Tripod stone bag or similar

sarahhj

sarahhj

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Sarah
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Hi,

I've been looking at the Vanguard Stone Bag, Matin Tripod Butler and the Manfrotto Utility Apron (Ok, so, there's no universal name for these things!) with a view to it being able to hold a netbook (11") securely during tethered shooting.

The Manfrotto looks best for my needs in the photos and is typically the most expensive. Just wondering if anyone uses any of the above products and has an opinion on it?

Thank you :)
 
If I was going to use the netbook whilst taking the photos, then I wouldn't want it attached to the tripod - too much risk of introducing vibration or upsetting the whole set-up, imho. But then I've never used a stone bag or done any tethered shooting, so my reservations could be misplaced.
 
Thanks for your thoughts. I assumed that I would still be able to fire the shutter using a remote release (Hahnel wireless)... but maybe that isn't possible. I haven't actually tried it out. So I can understand why fiddling with a netbook which it attached to the tripod might not be a great idea.

Any alternative suggestions aside from dumping the netbook on the ground? This is for using the setup out and about for landscape shots, possibly timelapse (including stars at night).
 
I would think that you can use the remote. Why do you want the camera tethered? I would have thought that setting the netbook out on top of the camera/computer bag would be easier to use than slung under the tripod. A small camping stool or an upturned collapsable plastic crate might do the job as a platform for the computer (with a set of luggage wheels you could move your gear to the shooting site in it).
 
I would like the option to review images on a screen better than the lcd on the camera. Nothing more frustrating than getting the focus off at night and not realising until reviewing on the computer later. My remote doesn't offer the option of timelapse either so I thought that tethering might be the answer.
 
That makes sense :)

Personally, I think I'd be inclined to look for an off-tripod solution but I can see why you'd want to put the netbook there. Hopefully, someone with more relevant experience might be able to help.
 
There are almost certainly netbook/tablet holders that could be clamped to the tripod leg, that would be a much sturdier solution if you really need the netbook there while tethered.

I know I've seen such holders+clamp solutions in photos of people using iPads wifi tethered, so...

A quick google turned up this as an example of a solution that would probably work:

http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogRes...rtid/082065077045050051052045054/Default.aspx

coupled with:

http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogRes...45066045049050049085045083075049/Default.aspx

I'm sure you can find something similar a bit closer to home with google
 
Thanks for the help folks. I am going to have to give this further thought as I wanted something cheap, light and ultra portable - hence the stone bag - but I am not sure about that method anymore. Might still get a stone bag (but not the expensive Manfrotto!) and if it works for the netbook it will be a bonus :)
 
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