Safer Technique to carry tripod with heavy lens (1 Viewer)

OBXGuide

Nature Photographer

• Nov 24, 2009

• #1

I've posted an article on my website showing my idea for a much safer way to carry that heavy super-telephoto while attached to your tripod. It would even work well for large scopes. I NEVER liked hanging the tripod across my shoulder with my expensive glass and camera waving around behind me, and it was never all that comfortable either. Instead of re-writing it all here in a longwinded post, I though it better to just link to it with all the photos.
http://naturephotography.fredhurteau.com/TripodPad-2.htm

Here is a thumbnail to show what I'm talking about. I've never seen anyone else carrying their tripod and lens this way. Anyone else tried this method?

 

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Roy C

Occasional bird snapper

• Nov 25, 2009

• #2

Interesting read, I have been looking for some kind of shoulder pad for a while. Thanks for posting :t:

 

RAH

Well-known member

• Nov 26, 2009

• #3

Very interesting idea, Fred. I use Manfrotto tripods mostly, and they all have the ability to mount just the head without a center column (it uses just a little stub), so your technique is usable by Manfrotto users whose center column is the "split" type.

 

revs45

punk birder

• Nov 30, 2009

• #4

I always carry my tripod and lens this way, works like a charm for me : )

 

W

Watts

Well-known member

• Nov 30, 2009

• #5

I carry mine that way too on occasions. With legs fully extended it's ready to shoot as soon as I lower it to the ground. Bit of a pain if you get the legs caught in vegetation though!

I use a Gitzo 5 series tripod and to protect my shoulders I've added three bits of pipe insulation (42mm) from:
http://www.tradingdepot.co.uk/DEF/catalogue/D023/Plumbing/Pipe Lagging / Insulation

Bill

 

OBXGuide

Nature Photographer

• Dec 3, 2009

• #6

Glad to know I'm not the only one whose tried this. I've just never seen anyone else at it and wondered if I'd stumbled onto something so practical and nobody else had. Thanks to all for your replies.

 

Duke Leto

Without habitat, there is no wildlife. It's that s

• Dec 3, 2009

• #7

Tried it last weekend using my Gitzo but I found that with my shoulders geing fairly thick I had to raise the tripod and hence the lens quite high which then introduced another issue with overhanging branches etc

 

OBXGuide

Nature Photographer

• Dec 3, 2009

• #8

Ah, Steve, a weak point in my theory. I didn't take into account all those strong burly fellows with lots of muscles. Oh well, I guess I need to make a note of that. Perhaps if your tripod is the kind that you can splay out the legs wider it might do, but then the legs might become dangerous weapons for anybody in the way. "Move over. Coming through!"