BajaNomad - Good Baja Tripod

Good Baja Tripod

DianaT - 7-26-2008 at 10:23 AM

OK no picture here. Just looking for suggestions. What tripod do you use?

I have a very cheap flimsy thing that takes forever to set up, I do not trust, and is a real example of buy nice or buy twice.

I want one that is not so heavy that I refuse to carry it, but one that is nice and sturdy and won't require the selling of investments to purchase.

Suggestions?

Thanks
Diane

Ken Bondy - 7-26-2008 at 10:35 AM

Diane
Gitzo has a very good reputation. I have a light tripod that I occasionally use but for most of my topside photography I use a high-quality monopod. I usually am in situations where I don't have time to set up a tripod, and the monopod is very quick and much better than handheld.
++Ken++

DianaT - 7-26-2008 at 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Diane
Gitzo has a very good reputation. I have a light tripod that I occasionally use but for most of my topside photography I use a high-quality monopod. I usually am in situations where I don't have time to set up a tripod, and the monopod is very quick and much better than handheld.
++Ken++

Hadn't thought about a monopod---thanks. It would be easier---maybe I need both. :yes:

bigjohn - 7-26-2008 at 11:40 AM

I have a Manfrotto Bogen Monopod #3249B and love it. Obviously I use something else for a tripod application but for that quick shot and steady hand, the monopod is great! :tumble:

[Edited on 7-26-2008 by bigjohn]

Natalie Ann - 7-26-2008 at 11:44 AM

Diane - I know that tripledigitken really likes his monopod... he's the one told me about such a beast, and now it's item #1 on my wish list.

Nena

tripledigitken - 7-26-2008 at 12:14 PM

Diane,

You have to decide if you want a tripod or monopod or both. If your interest is in capturing family pictures with yourself in the photo you will need a tripod. Also if you want to do time exposures you will also want to get a tripod. If you are only looking to steady your camera in low light situations a monopod may be a good choice. I too have a Bogen/Manfrotto monopod (679B) which cost about $45. It is very strudy as my camera with a 300 mm lens is heavy.

For a tripod you can spend $40 to over $800. A lot depends on how heavy you camera and lens is. If it is under a couple of pounds you should look at some of the travel type by Manfrotto, Slik, or Gitzo. Gitzo is the best but you pay for it. I believe Manfrotto give the most value. I like a three section unit as it sets up faster, downside it is a little bit longer. Feel free to U2U me if you need more help.

Ken

[Edited on 7-26-2008 by tripledigitken]

DianaT - 7-26-2008 at 12:56 PM

Think I will do a little shopping----thanks for the suggestions. An $800 tripod is not OK right now, so I really appreciate the good, but cheaper suggestions.

I am playing more with timed and really slow speed stuff, so I do know I want a decent tripod, but I also like that idea of the monopod for some situations.

Dang, I may have to go back to work since I decided I want to play more with photography. Let's see, there are those other lenses, filters, extenders, external flashes, and NOTHING is cheap! :lol:

Thanks
Diane

bigjohn - 7-26-2008 at 01:59 PM

Diane,

Here is a link for a monopod, tripod, hiking staff, all-in-one! I have never used it but it may be just what you are looking for.

http://www.trek-tech.com/products/trekpods.html

I had a feeling you might be doing some time delayed shots! :yes:

DianaT - 7-26-2008 at 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigjohn
Diane,

Here is a link for a monopod, tripod, hiking staff, all-in-one! I have never used it but it may be just what you are looking for.

http://www.trek-tech.com/products/trekpods.html

I had a feeling you might be doing some time delayed shots! :yes:

That is one interesting looking gizmo---I wonder if anyone has used one. Seems worth looking into even further---really like the portability.

Thanks
Diane

DianaT - 7-28-2008 at 07:55 AM

Still Shopping---that Trek tech looks interesting, but I am also considering for now, one of monopods only.

Question to you monopod users from this novice. How do you hold the monopod still?

May be a silly question, but I have never seen one being used.

