Tripod help

Kyinara · Jul 4, 2015

I am looking for a tripod that I can mount a Nikon D3000 on with primarily my left hand. I have very limited use of my right hand due to a severe mauling by an 80 lb dog back in May 2014. It has been a long recovery and I will never have full use of my hand again. I still have numbness/tingling in 3 fingers (middle, ring & pinky) and the wrist has only 40% movement. Holding my camera with my right hand is not an option, the strength is just not there but I can use my index finger

Yeah, it was pretty severe and broke bones in my hand and severed nerves, muscles & ligaments in my wrist. (I would post pictures but it might turn some stomachs)

Anyways, I am far from a professional photographer but it is and always has been my passion. It has always been me time, a time to reflect and capture the beauty around me. I miss it and want to find a way I can still enjoy again.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

Sheri

Overread · Jul 4, 2015

You might benefit searching for "disabled photographer forum/group" as I'm aware that there are a couple of them around the net. They'd be worth looking into as groups focused around those with disabilities are much more likely to have some insights that the rest of us just won't have - plus you might find some exotic or custom options that regular users are unaware of, but which could make a huge difference for your situation.

Far as I'm aware I can't think of a tripod that would be easier to use as you describe - at least nothing comes to mind. I would suggest a kirk/really right stuff quick release system for you to look into - I say that because normal quick release systems are a metal pad with some rubber that screws into the bottom of the camera/lens tripod collar. However because its just rubber friction they can and will pivot - annoying when you've both hands, but if you've only one with good control and strength you might well find that is a great annoyance or problem. The Kirk/Really Right stuff system is more expensive, but uses a large metal plate with a protruding lip ; this catches onto the edge of the camera/lens collar and fully prevents any rotational pivoting around the tripod screw. Note that because of this system it means that each camera and lens collar will need a different plate (some share the same design to the point where you can use the same plate - others are totally different).

Each plate will go into the same tripod head - its just the plate to camera part that needs to be different.

Note that good end tripods - like ones using the system I mentioned above, will be a legs and head affair. That is the legs unscrew from the tripod head; this means you can choose different heads for different situations and brings us to the next question which is what kind of photography you like to do. There are some heads which are utterly fantastic, but also very niche in what they can be used for. For your situation and for general use I'd suggest looking at "video" heads - these can be easily spotted because they have a long pan and tilt arm that sticks out the back. You could use your good hand to control the arm and thus move camera and lens around easily whilst your right hand controls the shutter. It would be quick and easy for you to use and video heads will also often provide a very smooth movement.

That would be my suggestion to look into - but it all depends on your budget. Video head would be a certain choice in my view though, no matter what else you go for. Many you can just twist the panning arm and it locks the position as well - very easy very simple to use. Regular 3 way heads or ball heads will be much more tricky as you can't really let go to move your hand to the locking screw as without any force holding it will just flop over.

Bryston3bsst · Jul 4, 2015

Well, that sounds like just a lovely experience.

Seriously, I'm very sorry you have to go through this.

Most tripods are pretty similar in that once the D plate is attached to your camera it simply snaps into the mount on top of the tripod, releasing the spring loaded lock and thereby fixing your camera to the tripod. This is pretty easily accomplished using one hand once the tripod is set up.

Setting up the tripod should be fairly easy for you too with the leg locks being one move to unlock and lock. I would think the leg locks might be the most difficult challenge, but even that, it seems, you should be able to do. Having no seen you in person, obviously I could be way off base here.

You know what you might try......call someone like Slik.....they make a pretty nice product that isn't terribly expensive, and talk to them about your situation and see if they might have some suggestions for you.

Good luck to you. I hope you're able to get around this.

Kyinara · Jul 4, 2015

Thank you, I never thought about using a video head. I may take my camera with me to a couple shops and see how they work before I decide.

Overread · Jul 4, 2015

A further thought, Manfrotto and I think one or to others produce what is called a "pistol grip" head. It's essentially a ball head with a pistol grip which you squeeze to release pressure on the ball. They can be setup to use either left or right hand on the grip.

They might suit you if you have a very light setup (eg camera and short light lenses) because you can easily control the pitch and tilt of the camera with one hand. If you've a heavier setup then even if you have lenses with a tripod collar you might find them too much strain as the system will pivot around the ball; which puts a lot of pressure onto one hand to keep it steady - fine if you've two hands and one can brace against the body, but a lot of strain for one hand.