Is it really worth lugging around a tripod/monopod?

My wife and I are headed to England in a few weeks and of course I will take 1000 photos. I can't decide whether or

not to hassle with a tripod or even a monopod. We will be spending some time on a small tour bus (actually a 16-

passenger van) and I don't want to appear too obnoxious. I know it may be wet, so I have purchased a "rain coat" for

my D60 and short zoom, but at least I can put that in my pocket if it doesn't rain. Suggestions?

Without knowing what kind of photos you like or want to take it is impossible to answer. Night shots? Bring a tripod. Early sunrise/sunset? Bring a tripod. Inside a cathedral? Bring a small table top tripod and brace it against a column. Outside during the day? Leave the tripod at home.

A monopod will fit neatly in your luggage along an edge, but it always draws scrutiny from security people xraying it. I carry a Leitz Tiltall monopod I've owned for a couple of decades that I always take with me. I've got some colleagues that have some sort of strap contraption that they hold with their feet and it attaches to the tripod socket. They seem to like it. It would be compact, but I've never used one nor know where you would find one. Another option is either a carbon fiber or basalt monopod. It would be extremely light.

 

I always go back to a great book by Alan Alda (from MASH fame), who wrote the book "Why you don't stuff your dog...", and he talks about how he took a Leica to Europe and spent all of his time looking through the rangefinder and not really experiencing his trip. I've done that numerous times on vacations, and have learned to pack very light and only capture things that capture your attention, not things that simply record your being there.

A good tripod always pays for itself.

I frequently pack a tripod but leave it in my hotel during the day and bring it out at night for a few shots. And I've never regretted having it - those night shots are some of my favorites.

I think the real question is what kind of camera you're shooting with. If you're using a digital SLR, particularly a recently manufactured one, you won't need a tripod. If you're lugging around something old, gigantic, well, you probably will. My opinion, leave the tripod at home, enjoy Europe, and take pictures while you're there.

When I travel in Europe even on a tour, I take my small tripod. I use it in the morning before breakfast and in late afternoon/evening when I am on my on time w/o the group. It helps me compose those shots taken in great light and when I might be using a small aperture to get max depth of field.

 

During the day it stays in the room or on the tour bus. I also bring a small tripod I stick in my pocket for inside churches when a regular tripod is not allowed. Only you can decide if it is worth the effort of packing it. Joe Smith

Again, it's hard to say how much you'd miss it not knowing your photographic interests, but I'd definitely take one, particularly if you have or get one that is fairly short when compacted. You can talk hand holding technique all you want, but it's still never as good for me as even a cheap tripod.

To Michael's second paragraph - this is a good point, but one I have gone back and forth on. Where I've settled down is to approach the photography in a way that enhances the experience, rather than controls the experience. In other words, it's not the objective, so I don't subsume the experience to the "necessity" of getting a shot, but take the shots that will help me relive the experience later.

 

I'm not old, but believe me, the memory fades. 1st trip, only trip, one of many? If it's one of many, I might skimp, but if, for example, you're at Bath Cathedral, thinking "What an incredible sight - I hope I remember this forever." wouldn't you want to be prepared to take the best shot possible? I've got two books of photos from my honeymoon to England in 1989, full of stuff the memory is dim on.

 

But, do what feels right, and I know from experience that the wife is a key component to that equation. ;-)

Yes. To me anyway. The trick is to find one small, sturdy but light. I use a Slik Sprint Pro. It straps to the bottom of my shoulder bag, weighs about a pound, and although I often don't need it and leave it in the room, when I do, I have it.

Thanks so much to everyone for the advice. Someone mentioned a small, lightweight tripod. I think that might work. We are headed to the Highlands of Scotland and although I don't want to appear to "touristy," I don't want to miss a good landscape shot up there. Thanks again.

This falls into the category of "are you traveling to take pictures, or taking pictures while traveling" conundrum.

 

Taking pics while traveling, I use a very inexpensive aluminum dime store tripod. Perfect for night shots, long exposures, or when I want to be in a picture. Small enough to get stuffed into a backpack or shoulder bag and weighs nothing.

