Travel with Photo Equipment
May 5, 2018 08:01:21 #
billnikon wrote:
BIG MISTAKE
Correct...it is a big mistake when you get where you are going and realize that you left your tripod at home. Hard to do landscape and night photography without a tripod.
May 5, 2018 08:03:05 #
If your camera is lightweight I see no reason not to pack a lightweight travel tripod that collapses down to 12-14 inches if you feel you will use it.
I don’t understand why certain topics in UHH often result in such polarizing opinions/responses.
The choice is yours, and a small tripod is easily packed and carried.
That said, I would never use one (lightweight travel version) with a heavy camera and lens, for fear of disaster....but your gear shouldn’t pose that problem.
I have several good tripods and monopods for different applications, and didn’t break the bank acquiring them. I do, however, pay attention to the specs and use accordingly. I also pack a collapsible backpack as needed.
Have fun!
I don’t understand why certain topics in UHH often result in such polarizing opinions/responses.
The choice is yours, and a small tripod is easily packed and carried.
That said, I would never use one (lightweight travel version) with a heavy camera and lens, for fear of disaster....but your gear shouldn’t pose that problem.
I have several good tripods and monopods for different applications, and didn’t break the bank acquiring them. I do, however, pay attention to the specs and use accordingly. I also pack a collapsible backpack as needed.
Have fun!
May 5, 2018 08:22:02 #
I've been putting a MeFoto tripod in my LowePro AW300 pack as a carry on and that has been working well. I can fit a DSLR with standard zoom (24-105) and an additional lens (70-200 for me) in the padded camera case, then accessories and some clothes in the top of the pack. This fits into the overhead even on regional jets, so very low hassle carrying this size of pack. But I am re-visiting this thinking and taking a mirrorless APS-C camera and a 16-70 lens (and nothing else!) for my next trip to Florence/Amsterdam. So I'm going to see whether I enjoy traveling light. Where I expect to end up is - go light on gear for more urban destinations, but haul more gear for Grand Canyon, Banff-Jasper and places where photography will be the major focus of the trip. I am enjoying hearing your perspectives since I always debate these things before trips - do I take the 400 mm lens? Do I take the tripod? etc.
May 5, 2018 08:22:13 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
You might consider a monopod for the following reasons:
1. Very easy to pack and takes up no room.
2. Lightweight
3. Easier to carry in the field
4. Less "in the way" of your fellow travelers, less obtrusive
5. Cheaper than a tripod
That's what I used when we went on an Alaska cruise and it worked fine with my big Nikon.
1. Very easy to pack and takes up no room.
2. Lightweight
3. Easier to carry in the field
4. Less "in the way" of your fellow travelers, less obtrusive
5. Cheaper than a tripod
That's what I used when we went on an Alaska cruise and it worked fine with my big Nikon.
May 5, 2018 09:00:58 #
I had a Manfrotto BeFree with me, packed in my check-in luggage on a photography workshop trip to Costa Rica this February. Also brought a monopod, I was there for a week. Used the monopod once and the tripod never came out of the suitcase.
May 5, 2018 09:13:51 #
May 5, 2018 09:44:41 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
m4/3 is a micro four-thirds camera (Olympus OMD EM1ii to be specific). I have a few different bags depending on my needs. Think Tank urban disguise v50, f-stop shibata, f-stop customized bandon (modified to hold my tripod), Lowepro Hatchback backpack.
https://store.lowepro.com/slingshot-edge-150-aw?_ga=2.178715494.371670721.1525485411-177690534.1482454168&_gac=1.247261616.1525485412.EAIaIQobChMIjtn3-bvt2gIVASaGCh2VpQQjEAQYByABEgKN9PD_BwE
https://store.lowepro.com/slingshot-edge-150-aw?_ga=2.178715494.371670721.1525485411-177690534.1482454168&_gac=1.247261616.1525485412.EAIaIQobChMIjtn3-bvt2gIVASaGCh2VpQQjEAQYByABEgKN9PD_BwE
I have the same Lowepro 150 AW bag that I carry my Fuji XT-2 kit (body, 3 lenses, filters, charger, batteries, flash, memory cards, cleaning cloths, etc,) and love it. I can also attach my Gitzo traveler tripod or Joby mini tripod. It has traveled cross country as well as throughout Europe. I think the Fuji or Olympus systems are the best for traveling light and still getting incredible images.
