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Tripod for HDR

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Mike Adams163591

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I have a FZ28 and am planning to try some HDR shots. A tripod is pretty much a necessity but I don't really want to haul around my old all-metal monster. Does anyone have suggestions for a manageable model that still allows good flexibility?

Thanks
 
You can use a bean bag and put it on parked cars, electrical cubicles, hydrants, etc.

You can also use panorama software (Hugin for example) to align the images subsequently in your computer. I do this occasionally:

 
I'm on a similar quest and am favoring light weight and portability for travel. So far, I'm considering the Silk Sprint Pro with the 3-way head.

http://www.amazon.com/Slik-SPRINT-Travel-Panhead-Quick-Release/dp/B0006TOXAS/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I22E4WTZDLHTZC&colid=373E12ZECV2VM

For such a low-cost tripod, I'd want to play with it in a store before buying. I don't think you can fit other heads on this one. There's also the SLIK PRO 330 DX which I believe can swap heads:

http://www.amazon.com/SLIK-PRO-330-DX-Tripod/dp/B00009R6R9/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=IQ587FCDAIYF6&colid=373E12ZECV2VM
 
I bought a Slik Sprint. It's a very well made compact and light tripod. That's its pros and cons right there...
 
If the camera can take the image series by itself, a bean bag should be good enough. If you need to manipulate on the camera to change exposure between shots, a bean bag does not work.
 
I've tried every tripod brand out there I think and you cannot beat a Gitzo. The 0 size are too small, but the 1 series are fine for a camera like yours. The weight ratings are very conservative unlike some other brands that tend to be a bit optimistic.





--
Oll an gwella,
Jim



[LX1]

[FZ30] * IS/L B-300 * IS/L B-Macro * Minolta No. 0, No. 1 & No. 2 * Sunpak 383 * Benbo Trekker

[L1] * Olympus 25mm 2.8 * Hexanon 40mm 1.8 * Vivitar Series 1 135mm 2.3 * Tokina 500mm 8.0 *
 
kernow said:
I've tried every tripod brand out there I think and you cannot beat a Gitzo. The 0 size are too small, but the 1 series are fine for a camera like yours. The weight ratings are very conservative unlike some other brands that tend to be a bit optimistic.
Click to expand...
aren't they cost few times more than a camera on your pictures?
 
Last year when I was looking for a tripod to replace my 2nd not-too-expensive tripod, someone on this forum gave me good advice that I'd like to pass on: they said, instead of gettng a 3rd tripod you won't be satisfied with, get one that will last you beyond the camera you have now. I got a Manfrotto 190X Pro B, with the 804RC2 three way head (because I like 3 three way heads, get whatever head you like). The combination cost just a shade over $200.

So, now a year later, I can say that was good advice. This tripod is ROCK solid compared to what I had. It's adjustable into positions that neither of my earlier tripods could achieve (including every position with the center column horizontal, and any position with the legs spread wider than first position, not to mention that the head can tilt below horizontal and beyond vertical). So it's not just a better tripod, it lets me do things that enable pictures my previous tripod wouldn't let me take.

Gitzo is in the same class - more than good enough.

Go for it.

-- Joe S.
 
tarnumf said:
kernow said:
I've tried every tripod brand out there I think and you cannot beat a Gitzo. The 0 size are too small, but the 1 series are fine for a camera like yours. The weight ratings are very conservative unlike some other brands that tend to be a bit optimistic.
Click to expand...
aren't they cost few times more than a camera on your pictures?
Click to expand...
It depends. If new prices no, the LX1 was expensive new. If used possibly if the LX1 was used and the tripod new you would be correct. However since the tripod and the camera were both purchased used, the tripod cost less than the camera.

I don't see really why it would make a difference to spend more for a tripod than a camera. A good tripod can last a lifetime and be used on many cameras. You get what you pay for.
--
Oll an gwella,
Jim

 
kernow said:
I don't see really why it would make a difference to spend more for a tripod than a camera. A good tripod can last a lifetime and be used on many cameras. You get what you pay for.
Click to expand...
dunno, may be because it's still an accessory for point-and-shoot camera.. kinda defeats the purpose of both tripod and camera.
 