 

With modern DSLRs, you will be amazed at what you can do with a cheap tripod and the shutter set to self timer. The best tripod to take on vacation is the one you are willing to carry all day long and maybe not even use.

England in October/November - are you kidding? Definitely bring one!

VR can be a partial solution, but there's still no replacement for a tripod.

That is unless you're planning to shoot wide-open and to use high ISO extensively, of course.

It believe the eleventh commandment is: Always bring your tripod! But be sure to bring along a lightweight AND sturdy

tripod that folds small, otherwise you won't lug it around or use it. VR is not a substitute for a tripod, especially when light

gets really dim and you want to use a small aperture.

I regret all the trips where I left my tripod in the hotel, just because it was too large too lug around.

Just like with justification for buying a piece of photo equipment -- it's worth it if you use it -- or in this case, if you can visualize how you will use it. Going to a new place will give you opportunities you don't anticipate.

<br><br>

You could bring it and leave it in hotel or car, and when the "i wish i brought my tripod" feeling comes, you can return to the same spot the following day -- or you could do scouting during the day and be there with a tripod when the light is right -- and then the following day it will be raining cats and dogs and you can't go back in time.

<br><br>

Yes bring the tripod if you plan on taking photos in magical light of twilight or sunrise/sunset or night... if you intend on standing still for a while to capture several elements in a photo, that have to be timed just right... in summary: if you plan on taking memorable photos to capture something special -- and require time and thought.

<br>

<img src="http://www.robertbody.com/arizona08/images/2008-09-13-squaw-cactus-26328.jpg">

<br>

This was a 15second exposure by moonlight

Hello Michael Axel: I use the contraption you mentioned. I made it my self. Used nylon string and the right size screw from hardware

store. attached the screw on one end of the string and put a loop on the other end. When using I screw the end on to the camera in tripod

socket and put the loop on the other end in my foot. I have the string size s that when I put the camera to my eye the string is taught. It

reduces the camera shake but not as much as tripod. I find it very convenient as it is light and fits in my pocket. Also it is easy to set up

and use. I do not take a tripod through the airports but use the contraption on all my travels. Sandy

It really depends upon you, and the types of photographs that you like and like to take, but for me, almost all of my "good"

shots were taken with a tripod. This is true even if the tripod wasn't "necessary." Using a tripod makes you stop and think

for a moment. Maybe you don't need the help, but I do. :-)

 

Dan

oooops... now if I had read your whole post, or maybe i read it, i just spaced out....

<br>br>

then I would say that since this is a babysitting tour... you won't have time for real photography, so most likely you will be happier without a tripod, and even a monopod might be too much on a rush-rush got-to-go tour :-)

<br><br>

<img src="http://www.robertbody.com/colorado07/images/2007-06-17-evans-goats-pho2.jpg">

Photography can be a hassle. You are on a group tour that moves at a fast pace with you circling the crowd to

set up a shot. You can't hear the guide while adjusting legs. The pod falls out of the rack

onto a senior citizen who is a retired barrister with a pit bull scowl. The scenario gets sticky.....

 

Au contraire.... You would like to be in at least one or two of the pictures. Now comes the tripod to save the

situation. Ergo schlepping/ toting/lugging is necessary price we pay.

 

On the upside... Girding up loins i.e. thinking positive.. Bring along good camera AND a

monopod AND a table top tripod. Think of James as Group Photographer. Bottom line. Travel equals typically some

hassle anymore.

 

Carve out one day with a Nikon Coolpix with VR or Canon A--something and just enjoy. Use

evenings not for shooting but fellowship. Strike a balance that is comfortable. Good luck and good safe trip....gs

I shoot almost everything from either a tripod or heavy camera stand and would not have it any other way, but this

may not be the point. There are several threads on Large Format Photography Forum that speak to regs against

using tripods in very many places all over Europe. I've never been there, so I can't validate those statements, but it

might be worth doing some searches regarding the allowing of tripod use in the places you are going to e touring.

Maybe start with your travel agent and the Brittish embassy.

