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Any Reason you paid TFM$$$ for your tripod???
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Jan 20, 2017 19:35:24   #
Kuzano
 
I see people complaining about how much they paid for adequate capacity for their gear on the tripod.

Isn't there a BFRock somewhere near where you are shooting?

Why not learn what I learned from NewYorkInstituteofPhotography in the seventies. Don't carry your stabilizing weight all the way to your photo site. God planted rocks there for you. Sew one of these up.

Tell RRS and some of the others to "Go Stuff It"!!!


(Download)

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Jan 20, 2017 19:45:21   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Kuzano wrote:
I see people complaining about how much they paid for adequate capacity for their gear on the tripod.

Isn't there a BFRock somewhere near where you are shooting?

Why not learn what I learned from NewYorkInstituteofPhotography in the seventies. Don't carry your stabilizing weight all the way to your photo site. God planted rocks there for you. Sew one of these up.

Tell RRS and some of the others to "Go Stuff It"!!!


I like your "rock hammock" a lot. Did you sew this up, or is this a commercially-available product (and if so, who makes it)?

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Jan 20, 2017 19:56:09   #
Kuzano
 
I think this is an open market for some enterprising person. I have used various systems, including net shopping bags, milk cartons with water (but that involves carrying them to the location?).

This one is simply taking some canvas and strapping, hook connectors and trim to an upholstery shop and having it constructed to order. Not a big deal.... unless you are into beginning a thriving business for a much needed accessory.

Frankly, I get a bit of vomit in my mouth when I think how much too much money people are paying for overbuilt, tripods and sloppy ball heads. Nothing beats a good reasonable weight 3 pan head, atop a reasonable 3 section leg medium tripod (NO CENTER POST-WORTHLESS WIGGLE), that can be stabilized with a rock or debris hammock.

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Jan 20, 2017 20:03:01   #
Kuzano
 
One other point here. I keep this bag in with my gear. However, once on the trail, when you fold your legs closed, you can just leave the "Lil Hammick" attached, and throw out the rock until the the next site, and the next rock or two. Nifty, Huh?

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Jan 20, 2017 20:36:01   #
PalePictures Loc: Traveling
 
Well,
If my Camera was that big, I think I would just take a hike and enjoy the scenery....(LOL)

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Jan 20, 2017 21:31:29   #
bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.
 
if you can't or don't want to layout the big bucks for a tripod, there are ways to get safety and stability at a cheaper price. oh, youb want me to say how? well I first go with weight capacity, then since I shoot from a sitting position, I never fully extend the legs.

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Jan 21, 2017 06:19:47   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Kuzano wrote:
I see people complaining about how much they paid for adequate capacity for their gear on the tripod.

Isn't there a BFRock somewhere near where you are shooting?

Why not learn what I learned from NewYorkInstituteofPhotography in the seventies. Don't carry your stabilizing weight all the way to your photo site. God planted rocks there for you. Sew one of these up.

Tell RRS and some of the others to "Go Stuff It"!!!


ROCK ON !!!

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Jan 21, 2017 06:19:47   #
OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey
 
And the lateral tension on those legs pulling in it's weakest direction, they'll be a day when you put just a bit to heavy a rock and you'll watch it go down like someone kinking a crutch from under someone. (the straw that broke the camels back) A tripod was designed to be at it's strongest when all three legs work in unison. Like hanging weight from a central hook, where the weight is more in an axial direction, "down the legs" instead of laterally as you show with your sling. To prove my point, press straight down on a pencil (obviously not sharpened) probably would hold 50 lbs...(guessing), then place the pencil between to items and hang that same fifty pounds from the center, pretty sure it'll break...I'll spend the $$$ on a good tripod since I'm depending on it supporting expensive gear on top.

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Jan 21, 2017 06:47:01   #
Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
 
TriX wrote:
I like your "rock hammock" a lot. Did you sew this up, or is this a commercially-available product (and if so, who makes it)?


I think Vanguard makes them....

Try Amazon for Vanguard stone bag...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_0_12?k=tripod+stone+bag&sprefix=tripod+stone

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Jan 21, 2017 06:59:15   #
Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH
 
OnDSnap wrote:
And the lateral tension on those legs pulling in it's weakest direction, they'll be a day when you put just a bit to heavy a rock and you'll watch it go down like someone kinking a crutch from under someone. (the straw that broke the camels back) A tripod was designed to be at it's strongest when all three legs work in unison. Like hanging weight from a central hook, where the weight is more in an axial direction, "down the legs" instead of laterally as you show with your sling. To prove my point, press straight down on a pencil (obviously not sharpened) probably would hold 50 lbs...(guessing), then place the pencil between to items and hang that same fifty pounds from the center, pretty sure it'll break...I'll spend the $$$ on a good tripod since I'm depending on it supporting expensive gear on top.
And the lateral tension on those legs pulling in i... (show quote)


Very good point! I think if you had the hammock attached to the center column, instead of the three legs, it would be a great gadget. Even the least expensive tripods have some type of hook on the bottom of the center column for weighting.

