Very Confused On Tripods

Duh!

No idea what I want or need here. I've never been a tripod user (I generally use 'nature's' tripods - any handy surface or rail) so I'm starting from zero here.

I know I'll need something for fast/heavy glass. I also know that some people might have two tripods, one for very stable studio and portrait type work, and 1 lighter travel/mobile one.

Beyond that I'm clue-less! )

So - where to start looking? These forums are great, but the tripod details are somewhat scattered. I don't want a huge tripod, but I don't want to scrimp and regret it either.

Questions I am unsure about, starting from 10D, Grip, 24-70, 550EX, more fast glass in the future...

Quick release - apart from as the name suggests, what is involved here? Getting a matching unit that seats your camera and tripod head?

Tripod 'heads'. It seems no-one who is serious (apologies for the generalisation) uses a bundled head, and prefers to supplement their tripod with a specific head unit.

Heads seem to be pan, tilt, quick release, joystick, side-kick all sorts.

I want a tripod I can use indoors, walk around a little bit (not hiking or all day trekking) fly with (have large suitcase fits most things in) and use outdoors in average conditions (street windy, not mountaintop windy).

I took a stab afer reading around and saw this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=319538&is=REG&si=acc#goto_itemInfo

Bogen/Manfrotto 3001BN (Black) with 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head (RC2 Quick Release) good for 11lbs/5kg.

It weighs in at 2.33kg/5.1lb and raises to 50.5" without column (apparently column adds instability and can be a bad thing).

Overall this seems like a good unit, but what do I know? $191 is around or slightly less than I expected to pay, so I'm sure it is not the right thing, I always under-budget!

Any help appreciated. For the aspiring amateur photographer (aspiring to be amateur that is!) is this effective, overkill, junk? What else do I need to put with it (there is a long list of acessories below it) to make an effective combo?

Thanks in advance,

Pete.

peteb said:

Overall this seems like a good unit, but what do I know? $191 is
around or slightly less than I expected to pay, so I'm sure it is
not the right thing, I always under-budget!

Click to expand...

I got a Bogen 3021N Tripod and 486RC2 and an extra quick release plate for just about that price. The Tripod and the head both support 13.2 lbs. I'm not an expert on tripods, but I know a lot of people here use the 3021 and I'm very pleased with the 486 Ball head (although I'd really like a motorcycle grip ballhead, but I couldn't justify triple the cost). I have one quick release plate on my camera and one on my Sigma 50-500 - they're small and unobtrusive so once they're on you tend not to notice them even if you're not using the tripod.

--
'Me fail English? That's unpossible!'

Pete...I went with the Bogen 3221WN with a 488RC2 ball head...very sturdy, probably weighs a little more than what you listed. I think this combo would cost less than $250...not sure as I got it as a trade for some film equipment.

Jack

peteb said:

Duh!

No idea what I want or need here. I've never been a tripod user (I
generally use 'nature's' tripods - any handy surface or rail) so
I'm starting from zero here.

I know I'll need something for fast/heavy glass. I also know that
some people might have two tripods, one for very stable studio and
portrait type work, and 1 lighter travel/mobile one.

Beyond that I'm clue-less! )

So - where to start looking? These forums are great, but the
tripod details are somewhat scattered. I don't want a huge tripod,
but I don't want to scrimp and regret it either.

Questions I am unsure about, starting from 10D, Grip, 24-70, 550EX,
more fast glass in the future...

Quick release - apart from as the name suggests, what is involved
here? Getting a matching unit that seats your camera and tripod
head?

Tripod 'heads'. It seems no-one who is serious (apologies for the
generalisation) uses a bundled head, and prefers to supplement
their tripod with a specific head unit.

Heads seem to be pan, tilt, quick release, joystick, side-kick all
sorts.

I want a tripod I can use indoors, walk around a little bit (not
hiking or all day trekking) fly with (have large suitcase fits most
things in) and use outdoors in average conditions (street windy,
not mountaintop windy).

I took a stab afer reading around and saw this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=319538&is=REG&si=acc#goto_itemInfo

Bogen/Manfrotto 3001BN (Black) with 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head
(RC2 Quick Release) good for 11lbs/5kg.