Thanks
Diane

CortezBlue - 7-28-2008 at 08:36 AM

Gitzo is what I use, however, they can be rather expensive. Look on Craigslist or ebay to see if you can find something used. Also there is a new carbon fiber tripod, Enduro or Induro that seems to be nice. :coolup:

tripods

stimbo - 7-28-2008 at 08:45 AM

Hi Diane -- A mono pod will stabilize up and down movement, and "reduce" side to side sway. These are particularly handy if you've got a large telephoto lens on your camera. Look along the media sections of a sporting event like football or soccer on television. If those people can't prop their cameras on top of a wall, they've all got mono pods. A heavy camera and lens are tough to hand hold. Mono pods are quick to set up (one leg) and take up less space whether they are being stowed in your car or set up in the field. However, mono pods are a compromise. You cannot stick the leg into the ground and walk away from your camera (like a tripod).

You've been offered a plethora of great advice, all good. You need to ask yourself the intent of your tripod needs. If you wish to do long exposures, self-portraits, etc.. then a tripod is what you need. Tripods are the best, all purpose tool. If you are doing something like wildlife photography and you need extra stability with bigger lenses, quickness, and portability, then a mono pod would be choice. If you are shooting quick, street scene portraits, then a hand-held is all you need (more spontaneous). So... what kind of photography do you do? What type of camera gear are you hauling around?

I hope this helps.

Jim

www.jimstimson.com

tripledigitken - 7-28-2008 at 09:20 AM

Shooting with a monopod.

As Jim just said the monpods only reduce camera movement. If you can, try to lean against an object to reduce the side to side movement. Wall, car, tree, cactus, well maybe not the cactus.

Keeping your legs apart and back from the monopod to simulate a tripod helps.

A couple more items to consider:

Beanbag tripods that are little cushions that attach to your camera, and allow it to sit firmly and shoot with the timed release.

Joby Gorrila Pod is a small flexible tripod that you can attach to things.

Both of these are very resonable and may suit your needs.

Diane,

In San Diego two stores with very helpful staff are Georges Camera and Nelson Photo.

Good luck.

Ken

DianaT - 7-28-2008 at 09:56 AM

You all give me lots to think about with this new hobby of mine---so much to learn.

Right now I have a Canon40D and the main lens I am using is a Tamaron 18-200---but have my eye on the new Tamaron with the image stabilizing (they call it something different). I also have a couple of filters I still can't get to work correctly---working on it. Ken, I bought it at Nelsons and they really are helpful.

Would love some of the really great Canon lenses but have not won the lotto yet.

Meantime, I will add some other lenses, extenders, etc. and play with this hobby.

Jim, what do I like to shoot? My favorite subjects are people, but not in a studio, but in natural settings and not posed. But I also like just about everything else---always looking for something that tells a story, I hope.

When I really realized I wanted a tripod or such, was when I was shooting the big surge in Bahia Asuncion. I started playing around with slow speeds which worked, I think, but the pictures were not very sharp.

The idea of a monopod seems interesting for being on the move. And Ken, do you remember the picture of a cactus under by toenail because I jumped out of the truck to shoot some other cactus, didn't watch my feet, and I was wearing Birkenstocks----learned my lesson about Cactus when taking pictures. :lol:

Also learned about an animal's personal space once when I got too close to a monkey in Costa Rica---I just wanted to take a picture of his cute little face and soon, I was being chased by a very angry monkey ---- didn't have a telephoto lens, and in that case, a monopod with a telephoto would have saved me from a panic attack. :lol:

Have seen those Joby things and they look interesting, but have not seen the beanbag tripods---have to check those out.

Thanks--- I have learned so much from the photographers on this board and Baja is such a great place to practice.

See you on the street with my shopping cart, but it will be full of camera stuff. :lol:

Diane

dean miller - 7-28-2008 at 10:19 AM

Please bear in mind when the three legs of a tri-pod are folded a tripod becomes a mono pod, so other than weight considerations why purchased a mono pod?

