Worthwhile to lug along a TRIPOD?

[Aplmac]

I've heard Pierces talk about taking aboard a tripod

and I'm vaguely considering it for my next cruise in April

but is it really worth it?

 

I'm getting fair decent pics already without it (I brace myself well).

 

What are the pros and cons of taking a tripod?

Do crew members look at you funny?

 

Are you intruding by setting up the three-legged monster to take pics of the atrium?

 

I got this shot..

by placing the camera base on a handrail! Mind you...with the Sigma set at 10 mm.

magnification is like zilch...but with other lenses..hmmmm.

 

 

I'd like to hear from people who have actually taken tripods on board.

Tell me about it. Should I take mine

-or leave the thing in the trunk of the car where it lives?

 

.

[pierces]

My only tripod shot on the last cruise (1 sec):

 

 

This was a 2 sec tripod shot on an earlier trip:

 

 

13 sec tripod on the balcony:

 

 

Here, however, was a 15 sec shot braced on a rail:

 

 

My Velbon UltraMaxi is less than 2 lbs with the Giottos mini-ballhead and doesn't take much lugging. I have not had much occasion to use it with the in-body stabilization on my Minolta and Sony, but was always glad when I had it.

 

Your mileage may vary...:D

 

Dave

[Aplmac]

And then again... sometimes it's good to have it and not need it

rather than need it and not have it -LOL!

 

I like that 13 sec. shot from under the overhang

 

[Chicagogirlie]

My only tripod shot on the last cruise (1 sec):

 

 

This was a 2 sec tripod shot on an earlier trip:

 

 

13 sec tripod on the balcony:

 

 

Here, however, was a 15 sec shot braced on a rail:

 

 

My Velbon UltraMaxi is less than 2 lbs with the Giottos mini-ballhead and doesn't take much lugging. I have not had much occasion to use it with the in-body stabilization on my Minolta and Sony, but was always glad when I had it.

 

Your mileage may vary...:D

 

Dave

 

Does the Velbon reach your height? I've been looking at lighter weight tripods and have found that even though I'm short (5'4") many of them wouldn't reach my height.

 

I recently purchased this tripod as it was recommended by folks on steve digicams and dynaxdigital for it being sturdy and light enough for trekking/backpacking. It's heavier than I'd like at 4lbs but I guess I have to deal with the give and take. It's tall enough:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/480298-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_190XB_486RC2_190XB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html#specifications

 

I'm going to take it on my next cruise but am thinking I'll probably only use it for balcony shots unless I get up for sunrises where it will be early enough where most people won't be on the deck yet. I am too afraid of the camera getting kicked and falling if there are too many people on deck. That and just my taking up the space blocking traffic.

[cruisingbooboo]

Has anyone used the " Gorilla Pod"? Isn't there a Monopod you can wrap around objects, it is a hand held device? Once in AZ I went to some caves ( can't remember the name now) they rented tripods I got one and it worked out well was shooting a film SLR. I plan on going to some caves in Dominican Republic in April to some caves should I get a tripod or just try to brace my photos ( I have a built in stablizer in my camera)

[cruisetobeaches]

I used to pack a tripod, but now just a monopod. while not quite as steady as a tripod, I get get mostly good shots (provided I haven't had too much coffee) by placing the base about 30 degrees out from me using my legs as the other two legs of the 'tripod'.

 

A simple beanbag works good too if you have a place to set the camera...........Like a handrail. Just be sure to have that camera strap wrapped around something in case it falls.

 

I also pack along a baby tripod (about 10" tall) that works well if set on a table. Good for my point and shoot, but not stable enough for my DSLR.

