Carrying a Tripod on Field Trips

[jonjdoe]

I bet there is alsom some sort of pad that would roll up that you could strap......

How about the silicone hot pads...you can find those at a cook's store, roll up small, and are quite padded?

[Harpo]

I FOUND SOMETHING! an Arrow Quiver! Prance around the woods like Robin Hood with your trusty tripod in the quiver on your back… as you crest a hill and behold, before you is the most majestic sight… with one swift motion, reach over your shoulder and out comes your tripod……. no backpack needed!

[beechdale basher]

Hi Frank maybe this could be of use to you

http://www.cleyspy.co.uk/mulepack-i567.html

[FrankMi]

I FOUND SOMETHING! an Arrow Quiver!

That's exactly the kind of thing I was looking for but none of the camera shops carried them! Where did you find yours, Harpo?

[Harpo]

Interesting Peter… That gave me an idea to google "Tripod Carriers" and there are several, including one very similar to the one on cleyspy… from Eagle optics That one is in the US, probably easier for you Frank, being in South Carolina

[Harpo]

I FOUND SOMETHING! an Arrow Quiver!

That's exactly the kind of thing I was looking for but none of the camera shops carried them! Where did you find yours, Harpo?

It hit me… arrow quivers, so I googled it! ha. I dont have one though as I havent found anything yet either! They are on hunting sites. Cabellas has them too.

[Glenn NK]

Back to the topic of knee pads:

Many gardening shops carry 1 inch thick stiff foam knee pads. They are about 10" x 16". Really work well and are very light in weight. Although I live in rain country and they keep my knees dry, their main purpose is to keep my old knees from complaining.

The bottom side is black and the top side comes in several colours - I have two of them - both green (so I know which is the clean side. )

Glenn

PS - I should have called them kneeling pads as they don't attach to your knees.

One brand: http://www.buyacehardware.com/ace-knee-pad-7168495.html

[jeeperman]

My pack has the tripod holder such as Donalds, however I find it a PITA being on the pack....for one, as I like to use the pod more than I like removing the pack at each location. Two...I also use the 190xb and a 1300 Giottos head and it tends to be a bit large even for my large pack. I have since decided I would make a quick release strap for the tripod. I am thinking an old camera strap with a length of double side velcro attached to each end. Maybe there is already something of this nature I could buy however I have not seen one.

[Loose Canon]

Hi Frank!

As Geoff mentioned, I keep a "rifle sling" attached to my tripod. More like a strap with a little slidable shoulder pad. Attached just under the head and the bottom to one of the upper leg sections. Carry it attached to my pack when needed, but can, and do carry it slung for distances if I don't need the pack. I keep the sling always attached even if packed. Doesn't get in the way and always ready to carry. Attach it to loops (made out of cheap parachute cord) so it can move and rotate. Camera over a shoulder (as opposed to the neck). Waist belt with accessories if needed and ready to move a long ways. Not to mention being able to shoot at a moments notice.

Comfy and ready to rock!

[FrankMi]

Hi Frank maybe this could be of use to you

http://www.cleyspy.co.uk/mulepack-i567.html

Hi Peter, the Mulepack looks like a good alternative if you need something heavy enough to carry the tripod with the camera attached. I'd like to find a lighter solution. Thanks for sharing!

[FrankMi]

It hit me… arrow quivers, so I googled it! ha. I dont have one though as I havent found anything yet either! They are on hunting sites. Cabellas has them too.

LOL! I'm currently using something similar (a folding lawn chair bag) but the strap on the bag doesn't allow be to sling it diagonally over my shoulder so it tends to slip off. The bag does protect the tripod but slows me down when I want to get it out. Mind you, if you are going to mount the camera on a tripod, you're not likely to be doing fast action shots so it may not matter all that much! Great idea and exactly what I was asking for at the camera stores to clearly express the kind of 'thing' I was looking for. A real arrow quiver would be a bit much and likely quite expensive.

[FrankMi]

I keep a "rifle sling" attached to my tripod.

Hi Terry, this sounds like a sensible approach. I would love to find one where I could read the reviews to see how well it works before I buy.