It weighs in at 2.33kg/5.1lb and raises to 50.5" without column
(apparently column adds instability and can be a bad thing).

Overall this seems like a good unit, but what do I know? $191 is
around or slightly less than I expected to pay, so I'm sure it is
not the right thing, I always under-budget!

Any help appreciated. For the aspiring amateur photographer
(aspiring to be amateur that is!) is this effective, overkill,
junk? What else do I need to put with it (there is a long list of
acessories below it) to make an effective combo?

Thanks in advance,

Pete.

Click to expand...

Hi Pete,

The way I look at it is like this. If you choose the right tripod the first time
around you will never out grow it's usefulness.

Stability and Weight go hand in hand. The more the tripod can support the
more it will weigh and that is just the way it's going to be. Do you mind
lugging around a 5+ Pound tripod?

Make sure the tripod is tall enough for you to be able to look through your
camera's viewfinder without having to stoop down or extend the center
column. For me the choice was easy.. I am 6'2" and the Manfrotto 3221WN
was the only one that fit my needs.

Bending over will kill your back!

Make sure that the tripod can handle your future lenses. Sure you may not
have that 1000mm Super Uber Telephoto today but if you buy the tripod
today with a max weight rating of 8Lbs and two years from now you get
a lens that weighs 11 Lbs now you are SOL... And it will be time to fork
over more money for a tripod.

Do you want a geared column or rapid column? Do you want to be able
to remove the column and mount it upside down or angled? These are
all features that different tripods have, even within the same manufacturer.

Are you a nature photographer? Perhaps you may want a green tripod to
better blend in.. Are you going to use it in winter? Perhaps you will want
leg warmers then..

Do you want Aluminum for it's fairly low cost to weight ratio? Or is price
no object? Then Carbon Fiber is the answer!

Heads are very subjective and it would be best to try the heads out before
buying one.. The Manfrotto Grip Ball Heads feel neat in the hand but
Manfrotto says they are not meant to be used to pan a long tele lens as
you need a hand on the camera and will need to keep the other hand on
the grip to keep the ball unlocked and that can be hard on the hands.

Many swear by the Arca Swiss B1 and the Kirk B2 but there are also many
other options like the Novoflex Magic Ball, Linhoff Profi's and the Acra Tech
Ultimate Ball Head.

Good luck in what ever choice you make!

--



http://www.westol.com/~brettd/sd10/gallery/

I had a Bogen 3021 but it was stolen along with the car while on vaction, but that is another story. I ended up with a Slik 700dx and I am very happy with it. I have since replaced the pan/tilt head with a ballhead and added the shorter center post. It all depends on your price range to make the final choice.

Brett DiMichele said:

Hi Pete,

The way I look at it is like this. If you choose the right tripod
the first time
around you will never out grow it's usefulness.

Stability and Weight go hand in hand. The more the tripod can
support the
more it will weigh and that is just the way it's going to be. Do
you mind
lugging around a 5+ Pound tripod?

Make sure the tripod is tall enough for you to be able to look
through your
camera's viewfinder without having to stoop down or extend the center
column. For me the choice was easy.. I am 6'2" and the Manfrotto
3221WN
was the only one that fit my needs.

Bending over will kill your back!

Make sure that the tripod can handle your future lenses. Sure you
may not
have that 1000mm Super Uber Telephoto today but if you buy the tripod
today with a max weight rating of 8Lbs and two years from now you get
a lens that weighs 11 Lbs now you are SOL... And it will be time to
fork
over more money for a tripod.

Do you want a geared column or rapid column? Do you want to be able
to remove the column and mount it upside down or angled? These are
all features that different tripods have, even within the same
manufacturer.

Are you a nature photographer? Perhaps you may want a green tripod to
better blend in.. Are you going to use it in winter? Perhaps you
will want
leg warmers then..

Do you want Aluminum for it's fairly low cost to weight ratio? Or
is price
no object? Then Carbon Fiber is the answer!

Heads are very subjective and it would be best to try the heads out
before
buying one.. The Manfrotto Grip Ball Heads feel neat in the hand but
Manfrotto says they are not meant to be used to pan a long tele
lens as
you need a hand on the camera and will need to keep the other hand on
the grip to keep the ball unlocked and that can be hard on the hands.

