Stability in the wind...

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I was out last night trying to get some images over San Francisco on the beautiful full moon. It was windy, as is the norm around the Golden Gate, and I just couldn't get a good shot. Too much wobble. I'm using the following tripod and head:</p>

<p>Tripod - Manfrotto 055CXPRO 3-SECTION TRIPOD<br>

Head - Manfrotto 322RC2 GRIP ACTION BALL HEAD</p>

<p>I'm suspecting the head may be the culprit here. It seems to "slip" every so slightly with the bigger lens. I notice it when I'm trying to meter - I'll place to focus point on a particular spot and it will drop a tad once I release the grip. Is this normal for all heads?</p>

<p>Using a 50d with a Canon 70-200 2.8L Series lens. Is there a more stable tripod and/or head?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p><div></div>

<p>The other image</p><div></div>

<p>Wow, that looks like a *lot* of shake. Like something's not tight, like the plate to the camera, or the plate to the head, or the head to the tripod, or the center column was down but not locked, or something like that. Looks like too much to be just wind to me.</p>

Wind could be a reason for blurry things unconnected to the bridge while being on the bridge; connected things (vehicles on a bridge; bridge structure, support itself) should be more in focus.

<p>Are you using a cable release? </p>

<p>there certainly are more stable tripod and head combinations , especially the head. I like Arca-Swiss and Really Right Stuff heads. </p>

<p>Sometimes putting something like a small sandbag over a tripod mounted long lens will help stabilize the rig. Did you leave IS on or turn it off? Did you try turning autofocus off as well? </p>

<p>Hi, thanks for the responses. I checked all the connections and it was as tight as I could get it. The bridge shot wasn't taken on the bridge, but from the overview just above. Same vantage point as the moon shot.</p>

<p>Also, they were long exposures (obviously) 8 and 13 seconds.</p>

<p>Ellis, thanks. I'll look into those heads and get a sandbag or two. I did have the autofocus on and this model of 70-200 doesn't have IS.</p>

<p>Looks like repeated sideway motion in the second shot, something the wind could have done. I'm not sure a sandbag would keep the tripod from bending in this sideway motion. I think you need more rigid legs. I assume the second shot was taken from the parking area off the bridge, thus eliminating the bridge vibrations due to traffic as a possible cause.</p>

<p>I agree with the comments about using a cable release and whatnot, but would mention the legs. The Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 are smallish carbon fiber legs. They are relatively compact and light for carrying, but wouldn't be my first choice for a base in windy conditions.</p>

<p>Shooting with a pano head, I've recently gone from using smaller, lighter Manfrotto legs to relying on Manfrotto 475B legs. They are more than twice the weight of your carbon fiber legs and provide a more stable base when it gets windy:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253564-REG/Manfrotto_475B_475B_Professional_Tripod_Legs.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253564-REG/Manfrotto_475B_475B_Professional_Tripod_Legs.html</a></p>

<p>If you are fortunate/unfortunate enough to have a camera bag that weighs a ton, drape the strap over the top of the pod (somehow) to weigh it down.Mind tho, that the bag does NOT swing in the wind like a pendulum. 'Dead' weights like sand bags or rock bags do an efficient if not messier job.</p>

<p>I've drilled a hole into the center tube of my Gitzo, mounted a large hook with screws and hang my camera bag or case into the hook (around 16 kg or 32 pounds). That helps. Drawback: if I have to raise the center pole I have to unmount the hook first. Sorry I can't supply an image, but I don't have a digital cam.</p>

<p>If the wind had had tornado strength, you and the camera would have become airborne, right?</p>

<p>So, how much weaker was the wind? Certainly stronger, much stronger than your tripod configuration can support (unless some coupling was loose ...?). So opt for a stronger set-up; best with arca swiss clamps etc, etc... if you need to get out in the wind again.</p>

<p>The idea of loading down the tripod with your bag is good, except that in strong winds, this bag will swing and thus alter the support again, swingingly .. ..</p>

<p>For those shots there is really no substitute for a good adequate tripod. Your current one does not seem to be up to the task, unfortunately.</p>

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<p>The idea of loading down the tripod with your bag is good, except that in strong winds, this bag will swing and thus alter the support again, swingingly ...</p>

 

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<p>For these situations I have a sand screw (usually for umbrellas on the beach) and a stainless steel screw (from rock climbers) with an adjustable cordura nylon strap. </p>

<p>Sure, I can't work with my Arca Swiss in these conditions, but with my Fuji rangefinders or the Plaubel 69W.</p>

<p>Well good new on the tripod, it does seem to be able to withstand the kind of wind that's been whooshing around the Golden Gate the past few days that I've visited. However, the air between the ears of yours truly needed some whooshing of its own.</p>

<p>I went out again last night and the wind was about the same. Instead of mounting the camera to the tripod I used the mount on the 70-200 2.8L, and voilà! Much better results.</p>

<p>However, I am very appreciative of the suggestions for a stronger tripod and will most likely get one. The reviews for the one I now use were glowing in regards to handling wind, but obviously it's not as strong as I'd like. But I am happy that it will work in the kind of conditions I experienced the last two nights.</p>

<p>Thanks again for all your feedback!</p><div></div>

<p>If you want a real sturdy tripod, you might search for Ries Tripods (USA) or Berlebach Stative (Europe).</p>