Similar situation here... i grabbed the Sirui AM-225 Carbon Fiber Tripod with B-00K Ball Head for like $130. honestly, it handles that front heavy Sony 70-350mm way better than i expected, hope your happy!

Just sharing my experience: I went through this last year. Basically, weight distribution is the big issue with that lens. If it's front-heavy, wind causes vibration... you know? I was cautious about spending, so I got the Vanguard VEO 3T 235CBP Carbon Fiber Tripod for $160. It has a hook for your bag—tbh that's the real solution for stability. I would suggest making sure to use that hook for coastal shots. peace

yo, i feel u on the a6700—sick camera but yeah, balancing that Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS lens is a total pain on flimsy legs. ive been through a few setups for my own coastal hikes and honestly? most "travel" tripods are kinda overhyped when it comes to actual rigidity. here is how i see the main players based on my own trial and error... 1. Peak Design Travel Tripod Carbon Fiber: i wanted to love this so much cuz the form factor is insane. but unfortunately, it was a letdown for long exposures. those skinny bottom leg segments vibrate like crazy in the wind, and the ball head is honestly a bit fiddly for precision with a long lens. not worth the $600 price tag imo if stability is the goal. 2. Benro Tortoise 24C Carbon Fiber Tripod with GX30 Ball Head: this is way more solid. since it doesnt have a center column, the apex is much stiffer. its great for getting low, but the leg locks felt a bit gritty after some salt water exposure on my last trip. 3. Leofoto LS-284C Ranger Series Tripod with LH-30 Ball Head: i think this is the sweet spot. it uses 10x layer carbon fiber and the 28mm top tube is thick enough to handle the 70-350mm without sagging. its basically a clone of higher-end brands but actually holds up to the specs. tbh, if stability is ur #1 priority for those coastal shots, i’d go with the Leofoto LS-284C Ranger Series Tripod with LH-30 Ball Head. you lose the convenience of a center column, but ur shots wont be blurry from wind. just my 2 cents tho... gl with the hiking trip! peace

> I’ve been looking at carbon fiber options like the Peak Design Travel Tripod or some of the Benro Tortoise series, but I’m worried about whether they are actually stable enough for a mid-range setup like this I have to disagree slightly with the focus on those budget-friendly brands mentioned so far. Tbh, while they are fine for casual shots, once you put that 70-350mm lens on an a6700, you are shooting at a massive equivalent focal length. Most of those value brands just dont have the rigidity to handle wind at 500mm equivalent, right? Based on my market research and testing, the mid-range brands often use more fillers in their carbon fiber tubes which leads to more vibration. If you realy want something rock steady for coastal long exposures, you should just look at any of the carbon fiber legs from Leofoto or even Really Right Stuff if you can swing it. You basically cant go wrong with any carbon tripod from those manufacturers because their tolerances are so much tighter than the consumer stuff. I mean, well actually, it might cost more up front but it saves you money when you dont have to replace a shaky tripod in a year, you know? Just go with a high-end brand like Gitzo or Leofoto and youll see the difference immediately.