May 5, 2018 09:57:28 #
I just unscrew the ball head and place the whole thing in my suitcase. My camera pack is my carry on luggage in usually goes under my seat.
May 5, 2018 09:58:04 #
I just unscrew the ball head and place it and the tripod legs in my suitcase. My camera pack is my carry on luggage in usually goes under my seat.
May 5, 2018 10:28:49 #
On my other computer I have a picture of how my world traveler friend travels with his camera gear. He has it weighed down to the kilogram. In his backpack he has two Canon dx cameras, one attached to a Sigma 50-500mm Sigma (which he may now have upgraded to a 150-600), a couple of shorter lenses and a flash. The backpacks is carried on. His tripod may go in his suitcase to be checked. Other gear may go in the suitcase as well, because he travels very light as far as clothing goes, and does laundry as necessary.
With this gear he has captured amazing images. It helps to be a fantastic photographer.
With this gear he has captured amazing images. It helps to be a fantastic photographer.
May 5, 2018 10:39:15 #
Have been to Costa Rica many times. Have not generally needed or wished for a tripod. Walking around in the rainforest or on the beach did not need it and would not have wanted to carry it. Anything in the dark rainforest that I wanted to photograph was usually too quickly away for me to set up a tripod or would have required more patience and time that I (or my traveling companion) had. The only time it came in a little handy was in shooting hummingbirds - you could focus on a flower and sit there with your finger on the cable release and just wait for the hummers to zip up. Otherwise, not so useful.
May 5, 2018 10:50:17 #
Bazbo
Loc: Lisboa, Portugal
billnikon wrote:
BIG MISTAKE
Why do you say that (all caps, no less)? Doesn't it depend on the kink of photography one intends or likes?
i always take a tripod on big trips because I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
May 5, 2018 11:13:10 #
HamBar06,
I took a trip to Italy last October for two weeks and took 1500 pictures, indoors and out. I can't remember using the tripod even once. But, it was an old, small collapsible SLIK which I had originally bought for river rafting down the Grand Canyon in the 1990's. It made me feel good to have the option of a tripod, but the (new for me) Lumix FMZ1000 had such good vibration reduction, I did not miss not using the tripod. It was packed in the suitcase and only weighed about two pounds so it did not mess with the weight restrictions on the transatlantic flight. Enjoy your trip to Costa Rica.
Arca
I took a trip to Italy last October for two weeks and took 1500 pictures, indoors and out. I can't remember using the tripod even once. But, it was an old, small collapsible SLIK which I had originally bought for river rafting down the Grand Canyon in the 1990's. It made me feel good to have the option of a tripod, but the (new for me) Lumix FMZ1000 had such good vibration reduction, I did not miss not using the tripod. It was packed in the suitcase and only weighed about two pounds so it did not mess with the weight restrictions on the transatlantic flight. Enjoy your trip to Costa Rica.
Arca
May 5, 2018 11:16:19 #
DavidPine wrote:
I have always placed my tripod inside my suitcase wrapped in a couple pairs of jeans. I carry my cameras in a Think Tank roll-on bag as a carry-on. I am 75 and somewhat frail. It's not always easy but it is worth the extra effort in my opinion. I've done this for years in traveling to Europe (Italy, France and, the UK. Mexico and I just finished a trip to NYC and San Diego for two weeks. I did not buy all this equipment so I could travel light and easy. I have no regrets.
I am just a little bit younger than you are but probably a lot smaller. This is exactly how I travel now. The Think Tank roll-on bag is one of my favorite purchases. I can even carry my small laptop in it. Before I got the Think Tank, I would put my camera and one or more lenses in a backpack and forget the tripod, but this system works well. I tried out all kinds of other bags and backpacks, none of which worked well. I agree that if we have great equipment, we should use it.
May 5, 2018 11:22:24 #
berchman wrote:
Your only problem in Costa Rica will be humidity.
I think this may be the most important information given.
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