Ideas on best way to carry a tripod while hiking?

<p>I used to sling my standard-sized Manfrotto carbon-fiber tripod over one shoulder with an Op-Tech strap. Not really the most elegant solution. Now, I just replaced my heavy Manfrotto/pistol grip tripod with a much lighter, 2.5-lb. tripod, and a 1.1-lb. ball-head. I mentioned in another thread that I was thinking to sew two Velcro straps to the back of a Nylon pistol belt, so that the tripod could stow horizontally in the small of my back. For the new, lighter-weight tripod I just bought, my horizontal clearance will be the sum of a 22.2" tripod with a 3.9"-tall ball-head attached.</p>

<p>Here's what I just bought:</p>

<p>Oben BA-2 single-lever ball-head; 1.1 lbs.<br />Oben CC-2300 three-section, flip-lock, carbon-fiber tripod; 2.5 lbs.</p>

<p>Though the Oben legs feels sturdy (even fully extended), the Oben tripod above is only rated at an 11-lb. capacity. However, since the Oben BA-2 head I chose has a 26-lb. capacity, I was thinking of also ordering a similar capacity carbon-fiber tripod such as this 5.5 lb. Vanguard below, for use when shooting extended time-exposures:<br /> <br /> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/896056-REG/vanguard_abeo_plus_323ct_tripod.html<br /> <br /> This tripod is quite a bit longer than the Oben, with a stowed length of nearly 26.5". Has anyone had any clever ideas on how to carry full-sized tripods when hiking? I'll be carrying a Nikon D800E with an AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4.0 VR lens on a binocular harness, and a lightweight backpack (it's a Camelbak hydration pack--so, no tripod straps). It's fairly uneven terrian, so I'll also be using a Leki walking stick. Thanks for any replies!</p>

<p>I don't use a tripod usually, but the several times I did, I asked my partner nicely with a reward negotiated... </p>

<p>Ha! My trusty tripod-carrier person quit! She said, "I'm not carrying <em>anything</em> this time!"</p>

<p>Get a backpack with a tie down loops or sew some on your backback. My Tamrac A7 had a couple of loops that I used for shock cord attachment that secures the bottom of the tripod in a vertical orientation. I wove a 24" web strap through the shoulder straps and carry strap to secure the top of the tripod. It rides well for all-day treks. I tried horizontal attachment of the tripod (the A7 has provisions for straps on the bottom) and found that unsatisfactory in practice. <br>

There's a photo of this arrangement on this thread:<br>

http://www.photo.net/filters-bags-tripods-accessories-forum/00aaUl?start=10</p>

<p>ralph, I also use a backpack with a tripod security system built-in. It's a large Lowepro unit. I have actually just got back from 5 days canoeing in the back country and this time I chose to stuff all my gear in a waterproof bag with a shoulder strap and carry the tripod in a soft gun case. I bought the gun bag at a local hardware store for about $25 years ago and have always used it as my tripod bag. It's padded, zipped, has two handles and really breaks the ice when carried into a wedding... especially here in 'gun-shy' Canada ;)</p>

<p>You need a different pack...something with horizontal compression straps for when the pack is only partially loaded and taller than a standard Camelback. (Compression straps keep the load tall and slender against your back rather than settling to the bottom like a bowling ball.) Strapping the tripod horizontally across the small of your back puts it and ballhead at great risk from you falling and being damaged by obstacles (rock, trees, etc.). That's a <em>very </em>vulnerable location. I carry my tripod vertically oriented inside the pack and, if necessary, the shoulder/ballhead poking up from around the side of the lid. It glides in and out without having to fuss w/ specific attachment straps, etc. Very quick and easy to remove from and place into the pack.</p>

<p>You're not seeking a carry solution that permits 'tripod only' removal while the pack stays on your back, are you? My SOP requires pack-removal if I'm tripod shooting.</p>

<p>Dedicated photography packs, while they do have their place, are <em>darn</em> <em>heavy</em>. That's OK for very short distances but they're energy-sapping dead weight for multi-mile hikes. Stay with your 'light is right' theme.</p>

<p>Lilly said:</p>

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<p>You're not seeking a carry solution that permits 'tripod only' removal while the pack stays on your back, are you? My SOP requires pack-removal if I'm tripod shooting.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your reply, Lilly! Yes, I'll have to take off the pack to pull the tripod, since I'll need to remove the binocular harness I'm using as a camera strap from my shoulders (which are under the backpack's straps) anyway.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Dedicated photography packs, while they do have their place, are <em>darn</em> <em>heavy</em>. That's OK for very short distances but they're energy-sapping dead weight for multi-mile hikes. Stay with your 'light is right' theme.</p>

