Tripods and Monopods

[ndelaware]

Since your camera is fairly light and small I wouldn't spend much on a tripod. Just try to find one that is sturdy and cheap. They can usually be had for under $30 at Best Buy, Circuit City, or a similar store. I just bought a monopod from my local camera store earlier this month. It is made by Promaster and it cost me $50. It collapses to 24" and weighs less than 2 lbs. I wouldn't have bought it except I heard that tripods were not allowed at the Candlelight Prossesional in Epcot. So I bought the cheapest one they had. It helped but it is no where near as effective as a tripod.

 

[carolina_yankee]

I've been on the same quest as you. I settled on teh SLIK Sprint Pro 3 Way. It's very light and collapses to less that 17" Maximum extension is about 69" or so. I ended up going to a camera store because the major electronics stores dind't have one that was either light enough or tall enough for me.

I can't remember the specifics, but I can barely use the viewfinder on my camera at maximum height and I'm 6'. Anway, it's built for travel, is light and is inexpensive for some tripods. but it's still around $70. I highly recommend www.bhphotovideo.com as a resource. You could do a search on tripod or monopod and see very conceivable version.

Altenratively, you could always go for a table top tripod. They're less expensive, fit into a pocket, and you can almost always find a table or trash can to set them on. They won't work for parades or fireworks, though, unless you're really lucky with an unobstructed view.

Dirk

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Altenratively, you could always go for a table top tripod. They're less expensive, fit into a pocket, and you can almost always find a table or trash can to set them on. They won't work for parades or fireworks, though, unless you're really lucky with an unobstructed view.

Dirk

Thanks for the suggestion. I do have a table top tripod and it works well, but I do want to be able to use something during parades and fireworks.

Silly me never actually thought to go into a camera store (DUH!) I usually shop online, but we have a fairly nice camera store near me, so I will be popping in this weekend.

 

[YEKCIM]

Ordered this from buy.com...

http://www.buy.com/prod/Sima_SMP_1_Collapsible_Monopod/q/loc/111/90124835.html

...and received it last week. Very portable, and looking forward to using it in lower-light situations in The World and elsewhere. Should be fine for my Fuji S5200 and other lightweight digicams. May use it for some stability with my Optura camcorder, as well.

~YEKCIM

 

[JR6ooo4]

Cool.
I added one of those keychain style rock climbing clips and then clip it to my belt loop.
Mikeeee

 

[jann1033]

i noticed it said 16" on the min size, is that the size retracted? i was just wondering how one of these would work compared to a tripod since it 's so much more portable thanks

 

[YEKCIM]

Here is the 'pod, attached to my all-purpose photojournalist vest. The vest has a tab inside the top pocket with a clip on the end of it (see pic, below), to which I attached the ring on the 'pod (I replaced the split ring that came on the 'pod with a sturdier one); the bottom of the 'pod fits neatly into one of the vest's bottom pockets, to secure it from swinging around. I may also put a velcro closure at the top of the pocket, to further secure it. This is not a tripod replacement, per se, but adds some stability, at relatively little expense or weight. Sort of a poor man's "image stabilization":

~YEKCIM

 

[JR6ooo4]

or to help extend an "Old Man's Duration" I start to waver after a long day shooting a long lens.

I have been looking at a vest. The backpack has good padding but is slow to change anything.

Mikeeee

 

[YEKCIM]

JR:

Mrs. YEKCIM and I both have this vest, originally purchased from Banana Republic. They don't sell them anymore, afaik, but you can get them from http://www.sieglers.com (search their site for "vest"). The photo vest is absolutely the best way I've found to carry your "stuff" at Mickey's World as well as other places. There are enough pockets (maybe too many...hard to remember where you put everything) for a great deal of photo gear, as well as water bottles, snacks, park maps (huge inside pockets), that extra pack of moleskins, disposable rainsuit, PhotoPass card, etc, ad nauseum. Well worth the money, IMHO. Everything is accessible, and evenly distributed.

~YEKCIM

 

[MICKEY88]

JR:

Mrs. YEKCIM and I both have this vest, originally purchased from Banana Republic. They don't sell them anymore, afaik, but you can get them from http://www.sieglers.com (search their site for "vest"). The photo vest is absolutely the best way I've found to carry your "stuff" at Mickey's World as well as other places. There are enough pockets (maybe too many...hard to remember where you put everything) for a great deal of photo gear, as well as water bottles, snacks, park maps (huge inside pockets), that extra pack of moleskins, disposable rainsuit, PhotoPass card, etc, ad nauseum. Well worth the money, IMHO. Everything is accessible, and evenly distributed.

