Misusing A Tripod Well.

Bifurcator · Jun 14, 2008

Here's three thousand words worth:

- Enjoy!

This model extends to 1.5 meters as well.

Overread · Jun 14, 2008

interesting use - though I would think one would want to use some sort of padding on the leg digging into the body.

dylj · Jun 14, 2008

Why not just use a shoulder rest like the ones violinists use? In fact shoulder rests are made in all sorts of sizes and shapes. Like marshmallows or dinosaurs ...

Overread · Jun 14, 2008

but a violinists shoulder rest is part of the violin - there is no shoulder rest on the camera

Bifurcator · Jun 14, 2008

There's not a leg that digs in. The leg that appears as if it may is actually neatly tucked under the arm in the armpit. (see image #3)

The reason for doing this instead of using dedicated shoulder mounts would be two fold:

We're in a the beginner area and while many beginners will already have a smallish tripod they probably don't want to fork out $100 for something they may not use that much. If they really dig this style after trying this then they'll know what it's worth to them.
Is convenience.
- A shoulder mount is fairly special purpose and when you need a pod you then have to unscrew/detach the camera from the shoulder mount and place it on the pod if you happen to have one with you at the time.
- Since the pod legs pictured here collapse to about 17cm. and weighs almost nothing your camera never needs to be detached and a shoulder strap supports the two balanced at your side (with the legs at 90 degrees and parallel to the film plane).

And of course it's only one style offered here as just another option.

For me, it's extremely handy and whatever my main camera has been over the years it always gets a home on and becomes one with this pod.

Overread · Jun 14, 2008

linky linky to a product page for the tripod

I must say I often see the smaller tipods being either gimmiky or more suited to indoor macro work - rather than outdoors work - but one that goes to 1.5 metres tall and with the above idea could see good use - espeically if it is light
I wonder though how sturdy this would be with a decent sized lens on the camera whilst standing - not a freestanding tripod setup, but would the added support be worth it or would you always worry about breaking the legs through weight?

Bifurcator · Jun 14, 2008

I will try to find a link to this pod. It's ancient but I see the same model in shops still today.

As for being sturdy as a freestanding pod it's not - at all. It will support probably 10 or 15 pounds of camera and lens with no troubles at all but if you need to use it for absolutely still shots you will need to either use the 2-second delay shutter release found on most cameras, a remote control, or a cable release. After positioning the shot you WILL get camera shake if you them touch the shutter release button manually. But actually this is true of almost all but the totally monstrous pod models.

Also WHILE setting up the shot with heavier cameras you need to aim a bit above your target for as soon and your hand moves away and no longer adds support the weight of the lens will aim it about 0.1 degree (which is kind of allot) downward from where you pointed it. The quick tension release knob on the head I put on these legs compensates for that affect pretty well though: Aim, adjust, aim, adjust, done.

dylj · Jun 14, 2008

Overread said:
but a violinists shoulder rest is part of the violin - there is no shoulder rest on the camera

Well the chin rest is the one that is attached to the violin

I don't know of any violins that come with a shoulder rest.

Shoulder rests (for violins) come in two varieties: The traditional one with feet: http://www.kunrest.com/

and the more unconventional ones that are more like sponges: http://www.stamellstring.com/pages/SR_VN_PlayNairDlux.html

This second kind has potential for being used with a camera, I think.

Bifurcator · Jun 14, 2008

OK, this looks like it here: http://www.fadfusion.com/selection.php?product_item_number=20243400174 $21.99

You then need to replace that lame pan stick with a nice quick release friction ball type head like: maybe this or this? I can't find a link to my head (that sounds weird), the Hansa Pro. Maybe they went out of business?

Bifurcator · Jun 14, 2008

dylj said:
http://www.stamellstring.com/pages/SR_VN_PlayNairDlux.html

...has potential for being used with a camera, I think.

How? Unless you can wrap your neck around behind your shoulder? Or did you mean as a beanbag type - which are pretty common but don't go on your shoulder.

dylj · Jun 14, 2008

Bifurcator said:
How? Unless you can wrap your neck around behind your shoulder? Or did you mean as a beanbag type - which are pretty common but don't go on your shoulder.

Haha I actually do mean using it on the shoulder

Here is Joe McNally's video on holding a camera:

But I find it hard to replicate on a D40 or any camera withot a battery grip -- the camera is too small to reach the shoulder. So a shoulder rest would remedy that problem and make it more comfortable.

Bifurcator · Jun 14, 2008

Hard to do and not good for me at all unless I'm bare chested (no shirt or jacket). I've seen that before but it's fairly nutso (IMO). The problem besides the discomfort and the severe limits that it places on my pan and tilt range, is that my clothing tends to grab and turn the focus or zoom ring rubber and oops... there goes that shot I was waiting for.

Everyone's body bends a little differently so for some people that might be OK but for me that's pretty whack. I laughed pretty hard at that video tho, thanks!

I've never tried that with a pillow strapped to the camera tho so you might be on to something there.

Overread · Jun 14, 2008

I think you need and elastic left arm and a short neck to get his grip method to work - its certainly not very comfortable to hold and getting your eye to the viewfinder is - tricky