After working with my big Bogen tripod for a couple months, I think I've come to the conclusion that I don't want to lug it all over Europe with me in April. Not only will it be difficult physically, but it also adds to the list of somewhat expensive stuff that could get stolen that I'll be carrying around with me (lenses, filters... the camera).
I'm considering taking a monopod instead, and preferably a cheap one. Does anyone have a favorite inexpensive monopod for traveling they could recommend?
I may still take the tripod for doing set up shots, on days that won't involve a lot of walking. Leave it in the hotel the other days.
Any other suggestions for photography while traveling are welcome too- thanks in advance!
I bought a Velbon UP-4000 monopod at Amazon.com last winter. It's light enough, but not ultra-light, it's sturdy, and it extends to 5.5 feet. You can get cheaper ones, but the price wasn't bad, and the ones I've noticed at WalMart just don't seem to be built to endure.
Has anyone tried or had experience with the Zenit (Russian) "monopod" which is braced at the waist and has a strap to go around the neck? I just bought one off eBay last night as it looks like it will accommodate my needs nicely and I'd think it would be great for travel. It's coming from Canada to me in FL - so I don't know how long it may take to get it, but I'll try to post my thoughts once it's here.
For travel I use a pretty sturdy manfrotto table top tripod.
The trick is to realise that you don't have to place it on the floor. Just like its bigger cousins the more interesting results can be achieved by bracing against walls, on rubbish bins, against lampposts etc.
All of these were shot using a table-top tripod, braced against or on a variety of things:
I just bought a manfroto monopod (their lighter weight one) for about 35 dollars. The swivel head for it was another 15. I have one of the cheapie ones like those at walmart and it doesn't tighten enough on the swivel ball to keep the camera from flopping over.
Thanks gordon .. and this hold the D60 with a small lens ? if yes it looks like the ideal, little tripod to have, 'in case of'
Lionel
Yup, I use it all the time with the D60 and a 24-85mm f4.5/5.6 (A smallish zoom lens) It works very well. In fact, that's my main travel setup, the D60, the 24-85 and that tripod - all fits in a small bag.
After working with my big Bogen tripod for a couple months, I think I've come to the conclusion that I don't want to lug it all over Europe with me in April. Not only will it be difficult physically, but it also adds to the list of somewhat expensive stuff that could get stolen that I'll be carrying around with me (lenses, filters... the camera).
I'm considering taking a monopod instead, and preferably a cheap one. Does anyone have a favorite inexpensive monopod for traveling they could recommend?
I may still take the tripod for doing set up shots, on days that won't involve a lot of walking. Leave it in the hotel the other days.
Any other suggestions for photography while traveling are welcome too- thanks in advance!
Andi
My mono-pod is a Quantaray from Ritz. Many years old and the leg locks are not as secure as they once were. The 35.00 one mentioned above from Manfrotto sounds better. My Tri has foam pipe insulation taped around the tops of the legs. When walking around a town, I just extend one leg, leave the other 2 collapsed, lay the padding on my shoulder, balance/control the tri through crowds with one hand on the extended leg. Impromptu shots are ready at hand by simply using the tri as a mono. Granted a little heavier, 3-4 pounds, but more versitile. Again....success is preparedness plus opportunity. It really bothers me to loose an opportunity, due to unpreparedness. The tri as a mono, gives me total preparation, just in case. However, this is not for everyone.
I have also seen walking sticks that have a cap that is removed to access a 1/4-20 threaded stud for use as a monopod. Also makes a good whacking stick in case you need it.
I just tried manfrotto table tripod with the 10D and the 17-40L on it and it looks stable enough on it .. I did not have the extension. I had tried others before and was not satisfied. The little ball head does lock it strongly (really more than I thought) and I put one leg in the aligment of the lens to increase stability. It is built very srong (plain metal, not 'tubes')
I tried at the same time the little ball head on the manfrotto monopod] and it worked well as well .. a little ball head will allow you to potentially use a support (your legs, a wall, a fence) to increase stabitility while still being flexible to compose.
The 3 sections monopod is a little higher ( 10 cm) and &0 cm more folder as well. same weight.
Just used bhphoto as reference so you guys see the product ...
I did not think about that combination before but it works suprrisigly well. Thanks Gordon.
The little monopod is definitly going to travel with me a lot !
I cobbled this together to take in to the ballpark to shoot the post-game fireworks. Made from a $5 mini-tripod from Ritz and my grandfather's old cane; a strip of duct tape would make it even more secure.
The cane (and a slight limp) make for a good cover in places where photo "equipment" isn't allowed.