Many swear by the Arca Swiss B1 and the Kirk B2 but there are also
many
other options like the Novoflex Magic Ball, Linhoff Profi's and the
Acra Tech
Ultimate Ball Head.

Good luck in what ever choice you make!

--



http://www.westol.com/~brettd/sd10/gallery/

Click to expand...

peteb said:

Duh!

No idea what I want or need here.
So - where to start looking? These forums are great, but the
tripod details are somewhat scattered. I don't want a huge tripod,
but I don't want to scrimp and regret it either.

Click to expand...

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Please don't kill me for posting a Nikon link on a canon forum, but this is the best tripod information I've read...so I believe it's not brand specific.
--
Regards....Matt K
' Why isn't Phonetic spelled the way it sounds ???? '

'You only get one sunrise and one sunset a day and you only get so many days on the planet. A good photographer does the math and doesn't waste either.'....Galen Rowell

Tripods are used for carrying and stabilisation purposes. So a tripod should be as heavy and sturdy as possible. A thing most people don't get is that the center column of a tripod should only be extended as little as possible (for stability reasons); most tripods I see are too small, the leg size you need depends on your height.

Further, chances are that you will need special parts for special applications, so I recommend you to stay with one of the major brands. My choice is Manfrotto/Bogen.

Once you have decided on the legs, then there's the issue with the head and the quick release plates. There are two type of heads that are useful: ballheads to quickly (but not accuratly) through the camera into position and geared three-way heads to accuratly position the camera. Which head is good for you depends on what you shoot; most photographers have both. Quick release plates are a pain in the lower neck: sooner or later, you will end up with all sorts of plates and adapters, it's hopeless...
...these are the good ones...

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=100&itemid=317

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=100&itemid=316
...and these are the bad, but the ones everybody is going for...

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=100&itemid=315

Louis,

I agree with everything except the quick release plate part of your post.

If you invest in one system it's not hard to keep with that system for all
of your needs and you don't really need a bunch of adaptors.

I am sticking with the Manfrotto 3157QR Scheme and it works on my
3030 Pan/Tilt head and I am also installing a Manfrotto 3157QR Plate on my
Giottos MH3000 Ball Head.

All of the major ball heads that I looked at could be purchased without
any top plate for just this reason, so you can install your own QR setup
that suits your needs.

--



http://www.westol.com/~brettd/sd10/gallery/

I have had an old tripod, I think it's a sunpak, I've had it for a long time.
It's too weak for modern heavy glass. I used to use it w/ my old Nikon.
It's far too weak for a 10D and even a 24-70L.

I wanted hands' on experience. I wanted to set up and tear down every model available. I had already gone through this with the monopod and ballhead, so I knew the shops that carried Bogen, Gitzo, Slik, and other tripods. I sat down and tried them out. I ruled out carbon fiber. I don't need it, and it's too expensive. When and if I start making $$$, I'll consider it, but until then, aluminum is it.

I wanted to handle at least 10 lbs, I found that i hated twist locks, and loved snap locks. I didn't want maximum height to be lower than eye level. I wanted to go low (4" to 10") for low angle shots. I would prefer 4 segments to get a shorter collapsed size, but would settle for 3 segments.

That rules out the entire Gitzo line (twist locks). It also rules out the Bogen 3001, and the 3011. Too short, and the 3011 uses worthless wing nuts. I ruled out Slik. Too... flimsy?

The 3021Pro has every feature I've looked for. It's about 5 lbs. It's 24" collapsed. It'll handle 13.3 lbs. It goes low (4") and high (69.3"). It also has a center column that pivots vertically or horizontally. I think that would be ideal for some macro photography. Perfectly priced at about $140.

Ballheads. I want a ball with quick release. The 3265 and 322RC2 are too little. Not enough weight, but otherwise, very appealing.

I already have a 486RC2 for my monopod which works fine... but for a tripod, I think I'd like better panning capability. The 488RC2 has a better pan feature, and is slightly bigger and handles more weight than the 486. And, it's cheap at $90.

So, I'm covering a lot of bases without sacrificing too much, and getting quality for very little money. I'm not spending $1000 on a 3lb carbon fiber tripod and Arca Swiss 1.7lb ballhead that can handle 90lbs. I don't need it. I'd rather take that money and spend it on a nice macro lens.