I have Cullman (forget the model number) tripod that folds flat. it's easy to travel with and will do an excellent job with a light camera.

--
Canon 40D. Canon 50mm f1.4, canon 135mm 2.8/soft focus, Canon 70-
200 f4L, Canon 24-105L.
 
tarnumf said:
kernow said:
I don't see really why it would make a difference to spend more for a tripod than a camera. A good tripod can last a lifetime and be used on many cameras. You get what you pay for.
Click to expand...
dunno, may be because it's still an accessory for point-and-shoot camera.. kinda defeats the purpose of both tripod and camera.
Click to expand...
I am not following the logic. A tripod doesn't know if it is a P&S or not. A stable well-built tripod is as important for a P&S as it is for a DSLR. I thought the purpose was to take photos that are clear and lined up with the previous frame in the case of HDR.

When or if you move up to a different camera you still have your good tripod. I am not saying get a tripod that will hold a view camera, that would be overkill for sure. The model in the photo is perfectly sized for travel and suited to a camera the size of the FZ line. Folded it is a whopping 15 inches long. With the small ball head in the photo it weighs 2.4 pounds.
--
Oll an gwella,
Jim

 
kernow said:
I am not following the logic. A tripod doesn't know if it is a P&S or not. A stable well-built tripod is as important for a P&S as it is for a DSLR.
Click to expand...
not exactly. DSLR's need tripods more as they more likely to use the telephoto, in low/insufficient light, in planned setups, etc and simply weight a lot more than P&S.

With P&S you're supposedly turn it on, take a shot and keep moving. I agree that tripod will compliment P&S camera, but not that much as DSLR, esp. as all modern small cameras have image stabilization. I would say that monopod is quite enough support for P&$.
 
tarnumf said:
kernow said:
I am not following the logic. A tripod doesn't know if it is a P&S or not. A stable well-built tripod is as important for a P&S as it is for a DSLR.
Click to expand...
not exactly. DSLR's need tripods more as they more likely to use the telephoto, in low/insufficient light, in planned setups, etc and simply weight a lot more than P&S.

With P&S you're supposedly turn it on, take a shot and keep moving. I agree that tripod will compliment P&S camera, but not that much as DSLR, esp. as all modern small cameras have image stabilization. I would say that monopod is quite enough support for P&$.
Click to expand...
Monopod wouldn't work well for HDR. I use the tripod more on my FZ30 than I do with my DSLR, just my style of shooting I guess. I do macros, and long telephotos with my FZ30 and tend to use the DSLR indoors and for people shots.

As you can see by my follow up, the tripod I mentioned would be too small for a DSLR and telephoto scenario you mentioned.

Even my small LX1 doesn't look too out of place on it.
--
Oll an gwella,
Jim

 
kernow said:
Monopod wouldn't work well for HDR. I use the tripod more on my FZ30 than I do with my DSLR, just my style of shooting I guess. I do macros, and long telephotos with my FZ30 and tend to use the DSLR indoors and for people shots.
Click to expand...
I would say you treat FZ30 same as DSLR here :)
kernow said:
As you can see by my follow up, the tripod I mentioned would be too small for a DSLR and telephoto scenario you mentioned.

Even my small LX1 doesn't look too out of place on it.
Click to expand...
what's the tripod's model number? I still think Gitzo is kinda too pricey for LX1 (or even modern LX3) as I cannot see any use for it except for occasional night shots and video.
 
tarnumf said:
kernow said:
Monopod wouldn't work well for HDR. I use the tripod more on my FZ30 than I do with my DSLR, just my style of shooting I guess. I do macros, and long telephotos with my FZ30 and tend to use the DSLR indoors and for people shots.
Click to expand...
I would say you treat FZ30 same as DSLR here :)
tarnumf said:
As you can see by my follow up, the tripod I mentioned would be too small for a DSLR and telephoto scenario you mentioned.

Even my small LX1 doesn't look too out of place on it.
Click to expand...
what's the tripod's model number? I still think Gitzo is kinda too pricey for LX1 (or even modern LX3) as I cannot see any use for it except for occasional night shots and video.
Click to expand...
It is not currently available, but the model is G1026.
--
Oll an gwella,
Jim

 
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