Lighter tripods (and very light tripods)

["joe b." <joe@azurite.demon.co.uk>]

Eric Welch <ewelch@gp.magick.net> writes
>
>Nothing like a trip in evening light, with a tripod, my
>favorite film and some textured subject to really put the 
>"look" to the test.

Which leads me to my next question. I'm not up to carrying a normally
heavy tripod around due to current health factors, but I've been aware
of very much lighter tripods (the kind that serious photographers might
be tempted to laugh at) made by Vivitar and others and wonder if anyone
has any thoughts on the use of such with an M6. No mirror shock, and
obviously depending on no wind!- maybe this is a viable proposition?
Bear in mind, I can't usually carry the normal heavier "carriable" kind
anyway, and can't bend to use a very short one either, and so this is a
serious question. Responses along the lines of "Personally I always
carry a heavy brass Gitzo Killer-Brute tripod with 5" solid granite ball
head" will not be considered helpful! Any opinions?
-- 
joe b.