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Weird idea for tripod stability
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Jun 1, 2019 08:39:27   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
I like the idea of a heavier tripod to begin with - with the centerpost being braced to the legs like the Manfro 475b and further using a hanging weight. Otherwise, in places where you could put a stake in the ground I would be using a relatively short/small screw type ground anchor connected to the center post with a small chain with a turnbuckle in the middle of the chain for setting the tension.

There are those here (on UHH) who would say having any centerpost to tension from is a no-no to begin with on a tripod - but I am not one - unless I am shooting with a longer lens in very low light of a stationary subject.
.

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Jun 1, 2019 08:57:22   #
olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
 
juan_uy wrote:
Hi all!

I was just wondering/thinking about tripod stability, and a "different" idea crossed my mind.
And probably it is not a good idea, either for practicality, for being more than needed, or some other fact. But here I am asking.

I am aware of the possibility of weighing down the tripod by hanging some weight from the hook in the central column (either backpack or any other weight).

Would it be useful to have one or more stakes, and using rope to tying this hook (or other firm part of the legs in some models) down to the stakes and adjusting the tension to make it more stable?

Has anyone tried something like this?
Would it be of any use?
Better or worse than just hanging some weight?

The pros, if it is a good or better solution, that I can see are:
- Stakes and rope are very light weight
- This makes sure there is no weight hanging being moved by any wind
- Allows to still have your backpack for easy access to any needed accessories
Hi all! br br I was just wondering/thinking about... (show quote)


Some folks use bungee or strips of stretchy rubber (like rubber band) in a similar fashion, it greatly reduces or dampens vibration caused by wind or touching the rig. One or two large rubber bands/small bungee on camera/lens to tripod kills/greatly reduces vibration, and then one bungee from tripod center to ground/weight/stake does same, and would also add to stability. Have also seen one on tripod run from leg to leg to leg, as vibration damper. El Cheapo Vibration Killer, LLC!!

The combo of tension/load and the elasticity work together, you want light/loose tension, not stretched tightly like a guitar string, as that could "tune" the rig to vibrate at higher frequencies (do a little experimentation for the dampening sweet spot). A small pack of various sized bungees from wallymart/whoever would fit in a small pouch/bag pocket, and always be available, just be sure to have at least one/two large enough for tripod to ground (weight/stake/backack/cam bag). My DIY $.02

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Jun 1, 2019 09:16:30   #
olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
 
10MPlayer wrote:
As a land surveyor we often had to set up our very expensive survey instrument in extremely windy conditions. If we set up on asphalt we would drive in concrete nails and wire the legs of the tripod to the nails. In soft soil we drove into the ground 8 or 12 inch long wooden hubs and wired the tripod to those. A hub is a 2 " x 2" x 12" wooden stake with a point on one end. Another option is lead shot-filled bags you can tie or wire to the legs. I thought you could probably find the shot-filled bags in a survey supply store but I couldn't find them with a quick search. You can certainly find heavy duty cloth bags and buy some buckshot and make your own.
As a land surveyor we often had to set up our very... (show quote)


Been there done that too!! Staking works! .... my younger brother is a lifelong professional land surveyor, used to assist him on larger subcontract jobs all throughout the 80's, 90's early 2000's. Florida heat, atmospheric heat waves, hot road set-ups, soft ground, rain, "the jungle" (the machete is a best friend), swamp/mud, winds, mosquitos, snakes, yellow jackets/groud bees, nasty landowners who don't know where their bounderies are, and on and on,(one life long pro LS who ls friend of ours was shot in the back by a 22LR for being in someone's orange grove years ago) - he survived, nice scare, culprit eluded prosecution, "good ole boy" network took care of him.

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Jun 1, 2019 09:19:55   #
Kuzano
 
Sounds like a variation on the DIY String Pod which B&H sells and in which you are the weight. The string attaches to the camera tripod attachment, and you step on the measured loop with one or both feet, using upward tension on the camera. The only thing you carry is the StringPod. No stakes, no hammer, and no weight aside from yourself.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/843802-REG/Steady_Web_SWAK_SC019_SteadyWeb_String_Tripod.html

or DIY (works for larger cameras as well)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjqPuHFoqhE

Fits in your pocket or camera bag.

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Jun 1, 2019 09:29:12   #
Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado
 
I suspend one water bottle from the central hook.
I have one or two water bottles always available on outdoor trips.
So far - no problems.

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Jun 1, 2019 09:42:26   #
hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
Rich1939 wrote:
"by hanging some weight from the hook in the central column"
I hope when you do this you are not actually letting the weight 'hang' freely.
For those new here, if you weight your tripod from the center hook, the weight should rest on the ground, attached to the center hook with a bungee cord. If the weight is free hanging any bit of wind, or accidental touching, can adversely affect the exposure, while a bungee between a grounded weight and the tripod will absorb some vibrations as it helps steady it .
i "by hanging some weight from the hook in t... (show quote)


I agree, a weight swinging in the wind will slightly affect the shot. You are better off doing what the OP suggested, weights at each feet.

