Troy Newell , Jul 02, 2003; 01:08 p.m.
Hello,
Currently I am looking forward to a trip to Italy that is coming up
very soon (July 15). I am trying to figure out the least cumbersome
way to support my camera for longer exposures (building interiors,
maybe even some night photography). It is really a shame, but I
don't think I'll be able to take my tripod simply because I am a
light traveller. I don't like to take a whole bunch of equipment. I
have a lot of experience with this tripod in terms of low light and
night photography, but it is just too large and heavy. I don't
really have enough money to invest in a smaller tripod, and I don't
think a cheap plastic one would be worth it anyway, so I am
considering fashioning a bean bag support, but I have never tried
using one...I would appreciate any advice on small and economic
stabilizers. I am thinking that a bean bag is the most convenient
way to go, so I would welcome any tips from anyone with bean bag
experience. My longest lens is 200mm.
Thanks,
Troy
troynewell@yahoo.com
Keith Dunlop , Jul 02, 2003; 01:25 p.m.
Since you mention a 200mm lens I'm assuming you are shooting with an SLR. This advice may be of no help as a result, but with my Leica's I can use a small tabletop tripod and hold it against a lamp post, or the side of a structure, or utilize a balcony if available. This would obviously be a little more cumbersome with a heavier SLR, and damn near impossible with an F5. If we are talking about a Nikon FM3a, that technique might work well with a small prime lens.
Chris Combs , Jul 02, 2003; 01:41 p.m.
Have you considered a smallish monopod?
Craig Gillette , Jul 02, 2003; 01:44 p.m.
Traveling light and achieving stability aren't entirely compatible. You might want to consider more than one bean bag. Or a long slender one with enough slack to allow you to fold one end up/under to get a higher angle. The bean bag can be a plastic bag or two in a small stuff sack. The bean bag also can be a little limited as to height above the ground. if you dont have a railing, a table, etc., it's not too helpful. The small table top tripod, as noted, can allow you to brace against available objects as well as set up on tables, etc. Placing it at shoulder level and leaning against it to hold it to a wall, column, or the like will be pretty stable and secure and leave a hand free for the cable release, etc. That size tripod isn't really all that expensive.
Will Perlis , Jul 02, 2003; 01:44 p.m.
Bean-bags are good. I think they have beans in Italy (Google around for a "Complete Guide to Beans in Italy Through the Ages" website) so you won't have to travel with them. If they don't have beans, dry pasta or rice works too.
They probably also have bags of various sorts.
Ian Brunton , Jul 02, 2003; 02:14 p.m.
I've taken sharp 30s exposures with the camera placed on top of a litter bin (the curved top allowed about 10 degrees' movement from perpendicular to the subject) or pressed down on a wall.
Of course it cuts down your photo opportunities, but it's something to think about when you're without a tripod or a bag of rice. After all, you may take your tripod with to Italy but leave it at your hotel when you go out for the evening.
Ian Brunton , Jul 02, 2003; 02:18 p.m.
For railings, I've read about getting a brace/small G-clamp with a tripod screw/head attached. Never seen one for sale, though - might have to be a homemade thing.
Then, of course, if you're going to take a tabletop tripod, a bag of rice and a G-clamp to cover all possibilities, you might as well take a big Gitzo or something.
Keith Van Hulle , Jul 02, 2003; 03:18 p.m.
Maybe one of those really small Sliks? They're a bit bigger than a tabletop type and may be the way to go (even something like a 450G will fit in your back pocket). With a beanbag, as I think has been stated, you are limiting to where you have the ability to place your camera. What if the only place to put the beanbag is on the ground? Is that the vantage point you want? What if there is NO place to put the beanbag (meaning you lose the shot)?
Steven Chan , Jul 02, 2003; 10:24 p.m.
Troy,
You might want to look into getting a table top tripod. You can get some nice night shots with it. I use the Bogen 3007 with micro ball head (about $40). I found this could support a N90s and my heaviest lens, a 80-200/2.8. Not too bad for something you can fit in your shirt pocket.
Brian Southward , Jul 03, 2003; 04:08 a.m.
In my limited experience a small table top tripod is more use and less bulky than a bean bag, but you are still very much casting round for suitable places to put it. I use the Manfrotto and I hear good things about the Leitz. The Manfrotto is certainly small and very economic, and is more stable than you might think judging by its small size.