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Jan 21, 2017 07:12:54   #
Spiney Loc: Reading, PA
 
When we were shooting many on site High School Sr's, we needed a tripod that was strong, Lightweight, quick to setup & breakdown because I have a bad back and we'd shoot many locations per session. Paid about $300 for a Manfrotto that was very light. No leg locks, pull the legs to your required length and they stayed there. Would hold a pro Nikon digital SLR with various lenses and Radio Slave senders, and push one button and the legs collapsed to minimum. Topped with a Manfrotto Joystick head. To us was worth $300 at the time for the convenience. Replaced a much heavier Bogen with individual leg locks and a 3 way pan head with quick release.

The Tripod still looks and operates like new. Unfortunately the Joystick head has not held up as well. Despite a rebuild kit, it slips when I try to hold my Nikon D7000 with a zoom and Mitros ETTR Transceiver in the Vertical position. Will be looking for a suitable ball head.

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Jan 21, 2017 07:21:51   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
I have a Vanguard tripod. with a center post & Promaster Gimbal head. With the camera & telephoto mounted if I tap 1 of the legs half way up =vibration. If I hang my camera bag on the center post hook & tap the leg = NADA! Pretty solid. Seems to work for me, I'm kind of new at this.
The Hammock rock looks like it would work & better if you don't want to carry all your gear. Deffinitly pay attention to how much weight your putting in that hammock.











=

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Jan 21, 2017 07:29:20   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Kuzano wrote:
God planted rocks there for you.


Thanks. I always wondered about that.

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Jan 21, 2017 07:34:13   #
Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
 
jerryc41 wrote:
Thanks. I always wondered about that.


And as a respected oil sheik once said about fossil fuels, "The stone age didn't end because we ran out of stones!"

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Jan 21, 2017 08:23:52   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
OnDSnap wrote:
And the lateral tension on those legs pulling in it's weakest direction, they'll be a day when you put just a bit to heavy a rock and you'll watch it go down like someone kinking a crutch from under someone. (the straw that broke the camels back) A tripod was designed to be at it's strongest when all three legs work in unison. Like hanging weight from a central hook, where the weight is more in an axial direction, "down the legs" instead of laterally as you show with your sling. To prove my point, press straight down on a pencil (obviously not sharpened) probably would hold 50 lbs...(guessing), then place the pencil between to items and hang that same fifty pounds from the center, pretty sure it'll break...I'll spend the $$$ on a good tripod since I'm depending on it supporting expensive gear on top.
And the lateral tension on those legs pulling in i... (show quote)




Many try to solve an inadequate tripod problem with totally inadequate solutions, some of which are dangerous as you have represented. Also, I have not read of many people who have spent $1000 or more on a tripod complaining they spent too much. I do hear a lot of people complaining about spending $100 and getting blurry pictures, and wondering if the $200 model will help. Then they go out and through good money after bad buying stuf like rock-hammocks.

The majority of camera vibration that will damage sharpness in an image comes from the camera itself, primarily in the form of shutter shock - which are high frequency low amplitude vibrations that no rock will help - regardless of where it is hung from. It's funny that the manufacturer of inadequate (for long lens and macro use) tripods sells a gimmick to induce those who bought their tripods, and found them to be inadequate, to spend even more money on their goods.

The only way to stabilize a camera with shutter shock vibrations is to have a solid head and a tripod with a large base plate and thick legs. In the case of long lenses, it also helps to use your body to further stabilize things - draping your arm over the lens, and gently pressing your face against the back of the camera as you roll your finger across the shutter release at the end of an exhale - if possible - sometimes you just have to take the shot. Forget about delayed release, mirror lockup, timers, and remote release - they may help in some cases, but they are not a great solution when you are shooting things that move fast. The rock thing is great if you have a heavy "sail" of a camera, like a view camera, that might be toppled in the wind, but only if your tripod is otherwise stable enough. Besides, view cameras have leaf shutters that really don't add vibration, so it is not an issue.

Anyway, I am assuming that Kuzano has never shot a DSLR with an "adequate" tripod, or with long lenses or macro at close to 1:1 or greater magnification. His story might be different if he had. And yes, RRS and Gitzo have made names for themselves for making the best tripods for field use on the planet. I've used them, and a whole bunch of others, and can speak from experience.

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