Question for my upcoming trip

[scejas]

Several questions...

I'm going to be taking my 20D w/ 70-200mm F/2.8 IS lens down to Disney in two weeks. I use it usually for my sports photography type work.

I am planning on shooting some fireworks with this setup and was thinking I would set up somewhere near the train station on main street to get a good shot.

My question is I have never really used a tripod for this setup -- and I'm not familiar with weight off the top of my head -- has anyone used a similar set up at Magic Kingdom for fireworks ? If so any tips on a location to set up and which tripod to purchase.

I was eyeballing the Bogen / Manfrotto 3021 PRO Tripod Legs (Chrome) with 808RC4 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head with RC-4 Quick Release - Supports 10.3 lb (4.6 kg)

Click here for info on tripod

What do you guys think?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I think you'd be much happier with a ball head rather than a 3-way pan/tilt.

You might also consider carbon fiber. It will cut weight while maintaining stiffness. It will also make your wallet much lighter.

It probably goes without saying, but mount the tripod to your 70-200 lens rather than the camera body.

 

[tinksdad]

I think you'd be much happier with a ball head rather than a 3-way pan/tilt.

You might also consider carbon fiber. It will cut weight while maintaining stiffness. It will also make your wallet much lighter.

It probably goes without saying, but mount the tripod to your 70-200 lens rather than the camera body.

Totally agree with Mark!! The ball heads are SOOO much easier to work with and adjust than the pan types. If you can afford it, the carbon will be lighter, but not enough lighter that you will "enjoy" carrying it all day. Find a locker no matter what tripod/head setup you get!!

I've got that same tripod and it's been great so far. I like the way the plate (and head) comes off and can be remounted for a horizontal position. This gets you really close to the ground and directly over objects for those kind of shots. Get the optional carrying strap, it makes carrying it much easier. Check out the Giottos ball head. it comes with a quick release which is VERY handy and useful. Not a Really Right Stuff, but it's been good to me so far.

 

[Steve's Girl]

A standard size tripod will not fit in the lockers at Magic Kingdom. Unlike the other parks, they do not have the larger lockers.

 

[scejas]

Decisions ... Decisions.... Decisions....

I'm deffinately going to go with the other head.... now if i could just make a decision on which combo...

I love all the feedback....

 

[scejas]

Update....

I have a buddy that is looking to off load a brand new Gitzo G1128 Carbon Fiber Tripod Sport MK2 cheap ... dude claims it should handle any lense up to around 300mm just fine. ...

According to the specs on the web it supports 9.90lbs -- do you think that's good enough for a 20D w/ 70-200mm f/2.8 IS

 

[ukcatfan]

I just have one different question. Why that lens for fireworks? To me, that does not seem wide enough from where you plan to be. Also, the f/2.8 and IS are not needed for that situation, so the best parts of the lens are taken out of play. Is it just a really sharp lens and that is why?

Kevin

 

[scejas]

Kevin,

I was just listing the heaviest lens I have .... I am traveling with the 70-200 for Animal Kingodm mostly -- I love getting some shots during the Safari.

My only other lens (unfortunately) is a 50mm f/1.8

 

[ukcatfan]

If 50mm is as wide as you have, you might run in to some tricky situations at WDW. Have you considered picking up a used kit lens so that you have 18-55 covered? I bet you could get one for dirt cheap on Ebay, Craigslist, local classifieds, etc. Two weeks would likely be enough time. The 50mm will be more useful than you might realize though b/c of the sharpness and speed. There are many low light situations there.

Kevin

 

[scejas]

I got a kit lens around never been thrilled with it's optics -- usually not sharp enough for my pro work but I will pack it along...

Any feedback on the tripod side of things ?

Do you shoot professionally ?

 

[ukcatfan]

I am not pro, but here is my take on tripods at WDW. Only bring it for situations that require it. Otherwise you are going to get sick and tired of lugging it along. The night/low light shows are one place you will want it, but I do not see AK needing it b/c you have an IS lens. You might want to consider a decent monopod instead due to the weight issues with your lens. It sounds like you are looking more for the ability of the tripod to take the weight instead of actually stabilizing the lens.

As for the kit, it certainly is not the best optically, but there are likely going to be shots where it is your only choice. Is this going to be one of your first trips to WDW with a digital camera? Back when I was using a 3X p&s camera, that was the widest ~38mm effective focal length, I found myself wanting the ability to go wider more than wanting more tele. I ended up with a S1 IS, so the tele part was solved, but it still left me wanting more from the wide end. That is one of the reasons I upgraded to DSLR. The difference between the effective 38mm I had and the effective 27mm I now have may not sound like much, but it will mean the difference in getting some shots or not. With your 50mm at the wide end, you effectively have 80mm, which I think could even be a problem with some character shots. This would be especially true if you have any character meals planned. Your subject will only be a few feet from you in that situation.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

The Bogen 3021 Pro series are supposed to be very nice and I probably would have gone with that or the 3011, until I found the Slik Pro carbon fiber ones... I have a 714 CF II and am very happy with it. They'll support at least 10 lbs, are lightweight (3 lb), and go up high (important as I'm 6'2".) Cost is slightly over $200 - and the kicker was that nobody else had this particular combination of height, strength, and weight that I was after - including Bogen, Gitzo, etc.

Still, if you can find a Gitzo CF tripod for cheap, it's hard to resist; they're supposed to be about the best - and you could probably eBay it for more than you paid if you really are getting a good deal.

I'd definitely agree with the others on a ball head. I use a relatively cheap (just over $50) Bogen 484RC2 and am quite happy with it, it's well-matched to the tripod. Quick release is an absolute MUST!