I taught college courses as an adjunct instructor for about 14 years; Advanced Diving, Underwater Photography and a few courses of top side Photography. FYI I am one of the very early "pioneer" UW instructors, had a number of photo courses in college and was a charter member of the original UW Photographic Society aka UPS. And yes I have published a number of UW photos

In the college courses I taught it was necessary to develop specifications for the students for their acquisition of a tri-pod. Points I recall are;
* Positive locking legs
* Center braces from the legs
* Dual feet or convertible feet...Rubber for floors and spikes for out doors
* Positive locking head in all positions
* Adequate extension of the tri- pod and the tri- pod head
* 360 rotation and at least 30 degrees tilt of the head
* Rugged enough to support camera and accessories - flash, lights etc

I could tell you the names of my tri pods but most have not been manufactured for years

In those pioneering days we developed and used a number of makeshift items to steady the camera and compose the picture both UW and top side. Some that come immediately to mind are;

** Weld a 1/4 inch nut on the top of the handle of a knife, a dive knife or a WW11 K-bar. Screw the camera into the nut, jam the blade into the reef or topside a tree, compose and click away.
** Weld the same size nut on the side and top (two opportunities) of a pair of vice grips, attach it securely to the reef, a tree, compose and click away.
Now most professional photo stores carry similar light weight mass produced products at a very reasonable cost.
** Attach the camera to a diving weight with a ball socket to position on bottom for composition.

And many many more..

tripods

stimbo - 7-28-2008 at 11:42 AM

Hi Diane -- You've got a nice camera system. I would suggest from your recent reply to keep it simple. Tripods, monopods, filters, lenses.... they are all tools to capture images. Not all tools are necessary all of the time. For example, polarizing filters are a great accessory for your photography, but they are not necessary in most instances. Pull it out of your camera bag only when needed, don't leave it permanently attached to your lens. The same with tripods. If you enjoy candid portraits, leave the tripod off. As soon as you attach your camera to the tripod, not only have you lost that "decisive moment," you have added a feeling of formality to a situation. Fleeting smiles and spontaneity are lost. But, this is the beauty of digital! You can still hand hold the camera in dim light just by bumping up your ISO rating from say, 100 to 1600. You may already be aware of this, sorry.

For your long exposures at the beach, a tripod would work better than a monopod. I believe you mentioned your pictures weren't that sharp. Something in addition to the camera stability could be a culprit as well. The autofocus works well with contrast, but have you ever pointed it at the sky? Your 40D will go "nuts" looking for something to focus on... It could be that when you pushed your shutter button to capture the surge, you were getting a soft focus because of the ocean and the lack of something "solid" for the camera to "see."

Anyway, enjoy your photography. It is a wonderful way to share memories and capture moments.

Jim

mtgoat666 - 7-28-2008 at 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
You all give me lots to think about with this new hobby of mine---so much to learn.

Right now I have a Canon40D and the main lens I am using is a Tamaron 18-200---but have my eye on the new Tamaron with the image stabilizing (they call it something different). I also have a couple of filters I still can't get to work correctly---working on it. Ken, I bought it at Nelsons and they really are helpful.

Would love some of the really great Canon lenses but have not won the lotto yet.

Meantime, I will add some other lenses, extenders, etc. and play with this hobby.

Jim, what do I like to shoot? My favorite subjects are people, but not in a studio, but in natural settings and not posed. But I also like just about everything else---always looking for something that tells a story, I hope.

When I really realized I wanted a tripod or such, was when I was shooting the big surge in Bahia Asuncion. I started playing around with slow speeds which worked, I think, but the pictures were not very sharp.

The idea of a monopod seems interesting for being on the move. And Ken, do you remember the picture of a cactus under by toenail because I jumped out of the truck to shoot some other cactus, didn't watch my feet, and I was wearing Birkenstocks----learned my lesson about Cactus when taking pictures. :lol:

Diane

Manfrotto 3021 and the 488RC2 is a good basic combo (tripod and ball head). you can get it online, or go to Nelson's and check it out in person. FYI, Nelson will show you some good economical setups.

if you are doing long exposures of sea, desire to take nite or low lite shots, or take any exposure over 1/4 second long, then get a tripod.

monopods are only good for short exposure snapshots -- you can't take a long exposure with a monopod anymore than you can take hand holding.

tripledigitken - 7-28-2008 at 02:33 PM

Quote:

if you are doing long exposures of sea, desire to take nite or low lite shots, or take any exposure over 1/4 second long, then get a tripod.

monopods are only good for short exposure snapshots -- you can't take a long exposure with a monopod anymore than you can take hand holding.

