Tripod Destruction :)

fletch5 said:
a tripod with fixed legs only? dunno if anyone does them though:shrug:
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This was an idea I had a few weeks back, and it is awesome. But then I realised I like the height at times, so would need to carry several pods or sets of legs! :D

Gary.
 
EdinburghGary said:
You know with threads like this, I always *worry* that if I do buy the said item, that I will be seen as a complete knob with more money than sense.
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8===D
 
EdinburghGary said:
This was an idea I had a few weeks back, and it is awesome. But then I realised I like the height at times, so would need to carry several pods or sets of legs! :D

Gary.
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You would never get it in the orange car !!!

But if you do buy one, after a couple of months give us a review (LOL) if it still works.
C
 
EdinburghGary said:
This was an idea I had a few weeks back, and it is awesome. But then I realised I like the height at times, so would need to carry several pods or sets of legs! :D

Gary.
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possibly, but if your going into the sea, you leave the decent one at home and take the fixed. as for height adjustable, i found this one which you can put a pole into up to a 1 and half inch thick(surely you got one off the other tripods you been using?)http://www.stakemill.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=497
 
68lbs said:
8===D
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Correction.

8========D

Ceejay said:
You would never get it in the orange car !!!

But if you do buy one, after a couple of months give us a review (LOL) if it still works.
C
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:D Mine Review: Not Broken Yet. :)

fletch5 said:
possibly, but if your going into the sea, you leave the decent one at home and take the fixed. as for height adjustable, i found this one which you can put a pole into up to a 1 and half inch thick(surely you got one off the other tripods you been using?)http://www.stakemill.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=497
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Ta, interesting. Are those builders tripods?
 
looks like it, never used one, but i would imagine heavy duty, should last a year or two easily;)
 
£800 Well Aldi's are knocking out tripods for i think £11.99 a pop and I have one :) its not great obviously but you could buy sixty six of them and leave them on the beach each time when you finish so we would know where you have been.

Tripod @ Aldi's

mini review. not a review of a mini....
This morning i got the tripod at aldi's and bought one for my inlaws too.....came home opened it and thought....For 12 quid this is a effing good deal, first up though it is not great quality but hey,...what do you expecty for the 12 UK bucks, second, this is a great backup tripod if you don't want to bring your more expensive one to a dirty place.....the tripod is sturdy, light and easy with an extra quick release in a seperate pouch attached inside the carry case....Than there is the handle to carry it which is pretty good...i hung a "big shopper" bag underneath it with 5 kg of weight in it and it doesn't budge or any kind of weak point that i have felt....
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Will do me till I can afford a decent one.
 
I understand where you're coming from Gary. I don't have this problem, living 100 miles from the sea maybe has something to do with it, but it would drive me mad and if I had the money to throw at it I would. You might want to think about tripods with upsidedown legs, like the Benbos that have sealed legs and feet. The Manfrotto Neotec that I have is similar, but get salt water over 16in deep and it's ****ed.

I don't know of any other tripod that makes such claims about sea water and sand as this Gitzo, so that's a good start. And it's made by Gitzo who not only make the best tripods but seem to specialise in serious outdoor stuff. And I know that Andy Rouse uses them http://www.warehouseexpress.com/Home/default.aspx?/arouse/Gitzo_GT3540LS_Review.html who is an extreme locations guy who moans about most things, but raves about the really good kit.

My problem with the one you're looking at is its size. Beautifully light for sure, but it only gets to eye level with the centre column fully up. That is death to stability, no matter what Gitzo might say. Maybe you can work around that, and TBH ultimate stability isn't always the be-all and end-all if what you primarily need is something to hold your camera in position, so long it is stable enough for the job in hand. If it was my only tripod, I wouldn't buy it for that reason, and it will still need at least a little maintenance. But unless they do something similar and bigger, you might find that is an acceptable compromise plus the benefit of the light weight. Just thinking about it now, I think I might go for it, and use IS/VR to help out if it got a bit windy/wavy/wobbly (I find it usually works very well on a tripod). Everything is a compromise somewhere along the line, ultimately.

