Tripod height for Disney

[LGithens]

I am trying to find the perfect lightweight travel tripod. I got a Benro Travel Angel 1690 model, I think. But it feels a little big and heavy for me. It isn't that big or heavy, but to me, it is. But it is a nice tripod. I like to travel light and am looking for something smaller and lighter.

I'm a big following of Tom Bricker's Disney Tourist Blog and love the photography posts. He mentioned a minimum of 59 inches, I believe, for a tripod, especially for fireworks.

I'm looking at the Sirui t-025x which is a carbon fiber tripod. It's less than 12", a little over a pound and its max height is 54.5, coming up a little short.

So, I'm short, about 5 feet, does that additional height really matter for my height?

 

[mom2rtk]

I use the luxi l iii. It has a max height of 64.5" and folds down very compact, making it great for using in the parks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Velbon-...-with-QHD-53D-Ball-Head-Kit-set-/251932343724

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I understand Tom's thinking, especially regarding fireworks and wanting to clear the heads of the crowd in front of you. But I think the right tripod height puts the viewfinder at eye level for the photographer. For you, 54.5" sounds like it would be reasonably comfortable.

 

[elmoandzoey]

I had a Manfrotto that was about the same height as the Sirui you are looking at. I took it to Disney a couple of times and I have to say, if you have a clear view (e.g. you can set up with no one in front of you), the height is okay. I had quite a few instances though were I was missing about an inch or two to shoot around or above people because there just wasn't enough space between the tripod and the people in front of me that even at an upward angle the camera could clear their heads. I replaced it with the Velbon Luxi that mom2rtk mentioned and I have not regretted it. The extra couple inches do make a difference for me. When it's fully extended it's way above my eyelevel though but it's also way above everyone else's head, especially if the camera is at an upward angle. That said, I haven't used it fully extended yet but I have used it around the 60" mark and I found it to be of perfect height to shoot with people in front of you.

I think it's a bit of a twofold because like Melissa said, the right tripod puts you at eye level so you don't have to bend down or stand on your toes but in certain situations that height it just not enough.

 

[mcraige]

I've only used my tripod (Manfrotto) at WDW a couple of times. The height wasn't as much as of an issue as where I set it up. If I could find a place where I could set it up with 2 legs over a fence, I never had an issue. Otherwise, I spent more time keeping people from running into it than actually taking pictures. Good luck!

 

[TheBigE]

I have looked at bringing in a tripod and according to WDW Website it must fit into your backpack. This should not be an issue with most travel tripods. The more I looked, the more I relized the hassle would not be worth it and trying to set up a tripod and keep people from tripping over it would be too much work.

I am going to give a Monopod a try for my next visit. This still may eliminate long exposure of the FW, but should still allow me to do some night time photo work in less crowded areas.