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Jun 1, 2019 09:45:39   #
hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
10MPlayer wrote:
As a land surveyor we often had to set up our very expensive survey instrument in extremely windy conditions. If we set up on asphalt we would drive in concrete nails and wire the legs of the tripod to the nails. In soft soil we drove into the ground 8 or 12 inch long wooden hubs and wired the tripod to those. A hub is a 2 " x 2" x 12" wooden stake with a point on one end. Another option is lead shot-filled bags you can tie or wire to the legs. I thought you could probably find the shot-filled bags in a survey supply store but I couldn't find them with a quick search. You can certainly find heavy duty cloth bags and buy some buckshot and make your own.
As a land surveyor we often had to set up our very... (show quote)


As an alternative to shot-filled bags, you can use dumbbell weights one at each leg.

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Jun 1, 2019 09:56:22   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
hpucker99 wrote:
As an alternative to shot-filled bags, you can use dumbbell weights one at each leg.


There are are wrist and angle weights with velcro that work quite well also.
.

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Jun 1, 2019 09:57:29   #
Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.
 
hpucker99 wrote:
As an alternative to shot-filled bags, you can use dumbbell weights one at each leg.


If you feel the need to weight each leg, 3 empty sacks is a lot less weight to lug around than either shot or dumb bells. There is almost always something at hand (rocks etc.) to put in the sacks. Personally I think weighting all three legs is overkill except for extreme conditions. And for those, this youngster stays home.

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Jun 1, 2019 10:17:44   #
frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.
 
Rich1939 wrote:
"by hanging some weight from the hook in the central column"
I hope when you do this you are not actually letting the weight 'hang' freely.
For those new here, if you weight your tripod from the center hook, the weight should rest on the ground, attached to the center hook with a bungee cord. If the weight is free hanging any bit of wind, or accidental touching, can adversely affect the exposure, while a bungee between a grounded weight and the tripod will absorb some vibrations as it helps steady it .
i "by hanging some weight from the hook in t... (show quote)


Yes rich, the weight should just touch the ground barely, just enough to keep it from moving.....

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Jun 1, 2019 10:26:35   #
Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC
 
Rich1939 wrote:
If you feel the need to weight each leg, 3 empty sacks is a lot less weight to lug around than either shot or dumb bells. There is almost always something at hand (rocks etc.) to put in the sacks. Personally I think weighting all three legs is overkill except for extreme conditions. And for those, this youngster stays home.

The shot-filled bags and dumbbells I use were made for very tall mic stands where an accident could literally be fatal. They also get some tripod use. Depending on location, I like your empty sack idea better.

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Jun 1, 2019 10:33:00   #
Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
 
juan_uy wrote:
I was just wondering/thinking about tripod stability, and a "different" idea crossed my mind.
And probably it is not a good idea, either for practicality, for being more than needed, or some other fact. But here I am asking.


I made up a 'device' with 1/8" rod. I'll try to describe it. The device consists of a straight piece of rod about 18" long, with a 2" welded wire loop on each end. The loops are rotated 90 degrees. There are three of these rod assemblies. The one end of these assemblies are connected using a 2" welded wire loop. The device when laying flat and spread out looks like a 'Y' with a 2" wire loop at the junction of the legs. The extended part of the 'Y' has a loop at the end that lays flat on the ground. Each of the tripod legs sits in the loop at the end, and the device keeps the tripod legs from 'spreading'.

I've not had problems with uplift, my tripod is actually a tripod for an old 5 second theodolite. I have with a camera attachment on the top. The tripod is fairly massive and would not be considered as a 'camera bag, model. Uplift isn't an issue.

Dik

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Jun 1, 2019 10:37:28   #
Dbl00buk Loc: Orlando
 
Picture Taker wrote:
Use a bungee cord and step on it.


I use this technique all the time. Works perfectly.

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Jun 1, 2019 10:39:43   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
jeep_daddy wrote:
That's why some tripods have a hook in the center. Doesn't really matter what you hang from it. Put some weight on it and it's going to be more stable.. Nuff said.


Not "nuff said". If the free-hanging weight is swinging back and forth because of wind, the tripod may actually be less stable.

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Jun 1, 2019 10:41:17   #
NatureRocks
 
Rather than stakes, find a corkscrew shaped anchor; they sell them at most hardware stores (often as dog-line anchors) but mostly I’ve seen them as metal; if you could find a plastic one, it might work. But potential problems if ground is too sandy, rocky, or otherwise poorly suited.
But I like your thinking...most good developments start out as immature hunches.

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