~YEKCIM

they list a campco vest is that the one you have.


if it is I can give you info on 2 places to find it cheaper, one sells for 39.95, the other for 34.95,

they also offer larger sizes and other colors, than the site you listed...



I have 3 campco vests, 2 khaki and one black, I wouldn't do the WDW or any other shoot without my vest,

I did WDW in February and the vest made it so much easier to carry everything, the only thing that was even close to a negative, was all the people that thought I was a photopass photographer and wanted me to take their pictures..LOL

 

[captaincrash]

Hello,

I have a Canon 10D and was looking for any suggestions or insights into which tripods and monopods are recommended. My intended uses are fairly general. I would like to have a quick detatchable mounting plate - and was wondering whether they sold this quick detatch gizmo seperately or whether it is best to get one that is intergal with the tripod/monopod.

My budget is "middlin" - so I probably am not a candidate for a carbon fiber titanium head Basault form GItzo. Is that what they call it? I think those are 300-400 for a tripod ... or more.

SO - if anyone has any ideas or suggestions - I would be appreciative.

 

[vertigo235]

What's a D10?

I also have a 10D, and I'm looking for a lighter compact version (of a tripod), to take to the parks with me. My tripod, while nice, is too heavy for me to carry with me all the time. I also don't think I need it unless I'm using one of my heavier lenses.

 

[YEKCIM]

I took one of these:

http://www.buy.com/prod/Sima_SMP_1_Collapsible_Monopod/q/loc/111/90124835.html

to WDW on our recent trip and found that it was not very practical for *my* still photography, but was *invaluable* for videography. My previous attempts at videotaping Illluminations, Spectro, Beauty and the Beast, and other shows were very "jumpy" due to handholding. Using the monopod corrected that almost completely, and my hands did not get weary from trying to hold the 'corder steady. This monopod is inexpensive, light, and is about 18" long, fully retracted. Main reason I did not use it on stills was that I was on the move and just grabbing shots as time permitted; tripod or even monopod was less practical than when in "fixed" position for shows/parades. Oh, and this model *does* have a quick release fitting. I'm sure it would have helped in shooting stills, had I chosen to so use it.

~YEKCIM

 

[0bli0]

i'm hoping to pickup some basault legs next month in Japan it's amazing how much lighter they (or carbon fibre) are compared to standard legs.

personally, i'm a big fan of Manfrotto and they have a nice RC2 quick release system. i have it on both my monopod and tripod head. you might look at something like the 055CLB with whatever type of head you like.

edit: oops...QR2 is the old style. RC2 is new style. it's much better.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I just bought Manfrotto 055 MF3 (Mag Fibre). The only sad thing is that although it's sturdier than the aluminium counterpart, the weight of the two are about the same.

For the head I strongly recommend 322 RC2, also by Manfrotto.

 

[jann1033]

i'm planning on making abean bag support for car use( don't want to spend $50 and can't seem to find a clip on mount that says it supports over 2 lbs for less than that..anyone know of one, tell please) my camera and the lens i use most are 2 lbs. 2 oz with out any filters , batteries etc so thinking that is to close for comfort

i have a tripod but find it so bulky i don't use it much and am wondering if a monopod will suit the same purpose or not...only saw one a walmart and it looked like it wouldn't hold even a disposible steadily but haven't looked at them in real life yet. would you use them for the same general things? is a monopod not really useful for long exposures( thinking it might shake )

 

[mhutchinson]

Bogen makes a beanbag like thing called the POD (you'd be looking at the red one) http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/itemlist.php3?manufid=25&sectionid=472 (hope that link works)

As far as monopods go, there are several out there that can easily support a substantial amount of weight such as Manfrotto and Gitzo.

Mike

 

[JR6ooo4]

monopods work great for vertical stabilization. Not so stable for horizontal movement. It will probably add as much as IS.

But they are usualy much lighter, and easier to use in a crowd.

Mikeeee (from WDW)

 

[boBQuincy]

My monopod is made from aluminum tent poles and will support any camera I would care to carry, easily 5 lb. The monopod weighs about 3 ounces.

A monopod works for me down to about 1/8 second for mid-length lenses, it's usually ok to 1/15 second for 200 mm.

 

[Master Mason]

Ok...

Last thing that I think I really need to get to be able to do what I want with my camera.

I would like to get a nice monopod. Anyone have any suggestions? I have just been using my tipod with only one leg extended as a mono, but I think an actuall monopod would be a lot easier.

Thanks