 

Be careful how you pack a monopod..............It CAN look like a rifle on Xray, but that's another story..................:o

[pengu1n]

Has anyone used the " Gorilla Pod"? Isn't there a Monopod you can wrap around objects, it is a hand held device? Once in AZ I went to some caves ( can't remember the name now) they rented tripods I got one and it worked out well was shooting a film SLR. I plan on going to some caves in Dominican Republic in April to some caves should I get a tripod or just try to brace my photos ( I have a built in stablizer in my camera)

 

I have the Gorilla Pod SLR Zoom, which is said to hold 6 pounds. It does seem very sturdy and the joints are stiff & not inclined to move from the weight of the camera. I use it with a small ball head. (I have a sony a300, BTW.) I would not use it with a long heavy lens. The biggest lens I have is the 500mm reflex lens and the gorilla pod seemed like it would tip easily, it was not wrapped around something, so I didn't use it with that lens. It is great with other lenses, like my 18-250mm zoom, which is a fairly compact lens.

[pierces]

Does the Velbon reach your height? I've been looking at lighter weight tripods and have found that even though I'm short (5'4") many of them wouldn't reach my height.

 

I recently purchased this tripod as it was recommended by folks on steve digicams and dynaxdigital for it being sturdy and light enough for trekking/backpacking. It's heavier than I'd like at 4lbs but I guess I have to deal with the give and take. It's tall enough:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/480298-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_190XB_486RC2_190XB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html#specifications

 

I'm going to take it on my next cruise but am thinking I'll probably only use it for balcony shots unless I get up for sunrises where it will be early enough where most people won't be on the deck yet. I am too afraid of the camera getting kicked and falling if there are too many people on deck. That and just my taking up the space blocking traffic.

 

The Ultra Maxi extends to 63". I wouldn't guarantee it to be sturdy in a wind at that height, but it has worked well for me.

 

Dave

[pilotdane]

Tripods are very usefull things but one has never made the cut when I'm packing the suitcase to fly commercial. If driving to a cruise with no luggage limit than I would bring one especially if you have a long telephoto lens. Bracing the camera on a railing or bulkhead has gotten all the long exposure shots I need.

 

Keep in mind when using a tripod on a cruise... the ship moves. The ships roll & vibration can make even the best tripod useless.

 

---

aplmac: Your atrium shot was 1/13 second with a 10mm lens which is an easy shot handholding and even easier bracing against something. I see no need to lug along a tripod for shots like that. Travel light and have fun.

[5waldos]

Not meaning to hijack but those are wonderful pictures! Just lovely. And I am not much of a gusher.

[pierces]

Not meaning to hijack but those are wonderful pictures! Just lovely. And I am not much of a gusher.

 

You hijacked this thread to gush over my photos?

 

I'm soooo upset! ;)

 

 

Dave

[Aplmac]

Keep in mind when using a tripod on a cruise... the ship moves.

The ships roll & vibration can make even the best tripod useless.

 

---

aplmac: Your atrium shot was 1/13 second with a 10mm lens which is an easy shot handholding

and even easier bracing against something.

I see no need to lug along a tripod for shots like that.

Travel light and have fun.

I'm beginning to think along these lines.

I've been doing okay so far --pretending I'm a tripod-- bracing myself against this and that ..no breathing.

 

I think what saves my tail a lot.. is the fact that magnification is just so low

at the (dramatic)wider settings that I use a lot while cruising

and I'm successfully "getting away with murder"!

 

I've had to toss out very few blurry shots, over the past few months

so maybe TriPod gets to stay in the trunk of the car, where he lives..poor guy. :(

no cruise for him..sorry dude! :(

[Aplmac]

Not meaning to hijack but those are wonderful pictures! Just lovely.

And I am not much of a gusher.

Aaaww.. gush all you like -see if we care! :D

 

 

 

Here are a few favourites of mine..

all taken hand-held with the Sigma 10-20 -on Mariner of the Seas

 

 

Casino Royale!

 

 

Chops Grill

 

 

A Cruise Cathedral somewhere on board,maybe? :)

 

 

 

[pilotdane]

Great pictures. I really like the ceiling glow you got in the casino. You certainly don't need no stink'n tripod. Now if you said you were going to Alaska and taking your 500mm lens that would be a different story.