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<p>Yes, I learned my lesson last time. I'm taking lighter gear, and almost no photo-specific luggage (just a small soft lens case for my 50mm f/1.4). In fact my total lens weight is only 3.25 lbs. total, for three lenses (16-35mm, 50mm, 70-300mm). I shaved off another two pounds with my new tripod.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, the tie-downs on the Camelbak aren't substantial enough even for only a 3.5-lb. tripod/head. Going to try to hooking it onto the hydration pack's top carrying strap with a carabiner (I know I have one around here somewhere!). I'll also need a Velcro strap (one from one of my old strobe modifiers should do nicely) to tie the legs together. This <em>may</em> actually work.</p>

<p>Note that I'm <em>wearing</em> the camera, a D800E with an AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4.0 VR [1.5 lbs.] attached, using a Cabela's binocular harness. Here's the specific backpack I've been talking about:</p>

<p>Camelbak Octane 18x [1 lb.] http://www.amazon.com/Camelbak-Octane-Hydration-100-Ounce-Cubic-Inch/dp/B006ZT68B0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375756278&sr=8-1&keywords=camelbak+octane+18</p>

<p>This is a 2011-model, but purchased at REI only last Xmas. I really love it! Although this particular style, I believe, is discontinued, it's still available from certain online retailers (linked above). I prefer its design to their newer models, and bought a second one for GF.</p>

<p>The only items actually <em>inside</em> the backpack are:</p>

<p>1. AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G [9.9 oz.] in a soft lens case.<br /> 2. AF Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6D ED [1 lb. 2 oz.].<br /> 3. Ewa-Marine U-B100 underwater housing.<br /> 4. Assorted filters and step-up adapters.<br /> 5. Lens cleaning supplies.<br /> 6. Disposable shower caps.<br /> 7. One-gallon collapsable water jug (to use as portable tripod ballast).<br /> 8. 1-3 liters of water in the hydration bladder.</p>

<p>John said:</p>

 

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<p>I tried horizontal attachment of the tripod (the A7 has provisions for straps on the bottom) and found that unsatisfactory in practice. </p>

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<p>Thanks for your reply! Why exactly was that not to your liking?</p>

<p>Gup said:</p>

 

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<p>I bought the gun bag at a local hardware store for about $25 years ago and have always used it as my tripod bag.</p>

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<p>Yes, I'm a big fan of using gear made for other applications for photo or production use. Often, you'll find excellent products at "non-pro photo" types of prices. Thanks for your reply!</p>

<p>Check out Mystery Ranch. I have two older Dana Design backpacks that I use for photography, hiking and backpacking. Dana Gleason sold the Dana Design company, and his company is now Mystery Ranch. They are located in my home town of Bozeman, Montana. Mystery Ranch builds packs for the US Military, fire fighters, hunters, and adventurers of all types. One cool thing is the accessories. The really cool thing is their harness system and their adjustable fit.</p>

<p>Check out the Adventure packs -- the Sweet Pea, and the Big Sky both have the Stickit Pocket. On my older Dana Design packs it was called it the Beavertail -- this is where I stick my tripod, vertically, and securely outside of the pack interior. The yoke and waistbelts are available in different sizes, and accessories such as the Spadelock Velcro Insert and the Removable Pockets allow more cusomization. Back to the harness system: the pack becomes part of you, and the weight transfers so well you tend to forget about the load.</p>

<p>http://www.mysteryranch.com/adventure</p>

 

<p>I asked my wife to carry my tripod around Ireland and Scotland and it just about led to divorce. I never made that request again. Beware.</p>

<p>-O</p>

<p>Problem, <em>mostly</em>, solved! A quick trip to REI garnered a 3/4" Nylon strap with a plastic buckle, and an aluminum 'S'-biner (no. 3). The tripod can now be strapped to the center of the backpack, vertically. The only problem is that though this is one of the shorter available tripods (22.2" collapsed + 3.9" ball-head), it still hangs a bit "long."</p>

<p>I just found a four-section, 3.51 lb. Feisol CT-3402 ($271) carbon-fiber tripod that folds down to only 17.7" which I may exchange for the Oben. However, the Feisol uses four sections (instead of three), and employs twist-lock legs instead of the faster/easier flip-locks of the Oben. While the Feisol weighs the same as the Oben, they claim a higher, 19.8-lb. capacity (vs. the Oben CC-2300's 11-lb. capacity).</p>

