Tripod Vibration Ideas: Im about to start taking long exposures and naturally I will have to use a tripod. I have a few of them but rarely use them. I have a big Manfrotto one for a...

kpassaur Loc: Valrico FL

Im about to start taking long exposures and naturally I will have to use a tripod. I have a few of them but rarely use them. I have a big Manfrotto one for a medium format camera with Manfrottos version of a Gimbal head. Two medium sized Manfrottos, one with a trigger head and the other with a pan head. I also have a small light weight Costso special where you can unscrew a leg and then you have a monopod (this will fit in a camera bag) and finally an old Quick-Set Low Boy. For around home I can use anything, but I am planning a trip, so the big Manfrotto is out. From what I have read tripod vibration is a big issue.

I havent done any tests yet except for pinging the tripod legs with my finger nail and surprising enough the old Low Boy performed the best. Plus this thing will almost fit in a camera bag. Quick Set made a High Boy and a Low Boy, the high boy is a little bit bigger. If you havent heard of Quick Set tripods it is because they got out of making consumer products years ago and now they just make commercial tripods (movie industry and such)

Anyway, I know some people add a weight to the center column such as a camera bag to reduce vibration. Then I read make sure it rests a little on the ground so that it will not move in the wind. I also read is better to put a bean bag on top of the camera. Oh yeah I also read somewhere you are better off hanging a weight off of your camera strap (not the tripod) but again not swinging but touching the ground. After all this I read about anti-vibration pads for the legs of your tripod, which makes a lot of sense to me if you are on a hard flat surface. Perhaps useless outdoors?

Anyway these are usually used for astrometry where vibration is a big issue. I found that there are some very expensive camera tripod heads designed to absorb some of the vibration. So, I started researching more on anti-vibration products in general and I saw a 3 inch rubber foot pad - perhaps put one in between the head and the tripod just a idea.

My question is have you ever used any anti-vibration products with your tripod? If so which ones? Do you use a weight, if so, do you attach it to the camera or tripod? Do you use a bean bag on top of the camera?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Keep it simple and keep it short, both lens and tripod.

Unless the wind is strong, you have a long lens, you bump the tripod or the earth is shaking, any Manfrotto will be more than enough.

Use a remote release or a shutter delay and don't touch it while the shutter is open.

Bean bags, weights and isolators may help if conditions are abnormal.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

kpassaur wrote:

Anyway, I know some people add a weight to the center column such as a camera bag to reduce vibration.

Just make sure you don't exceed the weight rating of the tripod.

zigipha Loc: north nj

You may want to do a test with a long exposure shot on a stationary object and see what comes out; see how much of a problem you have.

I don't think anything can help with bumping into the tripod; if the tripod settles in a spot different from the original you have blur.

re wind - seems the best would be to keep it as low to ground as possible; don't extend the legs or the middle column.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

kpassaur wrote:

Im about to start taking long exposures and naturally I will have to use a tripod. I have a few of them but rarely use them. I have a big Manfrotto one for a medium format camera with Manfrottos version of a Gimbal head. Two medium sized Manfrottos, one with a trigger head and the other with a pan head. I also have a small light weight Costso special where you can unscrew a leg and then you have a monopod (this will fit in a camera bag) and finally an old Quick-Set Low Boy. For around home I can use anything, but I am planning a trip, so the big Manfrotto is out. From what I have read tripod vibration is a big issue.

I havent done any tests yet except for pinging the tripod legs with my finger nail and surprising enough the old Low Boy performed the best. Plus this thing will almost fit in a camera bag. Quick Set made a High Boy and a Low Boy, the high boy is a little bit bigger. If you havent heard of Quick Set tripods it is because they got out of making consumer products years ago and now they just make commercial tripods (movie industry and such)

Anyway, I know some people add a weight to the center column such as a camera bag to reduce vibration. Then I read make sure it rests a little on the ground so that it will not move in the wind. I also read is better to put a bean bag on top of the camera. Oh yeah I also read somewhere you are better off hanging a weight off of your camera strap (not the tripod) but again not swinging but touching the ground. After all this I read about anti-vibration pads for the legs of your tripod, which makes a lot of sense to me if you are on a hard flat surface. Perhaps useless outdoors?

Anyway these are usually used for astrometry where vibration is a big issue. I found that there are some very expensive camera tripod heads designed to absorb some of the vibration. So, I started researching more on anti-vibration products in general and I saw a 3 inch rubber foot pad - perhaps put one in between the head and the tripod just a idea.

My question is have you ever used any anti-vibration products with your tripod? If so which ones? Do you use a weight, if so, do you attach it to the camera or tripod? Do you use a bean bag on top of the camera?

Im about to start taking long exposures and natur... (show quote)

The only anti-vibration devices I use are a bean bag (UNDER the camera), or a tripod. A weight can help steady a flimsy tripod, but I'd not attach it to the camera.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

bsprague wrote:

Keep it simple and keep it short, both lens and tripod.

