How do you carry the tripod during a photowalk?

[aleixandrus]

Hi!

These days I was looking for a compact sling bag for my mirrorless camera. I plan to do short hiking trails, so tripod straps was a nice feature for my 'compact' tripod (aprox 40cm 1.5kg / 16 inch 3.3lbs).

I take some shoots while walking and I have one hand occupied with the tripod, so I put it on the ground (is not ideal e.g. if there is mud) while shooting. Other times, I attach it again to the bag, but it is annoying and slows me down,

I know it is a very personal decision and depends on the particular hike but, how do you usually carry the tripod during photowalks or hikings? I mean, what do you do with the tripod while not using it? Do you attach it again to the bag? Once you take it out you, the camera is always assembled? Or do you use tripod shoulder straps?

Any comments are welcome!

--
Some of my photos: http://500px.com/aleixandrus
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[hotdog321]

These days I only carry a tripod if I plan on shooting in low light or doing long exposures. A good, sturdy tripod is frankly a pain to carry and I often just set my camera on a rock, floor, press it against a tree or column or even a wall to do fairly longish exposures.











--
photojournalist

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[Ellis Vener]

While walking it I cradle it the same way I carry a long gun, across my arm with my wrist anchoring it and across my arm at the crook of my elbow. It 's called the cradle carry and there's a photograph of that method here:

https://www.hunter-ed.com/montana/studyGuide/Cradle-Carry/201027_700048192/

When walking on rough terrain I may also use it (the tripod, not the long gun!) as a kind of walking stick.

When I stop to make a photo, if i am not going to use the tripod for the photo I lean it against my body, a nearby rock, wall, or tree but unless I absolutely have to, do not lay it on the ground.

Ellis Vener
http://www.ellisvener.com
Free your eyes and the rest will follow. (With apologies to George Clinton.)

 

[Bing Chow]

Hi!

These days I was looking for a compact sling bag for my mirrorless camera. I plan to do short hiking trails, so tripod straps was a nice feature for my 'compact' tripod (aprox 40cm 1.5kg / 16 inch 3.3lbs).

I take some shoots while walking and I have one hand occupied with the tripod, so I put it on the ground (is not ideal e.g. if there is mud) while shooting. Other times, I attach it again to the bag, but it is annoying and slows me down,

Yep. That's why I gave up on tripod attachments.

I know it is a very personal decision and depends on the particular hike but, how do you usually carry the tripod during photowalks or hikings?

Over shoulder, cradle under forearm, or just in my hand.

I mean, what do you do with the tripod while not using it? Do you attach it again to the bag?

Just open legs and put on ground. Doesn't matter if it's muddy. Tripods are meant to be used.

Once you take it out you, the camera is always assembled?

If I move a short distance, I'll just leave camera attached to tripod and throw it over my shoulder.

 

[Bobo Hodls]

I use the bag that can accommodate the tripod (we all have at least 5 bags, right? [g]), or put the GT1542 in a Vanguard tripod sleeve to have it hang from my shoulder.

Or, if not planning a tripod study when setting out I put a RSS table tripod and a RSS rail clamp in the bag. Rather, they're always in the bag (so they're never forgotten, should there be an opportunity where tripods might not be permitted).

--
...Bob, NYC
.
"Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't." - Chief Dan George, Little Big Man
.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobtullis/
http://www.bobtullis.com
.

 

[Bobby49]

I have a longer/taller tripod that I carry. When I purchased it, it came with a tripod case. However, once I installed a gimbal head, it was too tall to fit into the case. The tripod still fits into the case, but the gimbal head is sticking out six inches on one end. The tripod case has one shoulder strap. However, due to the imbalance of the head, it doesn't carry nicely. I have a second shoulder strap, and that did the trick. I know that seems odd, but two shoulder straps actually forces the tripod to balance better in an almost-upright orientation in the middle of my back.

 

[aleixandrus]

I forgot to mention my tripod comes with a nice bag, but it is not too comfortable to carry a sling bag, a tripod bag, the tripod in one hand and the camera...

