Tripods: "small, medium, and large"

Some (photographers) seldom (if ever) use tripods, self-timers, "cable" or remote releases...

I, on the other hand, use "all of the above"! Some compact or "pocket" cameras do not accept a "cable" or remote release BUT "almost all" have tripod "sockets" and self-timers.

For the S9xxx cameras, I often use a Sony "video" tripod (with its "pan" head) and a Manfrotto ballhead mounted on the Sony's platform for added "reach" and versatility.

what is the weight limit on the ultra pod in pic 2?
--
I have a picture,
pinned to my wall.
An image of you and of me and we're laughing and loving it all.

Bad Pic kev, (BTW) It's an Ultrapod II (by Pedco)... here are "full specs":

http://www.pedcopods.com/specsup2.htm

I got mine at a "garage/yard" sale (in "primo" condition) for $5.

(I've seen them "listed" for $18.95 + $4.95 UPS 3-day at B&H Photo)

I use two different tripods once & a while and at times even a mono-pod, what type of camera is on image #3 with the manual remote. (with the Shutter release)

Richard, it is one of our two S9100 "bridge" cameras (also have an S9000) that have both mechanical "tapered socket" at the shutter release (for which I have used both standard locking cable releases as pictured AND an 18 foot air release)...

AND an "electric" release capability at the USB socket for the RR-80

(I don't use the Fuji RR-80 but instead the JJC Multi-Function Timer Remote Control TM-K that has intervalometer and other functions that the RR-80 lacks; also have a 5 conductor USB 15 foot extension cable that, used with the TM-K, gives me a total of 18 feet of "full function" corded remote... I "see around corners" by also using the camera's video "out" and an 18 foot video cable with a portable 7 inch screen "JPEG viewer/DVD player" that has an external video input).





Everything that would appear on the EVF or the "tilt" LCD is visible ("live") on the "remote viewer" screen.

(IMHO) ANY newer Fuji "bridge" camera that DOES NOT retain these features AND improve on image quality and "new feature" capability (such as improved higher ISO/lower light "quality", wider/longer zoom, higher resolution EVF and "tilt/swivel" LCD screens, etc.)... is a step BACKWARDS.

Well i never saw a tripod like the one in pic1 untill looking today on ebay.

I just bought one for 9$ with shipping, to play around a bit!

Thanks for the Infomation, I'll read up on it...

AV Janus, as the "micro" tripod under the Z5fd (pic #1) was a GIFT from my sister (who lives "half a continent away"!), I have no idea WHERE it "originally" came from... (for me, "the price was right"!).

Hi Norm,

Without doubt that is a mighty fine set of tripods you have there! As I aged and and stopped using Canon DSLR's I just could not haul them everywhere I go. Especially in the high sierras. Betty and I go as often as 4-6 times a year to the high sierras. So I started using the lighter fuji bridge cams S602zPro (4), and the S9100 (2). Basically I purchased all these camera's on a close out when Wolfe Camera started closing some stores around here. All were new and dirt cheap. I have never had so much fun as with these two models. During this time my daughter purchased a Fuji A600 which has little on it in the way of options but man within it's limits it is far more capable than I am.

For sure I enjoy everything you post here and the help and suggestions to make to others to help them improve is most nice of you.

Now when I am in the sierras or the beach and it is windy I will often carry a walking stick with a mount on top of it to use as a monopod for a camera. I purchased it on one of my trips to the high sierras. I love it and carry it all the time up there and use it for treks where it is a little unstable to walk safely and it helps stabilize me on some of these treks with the camera.

Good job on this series.

Best, Gary N W SFO

Hey Gary, even I have "lightened up" (some) in "more recent" years... I originally bought the "behemoth" Linhof Heavy Duty Pro tripod (with the geared center post) in the 60's for use with a 3.5 inch Questar Deluxe (the ONLY tripod Questar would recommend at the time). Back THEN the Questar went for a "mere" $995 and (if I remember correctly) the Linhof went for about $350 (not just any Chicago store even stocked that tripod!). The tripod went on to be used for everything from video work (with my brother) to medium format ("baby"2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Graphic and later a Hasselblad "motorized" 500EL), "large" format (a 4X5 Pacemaker Speed Graphic and a 4X5 long bellows studio view camera, i.e. "a rail job") as well as continued use with the Questar telescope.

Check out "a little history" of Questar AND Linhof (including "escalating" prices!) in this forum (ESPECIALLY "ralphfoss" and his "info")!

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchive/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1625803/page/4/view/collapsed/sb/2/o/all/fpart/1

"Those were the days, my friend!"

Hey Norm,

Really interesting note you sent me. I had a 4x5 Linhof Technica and a few lenses. I remember two were Fuji S view type cam lenses and one Rodenstock. My wife loved it when I used this camera because I had to hide my head under the viewing cloth! :0 I remember, too, having a huge wooden tripod built like a tank and Weston selenium meters. Later on more advanced meters, hand held, but pretty much left the view cam and tripod the same. For the Linhof I had the regular bellows and later I bought a custom made one MFD here in San Francisco and it was beautifully made and very reliable. At the time I was shooting mostly in Yosemite and all around the high sierras. Some of the time I did some shooting in the Grand Canyon=north and south rim. Some in Death Valley but mostly used 35mm Canon film type camera's there.

Yes and I went to the Hasselblad series C with the 80 and 150 mm lenses. They were wonderful for film and so easy to handle by comparison. And I even had a Questar super small but very powerful and very well made reflecting telescope. Although I primarily used it with older Canon film cameras such as the FTB Model.

Thanks for the great memories Norm! And, Yes, those were the days.

All the best, too,

Gary N W SFO