You might want to consider a tripod, or the combination of a tabletop tripod and a monopod. Look for light weight

(carbon fiber is usually the lightest), fast and easy adjustments, and a quick release mount. You do not

necessarily have to spend a small fortune on these. There are some reasonably priced and relatively well made

monopods and tripods that should do a good job. I hike with a monopod, which is useful when there are clouds,

wind, shade, or other low light situations. At night I use a tripod. One is missing a lot of fantastic

opportunities by ignoring night photography. Night photographs are often very dramatic, and are unusual in that

the average photographer doesn't usually bother to learn how to take them. Instead of snapshots, you will get

very gratifying photos. Tripods are also helpful for macro photography, especially if the mounting pole can be

reversed so that the camera can be positioned close to ground level. There are also camera mounts that have

articulated legs that can be used to grasp onto benches, chairs, trees, poles, etc. One example is, I think,

trade named the Gorilla pod. These are light,

relatively small, and can be helpful in a pinch, but they may not be sturdy enough for a heavy DSLR outfit. Have

fun, and have a safe trip!

James, I live in London, England. Light will be pretty much gone by 6pm or so in October. You're talking of a 1000 photos and a D60. Your D60 probably maxes out at iso1600 for a clean foto. That's not enough for the low light conditions in England then.

 

Even if you dont take many photos at night/early morning when you *will* need support, you will during the day if inside a cathedral or similar.

 

My tip would be to go as light as possible. Try a monopod. If youre fine with it, thats your answer. If not, I am hesitant to recommend a tripod. Speaking from personal experience, a tripod would slow me down because of the size. British towns and streets tend to be smaller than in the US, and working with a tripod on streets, etc is not easy.

 

I've seen the Gorilla-pods in stores, but have no experience of them. You may want to check these out, if a monopod is no good.

 

Trust this helps, Anil.

I have revised my answer because you wrote "D60" and "short zoom."

 

I glanced at a review of a Nikon D60 (I apologize if you like some other brand, I am just a Pentax film guy); I bet it has one of those

software shake controls like my Pentax K200D. Your camera also has a small on-board flash. If it's like my cam's on-board, it's probably

so powerful that most of the time it is too powerful.

 

You know I am going to tell you that I love tripod shots; slow speed films, longer exposures, a full range of aperture

choices at your disposal. No tripod means significantly cutting down on shutter speeds or film speeds. Tripods are essential for what I

like to do; but, you describe doing something else.

 

In your case, unless you have to bring back pro-quality location shots, just for snapshots of a trip, I would say, (I can't

believe I am writing this), leave the tripod. Weight-wise, what I think you will want is a small flash, like the kind that is

about as powerful as the one on your cam (old flashcube-style power to 16 feet), but that you can hold away from the

camera. Off-camera strobes look 10X better, even if they are only removed a few feet; angles are the key.

 

Weight-wise, what I recommend is a small flash on a coiled 15 foot cord; and, a polarizing filter to deal with glass

reflections. A cosmetic brush for dust; a small handkerchief in a plastic bag. Your whole kit could fit in your pockets.

 

If you are bringing other lenses, don't have some digital shake control, use longer lenses, or absolutely must get the

highest quality, I would say, Tripod! Monopod at a minimum. But, for what you have outlined above, I would

recommend a small strobe you can pc cord to your camera, hold out with one hand real quick, and plus-up the

illumination. If you need to stabilize more, like window shots from the bus, you can always use some fabric bunched up

as a bean bag, or some other form of improvised brace to help you pull off the shot.

 

Less stuff, small stuff, that you can keep in your pockets, means that you can shoot a lot more without worrying about

being shy. So, bring a couple extra memory cards, because you are probably going to shoot 1500+ if you plan to make

1,000. Only other thing I would recommend would be a notepad; lists of some critical test times you know work;

reminders of some data you know you might forget; brainstorm some "photo essay" trend ideas, etc.

 

Laptop with you for hotel use; nighttime downloads for the next day, etc. Good luck. Bon voyage. J.

P.S. I hope you recognize that I am not advocating using a strobe inside a motor vehicle, of course. J.

You might check on the bean bag with a tripod screw built in (The Pod?) It might work well on a bus tour, and if you need it, you can borrow a parking meter or automobile fender for a quick shot or two. [No legs to tangle in and off the bus with....]