I'm surprised you're not going for the titanium limited edition version, at twice the price :eek: I'm sure the AA man would admire it when he picks you up in your zero-maintenance LotsOfTroubleUsuallySerious car :D
 
fletch5 said:
looks like it, never used one, but i would imagine heavy duty, should last a year or two easily;)
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CGeezer said:
£800 Well Aldi's are knocking out tripods for i think £11.99 a pop and I have one :) its not great obviously but you could buy sixty six of them and leave them on the beach each time when you finish so we would know where you have been.

Tripod @ Aldi's
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HAHAHAHA! :D There is some logic there, I am sure of it.

Anyway too late. The deed is done.

Gary.
 
HoppyUK said:
I understand where you're coming from Gary. I don't have this problem, living 100 miles from the sea maybe has something to do with it, but it would drive me mad and if I had the money to throw at it I would. You might want to think about tripods with upsidedown legs, like the Benbos that have sealed legs and feet. The Manfrotto Neotec that I have is similar, but get salt water over 16in deep and it's f00ked.

I don't know of any other tripod that makes such claims about sea water and sand as this Gitzo, so that's a good start. And it's made by Gitzo who not only make the best tripods but seem to specialise in serious outdoor stuff. And I know that Andy Rouse uses them http://www.warehouseexpress.com/Home/default.aspx?/arouse/Gitzo_GT3540LS_Review.html who is an extreme locations guy who moans about most things, but raves about the really good kit.

My problem with the one you're looking at is its size. Beautifully light for sure, but it only gets to eye level with the centre column fully up. That is death to stability, no matter what Gitzo might say. Maybe you can work around that, and TBH ultimate stability isn't always the be-all and end-all if what you primarily need is something to hold your camera in position, so long it is stable enough for the job in hand. If it was my only tripod, I wouldn't buy it for that reason, and it will still need at least a little maintenance. But unless they do something similar and bigger, you might find that is an acceptable compromise plus the benefit of the light weight. Just thinking about it now, I think I might go for it, and use IS/VR to help out if it got a bit windy/wavy/wobbly (I find it usually works very well on a tripod). Everything is a compromise somewhere along the line, ultimately.

I'm surprised you're not going for the titanium limited edition version, at twice the price :eek: I'm sure the AA man would admire it when he picks you up in your ultra-reliable LotsOfTroubleUsuallySerious car :D
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:D I am mad, not that mad. £1,600 for a tripod, jeez! :)

You know, 3 weeks after I bought the car - I was in a car park in Glasgow. The radiator pipe popped off and I spent two hours waiting with steam filling the place! It was brand new and I was absolutely terrified I had broken it.

Dodgy clip the AA guy said. Not had any issues yet! Touch wood :D

I got a lot of slagging sitting in that car park. Glasgow can be rough at the best of times (as can EDI).

Gary.
 
HoppyUK said:
My problem with the one you're looking at is its size. Beautifully light for sure, but it only gets to eye level with the centre column fully up.
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Should add, I think my "Carbon One" is almost identical in height. I have not missed the reach, and very rarely use the full height with the studio tripod....however, last night? I did...shooting the car! :LOL:

Gary.
 
I'm surprised you're not going for the titanium limited edition version
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I think they will probably limit to about 100 as they know there will not be many more takers than this. :wacky:
 
EdinburghGary said:
Should add, I think my "Carbon One" is almost identical in height. I have not missed the reach, and very rarely use the full height with the studio tripod....however, last night? I did...shooting the car! :LOL:

Gary.
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Get it then. You just need an excuse.

You deserve it. It's been a hard week. You stubbed your toe. The cat looked at you funny. Whatever works for her ;)

Tell her about the titanium one. When my missus does that kind of thing, she always tells me how much she saved by not buying the most expensive one. The real cost never gets mentioned. It was a bargain :LOL:
 
EdinburghGary said:
Guys,

You know with threads like this, I always *worry* that if I do buy the said item, that I will be seen as a complete knob with more money than sense.

