> i have $300 for something actually portable. Honestly, i been using the Ulanzi & COMAN Zero Y Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with my a7C and it’s been solid. You dont need to spend $600 to get something light. It fits right into that $300 budget usually and weighs almost nothing. I took it on a hiking trip recently and honestly didnt even feel it on my pack. It folds down really small because of the triangular center column design. The ball head is actually decent for the price too. Its plenty stable for a setup like yours since the a7C II isnt exactly a heavy beast. Save the extra cash for your Iceland trip... you're gonna need it for the food prices there lol. Seriously happy with how it performs for the money.

Like someone mentioned, weight matters, but unfortunately I had a pretty bad experience relying on those super thin travel legs. I went too light once and a gust of wind nearly toppled my whole rig... it was definitely not as good as expected for the price. Iceland is brutal. If your tripod is too light, the wind just vibrates the whole thing and ruins your long exposures anyway. Honestly, I would look at the Leofoto LS-254C Ranger Series Carbon Fiber Tripod. It skips the center column which is usually the weakest point for stability. I found it is a much safer bet for a $2000 camera body. It is right around that $300 mark. You want something that actually locks down tight, not just something that looks pretty in a backpack. Just be careful with those super thin ultra-light options, they can be a real nightmare in a storm.

Unfortunately, my cheap aluminum legs were a total nightmare in Iceland. Waste of space.

• Sirui T-025SK Carbon Fiber Tripod with B-00K Ball Head This one actually fits in backpacks.