Monopod or tripod for Alaska trip
May 13, 2015 08:41:31 #
I will be going on a 4 day land and 7 day cruise to Denali and inside passage and wondering if I should carry tripod or monopod? Thanks
May 13, 2015 08:52:44 #
andrec1 wrote:
I will be going on a 4 day land and 7 day cruise to Denali and inside passage and wondering if I should carry tripod or monopod? Thanks
Since you are doing a package deal, I'm guessing you will only be back in Denali NP during the daytime. So you likely won't have to use a tripod if the mountain shows itself (1 in 3 chance).
On the ship, the tripod is useless (ships aren't stable platforms). A monopod would probably come in handy. You will want a long lens for any wildlife you might see from the ship or side trips. I mainly rested my arm on the ship railing and set my lens on that, but a monopod will work if you set it on your foot (to isolate from ship vibrations.)
You didn't mention your photo gear. If you are super serious about getting some difficult shots (low-light landscapes or long telephoto stuff) you might want to take along your tripod.
May 13, 2015 08:56:34 #
May 13, 2015 09:11:40 #
andrec1 wrote:
Forgot to mention that I will be taking a Canon SX50 bridge camera.
Are you a pretty active person? You will have many chances to do some hiking in the park and on side trips from the ship. Perhaps consider one of those hiking sticks with a screw at the top to use it as a monopod. Most of them would be heavy enough for that camera.
In fact, there is a book entitled "Get off the Bus" about hiking in Denali. You can get off and back on park buses any time you like. Also, be sure to take the park bus clear to the end of the park road at Wonder Lake. Amazing photo opportunities.
May 13, 2015 09:56:17 #
My choice would be one of the travel tripods that is also a monopod. Benro Travel Angel II 419.00 in carbon fiber, MeFoto Globetrotter 399.00 in carbon fiber, Oben 249.00 in carbon fiber from B&H (Sale). All of these are available in aluminum for less money and a little added weight. They all convert to monopod.
This will leave you with a tripod that you will probably use all the time once you realize all of it's benfits.
Bill
This will leave you with a tripod that you will probably use all the time once you realize all of it's benfits.
Bill
May 13, 2015 10:13:20 #
I have an Afaith tripod/monopod. was trying to decide if I should take both parts.
May 13, 2015 10:24:02 #
andrec1 wrote:
I have an Afaith tripod/monopod. was trying to decide if I should take both parts.
That may come down to your suitcase weight. Lots of different layers of clothes needed for Alaska, lol. But if you have the room, why not.
May 13, 2015 10:26:21 #
Might want to take a look at some of the trip-pods that have a leg that can be removed and used as a mono-pod. At any rate tkae a good monopod, they are excellent hiking sticks.
May 13, 2015 16:23:09 #
May 13, 2015 16:29:19 #
GregWCIL wrote:
That may come down to your suitcase weight. Lots of different layers of clothes needed for Alaska, lol. But if you have the room, why not.
Size and weight on that are both pretty reasonable. If luggage allows, take it, keep mono section out to use most of the time with the rest for backup.
Do you have a daypack for the land tour section of the trip? If not get one that has straps to carry the tripod and take it with you. If you use the extended lens on the SX50 you will need something to avoid blur caused by movement. Most people can not do a really steady handheld with long lens shots unless light is good enough to use really high shutter speeds.
May 14, 2015 06:25:03 #
If you are going to be with others (particularly non photographers) , a tripod can make you very unpopular very quickly.
May 14, 2015 06:30:20 #
Ace Backerds
Loc: Nashville, Tn.
My new best friend is the Mefoto Roadtrip. Folds to 15.3 inches, weighs 3.6#, and has a load capacity of 17+ pounds. And it converts to a good stout monopod. You can score one on eBay in a multitude of colors for well under 200 dollars.
May 14, 2015 11:21:11 #
May 14, 2015 14:23:52 #
May 14, 2015 14:51:36 #
topduck1 wrote:
a monopod could also be used for a walking stick on your hikes
my thinking as well.
Cheers
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