ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

I am planning on a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. I know the rapids will be fierce and we will be tossed all about.

What type of tripod would you recommend as a stable platform in the raft? I plan on using a 500mm lens. And before you say it, I know that the pointy parts of the tripod feet need to be retracted.

And should I use a UV filter or will a hood work better for protection?

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

A tripod "stable platform" raft :) :) :)

HAND HOLD.

And blasted good luck using a 500mm lens on white water, will LOOVE to see the results

Oh and you will not be allowed, full stop, as you would be sued to death if you injured someone

I suggest waterproof camera and lots of insurance for your gear

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

This was taken from a STABLE position

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

I would have thought a waterproof helmet-cam would be a better bet while you hold on for dear life.
Good luck on this one.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

No offense meant but gezzzzzzzzzz, reread what you wrote first (we will be tossed about ) do tell whats going to keep the tripod from being tossed about or do you plan on glueing or welding it in place ?
I would invest in one of those waterproof underwater cameras with a good safety strap attached instead of buying a tripod .

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Ask them to go back the next day for your camera

CanonShot Loc: Lancaster County, PA

Oc, you NEED to rethink your adventure with a 500 or anything close to that on any water with Class 3 rapids or higher.

-Suggestion 1: (I DO NOT recommend this, but you need to know the risks)
Do you have a friend who owns a pick-up truck? Or a friend of a friend that owns one. Ask him/her to drive you at a gentle 20 mph over the roughest back road near Baltimore as you sit facing backward in the MIDDLE of the bed of the truck. Even at this slow speed you will get about zero decent pix either by handholding or tripod based pix and it will throw you around enough so you will not be able to predict any balanced spots to get even a grab shot of decent quality. Then, make one more trip at variable mph speeds between 20-40 mph at the driver's discretion. This, by the way, will not give you anything close to the magnitude of the Colorado River rapids.

-Suggestion 2: (I DO NOT recommend this, but you need to know the risks)
Do you have a friend that has a boat (75+ hp. motor) moored at Ocean City or somewhere along the shore. Set up the 500 in the bow (handheld or tripod) and have your buddy pick the route where he opens the throttle and gives you a joyride during the incoming tide period.

Your upcoming whitewater adventure will physically test your ability to merely maintain your own body position in the raft and don't count on that happening. I am guessing that your desire to take a 500 indicates that you are about to take your FIRST true whitewater rafting excursion on any water with Class 2 or higher water. Mentally, you are in for some h_llish moments where the shear speed of the splashing water and drop-offs with make you think of going over Niagara Falls. The closeness of the rocks and the roaring of the rapids will play into this, too. Honestly, you will find it difficult to hold on to an iPhone.

Great adventure ahead for you. Remember, anything not packed away and strapped down in the raft has little chance of surviving all those rapids. You will definitely have water in that raft. Would you throw your 500 into a bathtub filled with water?

Kinopless Loc: Mandurah, Western Australia

Sometimes I pause and wonder whether we are just being baited by plainly silly posts.. just a thought.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I too thought that when I read Tripod/raft/water

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I see Ocbeyer has not responded yet

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I'd be concerned about me staying in the raft first. And I can't imagine taking a camera with a long lens... Let alone try to take photos from the raft. This just doesn't sound right. :roll:

cockney greg Loc: London E17

I think Ocbeyer should change the name to bassmaster, for reeling you all in!!

Add Loc: S.W.Florida

Take a waterproof P&S and have its strap well fastened to your body.A 500 would be a waist of time.Wide angle only if one extreme or the other.You will have blur only with a 500.

Kinopless Loc: Mandurah, Western Australia

Another one bites the dust.....

Georgia Peddler Loc: Brunswick, GA

Please plan to have someone film this ill-advised adventure so you can post it here for us to view after the fact