<p>Even shorter . . . the Photo Clam (who are these companies?) PT-125 Pro ($339.99). This one weighs only <em>2.4</em> lbs., has a <em>19.8</em>-lb. capacity, and folds down to only <em>15.6"</em>. Again, it's a twist-lock design, but with <em>five</em> sections. But after rigging my 22" Oben to my backpack, minimum collapsed length is fast becoming a key feature.</p>

<p>Have you looked at these? I have not used them, but read good things about them, thinking real hard about getting the first one below. Anecdotal posts suggest they are from the same manufacturer as Benro tripods. My criteria is light weight and compact folded height for travel, with the thought that yes, it may not be the absolute sturdiest, but will allow me to shoot subjects that I just couldn't do handheld. Even then, most of the time tripod will likely sit in a hotel room :-)</p>

<p>1) Without head, $259, CF, 4-section, twist-lock, Weight 2.14lbs, folded height 15.67", load capacity 33lbs - <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/HORUSBENNU-FX-7439TT-Carbon-Fiber-Camera-Tripod-Transform-Monopod-w-Case-NEW-/260868499363?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item3cbcf967a3">link</a> <a href="http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1245504">review1</a> <a href="http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1109980">discussion2</a> <a href="http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-258507.html">discussion3</a><br /> <br />2) Without head, $89.99, Mag/Al, 4-section, twist-lock, Weight 2.54lbs, folded height 14.96", load capacity 13 lbs - <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-HORUSBENNU-M-2538T-BLUE-Color-Camera-Traveler-Tripod-DSLR-SLR-/281075032829?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item417160a2fd">link</a> <a href="http://forums.redflagdeals.com/first-glance-horus-bennu-tripod-w-lx-1t-ballhead-ebay-85-shipped-1250494/">discussion1</a></p>

<p>I would still tend to recommend the Oben CC-2300, or a similar, flip-lock, three-section tripod, for two reasons: 1.) Twist-locks are much slower to tighten and un-tighten than flip-locks; 2.) a three-section tripod is much faster to extend than a four-section tripod (think about it--that's six vs. nine things to do when extending/locking all legs at maximum extension). However, if your priority is minimum-collapsed length, then the majority of your options will be four-sections.</p>

<p>Also, if you happen to live in the US, I would recommend purchasing from an established dealer (e.g., B+H, Adorama, etc.) instead, rather than an Ebay seller. For example, B+H has a very liberal return policy, and in my experience, excellent telephone-based customer support.</p>

<p>Ralph, I buy a lot of my photo gear from B&H, have for years. On my last NY trip had to make a pilgrimage to their brick and mortar store, what a treat! As you said, not too many 3-section tripods that fold down this small, and I haven't found these tripods anywhere except eBay. Maybe I'll go back and look at Benro again, which B&H does stock.</p>

I attach my tripod to my day pack with a couple of ball bungees ( http://www.amazon.com/patio-lawn-garden/dp/B000ILOAPC). It's pretty quick and offers a variety of options depending upon where the pack attachment points are.

<p>You have lots of options. First, you have to decide if you want the tripod out of the way, like on your back, or it it is OK for it to be near your arms. I am assuming the former since I think your camera is exposed and on your chest and your arms are occupied with hiking poles.<br>

1, Get a new harness system that places your tripod on the back and leaves your camera on your chest. Lowepro's might work, but you will have to figure out how to attach the tripod to the back of the harness. Another harness to look at is one from ThinkTank. Again same issue for the tripod. You are going to have to buy harness straps to tie it to the harness.<br>

2. Get a new backpack that is designed for your tripod. This is what I would do. Lowepro makes the Scope Porter 200AW. Mind Shift Gear makes the 180 degree rotation back pack. You can buy a tripod harness accessory for it or a tripod pouch that gets the tripod on the back of the backpack. I like the backpack idea because sooner or later you will need to put your D 800 inside it to protect it from the rain, duct etc.<br>

I suggest you check out the gear sold by Outdoor Photo Gear. They have lots of different products at different prices. Call them for advice. Links follow:<br>

<a href="http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/mindshift-gear-tripod-suspension-kit.html">http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/mindshift-gear-tripod-suspension-kit.html</a><br>

<a href="http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/mindshift-gear-rotation-180-professional-deluxe-photography-backpack.html">http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/mindshift-gear-rotation-180-professional-deluxe-photography-backpack.html</a> <br>

<a href="http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/think-tank-photo-shoulder-harness-v2.0.html">http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/think-tank-photo-shoulder-harness-v2.0.html</a> <br>

<a href="http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/think-tank-photo-glass-limo-large-lens-backpack.html">http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/think-tank-photo-glass-limo-large-lens-backpack.html</a><br>