--
10D, 24-70L, 70-200 F2.8L IS, 50mm F1.4, 550EX. Bogen 680B w/ 486RC2.
Nikon FE + collection of lenses.

I have the 488RC0 with one of the "good" QR plates according to Louis4444.

Jack G Heckler said:

Jack

peteb said:

Duh!

No idea what I want or need here. I've never been a tripod user (I
generally use 'nature's' tripods - any handy surface or rail) so
I'm starting from zero here.

I know I'll need something for fast/heavy glass. I also know that
some people might have two tripods, one for very stable studio and
portrait type work, and 1 lighter travel/mobile one.

Beyond that I'm clue-less! )

So - where to start looking? These forums are great, but the
tripod details are somewhat scattered. I don't want a huge tripod,
but I don't want to scrimp and regret it either.

Questions I am unsure about, starting from 10D, Grip, 24-70, 550EX,
more fast glass in the future...

Quick release - apart from as the name suggests, what is involved
here? Getting a matching unit that seats your camera and tripod
head?

Tripod 'heads'. It seems no-one who is serious (apologies for the
generalisation) uses a bundled head, and prefers to supplement
their tripod with a specific head unit.

Heads seem to be pan, tilt, quick release, joystick, side-kick all
sorts.

I want a tripod I can use indoors, walk around a little bit (not
hiking or all day trekking) fly with (have large suitcase fits most
things in) and use outdoors in average conditions (street windy,
not mountaintop windy).

I took a stab afer reading around and saw this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=319538&is=REG&si=acc#goto_itemInfo

Bogen/Manfrotto 3001BN (Black) with 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head
(RC2 Quick Release) good for 11lbs/5kg.

It weighs in at 2.33kg/5.1lb and raises to 50.5" without column
(apparently column adds instability and can be a bad thing).

Overall this seems like a good unit, but what do I know? $191 is
around or slightly less than I expected to pay, so I'm sure it is
not the right thing, I always under-budget!

Any help appreciated. For the aspiring amateur photographer
(aspiring to be amateur that is!) is this effective, overkill,
junk? What else do I need to put with it (there is a long list of
acessories below it) to make an effective combo?

Thanks in advance,

Pete.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Thanks everyone for the replies. Looks like I have a lot of learning and reading to do. As with everything what I'm learning first of all is that there is a lot of personal preference and thus different ways to do things.

I need to really evaluate my needs I guess over the next few days and decide where I want to be. I cannot imagine dropping $1k on a tripod setup, but $250 sounds reasonable. I'm not planning on crawling through the long grass to get shots of eagles or other birds in flight so that should simplify my options somewhat. I'm not a sports photographer (well, until my daughter grows up and does some) so nothing too demanding just yet. My uses really will be limited to landscape, night and occasional tele shots.

Lots of great advice and responses here, and it gives me what I need most, some options and advice. Once I get some part numbers, I can search further around here to get other experiences and hopefuly learn something.

Thanks everyone so far who has offered their advice!

Pete.

peteb said:

It weighs in at 2.33kg/5.1lb and raises to 50.5" without column
(apparently column adds instability and can be a bad thing).

Click to expand...

Since no one has mentioned this yet, you can usually fix any instability like that by hanging your camera bad under the apex of the tripod. Many tripods either come with a hook for this purpose or can have one added. It also has the additional advantage that your bag of expensive glass is a little less accessible to the opportunistic thief while you are peering through the lens.

As others have said; a tripod is for life! You are already looking at good (expensive) brands, so you stand to be even more out of pocket if you make a bad choice than someone who just bought cheap. Don't just look at your current glass; add some margin for bigger lenses in the future.

--
Check out my gallery, great samples.

http://www.pbase.com/canon__10d

When it breaks, you just got to laugh about it .

