friend of mine has a sunpak tripod that i might borrow for next trip. it is a lot lighter than my tripod and not as stable obviously. do i shave the pounds and sacrifice the stability or stick with my tripod and haul the extra weight. we travel everyday and will be on the water for 12 days

Light weight works...save the pounds.

thats what im thinking. its not too bad when its not fully extended

quote trashbag: "friend of mine has a sunpak tripod that i might borrow for next trip. it is a lot lighter than my tripod and not as stable obviously. do i shave the pounds and sacrifice the stability or stick with my tripod and haul the extra weight. we travel everyday and will be on the water for 12 days"

got back from my trip and i think ill haul the extra weight next time. the thing was a real pain getting set up and was very unstable.

Buy a Feisol carbon fiber tripod. Excellent quality. I use the for cameras up to 8x10 field camera. The smaller models will handle digicams without problem. No offense, but Sunpack tripod would not bein the same league.

It all depends on what type of shots you intend on completing/and if you want them to look professional.

I have made the mistake in the past of not beinging my best tripod...
I choose to purchase one of those tentpole tripods, and every shot I took with a lengthy Exposure absolutely sucked!

Sacrifice weight everywhere except your tripod & your fishing tackle !