Tripods Benefical?

[DisneyExplorer]

my panasonic lumix is prone to creating blurry pictures and so when on holiday i was thinking about investing in a tripod. would this benefit me and would it be a hassle carrying around the parks?

 

[seashoreCM]

What ISO setting do you use? I would suggest 200. Lower than that and there is a much greater chance the shutter will slow down and if you are not exceptionally good about holding the camera steady, you will get a blurry picture. Higher than that and graininess becomes noticeable.

No point and shoot camera does well indoors without a tripod for taking subject matter beyond its flash range.

Most people can't hold a digital camera out in front of them (to see the viewfinder panel which is more accurate) as steady as they could when looking through the peep hole viewfinder (less accurate framing).

I thought that setting up standard tripods in the parks was not allowed. They make monopods (just one leg), which are allowed in the parks, but which I find no advantage in since I cannot hold the camera steady with one. You can buy a mini-tripod that can be set on a table or stone wall and that no one would notice.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

 

[Master Mason]

yes a tripod will help, and yes they are allowed in the parks. I usually leave mine in a locker until dark when I need it.

 

[Groucho]

I carried a full-size tripod or monopod for 10 days in January around WDW, mostly days the tripod, and set it up all over the place, in all four parks, DD, etc, and never got any complaints from anyone, CMs or otherwise. They are most definitely allowed.

IMHO, a tripod is an absolute must if you want to take night shots.

How much of a hassle they are depends on your tripod. Mine is full-size and sturdy, so it's not tiny, but at least it's carbon fiber so it only weighs 3 lbs. A PnS camera can get by with a much smaller, lighter tripod. Other options are a tabletop tripod (set it up on a trash can or other flat surface), a Gorillapod, a Clamperpod, or even a beanbag.

If your camera doesn't have the option of a remote shutter release, you will probably also want to use the 2-second delay, so that you're not shaking the camera when you press the shutter.

 

[DisneyExplorer]

does anyone have any tips on where to get a sturdy lightweight one when i go to Florida for example the Florida Mall etc?

 

[Master Mason]

I don't know the answer to that, but how about you order it and have it shippped to your hotel timed to arrive the day after you do?

 

[boBQuincy]

Very little can improve our photographs as much (for as little $$$) as a tripod or some form of camera support.
WDW does not seem to have any restrictions on tripods. I suppose if it got in the way of people or was some sort of safety issue they might say something but I have never had a problem.

A monopod may get you down to 1/8 or 1/4 second, mine works pretty well to that point and weighs a lot less than a tripod. For slower than that there is no substitute for three legs.

Cheap tripods are, well... cheap. They will frustrate you in the end. Expensive ones are very nice but maybe more than you want. Mid-price models are plentiful and offer a lot for the $$$, check Velbon's Maxi 347 series.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A tripod would help and it will be a hassle. You should probably try to improve your shooting skills so that you don't get blurry shots as often. A tripod won't help when the thing you are taking pictures of is moving, so it's not a perfect substitute for knowing how to use your camera.

If you want to take night shots, fireworks shots, or any other long exposure shots, there is no substitute for a tripod. For other shooting at WDW, I don't think it's worth the bother. I suppose it depends on the attitudes and desires of the people you are with. I rarely ask my group to stop while I set up. If I were there alone or with just a group of photogs, I'd bring a tripod and would skip most of the rides. YMMV.

 

[DisneyExplorer]

is there a shop thats more reasonable than others?

 

[gokenin]

Hi I was looking at tripods and came across something called to Novoflex photo survival kit which offers multiple versions of tripods in the kit so I started looking at them and have two questions 1) anyone have any experience with this company and are they anygood? 2) I was looking at amazon and they have a novoflex micropod that you can match with one of their small ball head attatchements any advice or help?

 

[YEKCIM]

Hi I was looking at tripods and came across something called to Novoflex photo survival kit which offers multiple versions of tripods in the kit so I started looking at them and have two questions 1) anyone have any experience with this company and are they anygood? 2) I was looking at amazon and they have a novoflex micropod that you can match with one of their small ball head attatchements any advice or help?

Link?

 

[gokenin]

http://www.amazon.com/Novoflex-Micr...776708?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1182292205&sr=1-33

looking for something small and sturdy think this may work since the company appears to be involved with camera and photography for a while since 1950

 

[jann1033]

http://www.amazon.com/Novoflex-Micr...776708?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1182292205&sr=1-33

looking for something small and sturdy think this may work since the company appears to be involved with camera and photography for a while since 1950

if i am right you are planning on a p& s type camera? if so i would probably go with a gorilla pod by joby, it's cheaper and can be used like the one you posted or wrapped around something
http://reviews.cnet.com/Joby_Gorillapod/4660-11741_7-6454994.html
http://www.slrtoday.com/articles/12...Provide-Shake-Free-Photos-Anywhere/Page1.html

 

[gokenin]

if i am right you are planning on a p& s type camera? if so i would probably go with a gorilla pod by joby, it's cheaper and can be used like the one you posted or wrapped around something
http://reviews.cnet.com/Joby_Gorillapod/4660-11741_7-6454994.html
http://www.slrtoday.com/articles/12...Provide-Shake-Free-Photos-Anywhere/Page1.html

looked at the gorilla but the one thing i dont like about it is that as far as i can tell you can't pan the camera at all you have to turn it every time you want to slightly change orientation of the camera

 

[Shorty82]

It's expensive but Hammacher Schlemmer has a Tripod Walking Stick.

It looks cool. It is useful as a walking stick, monopod, and as a tripod. I want one but can't even afford an el-cheapo tripod right now let alone this one.

 

[photo_chick]

is there a shop thats more reasonable than others?

If you are looking fo rsome thing inexpensive for a p&s camera fo this trip, go to Wal-Mart adn see what they have. I just picked up DD a small one for $20 there. Not fancy and I would not use it for my DSLR, but great for her.

 

[Geoff_M]

IMHO, a tripod is an absolute must if you want to take night shots.

I would respectfully disagree that it is a "must". I have taken lots of night time long exposure photos at WDW and have never used a tripod. You just have to get creative with how you brace your camera. Does a tripod give you more flexibility? Sure, but it's not required.

 

[Groucho]

It's expensive but Hammacher Schlemmer has a Tripod Walking Stick.

It looks cool. It is useful as a walking stick, monopod, and as a tripod. I want one but can't even afford an el-cheapo tripod right now let alone this one.

I think there are several monopods that include a very basic tripod functionality at the bottom - usually it's just enough to get the monopod to stand up on its own, and maybe even with a camera attached to the top. You definitely won't get any kind of decent stability.

My old tripod was a little $30 Slik U5500, it was basically full-size but quite small and light. It was overloaded with my DSLR but was more than enough for a PnS. There should be plenty of cheap, decent tripods suitable for the weight of a PnS out there.

 

[0bli0]

two of my colleagues have one of the tripod walking sticks. the rare earth magnets really grip well. so well, in fact, when one of them let go of the stick (while using it as a monopod - oops), the camera impacting on the ground did not come off the mount. the lens was toast...

 

[DisneyExplorer]

sorry for being thick! whats a p & s?