What I have is a Manfrotto/Bogen 3205GN and a 3030G head Comes with a nice strap to help lug it around. It's a very sturdy tripod for around $190.00
Roger

This was difficult for me. I don't use a tripod often. I couldn't afford a carbon fiber one, but this Gitzo was recommended highly. I got the G2220. I then had to decide on heads. I have three all with quick releases. Ball head Bogen 486RC2: 3 way pan/tilt QR Bogen 3047; and Bogen 3229 swivel tilt. I like it on my monopod for the zoo better than using the ballhead. All of this is very heavy, sturdy equipment for using a 10D with longer lenses. Maybe overkill? I have the 70-200LIS and the 100-400L IS and the grip, so that's pretty heavy gear.

I decided on these things after all sorts of advice over a week or so on the forum.

peteb said:

Thanks everyone for the replies. Looks like I have a lot of
learning and reading to do. As with everything what I'm learning
first of all is that there is a lot of personal preference and thus
different ways to do things.

I need to really evaluate my needs I guess over the next few days
and decide where I want to be. I cannot imagine dropping $1k on a
tripod setup, but $250 sounds reasonable. I'm not planning on
crawling through the long grass to get shots of eagles or other
birds in flight so that should simplify my options somewhat. I'm
not a sports photographer (well, until my daughter grows up and
does some) so nothing too demanding just yet. My uses really will
be limited to landscape, night and occasional tele shots.

Lots of great advice and responses here, and it gives me what I
need most, some options and advice. Once I get some part numbers,
I can search further around here to get other experiences and
hopefuly learn something.

Thanks everyone so far who has offered their advice!

Pete.

Click to expand...

Gitzo 1325 + Acratech Ultimate Ballhead. Rock solid, and quite light. Bare minimum I would consider is Gitzo 1227 (never buy a 4 section tripod). However, Velbon Carmagne 630 is another very good one worth considering.

Go here: http://www.photographyreview.com/Tripods/PLS_3114crx.aspx

Read all the reviews, and then get the SLIK 700DX. It out performs better known brand name tripods that cost over twice as much. Spend the money you save on a good photo backpack.

--
Frank Weston - http://www.weston.smugmug.com

peteb said:

Duh!

No idea what I want or need here. I've never been a tripod user (I
generally use 'nature's' tripods - any handy surface or rail) so
I'm starting from zero here.

Click to expand...

you still can use them. the clamper pod, the ultrapod and a few others attach to branches and the like.

peteb said:

I know I'll need something for fast/heavy glass. I also know that
some people might have two tripods, one for very stable studio and
portrait type work, and 1 lighter travel/mobile one.

Click to expand...

most from bogen, gitzo, manfrotto are strong enough. but the head should be strong enough for that weight. it's rated it as such.

peteb said:

Beyond that I'm clue-less! )

So - where to start looking? These forums are great, but the
tripod details are somewhat scattered. I don't want a huge tripod,
but I don't want to scrimp and regret it either.

Click to expand...

first - what do you shoot and where?

are you on a level surface? rocky? sandy? snowy? muddy? are their stairs or for tight spaces?

do you mind it being heavy, or long? how much do you want to spend?

i have the gitzo explorer, if i were getting a new one i would got with a Uni-Loc, or a benbo. they all have the same design, but the uniloc is a better more flexible system.

peteb said:

Questions I am unsure about, starting from 10D, Grip, 24-70, 550EX,
more fast glass in the future...

Quick release - apart from as the name suggests, what is involved
here? Getting a matching unit that seats your camera and tripod
head?

Click to expand...

the head you buy seperatly - with the same amount of confusion as the legs. the quick release plate attaches to the camera and stays there. set the pod up, and when you need to, you can remove the camera fast. or attach it to something like a monopod. it's just as it implies, it's a quick release.

peteb said:

Tripod 'heads'. It seems no-one who is serious (apologies for the
generalisation) uses a bundled head, and prefers to supplement
their tripod with a specific head unit.

Click to expand...

the problem with a bundle is, you can't get exactly what you want. it's the same as the slr, with the exception of that 300 model, lenses don't come with it; becuase people have different needs. you might want a pan head. or a pan tilt. or a ball head. or a quick release ball head. you can spend quite a bit on a good head.

also packaged units, often the quality stinks.

peteb said:

Heads seem to be pan, tilt, quick release, joystick, side-kick all
sorts.

