davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

To :?: :?: last evening I was trying to shoot happy hour in the garden. I am using live-view to compose shots and fine tune the focus. While putting the final touches on an image of a flowering dogwood I noticed the image was seeming to move in the LCD. I checked the connections thinking the BH might be slipping. The rig was a Canon 5D Mk II mated to a Canon 180 mm 3.5L Macro lens with a Canon 2ply teleconverter. This is of some appreciable weight. The tripod is a carbon fiber, solid frame, 3 section per leg setup utilizing a Manfrotto hydro-static ball head. This combination is firm and stable under ideal conditions. However, the floor of the garden is less than stable. The soil is semi-loose and well mulched with wood chips. Theses conditions might be firm of footing but not the footing of a tripod carrying any weight. The feet of this unit were moving on their spots and made my image seem to float. Not conducive for tack sharp flowers! My question for the seasoned veterans here is: are there any tripods on the market utilizing platform style, flat feet? Heavy lifting cranes use external flat pads to balance and stabilize the rig while working. Are there any shooters out in "Hog-Heaven" with any experience in this area? Is the solution padded feet or ones with sharp points? Any input on this topic is greatly appreciated. TIA.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

I usually push the feet of my tripod down pretty hard to help set them into the ground, especially when the ground is soft. This will normally help by getting the feet down to more solid soil. This works on the beach as well. You can also use a weight to hang from the tripod which also can help in windy conditions. My tripod has a hook for this purpose.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Funny you should use that term, "Hog Heaven," but riders of motorcycles usually carry a small pad to put under the side stand when they park on a soft surface. So, if the garden surface isn't supporting the tripod, put a piece of something firm under each leg.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

As I have said before I have posted this many times look in the "search" function

http://www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/tripod.html

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Use these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-8-12-BROWN-CASTOR-CUPS-CHAIR-CARPET-FURNITURE-FLOOR-PROTECTORS-WOOD-LAMINATE-/261228845838?pt=UK_Flooring&var=&hash=item3cd273db0e

Patw28 Loc: PORT JERVIS, NY

Keep saying it! It's a mutual benefit thing. You're doing the OP and all the members a service. And I note that you are gentle about it. Good job!

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

A kinder gentler JR, love it. :). Hey, JR, saw your surf board pic on Sigmas website yesterday. Way to go!

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Sorry, I was abrupt, looking back, apologies.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right! I just saw that.

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

take 3 old CD or DVD's and put one under each foot of the tripod. this spreads the weight out and prevents sinking. It works on dirt and snow

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Get a set of furniture sliders (picture below) from Home Depot. They will keep your tripod from sinking. If you use tripod spikes on the sliders, ypu can also slide the tripod across smooth ground. I suggest using the white sliders, but put several spots of bright orange nail polish (yes, it's a common Walmart or Target color) to be able to see the sliders after you have picked up the tripos.

Furniture Sliders - Home Depot

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Thanks for this topic - it looks like I am going to get away on a photo/fishing trip at the end of the month and I now I'll be setting up my tripod on some wetlands around a couple lakes - some good tips here and in the sites posted.
:thumbup: :thumbup:

altheman Loc: Christchurch, New Zealand

Vanguard make a tripod with flat feet check it out here: http://www.vanguardworld.com.au/index.php/pv/products/photo-video/list-1-4-223.html
Also other models have fat feet

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's one funny looking tripod. I bet the other tripods laugh at it.

gilril Loc: Wilton, Maine

A very comprehensive treatise on tripods, heads, and their use. Thank you.......