Goat agree with most of your comments except saying that a monopod is only good for short exposure snapshots. It is a specialized tool which will enable you to shoot 2-4 stops slower. A normal person can hand hold a camera the reciprocal of the lense. ie 300 mm lens 1/300 second, 50 mm lense 1/50 second. When I shoot my 300 mm lens with a monopod I can get down to 1/100 sec. see photo. Many locations/situations (like the Koala exibit at the SD Zoo) don't have the room for a tripod, so a monopod may get you the shot. IT DOES NOT REPLACE A TRIPOD.

Ken

[Edited on 7-28-2008 by tripledigitken]

DianaT - 7-28-2008 at 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stimbo
Hi Diane -- You've got a nice camera system. I would suggest from your recent reply to keep it simple.

Jim

Sounds like you have been talking with my husband. :lol:

Quote:

But, this is the beauty of digital! You can still hand hold the camera in dim light just by bumping up your ISO rating from say, 100 to 1600. You may already be aware of this, sorry.

I do tend to forget about the ISO and need to use it more on this camera. With my last camera when I first learned more about the ISO, I tried increasing the ISO several times and even at 400, the noise level was awful ---- learning more about this camera everyday. And you are right about capturing the moment---hard enough to get people not to pose when they see the camera.

Oh, on the focus thing and the water, I had it on center focus, but would it have been better in that circumstance to use manual focus? Thanks.

mtgoat,
Thanks for the suggestion, I will check it out. However, everytime I suggest to my husband, John, that we should run up to Nelson's, he runs and hides. :lol:

Ken,
What a great Koala shot. I am beginning to see where both could be good tools.

Diane

more on tripods

stimbo - 7-28-2008 at 07:42 PM

Hi again -- When you bump up your ISO, make sure you are shooting at the "L" or RAW settings. Get as much information onto your CF card as possible. Cards are cheap now, you may as well shoot at a high resolution setting all of the time, you can always delete later. There is more "noise" at the higher ISOs, but unless you plan on making mural sized prints, the difference is only quantitative.

Handsome image of the koala Ken. Here's a recent photo from Italy of the ceiling of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This was shot at a 15th of a second, hand held, no bracing against pillars or walls, ISO 1600. If I had a monopod, I would have used it. But for hand held, it held up alright. It was "dark" in there!

jim

[Edited on 7-29-2008 by stimbo]

bajamigo - 7-28-2008 at 08:49 PM

Nothing like the Manfrotto 55XPro. Quick setup and steady in a hurricane. The problem with a monopod is that your image stabilization feature is disabled when anything is put into the tripod socket (at least it is on the Rebel XTi). With a telephoto, the monopod may be a little shaky.

Iflyfish - 7-29-2008 at 11:55 AM

MrsFish uses a TrekPod Go and likes it, not good for big lenses but great for smaller ones.

http://www.cameratown.com/reviews/review_listing.cfm/hurl/id...

Iflyfish

DianaT - 7-29-2008 at 12:00 PM

Tis great to ask a question and get so many answers! All of the answers have given me lots to think about and research ---

Right now I am bidding on a nice combination on e-bay, but I am really new to that game---son says to wait to bid any more until the last few minutes---also, not to get carried away.

Since I have not really used e-bay or Craig's list much, I have found the research to be interesting. Amazing how many people put something on Craisg's list that is used for just about the same price one can buy it new!

Will check out the last two mentioned. The trek pod is the one BigJohn sugested so good to hear that someone is using it and liking it.

Thanks Again
Diane

[Edited on 7-29-2008 by jdtrotter]

ccholder - 7-29-2008 at 06:05 PM

I have a manfrotoo bogen 3221w, that I have never used...if interested contact me.