Comments on: The Tripod Compromise http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/ Thoughts on Photography, Digital Imaging, and Travel Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:46:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: BJ http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10483 BJ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:39:13 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10483 Tim, insurance for your equipment is inexpensive and relieves those worries about careless baggage attendants and just plain carelessness. I pay less than $350/year for $30,000 worth of coverage, no deductibles, payable for any damage or loss, no questions asked. Tim, insurance for your equipment is inexpensive and relieves those worries about careless baggage attendants and just plain carelessness. I pay less than $350/year for $30,000 worth of coverage, no deductibles, payable for any damage or loss, no questions asked.

]]> By: George V. Reilly http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10476 George V. Reilly Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:39:42 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10476 I made a string pod like Bob Lurie's a couple of years ago. I wrote it up at http://www.georgevreilly.com/blog/2007/01/18/StringPod.aspx I carried a monopod with me on a recent three-week trip to Europe and used it often. I wasn't willing to lug my tripod around. I made a string pod like Bob Lurie’s a couple of years ago. I wrote it up at http://www.georgevreilly.com/blog/2007/01/18/StringPod.aspx

I carried a monopod with me on a recent three-week trip to Europe and used it often. I wasn’t willing to lug my tripod around.

]]> By: Tom Whelan http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10397 Tom Whelan Sat, 09 May 2009 00:51:13 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10397 Here's my portable tripod solution: I have a Gitzo basalt tripod that's about 17 inches collapsed without a ballhead on. I stow it in the laptop recess of a medium-sized camera backpack with a ballhead beside it. It fits just fine, amazingly I can't feel the tripod through the padding on the backpack. That's my travel-light solution for when I don't want to carry a tripod bag, or when I'm walking somewhere and I don't want to carry more than just a backpack. Here’s my portable tripod solution: I have a Gitzo basalt tripod that’s about 17 inches collapsed without a ballhead on. I stow it in the laptop recess of a medium-sized camera backpack with a ballhead beside it. It fits just fine, amazingly I can’t feel the tripod through the padding on the backpack.

That’s my travel-light solution for when I don’t want to carry a tripod bag, or when I’m walking somewhere and I don’t want to carry more than just a backpack.

]]> By: Eric Onasick http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10387 Eric Onasick Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:33:34 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10387 Two things: I always carry a miniature tripod (about 7 inches long) in my backpack. Occasionally I need it to stabilize my Canon 40D, even for self-portraits. It's not always great but it's tiny and it's with me. Secondly, you can buy a special screw at your hardware store that has a 1/4 inch thread at one end, and a wood screw at the other. The whole thing is about 1 1/2 inches long, and weighs nothing. You can screw the pointy end into a stick and - voila - instant monopod. My regular walking stick has one of the permanently embedded in the top. On longer trips by plane i put my regular tripod in my [hard] suitcase. E Two things:

I always carry a miniature tripod (about 7 inches long) in my backpack. Occasionally I need it to stabilize my Canon 40D, even for self-portraits. It’s not always great but it’s tiny and it’s with me.

Secondly, you can buy a special screw at your hardware store that has a 1/4 inch thread at one end, and a wood screw at the other. The whole thing is about 1 1/2 inches long, and weighs nothing. You can screw the pointy end into a stick and - voila - instant monopod. My regular walking stick has one of the permanently embedded in the top.

On longer trips by plane i put my regular tripod in my [hard] suitcase.

E

]]> By: Bob Lurie http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10384 Bob Lurie Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:15:21 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10384 I always have a screw that goes into the camera and with a string (cord) attached and a loop at the bottom. Length such that the loop goes around my shoe and the camera is at eye level. Fits into the camera case (spare battery, a few cards, polarizing filter also there with the camera). Makes a big difference. I always have a screw that goes into the camera and with a string (cord) attached and a loop at the bottom. Length such that the loop goes around my shoe and the camera is at eye level. Fits into the camera case (spare battery, a few cards, polarizing filter also there with the camera). Makes a big difference.

