Learnt an important tripod lesson today...

[martyp]

Had my first disaster with a camera today.

I was doing some photography for work today, using a cherry picker. So I take my Redsnapper tripod w/ball head to get nice sharp shots, went fine until the end of the day.

I took the camera off the tripod to take some free hand shots, sit the QR plate on the tripod, turn the little screw to tighten it up, started making a scratching noise (thought grit got in or something), let the camera go and boom, hits the metal basket... Could've been worse, as I was about 13m up but still... :bonk:

The filter mount is cracked (glass is fine) and something has obviously dislodged inside as when you shake it you hear a piece of plastic moving and it depending on where it lays determines where you can zoom to. Funnily enough though, it still focuses okay and the IQ isn't any different. Oh, and camera is unscathed, who says xxxd's have poor build quality.

So, I have learnt an important lesson today and also need to buy a 18-55 lens. Thankfully it was the non-IS version so they go for <40 notes on eBay.

Just so grateful I never done as intended, take my 24-105L up there to try it out on the 450d...


So, has anyone else done something this stupid or can I get the medal? :bonk:

 

[foodpoison]

Thank god for Manfrotto's release safety mechanism. I've nearly had that happen a hundred times.

 

[Lensflare]

Sorry about your mishap.
Why use a tripod up a cherry picker? The arm has movement in it.
Shooting from a raised picker at night, I would always guy the platform off to prevent sway. A clamp on the platform rail is much safer too than the tripod legs kicking about under your feet!

 

[martyp]

Yeah, the Redsnapper has a safety release button for removing the camera (push the button in then it can slide out) but no such thing for placing the camera in sadly..

Simon, yes, the basket was a little bouncy when walking about and the shutter speed compensated for that more than the tripod. However, I was needing the tripod/ball head to get &#730; measurements of each shot from North which is a lot easier than shooting freehand with compass.