Click to expand...

i have a pan, tilt, and portrait. it sticks a bit, but works well enough. a ball head is faster, but i've heard horror stories of having it release by itself. quick release is what i have on mine. joystick is cool, it's fast, but you have a 6" overlap from the center. it's fairly bulky, and i can't imagine it being that strong as it's a ball joint, and i don't think a very big one.

peteb said:

I want a tripod I can use indoors, walk around a little bit (not
hiking or all day trekking) fly with (have large suitcase fits most
things in) and use outdoors in average conditions (street windy,
not mountaintop windy).

Click to expand...

that makes the choice easier. you should need a real flexible system. just something that opens in the traditional way. get something with a hook on the center column so you can hang a weight off of it.

peteb said:

I took a stab afer reading around and saw this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=319538&is=REG&si=acc#goto_itemInfo

Bogen/Manfrotto 3001BN (Black) with 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head
(RC2 Quick Release) good for 11lbs/5kg.

It weighs in at 2.33kg/5.1lb and raises to 50.5" without column
(apparently column adds instability and can be a bad thing).

Overall this seems like a good unit, but what do I know? $191 is
around or slightly less than I expected to pay, so I'm sure it is
not the right thing, I always under-budget!

Click to expand...

the only way to really know is to go to your local camera store and try them outl or do seperate research on those items. personally i don't think that grip is future proof. the camera weighs about 2 lbs, the flash another 1 lb, most lenses start around 1/2 pound or more. assuming you get camera crazy like the rest of us, you'll have a 3.5 lb lens on it. so far that's 6-7 pounds, not including a power pack, etc.

so it might work, and it might not, it's hard to say. the only real way is to play with it and if it feels like junk, then it is....

though i am thinking of getting the joystick type for my monopod, as it looks like an easy adjuster.

peteb said:

Any help appreciated. For the aspiring amateur photographer
(aspiring to be amateur that is!) is this effective, overkill,
junk? What else do I need to put with it (there is a long list of
acessories below it) to make an effective combo?

Click to expand...

always buy quality up front. it's never overkill (unless you can't carry it). it's an investment. it should still work even after your long dead. too many people buy junk. they think if they buy a new pod every year from walmart for $25, it would save them a bunch instead of spending $300 now. but in the long run if you camera falls off and breaks - now what? i remember someone bragging how he spent $30 on a pod, it fell, and he taped it back together. wow what quality....

as for acessories - it depends on what you do, and what it can take. mine has steel points and rubber booty's on it. i think i can get snow shoes as well. soft grips, a bag, they have stuff you'll never really need.

---Mike Savad

peteb said:

Thanks in advance,

Pete.

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/savad/
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/view?id=9050
http://www.artsig.com/go/users/view?id=52

peteb said:

Thanks everyone for the replies. Looks like I have a lot of
learning and reading to do. As with everything what I'm learning
first of all is that there is a lot of personal preference and thus
different ways to do things.

I need to really evaluate my needs I guess over the next few days
and decide where I want to be. I cannot imagine dropping $1k on a
tripod setup, but $250 sounds reasonable. I'm not planning on
crawling through the long grass to get shots of eagles or other
birds in flight so that should simplify my options somewhat. I'm
not a sports photographer (well, until my daughter grows up and
does some) so nothing too demanding just yet. My uses really will
be limited to landscape, night and occasional tele shots.

Lots of great advice and responses here, and it gives me what I
need most, some options and advice. Once I get some part numbers,
I can search further around here to get other experiences and
hopefuly learn something.

Thanks everyone so far who has offered their advice!

Pete.

Click to expand...

$200-$300 is about right.

i think it was $220 for my legs. $80 for my head. and if you want something else, get a monopod as well. it's much more convient, and works well on a trip.

---Mike Savad

--
http://www.pbase.com/savad/
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/view?id=9050
http://www.artsig.com/go/users/view?id=52

Andy Blanchard said:

Since no one has mentioned this yet, you can usually fix any
instability like that by hanging your camera bad under the apex of
the tripod.

Click to expand...

I don't think this is a good idea since even a modest breeze will start moving the bag and therefore introduce shake. But adding weight is a good idea; a suitable way to do this is...

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=4&itemid=360

...I'm not promoting expensive accessories; there are many DIY solutions doing the same trick; velcro tape is your friend...