Just to confirm, happy with that ascertain ;)

Seriously though. If I do buy it, gimme a break :) I would not buy it if I could not justify the expense so to speak.

Gary.
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People will think this, but the same happened with Kryptix.

Everyone whinged because he was buying kit that arguably he didn't need, nor could he justify.

But he had the money to do it, and it made him happy.

Do what makes you happy Gary, people will always be around to take you down a peg out of jealousy :)
 
As there are a few threads on DIY equipment at the moment, I reckon three broom handles and a bit of string are in order :D
 
You know with threads like this, I always *worry* that if I do buy the said item, that I will be seen as a complete knob with more money than sense.
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You seem to be happy with all the rest of your kit and we can see that in your recently posted photos, but to have a tripod that is letting you down well It *COULD* be playing on your mind so I would say if you have the cash available then go for it. You use a tripod nearly all the time so it could be justified that way.

As for the "complete knob" comment I really don't think you are complete just yet :LOL:
 
Bloody hell Gary,you spend all that dosh and then don`t look after your kit!

Brian Clough voice on.......*Keep it clean young man,keep it clean*.......off......:D
 
Surely it does not take long to spray it with a hose after use.

Pete
 
Yep - even with good-quality kit, you still have to look after it - salt-water will kill just about everything, so at the very least, sluice it with fresh-water after it's been dunked in the sea...

Whatever you get...
 
Why not take an empty milk bottle filled with tap water with you each time you are going to take photos in salt/sand. When you get back to the car, simply rinse the tripod to clean of 90%+ of the salt water/sand etc.

You can then drive home a bit faster without the extra weight of the water :D
 
I second the purchase of a large Benbo, lower legs are sealed. Not the lightest though but very sturdy.
 
Andyman said:
Nothing is the easy answer to that. My Velbon Sherpa Pro has been in loads of salt water and still works like new. A few times its been caked in mud and I just rinsed that off with our power shower and left it to dry in the bath. :)

http://www.velbon.co.uk/newvelbon/pages/CF645.html

Andy.
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I have a Gitzo that I keep out of water for now but have a velbon Sherpa CF same as Andyman for use in the sea and mudflats. Three years of being in salt water at least once a week and once it nearly got washed away after I sank in some deep mud. Still going strong and all I do is hose it down with fresh water when finished and leave it to air dry. Takes a few minutes (y) The Velbons are underated in my opinion. This one has been great.

Gary, spend a few minutes rinsing your tripod and it will solve your problem.

Having said that if I was really loaded I would try the Gitzo you are looking at.

Chris :)
 
Would a wooden tripod not be an option?? Give it a couple of coats of yacht varnish and away you go........
 
Or could you not commision someone to take a CF pod and change all the fittings to a nickel based aolloy that is exceptionally resistant to saltwater. THen you have a bespoke product that you might even be able to market.......
 
It seems to me the easiest way is to simple rinse it off, why not just take it in the shower/bath with you?
 
CGeezer said:
You seem to be happy with all the rest of your kit and we can see that in your recently posted photos, but to have a tripod that is letting you down well It *COULD* be playing on your mind so I would say if you have the cash available then go for it. You use a tripod nearly all the time so it could be justified that way.

As for the "complete knob" comment I really don't think you are complete just yet :LOL:
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:D Bite me :LOL:

fracster said:
Bloody hell Gary,you spend all that dosh and then don`t look after your kit!

Brian Clough voice on.......*Keep it clean young man,keep it clean*.......off......:D
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I try :cautious: ;)

pete-c said:
Surely it does not take long to spray it with a hose after use.

Pete
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Arkady said:
Yep - even with good-quality kit, you still have to look after it - salt-water will kill just about everything, so at the very least, sluice it with fresh-water after it's been dunked in the sea...

Whatever you get...
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swanseamale47 said:
It seems to me the easiest way is to simple rinse it off, why not just take it in the shower/bath with you?
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Guys I hear you. The trouble is, a quick rinse / splash of water with a power shower is hopeless. The sand and grit, is literally getting inside the tripod. You can hear is scrape and scratch, everything jams and seizes up, the clips erode, screws eventually snap and I am left with another broken tripod.

