Perhaps you can set up/extend the legs where it's dry, and insert each into a tall plastic bag, and securing each with tape, string, or a rubber band -- basically make rain-boots -- then you won't need to "do" anything afterwards.
Perhaps you can set up/extend the legs where it's dry, and insert each into a tall plastic bag, and securing each with tape, string, or a rubber band -- basically make rain-boots -- then you won't need to "do" anything afterwards.
Fantastic idea! I've never thought of that before, thankyou!
I have a couple different manfrotto tripod leg sets and none of them have ever been damaged by water use... They are usually dry by the time I get back to the car with them... never had any problems of any kind... Results with other brands may vary...
Salt water or fresh? Fresh water shouldn't be an issue at all. Salt water is highly corrosive, you need to be a little more careful with that. Tripod booties is a fine idea. If there's any place near you that sells industrial packing supplies and such, you should be able to get heavy-duty plastic bags of a long, skinny variety. Those would work great.
It will be saltwater. I think the bag's are a great idea and I'll definitely try them out.
What I was mainly worried about was the oil/lube on the legs getting washed away but it sounds like this won't be a problem?
Man, I never thought about the fact that salt water could be corrosive. I have frequently brought my tripod into salt water and never had such a problem. I think the bags sounds like a great idea.
Now I don't know where you are shooting, but just a word of caution, if you are intentionally going into the ocean to shoot, make sure you know whether the tide is coming in or out! The last time I was in the ocean I didn't pay attention to that, and waded in knee height water to a rock structure. Turns out the tide was coming in. I ended up having to wade back in chest high water, with my tripod held high above my head to keep my camera dry. Scariest moment ever. I was so certain that was going to be the end of my camera.
Man, I never thought about the fact that salt water could be corrosive. I have frequently brought my tripod into salt water and never had such a problem. I think the bags sounds like a great idea.
Now I don't know where you are shooting, but just a word of caution, if you are intentionally going into the ocean to shoot, make sure you know whether the tide is coming in or out! The last time I was in the ocean I didn't pay attention to that, and waded in knee height water to a rock structure. Turns out the tide was coming in. I ended up having to wade back in chest high water, with my tripod held high above my head to keep my camera dry. Scariest moment ever. I was so certain that was going to be the end of my camera.
Epitaph of many people who visit the seashore without checking tides and times. It could well have been more than a wet camera!
Epitaph of many people who visit the seashore without checking tides and times. It could well have been more than a wet camera!
Very true!
Thankfully I am an extremely strong swimmer and was at a beach with very weak to nonexistent rip tides, so I wasn't so much worried about myself.
But that could have been a very different story in other waters.
Also, be aware that it doesn't take many inches of water pulling back to knock your tripod over...
I was in the camera store the other day getting a replacement bag hanger for my Gitzo tripod because mine had fallen off. And the salesman said I was lucky I just needed a part. He recently had a customer who lost the same carbon fiber model I have when she lifted her camera off it momentarily while it was seated in a moving stream. Ouch! Not as bad as your camera tipping over into water maybe- but an expensive mishap all the same.
It will be saltwater. I think the bag's are a great idea and I'll definitely try them out.
What I was mainly worried about was the oil/lube on the legs getting washed away but it sounds like this won't be a problem?
Even it does get rinsed away, you can take the legs apart and clean them up (assuming it's not a super cheap tripod). The screws on mine are rusted and due for replacement and a good cleaning.
I was at an estuary yesterday when the tide was coming in, I was very surprised how quickly it happened. I watched one sand island where I'd been standing get covered in 3-4 feet of water in about 5 minutes.
I have done the sea thing many times, but one of the last times, the whole thing went into the water and played with the sand, so it was a sandy salty mess. I stuck it in the hot tub fully extended. Worked wonders in getting out all the sand and salt. Still have it and it still works like a charm.
((((this might not be the right way, but it certainly worked for me)
If there's any place near you that sells industrial packing supplies and such, you should be able to get heavy-duty plastic bags of a long, skinny variety. Those would work great.
R.
I think the bags which some stores provide for wet umbrellas would be perfect.
ETA: Make sure the tripod's rubber feet are extended -- on mine they cover some metal spikes which woould make quick work of a plastic bag... :-(
don't forget to put the tripod in a bag of rice to pullout the excess moisture.
Hmmm ... if rice will act as a dessicant I would put 3-5 cups into a clean sock, and put it into my tripod bag.
These can also double as hot compresses for your sore muscles after lugging the tripod all over the place all day -- microwave for 1-3 minutes until desired temperature. Be sure to mix it around as it may not heat evenly, and be careful as you can get some really hot spots sometimes. AFAIK you can re-use these indefinitely.
I didn't think about salt water use. I'd just rinse mine off with fresh water after using it in a salt water application. As long as the leg locks aren't submerged where the nuts/bolts don't get wet there should be no real issues. If you are working in water deeper than the bottom length of your tripod legs, I'd start to worry about your sanity :)
