocking the battery door or the screen. gl! 👍

just catching up on this thread and tbh I think we need to look at the market data regarding vibration dampening because everyone goes for carbon fiber for weight but aluminum actually absorbs high-frequency vibrations better for long exposures if you're on a budget and don't mind an extra 200 grams... honestly I'm a bit cautious about some of these slim-profile legs with a 350mm focal length because the torsional rigidity just isn't there in most 'travel' setups and you'll get micro-blur in the wind. before i drop a full list of mid-tier brands that punch above their weight class like the Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod or the Vanguard VEO 3T 204ABP which are way more cost-effective than the 'designer' brands, i gotta ask what's your actual hard ceiling on the price? also are you planning to hang a bag for stability or do you need it to be rock solid on its own in the PNW mud? idk i just want to make sure the load capacity safety margin is high enough for that lens so you aren't risking your gear for the sake of 0.5lbs of weight savings maybe? let me know because the stability-to-cost ratio shifts a lot once you hit that 300mm+ focal range

TIL! Thanks for sharing

Basically, I've used my current carbon fiber setup with my Sony and honestly, you gotta be careful with that 70-350mm lens. It creates a lot of torque! I found that using a smaller Arca plate reallyyy helped with the flip-out screen clearance. My current one was pricey but the stability in high wind made it worth it for long exposures... Just make sure ur plate is offset so it doesnt block the battery door. gl!

Yep, this is the way

I get so paranoid about my gear falling over! Performance is everything to me so I am always super careful with how I set up.

• Check the leg locks at least three times
• Never walk more than a foot away from the camera
• Keep the neck strap looped around my wrist just in case Honestly on my last trip I was so focused on being safe that I completely ignored my own gear prep. I wore these old boots that I thought were fine but they had zero grip! I slipped on a wet rock and almost went into the river. I spent the rest of the afternoon in a local cafe just eating pie and waiting for my jeans to dry out. The cherry pie was actually incredible though! Best I have ever had. Anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there!

I'm pretty new to all this too, and tbh I'm always terrified my gear is gonna tip over in the wind, especially with a long lens like that. I totally agree with the point about those high-frequency vibrations being a nightmare. Since I didn't want to spend a fortune right away, I've been trying some DIY tricks to stay safe, like hanging my actual water bottle or a bag of rocks from the center hook to add weight. It feels a bit safer than just trusting the legs alone, even if its not as pro as a high-end setup. I also carry a tiny hex key to tighten the joints myself because I dont trust them to stay put. I'm pretty sure your better off checking the screws yourself anyway. Its a learning curve for me tho

Like someone mentioned, that 70-350mm lens really is the elephant in the room. Honestly, I have been pretty disappointed with most travel tripods when they are actually put to the test in real conditions like the PNW. Most people focus on the weight but forget that a lightweight setup is basically a sail in the wind. My biggest gripe with the a6700 is how cramped the bottom plate area is... if you dont get the mounting just right, youre definitely gonna be fighting the flip-out screen or blocking the battery door every single time you need a fresh charge. It is super frustrating when youre mid-hike. We have talked about weight hooks and carbon fiber vs aluminum, but just keep in mind that many of these slim heads have knobs that sit right where the screen needs to swing. Just some food for thought before you drop the cash, because portable often means headache once you actually start shooting.