Based on your suggestions, seems the best option is to attach the tripod to the sling bag or backpack until first photo with tripod. If I'll move a short distance I can left the camera attached. If not, I can carry the tripod in the hand, shoulder or "cradle carry" and left it on the ground or vertically to take more photos.

It is a silly question but for inexperience users sometimes you ask yourself if you're doing it right or if there is a simpler way. Nice to know I wasn't doing dumb things Thank you very much for your tips!

 

[42andreas]

For long distances or when I need both hands I attach the tripod back to the bag. TAkes maybe 1 minute with detaching and stroing away cam and tripod.

For short distances I put it over my shoulder, camera still attached, foot part of trpiod in my left hand....

 

[CameraCarl]

I've given up on tripod carrying straps or strapping the tripod to a bag: both are too slow and cumbersome. I usually carry the tripod in my hand or over my shoulder, often switching depending on how tired of one or the other I get. Sometimes my camera will be attached to the tripod when I carry it, but most often my camera is either in my backpack or on a strap.

 

[Rexgig0]

This is, indeed, an effective, comfortable carry method for both long guns and tripods, with, of course, the usual important caveat regarding muzzle direction if toting a firearm. (For the benefit of the wider membership, with firearms, it is at its best in open, rural areas, due to the imperative to always point the muzzle in safe directions.)

I have, also, extended one leg of a tripod, and use it as a field-expedient walking stick. This works best without a heavy camera/lens mounted on the head. This is a time when carbon fiber is a blessing.

A joystick-style head makes a tripod quicker to set-up and use, when time is of the essence to get a shot with a properly-leveled camera.

A lens with a "fast" maximum aperture, and/or Image Stabilization/Vibration Reduction/Control control, can lessen the need for a tripod.

These are random thoughts, posted pre-caffeine. ;-)

--
I wear a badge and pistol, and make evidentiary images at night, which incorporates elements of portrait, macro, still life, landscape, architecture, and PJ. I enjoy using both Canons and Nikons.

 

[keiththom]

My Tripod has a strap attached, similar to a rifle sling. I carry it exactly like I would my rifles, slung over my shoulder.

 

[Steve W]

I have several different size tripods, some easier to carry long distances than others but I don't use their cases after I leave the car with them.

ive just started to use the tripod suspension kit from mindshift gear you can find here https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876,89827194362,&A=details&Q=

it seems to work pretty well but just getting used to it. Not sure if It work with a sling bag as welll as with a backpack

Steve W

 

[chary zp]

I have a manfrotto xprob something something, which has a "strap eye" at the top between two legs like this and another a "strap eye" on a ring at the bottom of the central pillar. So with a piece of strap you can carry it like a gun, either like this 1 or that 2

 

[Russell Evans]

B&H and Amazon had the Lowepro StreamLine Sling Bag on sale for US $15 last week or so ago, and I bought one to use with an a6000, kit lens, and 55-210mm. The camera with Chinese L-bracket just makes it into the first lens slot with the 16-50mm on it. The 55-210 has to be carried by itself in the second lens slot. The fit is pretty tight.

The front pocket just barely holds the Meike MK320s flash. The inside mesh pocket includes all the area of the front of the bag. Putting small item in it means they will fall to the bottom of the bag and be a pain to dig out. It's best to have smaller bags to keep things together in this pocket. You can attach a filter or media case to the key clip to keep that case handy.

The tablet pocket is useful as well. I don't normally carry a tablet out shooting, and just use my Android phone with PlayMemories for wireless tethering or RCCdroid for usb wired tethering. I probably will just use the space for filters, batteries, and extra cards when out shooting as I think it would be easier to work out of this pocket for lose small items versus the mesh inside pocket.

The camera section of the bag is side entry and doesn't go completely across the width of the inside of the bag. This leaves room inside the main zippered compartment to slide in an Amazon Basic CF tripod on the back side of the camera section. There is still a bit of room in the main compartment above the camera section to have another lens in a lens pouch/case, such as the Samyang 12mm f2 or maybe Sony 10-18mm. You would just need to be careful when taking out the tripod not to drop the extra lens.