The *ONLY* way for me to clean my manfrotto pods after a trip to the sea:

1: Remove the feet and thouroughly wash them out, remembering to clean the crap that has got inside the bottom of the bottom leg.

2: Remove the clips / tightening catches (2 screws), which will then allow me to remove the leg. There are 9 of these catches, so that's 18 screws. It is also very difficult to realign the legs once I have taken it apart.

3: Clean all the carbon legs to remove the salt which seems to encrust itself within hours of a seaside trip.

4: Dry it all...

5: Reassamble.

Every time I do this, it takes me 45 minutes to an hour. The last time, a screw snapped, and a screw jammed. The clip mechanisms are rusting like hell and everything is just gritted, jammed ans very difficult to operate smoothly.

I understand that giving it a quick rinse in the bath or with a power shower will remove the stuff which is obvious. It's the bits you can't see that kills it.

Gary.
 
I need to add. I do use my tripod way past half height in sea water. The feet sink about 1/2 a ft in wet soggy sand - I am more or less burying the bottom leg in saltwater and sand. I am literally not giving a toss about where it gets used, which is perhaps why I am having so many problems. At least twice a week my tripod is put through this abuse.

Gary.
 
I guess the problem is not so much water, but sand and salt. If you can keep the sand out, and the materials are corrosion resistant, then maybe you have an answer. That Ocean Traveler is the only one (isn't it?) that has waterproof-ish seals and stainless steel stuff. And I think it is designed to be taken apart easily for an occasional thorough clean.

It kind of chooses itself on that basis.

Kerso sells Gitzo - worth a PM. Or maybe you could fix up a Group Buy ;)
 
Wait until the tide goes out ? or maybe get a longer lens and take the photo's from the beach ?








;)
 
Gary, I still think you should be looking at a Benbo 2 the sealed lower legs are about 3 ft long and if you are shooting in that sort of depth then I fear for your safety.
 
Each to their own, but a friend of mine lent me a Benbo to try out once and setting it up caused my patience threshold to exceed its maximum limit within about 5 seconds. It's like trying to have sex with an octopus.
 
Bloody hell mate I have had my CF Frotty for five years and it is always dumped in the sea and rivers...

Its mucky as anything but still functional....

Have you been taking pics next to the waste fallout streams of powerstations....


Nigel
 
Shutterman said:
Bloody hell mate I have had my CF Frotty for five years and it is always dumped in the sea and rivers...

Its mucky as anything but still functional....

Have you been taking pics next to the waste fallout streams of powerstations....


Nigel
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Dunno. It's proper mullered though :D
 
Sand...righto - the only solution would appear to be either a tripod that disassembles very easily or use thick plastic 'condoms' (perhaps thick bin-liners wrapped round and round) on the legs, maybe tied on with zippies...
 
dod said:
Here's another suggestion, get one of the benbo trekkers. The legs are sealed and they work in the "opposite" direction to normal legs, water can't get inside unless you're really going deep.

Edit: doh, too slow again, bloody phone calls :p
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Good idea, but the rest of the tripod is pretty crap these days.....
 
Thanks Guys.
I should have it in the next few days, has been ordered in.

Will do some kind of mini review, erm - at least try :D

Gary.
 
Quote " Do not buy tripod legs with concentric twist locks. These devices are not designed for sand, mud and water - home territory of the landscape photographer. Exposed to such conditions, the leg extensions in a short time stiffen and sieze up completely. To keep them working requires time-consuming disassembly for cleaning and drying of interior parts. In my experience, all brands, no matter how prestigious, are susceptible to this problem"

(My italics. I think he means Gitzo)

[Tim Fitzharris - National Audobon Society Guide to Landcspae Photography]

He recommends

Manfrotto 055MF3
Slik PRO 883
Velbon PRO CF-631EL

(American Model no's)

It's a really good book, by the way.....

Edit : Too late, I see.
 
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