[cruiserbryce]

one of our friends takes a lot of pics whileon board and he did wish he had brought a small tripod along...although we havent in any of our cruises and never really missed it

[SakeDad]

I have a "pro" tri-pod but it's too bulky and heavy to take on vacations. So I found a "light" tripod at the drugstore in the photo area. It was about $10 and weighs about 1/2 pound!! Light, extends to FULL height (the legs aren't the best but they do the job) and folds to 12". There are many options out there if you want a LIGHT tripod. And I agree that having it and not using it is much better than not having it and wanting it. HAPPY SAILING

[donaldsc]

You might think about getting a monopod. Not as good as a tripod but a tripod that is left in your cabin does you no good at all. You can get monopods that weigh almost nothing and collapse to 14 inches so they are easy tocary.

 

Also, when you shoot long exposure shots, do it with your self timer so you do not have the movement that comes from pressing the shutter.

 

Longish exposures are also a reason to use a camera w an eye level viewfinder instead of the LCD viewfinder. Consider the physics. With an eye level viewfinder, you brace the camera against your face. With a LCD, you try to hold the camera steady at the end of a long lever arm - your arms. This magnifies any small camera movement.

 

Hope this helps.

 

DON

[compulady]

If you like to really take your time to set up the shot and take long exposures I would say to bring it. I usually travel with a small tripod though I rarely use it. If you have a large bulky tripod you might consider the gorilla pod especially the SLR version that you can attach to all kinds of things to steady the camera.

[highflyingrealtor]

For better or worse I'm a bring the kitchen sink kinda guy. Last cruise I had the big kahuna tripod, a monopod, the mini, and of course the 6' piece of string to step on and wrap around the lense! Guess what I actually used? :o Lesson learned and this year, no supports other than moi! Suppose I could leave the string in the bag.

[sports-mom]

Wow! Awesome shots! curious as to the camera info at the time.

 

sorry, dont meant to thread jack. Not sure If I'll bring a tripod or not.

Have to admit its very tempting. But those ships can get pretty crowded.. :cool:

[pierces]

Wow! Awesome shots! curious as to the camera info at the time.

 

sorry, dont meant to thread jack. Not sure If I'll bring a tripod or not.

Have to admit its very tempting. But those ships can get pretty crowded.. :cool:

 

I always take my travel tripod with me.

 

I seldom use my travel tripod.

 

Looooong shots off the balcony. Early morning low-light stuff. Never during the day with people milling about. Only once on shore when we rented a van in Skagway and drove back into the Yukon on our own schedule.

 

Disclosure: I shoot with a Sony A700 and a Minolta 7D, both of which are sensor-stabilized.

 

Your Mileage May Vary.

 

Dave

[judynorth]

 

My DH took his tripod on our 2005 Alaska cruise and used it - once - in Glacier Bay. I think he took it to Bermuda (we didn't have to fly) and never used it. Since then he has bought a better tripod and camera and a good monopod. He leaves his tripod at home and takes his monopod. The tripod takes up too much room and weight in luggage and it is a pain to haul around on excursions. There have been times when could use it but not enough to pay extra to haul it along on the plane.

[CL-JW]

Has anyone every had a problem with taking a tripod on a plane as a carry-on? The TSA and airline websites do not list it as a forbidden item.

 

Just wondering what others have run into.

 

Thanks

[pierces]

Has anyone every had a problem with taking a tripod on a plane as a carry-on? The TSA and airline websites do not list it as a forbidden item.

 

Just wondering what others have run into.

 

Thanks

 

My travel tripod folds down to about 14" and weighs about 2 lbs. I stick the legs into the side mesh pocket on my backpack and hook its little carrying pouch handle to the backpack's top handle with a velcro tie. No TSA inspector has ever so much as blinked.

 

As long as it isn't too massive and it folds to a reasonable length, it shouldn't be an issue.

 

Dave

[Aplmac]

More and more, I'm thinking of buying a monopod

in St.Maarten when I get there in late April.

 

Anyone know if BOOLCHANDS on Front Street carries monopods?

 

 

 

 

.