Odd leg on tripod
Feb 5, 2018 15:37:25 #
jayluber wrote:
Anyone know why the photography tripods typically have an odd leg - usually 2 legs have a rubber sleeve while one does not. And it's not a mono-pod. Sometimes just one leg has a sleeve.
Just curious.
Just curious.
Its done for easy orientation in the field. If you set up the tripod so you are standing between the two padded legs your head will ALWAYS be oriented the proper direction for mounting your camera without having to fiddle around with head settings. MUCH quicker to set up every time that way, once you understand the reason and get used to doing just that.
Feb 5, 2018 18:19:21 #
jayluber wrote:
Anyone know why the photography tripods typically have an odd leg - usually 2 legs have a rubber sleeve while one does not. And it's not a mono-pod. Sometimes just one leg has a sleeve.
Just curious.
Just curious.
The rubber sleeve is insulation to keep your hand from freezing while carrying - important with aluminum tripods. If the tripod can double as a monopod the padding is usually on the leg that detaches.
Feb 5, 2018 22:50:21 #
jayluber
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
Many tripods have the ability to remove one leg, mount the head and use as mono-pod. For some, the single removable leg would be the odd padding one.
ANd thanks to Jim, Keldon, MrBoss and Walt.
But no-one asked the questions I most expected:
Why do you need a tripod?
Why do you need a tripod with 3 legs?
Have you tried resting the camera on a rock to steady it?
Have you tried a faster shutter speed to add stability to the photo so you don't need a tripod?
Have you tried to get your subject to hold still?
Have you purchased leg warmers for cold days?
Have you purchased refrigeration units for the legs on hot days?
Which of your legs are padded? 1 and 2, 2 and 3 or 1 and 3?
If you hold the tripod in front of you, where is the odd padded or unpadded leg? Right, Left or center? What if you rotate it 120"?
And most importantly, what color is your tripod and what camera are you using?
Sorry, had to add that after reading so many of the responses to so many questions.
ANd thanks to Jim, Keldon, MrBoss and Walt.
But no-one asked the questions I most expected:
Why do you need a tripod?
Why do you need a tripod with 3 legs?
Have you tried resting the camera on a rock to steady it?
Have you tried a faster shutter speed to add stability to the photo so you don't need a tripod?
Have you tried to get your subject to hold still?
Have you purchased leg warmers for cold days?
Have you purchased refrigeration units for the legs on hot days?
Which of your legs are padded? 1 and 2, 2 and 3 or 1 and 3?
If you hold the tripod in front of you, where is the odd padded or unpadded leg? Right, Left or center? What if you rotate it 120"?
And most importantly, what color is your tripod and what camera are you using?
Sorry, had to add that after reading so many of the responses to so many questions.
Feb 5, 2018 23:01:36 #
jayluber wrote:
Anyone know why the photography tripods typically have an odd leg - usually 2 legs have a rubber sleeve while one does not. And it's not a mono-pod. Sometimes just one leg has a sleeve.
Just curious.
Just curious.
Padding all three legs serves little functional purpose except for looking more symmetrical, but it adds bulk and can make it harder to fit into a tripod bag if you use such things. Leaving one unpadded also helps orient the tripod when setting up.
Feb 6, 2018 05:40:51 #
tiphareth51
Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska
My tripod legs are always wrapped in pipe wrap if it is not already supplied by the manufacturer. You don't want to be touching cold metal in minus 30 degree weather.
Feb 6, 2018 07:54:04 #
Feb 6, 2018 08:35:20 #
jayluber wrote:
Anyone know why the photography tripods typically have an odd leg - usually 2 legs have a rubber sleeve while one does not. And it's not a mono-pod. Sometimes just one leg has a sleeve.
Just curious.
Just curious.
What padding? I own four tripods, none have padding.
Feb 6, 2018 09:14:20 #
I had to chuckle when I thought of all the people pulling there tripods out to look at the legs. I'm going to check my own.
Feb 6, 2018 09:28:00 #
Feb 6, 2018 10:16:17 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
jayluber wrote:
Anyone know why the photography tripods typically have an odd leg - usually 2 legs have a rubber sleeve while one does not. And it's not a mono-pod. Sometimes just one leg has a sleeve.
Just curious.
Just curious.
I've seen tripods with all three and others with only one leg wrapped with a pad.
Those are jsut there to soften things when carrying the tripod over a shoulder or by hand, so really are only needed on one leg.
Not all tripods have them.... but you can buy LegCoats (from the same folks who make LensCoats) and similar. When you install your own, you can use as many as you like... one two or three. All I've seen have come in a set of three.
Feb 6, 2018 11:29:02 #
starlifter wrote:
I had to chuckle when I thought of all the people pulling there tripods out to look at the legs. I'm going to check my own.
When it is necessary to pull out a tripod to see if it has padding, it is an indication that one either does not clean and inspect the tripod regularly after each use, or that the tripod hardly ever comes into use.
Feb 6, 2018 11:54:28 #
Two padded legs might be to carry on your shoulder with less pressure.
I have some light tripods with only one padded leg. That is so one can carry in cold weather without a glove and not have the metal directly on the hand. That is important when close to 0 F or even 32 F when there is rain or mist, starting to freeze on the metal.
I have some light tripods with only one padded leg. That is so one can carry in cold weather without a glove and not have the metal directly on the hand. That is important when close to 0 F or even 32 F when there is rain or mist, starting to freeze on the metal.
Feb 6, 2018 13:32:16 #
Novicus
Loc: north and east
SharpShooter wrote:
My monopod has padding on only two legs!!! 
SS
SS
Ha ha...
Feb 6, 2018 13:50:14 #
jayluber wrote:
My Surei has 2 padded legs. the Zomie Q555 has 2 padded legs, some have just one. Monopod adaptable make sense, but not the others. Thought maybe it was to determine the orientation in the dark. Align the camera with the odd leg so you don't need a light?
Who knows.
Jay
Who knows.
Jay
Jay,
It's so that when you carry the tripod extended you can rest the two padded legs on your shoulder and it is softer or easier on your shoulder. Simple as that.
Feb 6, 2018 22:53:17 #
Mr Bill 2011
Loc: southern Indiana
Bill_de wrote:
I've never noticed that except for those where one leg becomes a monopod. I have seen a couple of cheaper ones with foam on only one leg, considered for carrying. The only reason I could think of doing it would be to save money.
Can you point to some that have it only on 2?
--
Can you point to some that have it only on 2?
--
I have a Manfrotto that has foam covers on only 2 of the legs; came that way. Of course, the other leg has MANFROTTO on it in great big letters. Kinda like "Nike" on all kinds of clothing and shoes; you get to advertise for them for free!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.