[Ruthiebabe]

Advice gratefully received, what is the best way to carry a tripod on longer hillwalks etc? I currently use a lowepro slingshot, great for accessibility etc but am considering buying a backpack for longer walks and wonder about how people usually carry a tripod in such situations? Obviously for shorter excursions it's fine just to use the slingshot and carry the tripod in one hand, but not so up a mountain. What do other people do and can anyone recommend a backpack with tripod attachment that works well, preferably with a compartment for waterproof, drink, snack etc. aswell.?

TIA, Ruth

[P-E]

I use either a Tamrac Expidition 5 or Lowepro Nature Trekker with a tripod strapped down the side.

[Markulous]

I've used the Tamrac Expedition 8 for over 3 years but was recently given a new generation Expedition 7 - carry tripod on the back in the tripod slot.

I also have a strap on the tripod, so for shorter excursions or carrying from setup to setup I'll use that rather than placing back in pack

[danpen]

I get my kids to carry mine, they think it's a treat.

cheers

Dan

[silkstone]

The Lowepro MiniTrekker also has a tripod strap on the back.

A yak and sherpas are best though.

[HHRC]

I have a hama star 63 and carry it in my hand with camera attached to the end!

[chrisa]

You can get tripod bags. Depends on the size of your tripod as to what is most practical, if you have a small/light tripod then you could maybe just fit it alongside the tamrac 5. When I had this I used a tripod bag as well slung over the shoulder as the bag was not big enough to comortably support the tripod without it feeling like it was pulling me back.

Another option is to get some tripod straps that attach to the foot and head of them to allow it to be carried over the shoulder too.

[Ruthiebabe]

Many thanks, this has given me much to think about

[Dave Canon]

Ruth, of course it is a good thing to use a tripod. However, for most well lit subjects you do not really need a tripod. Obviously for dusk, dawn, night, IR or inside buildings (non flash) you do. You also also need a tripod for HDR and it is useful but not essential for panoramics. I find I already have too much to carry without a tripod so only take a tripod if I plan to take one of the subjects above.

The last two lenses I have purchased are also Image Stabilised which means I am even less likely to need a tripod. I find this particularly valuable on holidays abroad as I never take a full sized tripod (I do carry a mini tripod). I guess I do all that I resonably can to avoid carrying a tripod because they are difficult to carry, heavy and annoy other people in many locations.

[silkstone]

^^^^ That has made my conscience feel a lot better. I thought I was just lazy, but actually I'm considerate.

[Les Meehan]

Originally Posted by Dave Canon

Ruth, of course it is a good thing to use a tripod. However, for most well lit subjects you do not really need a tripod.

Sorry Dave, for all their inconvenience, I would personally feel that a tripod should be considered a permanent attachment to the camera. In fact I don't know why they don't make cameras with at least a 5lb tripod welded to the bottom! (OK and one on the side for portrait format images for 35mm users: or why not just give us a square image then we can decide later ala 6x6 format).

Honestly though, if you are serious about image quality, then a tripod should be your second purchase after the camera/lens combo and used for virtually every image you create. The pros for using a tripod are so far ahead of the cons (which often comes down to 'can't be bothered carting it around') that it doesn't make sense NOT to use one. In fact, once you integrate a tripod into your image making process you wonder how you did without it.

The most important points for using a tripod for every image: it will make your images sharper (assuming proper focus technique) and it will allow you to really control your exposure and DoF settings.

Even with IS lenses (what are they doing anyway other than trying to correct your shaking camera and resultant fuzzy images), you cannot beat the tripod for the above benefits (the added weight of IS and autofocus lenses exacerbates the problems mentioned above).

OK, I admit I don't always use a tripod (when using the camera as a photo-sketch book) BUT I am nearly always disappointed with the lack of sharpness and loss of DoF control I experience when not using one.
Waiting for the inevitable tirade of opposition...

Les

[Les Meehan]

Silkstone

Sorry, lazy (or mis-informed) it is. Be considerate to all that expensive camera gear you use and the images it produces by using those three extra legs to advantage. Your camera and creative spirit will be eternally grateful!

Les

[Rob Barron]

I am halfway between Les and Dave Canon. I agree that in pirnciple, wherever possible and practical a tripod IS the ideal. However, if you are taking shots of fast moving objects that can become impractical and you'll be cursing yourself more over missed shots than over the lack of sharpness.

Providing you've got decent enough light to stay over the general maxim of shutter speed being a minimum of 1/focal length (e.g. using a 100mm lens you should aim for a shutter speed of 1/100th second or faster) it is not always going to be possible to use a tripod. I have tried mounting my camera for shots of the Red Arrows but those planes cover the ground at one heck of a speed and change angle of direction in a split second so it is not helpful to have the camera anchored at its base.

In those situations though I try where possible to use my monopod which is a happy medium between maneouvrability and support.

When kit is in backpack, I use the central tripod straps to carry the tripod. This is on my MiniTrekker. I hate the ones where the tripod is mounted on one side as I always feel unbalanced, even with my carbon-fibre tripod.

So yes, a tripod IS an essential bit of kit for anyone aiming for sharp pictures but this is a general rule and does not apply to every picture. But with less than fast shutter speeds, hand-held will never be as sharp as a tripod, even with IS lenses.

Cheers,
Rob

[j sotelo]

I agree, you should be married to your tripod, like Les said, The Pros are so far ahead of the cons. It doesn't matter what picture your taking, if you use a tripod your picture will be sharp.