Unless the wind is strong, you have a long lens, you bump the tripod or the earth is shaking, any Manfrotto will be more than enough.

Use a remote release or a shutter delay and don't touch it while the shutter is open.

Bean bags, weights and isolators may help if conditions are abnormal.

In windy weather, and when on softish ground (read not rock) I use a dog run ground screw and a cinch strap to pull the tripod at tight to Mother Earth as possible.

I also try not to use lens shades in the wind and they tend to cause more vibration.

HTH

kpassaur Loc: Valrico FL

BobHartung wrote:

In windy weather, and when on softish ground (read not rock) I use a dog run ground screw and a cinch strap to pull the tripod at tight to Mother Earth as possible.

I also try not to use lens shades in the wind and they tend to cause more vibration.

HTH

Thanks, I'll try that

skydiverbob Loc: I retired in San Antonio

kpassaur wrote:

Im about to start taking long exposures and naturally I will have to use a tripod. I have a few of them but rarely use them. I have a big Manfrotto one for a medium format camera with Manfrottos version of a Gimbal head. Two medium sized Manfrottos, one with a trigger head and the other with a pan head. I also have a small light weight Costso special where you can unscrew a leg and then you have a monopod (this will fit in a camera bag) and finally an old Quick-Set Low Boy. For around home I can use anything, but I am planning a trip, so the big Manfrotto is out. From what I have read tripod vibration is a big issue.

I know this probably won't be much help but

I had an aluminum tripod that was obviously vibrating. I then returned it for one made of carbon fiber. It absorbs vibration much better and I've been extremely happy with it.

I havent done any tests yet except for pinging the tripod legs with my finger nail and surprising enough the old Low Boy performed the best. Plus this thing will almost fit in a camera bag. Quick Set made a High Boy and a Low Boy, the high boy is a little bit bigger. If you havent heard of Quick Set tripods it is because they got out of making consumer products years ago and now they just make commercial tripods (movie industry and such)

Anyway, I know some people add a weight to the center column such as a camera bag to reduce vibration. Then I read make sure it rests a little on the ground so that it will not move in the wind. I also read is better to put a bean bag on top of the camera. Oh yeah I also read somewhere you are better off hanging a weight off of your camera strap (not the tripod) but again not swinging but touching the ground. After all this I read about anti-vibration pads for the legs of your tripod, which makes a lot of sense to me if you are on a hard flat surface. Perhaps useless outdoors?

Anyway these are usually used for astrometry where vibration is a big issue. I found that there are some very expensive camera tripod heads designed to absorb some of the vibration. So, I started researching more on anti-vibration products in general and I saw a 3 inch rubber foot pad - perhaps put one in between the head and the tripod just a idea.

My question is have you ever used any anti-vibration products with your tripod? If so which ones? Do you use a weight, if so, do you attach it to the camera or tripod? Do you use a bean bag on top of the camera?

Im about to start taking long exposures and natur... (show quote)

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

If there is wind (usually is in the high desert) I use a bungie to attach my camera bag to the tripod. Keeps tension on the tripod while assuring me it won't be blowing in the breeze. :-)

I have used pads for my telescope, but not for my camera.

GT

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

BobHartung wrote:

In windy weather, and when on softish ground (read not rock) I use a dog run ground screw and a cinch strap to pull the tripod at tight to Mother Earth as possible.

I also try not to use lens shades in the wind and they tend to cause more vibration.

HTH

If your lens shades cause more vibration in the wind, your tripod is too flimsy.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

If you are thinking of attaching weights, etc., I would just use the heavier tripod. You are going to carry the weight anyway. I have not had any issues with vibration when using a remote release and not raising the center column as others have suggested.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Bozsik wrote:

If you are thinking of attaching weights, etc., I would just use the heavier tripod. You are going to carry the weight anyway. I have not had any issues with vibration when using a remote release and not raising the center column as others have suggested.

Actually, you don't need to carry the weight. I sometimes carry an old gunny sack to put dirt, rocks, whatever, into for weight. Seldom use it though, only on a few occasions when I had to fully extend the tripod to get the shot.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I use a nice steady tripod, sometimes with a little weight added to the center hook. I try to have the tripod as low to the ground as I can- I don't extend the center section unless it is really necessary. I use a remote shutter release, usually a cable one. The other thing that I do is, I use the mirror lock up feature. With long exposure times, mirror slap can shake the camera just enough to blur the final photo slightly.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I'm still searching for the perfect tripod. Every one I have is too heavy when I carry it, and too light when it's set up.

kpassaur Loc: Valrico FL

Has anyone ever used a wooden tripod? They are supposed to be the best for reducing vibration. From what I have read ideally you want one made out of New England Rock Maple or Ash.