There is a side pocket for carrying a water bottle.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DEH5XPS/

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-52-Inch-Carbon-Travel-Tripod/dp/B00DHPCSA0

• Carbon fiber tripod with adjustable-height legs, rotating leg locks, and rubber feet
• Built in level, quick release mounting plate; Ball-head design for 360 degree rotation and 90-degree tilt
• Recommended max load weight is 8 lbs (3.6kg) for optimal performance
• Weighs 2.4 lbs; extends from 12.5” when folded to 52” when fully extended; Carrying case included
• Invertible center column for low-angle shots; Includes panoramic dial for 360 degree panning

For more urban walks this makes for a pretty compact carry solution. Something that I don't mind using with public transportation. I'm not sure about eating in a tiny NYC restaurant though, as I haven't done so yet. I normally use a Domke F-5XC shoulder bag that I can put on top of my feet and have the shoulder strap up over my knees. I probably will put the LowepPro between my ankles, and put the strap across my right knee. If I tighten the shoulder strap all the way, I don't have to squeeze the bag with my legs to keep it off the ground in this position.

Thank you
Russell

 

[dxbgal]

Hi,

I carry my Manfrotto 2Kg tripod by a Optec USA sling. Very handy, no bags nor sacs. I don't need to add weight to my already heavy tripod. It has a quick release button. I just release the lower one which straps on the legs and I am good to go. I never open the upper strap.

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www.amazon.com

Dxbgal

 

[Seedeich]

If I really have to carry a tripod, which can’t be in a daypack or attached to it, I use two 30 cm climbing slings and tie them with a lark’s head knot to each end of the tripod. Connect them with two carabiners to any kind of shoulder strap. Or make your own slings from rope.

Climbing slings and carabiners are also useful to secure gear on ships, scaffolding etc.

https://www.rei.com/c/slings?r=c&ir=category:slings&page=1

 

[pixseal]

I have pipe insulation of both of my tripods - it is very cheap and it's available at any hardware store. The closed-cell foam insulation serves 2 purposes:

1. cushion for my shoulder
2. insulation from the cold

I often leave my camera (or even my large lens) attached while carrying the tripod over my shoulder. The heavier the lens, the shorter the distance that I will leave the lens attached (I usually bring a backpack for the lens).

In some cases (where the trail is flat and dry) I use my "folding beach chair ".

 

[Bing Chow]

I have pipe insulation of both of my tripods - it is very cheap and it's available at any hardware store. The closed-cell foam insulation serves 2 purposes:

1. cushion for my shoulder
2. insulation from the cold

I do that too, for all 3 legs. I wrap the pipe insulation with hockey tape. For those who don't know, hockey tape has a "fabric" on the non-sticky side. It's used to provide grip to the puck. It's readily available, cheap, and durable.

Another benefit is protection of the upper legs from incidental nicks and scratches. Not as important for aluminum but I don't want my CF all dinged up.

 

[petrochemist]

If I really have to carry a tripod, which can’t be in a daypack or attached to it, I use two 30 cm climbing slings and tie them with a lark’s head knot to each end of the tripod. Connect them with two carabiners to any kind of shoulder strap. Or make your own slings from rope.

Climbing slings and carabiners are also useful to secure gear on ships, scaffolding etc.

https://www.rei.com/c/slings?r=c&ir=category:slings&page=1

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

Even though I have a perfect Gitzo Traveller Carbon tripod, I use a monopod/walking stick almost always.

Ok, not for long exposures but easy to carry as you use it as a walking stick. Unfortunately newer models have smaller plates and quite useless adapter systems. What is it with designers? Some evolutionary tendency to over-complicate things ;-)

In fact, the best one is the old Leki Sierra. It has asimple wooden knob and a big circular metal plate to rest your camera on. Can't go wrong, use it for more than 6 years.

--
TheBlackGrouse
Active outdoor photographer