Do you pack your tripod?

MarcusM · May 19, 2008

If you don't bring it, you can almost guarantee there will be at least one great opportunity where all you will be able to think as you watch it go by, is..."Damn!!! I knew I should have brought it!!!"

davebmck · May 19, 2008

deudeu said:
For some reason i feel like you are not going to see scenes like those two pictures in Utah... This is unfortunate, isn't it?

It's not that I don't like pictures of pretty ladies, but those pictures have no business in this thread. Kind of off subject, don't you think?

Alfred D. · May 19, 2008

davebmck said:
It's not that I don't like pictures of pretty ladies, but those pictures have no business in this thread. Kind of off subject, don't you think?

If you lift it out of context and warp the perspective: yes.

sultan · May 19, 2008

Will you be shooting at night a lot? Do you not have fast lenses (~ f/1.4)? Does your camera/lens not have stabilization?

If 2/3 or 3/3 of the questions above were yes, take the tripod. If 2/3 or 3/3 of the questions above were no, don't take it.

I personally use my tripod about once an year

BTW - Bikinis in the snow? WTF! For there to be snow, the temperature must be negative or it will melt. Wearing bikinis at negative temperatures? Are you kidding? Here where I am in Canada, it was 1 degree Celsius and I could barely be outside with my winter jacket on (partly because of the wind). Also, snow (flurries) on Victoria Day? The weather has gone mad!

kundalini · May 19, 2008

Even if it's only one shot that blows you away from all you take on the trip, you should really consider taking the tripod.

Be sure to post your photos on your return.

Alfred D. · May 19, 2008

sultan said:
BTW - Bikinis in the snow? WTF! For there to be snow, the temperature must be negative or it will melt.

Correct. So that's what it does.

Wearing bikinis at negative temperatures? Are you kidding?

No, you wear bikinis at plus 30º C (86º F). Which is what the ladies you see are doing.
So, yes, the snow melts like mad. Not as fast as you'd think, though: snow has the perfect insulation strategy – it is absolutely 100% pure white, thus reflecting 99,9% of the sun's energy! And it freezes up again at night. And every couple weeks you get a few days and nights of snow fall, replenishing a foot or so of new summer snow.
But during the day time even a T shirt is too much!

It's the Alps in summertime! Not Mississauga in the spring...

tim.bennett · May 19, 2008

Last time I went hiking in Switzerland in the summer I didn't wear anything else but shorts and T-shirts. I haven't used my carry on luggage for anything else but camera equipment for a good while now. And the tripod gets it's head removed and goes into the checked luggage.

noob873 · May 20, 2008

I brought my tripod to Europe, and any other trip I went on. Id probably buy one there if I forgot it. I did a lot of cool HDRs and stuff. I put a camera strap on mine and carried it around with me around my shoulder. Its a lot easier to carry around.
Just bring it. Id rather bring it and not need it than need it and not have it.

AmericanJesus · May 20, 2008

Why wouldn't you pack the sharpest lens you own?

Valethar · May 20, 2008

:shock: I'm SO moving to the alps..... :shock:

Alfred D. · May 20, 2008

tim.bennett said:
[...] I haven't used my carry on luggage for anything else but camera equipment for a good while now. [...]

Yep!
That and one set of clean underwear plus toiletries to get me through one or max. 2 days in case my suitcase gets lost.

Another tip:
if you go with someone else, pack half the contents of your suitcase in your traveling companion's suitcase, and vice versa. If a suitcase gets lost you share the misery and still have at least half your stuff.

zapman29 · May 21, 2008

I have lived in europe for almost 5 years now.. whever I travel i bring one of my tripods...

PhotoDonkey · May 21, 2008

I'd definitely make room for the tripod. Even if it meant only having one change of clothes. When you see that beautiful sunset and your photos are all blurry you'll wish you had it.