DisneyFreak06
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2006
Thanks everyone. Still thinking about it all and haven't decided whatsoever what to do! But you all gave me something extra to consider.
You mean you don't have "Disney tripod"?
I bought one smaller and lighter than I would have normallly purchased just so I could take it to Disney. Of course, I rarely get time to focus on my photography outside of Disney, so it was fine. It has a nice carrying bag so my husband and daughter can swap off carrying it. Of course, I almost had to fire my daugter from tripod duty when she left it on the bus last year. But I got it back, so she got a reprieve.
Ooooh! Disney tripod! I like that!!! I need that one. Does it have hidden Mickeys? I would buy one like that for sure! I think I'll go hunting for a cheaper, smaller tripod. And possibly a new camera bag that can hold one!
Any of you ever use a gorillapod? The DSLR zoom kind? That would be helpful if I wanted to use garbage cans etc, but wanted to have it a little higher.
At the end of the day, I would personally rather bring my tripod and elect not to use it versus not bringing it and desperately wishing I had.
As long as you have room, I would definitely bring one to WDW, and then decide which days you want to bring it into the parks. Like you stated earlier, a smaller travel tripod might be a nice option, just make sure it has one of those hooks you can weight it down with. It also looks like you have become a disney vet, so everything isn't as new and intimidating. Also, it's not to warm in March which helps.
When we visited in June 2011, it was my first trip in over 20 years, 2 kids 4 and 21/2 first trip and humid with temps in the high 90s every day. Add in the large crowds and opening the park every morning (not a morning person, I didn't have the time I wanted to shoot photos with my tripod.
Sent from my iPad mini using DISBoards
You mean you don't have "Disney tripod"?
I bought one smaller and lighter than I would have normallly purchased just so I could take it to Disney. Of course, I rarely get time to focus on my photography outside of Disney, so it was fine. It has a nice carrying bag so my husband and daughter can swap off carrying it. Of course, I almost had to fire my daugter from tripod duty when she left it on the bus last year. But I got it back, so she got a reprieve.
This is my travel (aka Disney) tripod. I also have my heavier duty home tripod and the DSLR Zoom Gorillapod. I bring the travel and gorillapod to WDW. Because I fly to WDW, I need to be lightweight, but when I hang my bag on the tripod, it is rock steady. Because the travel tripod is on my bag, I don't even know its there (weight-wise) and closed its only 13.5 inches. It opens to about 55-56 inches. When the camera is on it, for me, the viewfinder is almost at eye level. This system works great for me.
IMGP0299 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr
IMGP0300 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr
I did the same as the one I have at home is pretty solid and heavy. Like you, I struggle to find the time to get out with my camera as often as I'd like to during the year and the bulk of my photos are taken indoors, usually portraits. THerefore, when I go to WDW I am more than happy to carry extra stuff around (or do pretty much anything for that matter ) if I think there is the slightest possibility that I may get more/different/better pictures.
If you do get another tripod specifically for your trip, make sure you test drive it with your camera and its heaviest lens first. Don't fall into the trap of getting the lightest one you can. If it's not stable and 'solid' you're playing roulette with your camera. Some camera bags are designed to carry a tripod and a comfortable bag is a huge must, tripod or not.
On a few occasions when we did the same park from rope drop to closing I just rented a locker and left my tripod in there. It's only $7 after the return of your deposit, so a nominal fee for convenience.
Always have your tripod! I feel lost without mine since most of my photography is HDR, sunsets, nights and fireworks. It also helps you put a lot of thought into what you're going to be taking a photo of.
Just picked up the Really Right Stuff TVC-33 and it's so much lighter than the Manfrotto I was using. Looking forward to trying it out in a couple of weeks at WDW.
If nothing else, try the GorillaPod SLR-Zoom. I took it to Universal and the Osborne Lights with great results.
Those are great shots! Thanks for sharing them. Did you set it on a garbage can and on the ground?
Have you ever thought of using a mono pod. its easy to use and easy to move.
There is nothing like a tripod, that is a fact. However, I am rethinking the idea that a monopod is useless for longer exposures and for HDR. Recent photos of fireworks at 2 seconds worked ok and are making me wonder how this works when in the past I would not have tried it. Here are some of the photos:
These were all taken at 2 seconds using an ultralight monopod. Yes, they would have been sharper with a good tripod but they are acceptable (to me). I was going to try 3-4 seconds this time but did not get the chance.
I also have some HDRs (5 exposures) that worked well with a monopod, here is one:
This is not what I expected from a monopod. One reason why it works could be IS but that should not help with multiple exposures. More research...