[Harpo]

The eagle optics site I mentioned also has something like a sling with a fancy name called the Duckbill Scope and Tripod Carrier, with an even fancier "also called" name of "Single Platform Optics Carrier"- SPOC. Guess they needed to make a simple piece of webbing sound fancy to justify a ridiculously overpriced amount of $149!

If you are handy and have some sewing machine skills (or a wife who does), something like that can easily be handmade for far less! Heck, even a Black Rapid, Luma Loop or like camera carrier can probably be converted somehow with velcro attached like the SPOC! Actually, I think you could find a webbing combination through the Op/Tech photo strap website to duplicate this tripod holder.

[FrankMi]

Hi Harpo, I tried an approach similar to that except the tripod hung from my belt rather than a strap over my shoulder. The problem was that it kept swinging around and hitting me in the leg as I walked. It looks like this system might do the same. That's one of the reasons why I'd like to be able to check out the reviews - to get answers to questions I wouldn't think to ask.

[herbert]

Doesn't the black rapid attach to the tripod mount on the camera? If so, do you have to disconnect the black rapid before you can attach your camera to a tripod?

Yes.

I use a Black Rapid strap attached to my 70-200 lens tripod mount. I solve the problem of attaching to my tripod by either

• Not bothering with the tripod
• Using the tripod mount on the camera. The lens is not too heavy for this
• Removing the black rapid strap

I only miss a tripod for >0.3s shutter time. I'd only use this for shooting in very low light given that ISO can solve most shutter speed problems in normal shooting. In most cases I don't bother with a tripod because the faff-factor is too high. When I am out with my tripod then I am taking shots with a definite plan so there really is no conflict with the black rapid anyway. I just take it off and carry the camera and tripod around over my shoulder.

I suppose you may want to have the camera on a strap for a walk around event shooting with a set-up tripod for a function room and to quickly mount and unmount the camera. In this case the Black Rapid is not the best option. However only you know what your requirements are.

Alex

[FrankMi]

Doesn't the black rapid attach to the tripod mount on the camera? If so, do you have to disconnect the black rapid before you can attach your camera to a tripod?

I can attach the Black Rapid to the D-ring of my Gittos mounting plate on the camera so to switch, I simply unclip the Black Rapid from the mounting plate and mount the camera on the tripod. Takes only seconds to switch back and forth.

[beechdale basher]

Hi Frank,

All this talk about bows, arrows and quivers got me thinking a little.

Having been an angler in the past a light bulb switched on regarding quivers. Carp anglers in the UK use a cut off bag to carry their rods in called a "Quiver"

See link http://www.chubfishing.com/en-gb/pro...s/rova-quiver/

There may be a product similar to this available on your side of the pond. I will have a little google to see if I can discover anything else.

[beechdale basher]

http://www.fishpondusa.com

This link is for vests and backpacks etc. For the angling market but some of them look ideal for photographic needs. Can't see any quivers though.

Will keep looking.

[beechdale basher]

http://www.fishpondusa.com/tundra-tech-pack.cfm

This may be a little "over the top" but could work. Tripod would take the place of the rod tubes.

[FrankMi]

http://www.fishpondusa.com/tundra-tech-pack.cfm

This may be a little "over the top" but could work. Tripod would take the place of the rod tubes.

Hi Peter, thank you for looking into this! The Fishpond bags look a lot like Donald's Lowepro pack in post #2. Might be great for the fisherman/photographer, but I think I'm leaning toward the rifle sling style that Terry uses. If I can sling the tripod diagonally over my shoulder, inexpensive, light, secure, out of the way, and readily accessible, that looks like it would be a good solution. So far, all the ones I'm aware of are custom made.

When I go shooting in the field I have the camera on a Black Rapid strap, two lenses in pouches on my belt, the battery/CF memory/bits & pieces in a zip-lock plastic bag in my pocket, listening to my iPod/Shuffle, and both hands free. If I need more space I could use a fanny pack but so far I haven't needed it. All I need is a convenient way to bring the tripod along and I'm good to go!