]]> By: Joseph http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10383 Joseph Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:46:15 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10383 Good Morning Tim, Big fan - my wife & I receive you DDQ - its great. Was wondering with all the plugins that you review, what you thought of Nik software VIVEZA and that whole technology - if you think there is a way to do that already in Photoshop CS4; ie. action, scripts, ect. and If maybe we'll see that technology in upcoming versions of PS. Keep up the great work - also love your travellings - neat work if you can get it. Joseph :o) Good Morning Tim,
Big fan - my wife & I receive you DDQ - its great. Was wondering with all the plugins that you review, what you thought of Nik software VIVEZA and that whole technology - if you think there is a way to do that already in Photoshop CS4; ie. action, scripts, ect. and If maybe we’ll see that technology in upcoming versions of PS. Keep up the great work - also love your travellings - neat work if you can get it. Joseph :o)

]]> By: Tim Grey http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10372 Tim Grey Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:01:11 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10372 LL - I'm a big fan of the Gorilla Pods and use them with my point and shoot, but I've not put them to use with the digital SLR yet... Tim LL - I’m a big fan of the Gorilla Pods and use them with my point and shoot, but I’ve not put them to use with the digital SLR yet…

Tim

]]> By: Rich http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10371 Rich Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:45:42 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10371 Great idea Steve. And extending the legs to prevent it from rattling inside is really good as the way I've watched some of the tossing of luggage demands attention to this detail. Great idea Steve.

And extending the legs to prevent it from rattling inside is really good as the way I’ve watched some of the tossing of luggage demands attention to this detail.

]]> By: LL http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10370 LL Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:17:28 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10370 Look into one of the Gorilla Pods if space is really tight. You can attach it to trees or other tall objects which are usually available. It covers about 80% of my tripod needs with a small camera. The thing is pretty tough and could certainly survive air travel. I still like the full sized carbon fiber tripod much better, but it does get in the way if photography isn't the primary purpose of the trip. Look into one of the Gorilla Pods if space is really tight. You can attach it to trees or other tall objects which are usually available. It covers about 80% of my tripod needs with a small camera. The thing is pretty tough and could certainly survive air travel. I still like the full sized carbon fiber tripod much better, but it does get in the way if photography isn’t the primary purpose of the trip.

]]> By: Shawn Clark http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10368 Shawn Clark Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:56:23 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10368 Hi Tim, I keep a small beanbag in my camera bag for just such emergencies. Not only was it very cheap to make, it also fits perfectly on pier railings. Thanks for all of the DDQs! I have been a faithfully reading and recommending your writings for years! Best Wishes, Shawn Hi Tim,

I keep a small beanbag in my camera bag for just such emergencies. Not only was it very cheap to make, it also fits perfectly on pier railings.

Thanks for all of the DDQs! I have been a faithfully reading and recommending your writings for years!

Best Wishes,

Shawn

]]> By: Tim Grey http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10367 Tim Grey Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:26:38 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10367 Steve, The rod case from the fishing supply store is a great suggestion! Thanks very much! Tim Steve,

The rod case from the fishing supply store is a great suggestion! Thanks very much!

Tim

]]> By: Tim Grey http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10366 Tim Grey Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:22:19 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10366 A monopod is certainly an option, since it is less bulky than a tripod. But since I'd opt for a carbon fiber monopod I would still be equally worried about it getting damaged in the overhead bin. A monopod is certainly an option, since it is less bulky than a tripod. But since I’d opt for a carbon fiber monopod I would still be equally worried about it getting damaged in the overhead bin.

]]> By: Paul Pokrywka http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10365 Paul Pokrywka Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:20:57 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10365 Tim, Would a monopod be an option for you? - Paul Tim,

Would a monopod be an option for you?

- Paul

]]> By: Steve Kalman http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10362 Steve Kalman Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:56:29 +0000 http://timgrey.com/blog/2009/the-tripod-compromise/#comment-10362 Tim, I went to a fishing supply store and bought a rod case. It is basically a PVC pipe with canvas covering. shoulder strap, zippers and padding at the ends. My carbon fiber Gitzo is about six inches shorter, so I extend two legs just the right amount and close it tightly. Cheap, strong, and so far, no hassles at security or from flight attendants. I've even had it stored vertically in the coat closet or behind the last row of seats for me. Steve Tim,

I went to a fishing supply store and bought a rod case. It is basically a PVC pipe with canvas covering. shoulder strap, zippers and padding at the ends. My carbon fiber Gitzo is about six inches shorter, so I extend two legs just the right amount and close it tightly.

Cheap, strong, and so far, no hassles at security or from flight attendants. I’ve even had it stored vertically in the coat closet or behind the last row of seats for me.

Steve

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