walt_z
-
Posts
10 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Events
Downloads
Gallery
Store
Posts posted by walt_z
-
-
<p>I threw some pics up on my web site:<br /> <a href="http://waltzphotography.com/portfolio/Bag/index.html">Walt Z Photography</a></p>
<p>As you can see, I've made other mods to the bag as well...I added anchor points, a sternum strap, and I made it so the straps can be configured either as a normal backpack or as a sling. I think your idea of using a standard daypack with inserts (or <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=wrap&ci=15293&N=4294205295&cm_sp=Filters-_-Category-_-Photography">wraps!</a>) would work out great.</p>
<p>I have Mountainsmith's biggest lumbar pack (their "Day" pack), plus I've handled their bigger packs in the store. Build quality is excellent. I'd buy one of their bags over a dedicated photo bag (LowePro, Tamrac, Tenba, etc) any day. They target the outdoor enthusiast/hardcore backpacking crowd, so their bags have lash points, adjustment straps, etc.</p>
-
<p>Madness, indeed....My solution to this is a LowePro FastPack 200 with a ThinkTank-style belt (and add-on pouches) and some Velcro. Get a shoe repair place to sew three strips of 1-1/2" velcro to the bottom of the bag, then sew just the end of three mating strips of velcro to the back of the bag, just up from the bottom. Slip that velcro thru the belt and stick it to the mating velcro on the bottom of the bag.</p>
<p>This gives you a very flexible setup. With the waist belt on the backpack, you can carry quite a bit of gear comfortably. With just the bag or just the belt, you can travel lighter.</p>
<p>I have eight bags in my closet. I haven't purchased any (yet!) since creating this setup.</p>
-
<p>Highly capable, but not really where the innovation is happening...</p>
-
<blockquote>
<p>One on the head, one on the neck and one on the arm.<br>
...<br>
Blouse your pants</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I think you're doing it wrong.</p>
-
<p>Use your environment to steady your camera. Pillars, walls, floor, ledges, stairs. Get creative with your point of view. Places like the Taj Mahal have probably been worked to death anyway. Do something different.</p>
-
There ya go...$1.95, in stock. Shipping & handling will probably add $10. Are you sure you don't want three?</p>
-
<p>Maybe it's just me, but I don't like the one-sided hinge design of the Manfrotto. It just seems inherently less stable. I'd also stay away from tripods that have spreaders like the Velbon, unless you expect to only use it on flat surfaces.</p>
<p>When looking for tripods, both the weight of your equipment and the maximum focal length of lens you expect to use need to be considered. A 600mm lens needs a much, much more stable platform than a 28mm lens. Also, tripod manufacturers are known to fudge their "Load Capacity" numbers...just because a tripod will support a certain weight without tipping over, that doesn't mean it will be stable. A good rule of thumb is to get a tripod that says it supports twice the weight you expect to put on it.</p>
<p>So...given that you've got a 105mm lens and about 5lbs of equipment, and trying to stay close to the price of the tripods you mentioned, the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/717672-REG/Manfrotto__190XDB_Tripod_Kit_with.html">Manfrotto 190XDB</a> or <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/738020-REG/Benro_A0680TBH00_A_0680_Travel_Angel_Aluminum.html">Benro A-0680 Travel Angel</a> look like better choices to me.</p>
-
<p>I used to have the Magic II, back when I had an Olympus point & shoot. It's not a terribly stable tripod. I can't even imagine putting a 5D on it. </p>
<p>Read the reviews of both of these tripods on <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com">B&H's web site</a>...on the Slik, one person said "...this is not a tripod that I would walk away from with any size DSLR on it." Do you really want to see your 5D and lens go crashing to the ground? </p>
<p>If weight is really that critical, do you need a tripod at all? Your 5D and a 50/1.4 lens would do great hand-held, even at night. A small bean bag and some creativity when composing shots can easily take the place of a tripod. </p>
-
<p>You might also check out <a href="http://www.kgear.com/store/index.php/h.html">Kinesis</a>. They make a variety of harnesses and other supports for camera gear.</p>
Aluminum vs. Carbon Giottos Tripod
in Accessories
Posted
<p>I'll throw mine in....Go for the carbon, but get the MTL8261B without the pivoting center column instead of the 8351.</p>
<p>You give up the horizontal column (which your current gear doesn't have, so you're really not "giving up" anything), but you get bigger diameter legs that will resist flexing and dampen vibrations better. You also get a more rigid connection between the center column and the legs. Your gear may be within the load capacity of the smaller legs, but a 400mm lens needs a rigid platform.</p>
<p>BTW, how much does your head weigh? That needs to be counted in the load being placed on the legs. Advice I've seen, and followed, says to get legs that claim to support twice the weight you plan to put on them.</p>