Should I take a tri-pod on holiday?

[jonott]

Heading out to Vegas in two days time and will be staying at the Cosmopolitan with a terrace overlooking the Strip and Bellagio fountains? I figured this will look quite spectacular at night. The downside is my tri-pod is quite bulky and heavy to pack. Plus I don't know if I'll use it again on the trip. But I guess if I want that shot...

Also, not shot at night before so any advice on what settings to use would be great.

My gear: Nikon D7000 + grip, Nikon 17-55mm 2.8f DX lens, Nikon polarising filter, remote control.

Cheers
Jono

[markmullen]

Why not take a travel alternative, gorillapods work pretty well, I use a Novoflex Minipod which packs up really small.

[Simpo Two]

Carrying a tripod round you may not need can be a PITA, but if you don't have one you're sure to need it.

I'd buy a lightweight one that folds up short.

[Gad-Westy]

Not used one, but something like this might be useful on occasions

http://www.manfrotto.com/pocket-support-large-grey

I'm personally not a big fan of gorillapods. They always seem to clumsy for DSLRS though I like them for compacts.

[Zelda Pinwheel]

If there's a ledge, sill or table, how about a beanbag?

http://www.google.co.uk/#q=bean+bag+tripod&hl=...

These are all 1/2kg though I have one filled with polystyrene beads which weighs bugger all.

[LuS1fer]

I don't know how suitable it is for the weight of your camera but Kathmandu UK do a mount that clips onto a water bottle or other suitable object for less than £7
http://www.kathmandu.co.uk/Accessories/Travel/Trav...

[Du1point8]

tiny tripod and not weighing much either:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/7dayshop-Tripods-Fully-Fea...

[K12beano]

Tripods are like umbrellas, you want them when they're back at home.

Here's my tip: forget all this rubbish about all these "travel pods". IF, AND UNLESS you've determined to go and have a holiday and photos aren't that important, you really want to record your visit.......



....take the biggest, F' off, dirty old 'pod you can cram in and ditch half your clothes (which you'll buy cheap in the States anyway).


Consequence?


You'll bloomin' well get out there and use it after carrying to all that way!!!!!!!!! And they'll be brilliant shots!!

(Carried a Goriilapod all the way to Germany on the bike and never used the little bv$$3r!!!!)

[jonott]

:

Zelda Pinwheel said:

If there's a ledge, sill or table, how about a beanbag?

http://www.google.co.uk/#q=bean+bag+tripod&hl=...

These are all 1/2kg though I have one filled with polystyrene beads which weighs bugger all.

Thanks for all the suggestions and given me plenty to think about. The thought of putting two and a half grand of camera gear on a ledge dozens of storeys up fills me with dread!

[GetCarter]

Forget the tripod, just take a D3

HTH

ETA (though it probably doesn't)

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 14th May 17:51

[Simpo Two]

Option 3: Get a sherpa.

This is Beano's lunch arriving BTW:

[ian in lancs]

GetCarter said:

Forget the tripod, just take a D3

HTH

x2 But Seriously dont bother - just crank up the ISO

[markmullen]

ian in lancs said:

x2 But Seriously dont bother - just crank up the ISO

No good if you want to do some long exposures though is it?

[K12beano]

GetCarter said:

Forget the tripod, just buy a D4 while you're out there.....

EFA

[K12beano]

Simpo Two said:

Option 3: Get a sherpa.

This is Beano's lunch arriving BTW:

Tch!

Option 4: take a Simpo with you to do the photoing and get down the gaming table.....

[Speed addicted]

Bellagio fountains by Brent Leport, on Flickr

I got this from the Bellagio looking out of our 27th (I think) story window using a gorrila pod on the table. Not keen on the gorrila pod as it loosened off quite quickly.
For out trip to canada two weeks ago I bought a smaller redsnapper tripod and used it a fair bit for landscapes and night shots, but if it's just for one place get a cheap small one from jessops for about £20.

[ian in lancs]

markmullen said:

No good if you want to do some long exposures though is it?

OP didn't mention long exposures

I carry this - tripod legs are U/S for SLR but clamp bit is OK to attach to railings or whatever.

[davepoth]

Rent one out there?

http://store.bandccamera.com/index.php?cpage=renta...

Can't vouch for them, but it's $10 a day and that's surely got to be worth it for the faff factor?

[ian in lancs]

davepoth said:

Rent one out there?

http://store.bandccamera.com/index.php?cpage=renta...

Can't vouch for them, but it's $10 a day and that's surely got to be worth it for the faff factor?

clever idea

[anonymous-user]

Speed addicted said:

Bellagio fountains by Brent Leport, on Flickr

I got this from the Bellagio looking out of our 27th (I think) story window using a gorrila pod on the table. Not keen on the gorrila pod as it loosened off quite quickly.
For out trip to canada two weeks ago I bought a smaller redsnapper tripod and used it a fair bit for landscapes and night shots, but if it's just for one place get a cheap small one from jessops for about £20.

Have you been in my hotel room??

Here's one I took... Handheld so it might be a little bit more st than yours!