<a href="http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/kinesis-padded-shoulder-harness.html">http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/store/kinesis-padded-shoulder-harness.html</a><br>

<a href="http://store.lowepro.com/scope-porter-200-aw">http://store.lowepro.com/scope-porter-200-aw</a><br>

<a href="http://store.lowepro.com/modular/s-f-technical-harness">http://store.lowepro.com/modular/s-f-technical-harness</a><br>

PS. I have been married for 46 years and my wife has never carried any of my photo gear, not even back up images. Never ask a wife or friend to bear your stuff!<br>

Joe Smith</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Forget about your SO or friend, call upon the REAL man's best friend to share your load.</p>

<p>http://www.cesarsway.com/shop/Dog-Whisperer-Back-Pack</p>

<p>Ralph, The tripod deal is a love hate dichotomy. The tripod is needed to get sharp interesting images, yet weight is weight - even an extra 3.5 - 4 lbs. I carry my tripod in one hand when hiking. Sometimes I use it as a walking stick or to help me negotiate getting over or up or down rocks, etc. Carrying gear is a pain. We have to learn to travel lightly and make judgments about what to take and leave behind as compromise. I have gotten some great shots with my point and shoot too. Happy image making on hikes. Larry</p>

<p>Thanks for everyone's replies and informative links. I'm pretty much committed to the lightweight (1-lb.) Camelbak hydration pack, and the 'S'-biner tie-down solution seems to work fairly well--the only issue is that a 22" tripod with a 4" head is still quite long. Opting for a lesser head, the 11-lb. rated Oben BA-0 (which also matches the tripod's capacity), that's only 0.5" shorter, and <em>almost</em> 0.5 lbs. lighter seems silly. But, maybe not. That would make my tripod + head combination just a hair over three-pounds total.</p>

<p>The decision to go with a four- or five-section, twist-lock tripod is still very tempting due to the very short collapsed lengths of these tripods. However, I'm still leaning pretty heavily toward keeping the 2.5-lb. three-section tripod I have now for faster/easier set-up/tear-down.</p>

<p>Larry said:</p>

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<p>Ralph, The tripod deal is a love hate dichotomy. The tripod is needed to get sharp interesting images, yet weight is weight - even an extra 3.5 - 4 lbs.</p>

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<p>So true. Adding only 3.5 lbs. to your pack feels like adding a pile of rocks.</p>

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<p>I carry my tripod in one hand when hiking. Sometimes I use it as a walking stick or to help me negotiate getting over or up or down rocks, etc.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Yes, that's another entirely practical option which I've also been considering. If someone made a skipole-type handle with a 3/8" threaded receiver, that could be a very neat solution! I'd also still like to try my pistol belt-strap idea. I have the straps, now I just have to find my Nylon pistol belt. Or, maybe a backpack "bedroll" style strapping arrangement. Thanks for your comments!</p>

<p>Got it! I put one of the tripod's legs <em>through</em> the top carry-strap of the backpack (instead of attaching an 'S'-biner to the tripod's strap lug). This raises the carry-height of the tripod a few more inches, reducing some of the "tail" effect. A single 'S'-biner secures the legs at the lower part of the pack, by binding two of the backpack's built-in tie-downs together. Much better CG.</p>

<p>I have a Manfrotto 724b, about 3 lbs, 4 sections, under 20 inches collapsed. I can fit it under my daypack which has compression/load straps, or more commonly, the pack has a bungee cord in a figure 8 across the back as well as a ladder loop and side compression straps. I slip it under the cord and hook one leg in the ice axe loop then tighten the compression straps all around. It holds it quite stable, not hard to get it in or out and while it extends almost as high as my head, unless one is really scrambling in very dense brush either position is stable and not too much snag happy. The compression straps also go a long way to reducing the potential that a zipper failure on the main panel would be catastrophic. I have a North Face Heckler but looking at it after a search, there is a new design out which doesn't have the bottom straps or ice axe loop. It still shows the strap/cords though to get an idea of how it works.</p>

<p>Craig said:</p>

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<p>I have a North Face Heckler but looking at it after a search, there is a new design out which doesn't have the bottom straps or ice axe loop.</p>

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<p>Nice pack! Apparently clearanced-priced (select colors only) at only $59: http://www.ebags.com/product/the-north-face/heckler/237258?productid=10198056&sourceid=ADWPRODUCT&couponid=55583734&gclid=CLj0zaGR8rgCFZF7QgodmkYAqw&kwid=productads-plaid^20174691523-sku^10198056-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^26970718578 I don't see the bottom straps on this one--is this the newer design?</p>