What tripod choice for WDW ?

[Enkil]

I know this has been asked before, but couldn't find the thread...

So what tripod do you bring inside WDW ?

I will be shooting my beloved D200, swapping out between my 18-200 and 50mm 1.8 lenses. I will be bringing my trusty monopod, but perhaps something with a few more legs to stand on would be helpful in the stability department. I have persuaded she-who-must-be-obeyed of the wisdom of a second battery from B&H, so perhaps a bit of support could be joined to the order without too much notice.

 

[rtphokie]

I know this has been asked before, but couldn't find the thread...

So what tripod do you bring inside WDW ?

I will be shooting my beloved D200, swapping out between my 18-200 and 50mm 1.8 lenses. I will be bringing my trusty monopod, but perhaps something with a few more legs to stand on would be helpful in the stability department. I have persuaded she-who-must-be-obeyed of the wisdom of a second battery from B&H, so perhaps a bit of support could be joined to the order without too much notice.

I've seen them used inside WDW but my personal opinion is that they should be left at home. They take up too much space and get in others way. Bring the monopod, it should be all you need.

If you really want something steadier that you can use to shoot parades or other shots that you can take some time to setup, consider a gorilla pod or some other mini tripod.

You could set it up on a trashcan, ledge or some other convenient flat surface. With the gorillapod you can attach it to a fence, lightpost, etc. as well.

my $0.02

 

[Cyrano]

I was disappointed with my last set of fireworks photos. I am thinking of getting a monopod for first trip to WDW.
Coming from the UK so looking for a light, portable but robust offering.
I realise that you can't have it all ways but no harm in asking

 

[YesDear]

I have taken a tripod a number of times for fireworks. I respectfully disagree with rtphokie. My tripod takes less space than some of the land yacht strollers that are there.

I do not think a monopod will help you. If you can hand hold a monopod for a second or longer exposure without movement, you are a better man, woman,or child than I am.

My tripod is a carbon fiber one and not very heavy to carry. If I take it, it is planned and I am prepared to lug it around. I will use a manual shutter release and a radio controlled one as well.

 

[Groucho]

I think a tripod is tremendously useful for night shots. I don't have one, but I can't see a Gorillapod coming anything close in terms of functionality. IMHO, the only time that one might be considered "in the way" is during fireworks shows, and I always try to set up directly behind a bench (for Wishes) or right at the fence (for Illuminations), so no one will bump into it.

I use a Slik Pro 713 CF II carbon fiber tripod and am very happy with it. It was the perfect balance of height and weight for me. Adorama has a new line of tripods they're selling as "generics", there are some carbon fiber ones in there for very cheap that sound pretty good, it may be worth checking out those, too.

 

[fhirleighinn]

I have no plans to bring my tripod, I plan to do things other than just photography while I am there. I think that it would be too limiting to carry it around.
But If I were to, my tripod is a older Bogen with a ball head that I would carry in my soft sided case. I would most likely only bring it with my at night. (Just an excuse for a trip back to the resort...)
A Monopod probably would not give you enough for fireworks. I am a firm believer in using what is available. The ground, trashcans, lightpoles, I even used my DD9's head while taking some pics of the Osbourne Lights in 2006. (technically she was my bipod...)

 

[PhotobearSam]

Gorillapod SLR Zoom....Loved it last time we were at WDW. I can't wait to go back with the Canon 50D.

 

[Experiment_626]

I have no plans to bring my tripod, I plan to do things other than just photography while I am there. I think that it would be too limiting to carry it around.

That's what the lockers are for. You can try to balance the camera on "found" objects, but I find that much too limiting.

I would love to get a good carbon-fiber tripod -- mine is a cheap Wal-Mart Vivitar model. But as not-so-great as it is, it is worlds better than no tripod! And there are still lenses I want to buy first ...

SSB

 

[boBQuincy]

We just got back from WDW, I carried a Velbon 640 leg set with a ReallyRightStuff ballhead. This setup weighs a little over 3 pounds and is *really* steady. It fits in the small lockers too.
I always carry an ultra-light monopod but for some photos there is no other way but a tripod.

 

[Master Mason]

I have a similar set up to Groucho, the 714 vs he 713. I take it to the parks and put it in a locker when I don't need it.