Porteur of Tripod.

[Pqtrick]

Is there a five star award for tripod carrying? Arriving back from a sojourn in Italy, my left shoulder and feet are very sore.

Often, and more often, there are those remarks about the use or none use of tripods when filming. Struggling and carrying one around in the sweltering heat from 9am until sunset can be more than a burden. My recourse is to utter the words ‘bloody judges’!

Then you continue and think, is your effort really in vain? In reality, you are on a holiday and you should be just admiring those pretty post card images instead. Weaving them into some preconceived idea of a film becomes more of a muse than a reality.

Would our dedicated film followers really want to see appealing images with accompanying music with some drone of a commentary? Or, would they rather be challenged by watching dark and grimy images early on a Sunday morning instead. I would much prefer being taken in by an armchair view of agreeable images with candy floss scenes of some distant land with equally inspiring sounds.

I suppose that we will carry on tripod carrying in the hope that our efforts will somehow not be totally in vain. [The notion that I should be recruiting from those ranks, a ‘porteur of tripod’ for the next great escapade is tantalising – Am I alone in my thoughts and would there be any volunteers?]

[Mike Shaw]

What's a tripod?

Seriously, I never lumber myself with a tripod on holiday or when away having a fun day. There are usually plenty of alternatives - a lampost or a wall or a bench seat or a car bonnet or roof and so on that you can use as a stabilizer when holding the cam. Jessops do bean bag things for camcorders which are useful too - and which could also be used as a hat in the heat (just kidding ... my wife would kill me).

And ... I have Mercalli, which irons out a lot of the shakes that are left in at edit stage.

I'll bet very few of the judges lug a tripod around on their 'fun' trips. The secret is to not allow them to think you haven't used a tripod.

[Stephen]

That dreaded phrase usually uttered by judges ... "should have used a tripod!"

although true in many films but not necessarily in all. Some of Danny Boyle's techniques used to induce a great deal of suspense by using his "moving camera" in scenes are great.
Its what the geezer behind the eye piece sees that counts!

I lugged my tripod (a huge cumbersome thing (10kgs!) dating from the 1960's) from Newcastle to Kracow to make my film about Auschwitz.

stopped by customs both in and out of the country (probably because of this thing in my luggage) .... but ahaa ....
I had a cunning plan... I flashed my IAC card...

after I was let out 2 days later (heehee ...only joking) I was on my way to film a place where the tripod came up trumps... couldn't have got the pics any other way...

having said that there are some great stabilisers on the market

http://steadycam.org/
http://joby.com/uk/
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/categor ... cat02=2010
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product ... s_id=99657

As Mike says look around for potential platforms...

The software Mercalli does what it says on the box but better to get the source sorted...

The film industry at the mo is overboard with some absolutely super scenes shot with moving cranes to put you right in the action... something to strive for....

[Brian Saberton]

I use a tripod where possible, but only take a tripod on holiday if I have the car. When going abroad I tend to rely on the camera's stabiliser to keep things on an even keel but, like Mike, I also keep a look out for "natural" tripods such as walls, rails, fences etc. With a bit of practice you can achieve some reasonably steady shots. I also tend to work at the widest setting of the lens, frequently with a wide angle convertor attached as this minimises any camera shake. I do find however that the modern compact camcorders are just too small and light to hold really steady. Also, last month whilst on a short break in Yorkshire I experimented shooting in 16 x 9 with my Canon XM2 and found that where I was unable to use a tripod the wider format seemed to magnify any movement. (The picture quality wasn't that great either - this camera is superb in 4 x 3 but not as good in 16 x 9). I'd heard about the use of a small bean bag to use as a camera support and although I haven't tried using one I understand that they are very effective. I've just returned from my main holiday and solved the whole problem by not taking a camcorder with me and just shooting stills. My excuse is that I haven't yet edited last years holiday film! The real problem is that if you are going to enjoy your holiday it simply isn't practical to carry a tripod around with you and, let's face it, you can see many a TV programme these days where it looks as if the crew has never heard of such a device and the camerawork is anything but steady!

[ned c]

Surprised that no-one has mentioned a monopod, easy and compact and can double as a mic boom. I purchased a handle for my very small Panasonic SD 100, this is attached to the tripod point and has a rubber grip plus two shoes for a light or mic. With the grip held in my right hand and the edge of the LCD in my left this creates a remarkably stable platform.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/4403 ... ckets.html

This is the one I use, costs USD12 here! Not perfect but very effective.

ned c

[Brian Saberton]

I tried a mono pod once and didn't get on very well with it - it tended to wobble a lot! Perhaps it was me...

[Pqtrick]

Thanks folks for your comments. I note that no-one has not leapt forward offering to carry my tripod to the upper reaches of the Amazon. [The only Amazon I likely to encounter, however, has the prefix www!]

I think that everyone is of a like mind, judges or no judges; it is just a necessary humbug at times. The tripods, that is to say, not the judges! We all love to hate them when not in the winning lane.

I get the general sense that taking our kit on holiday should best be avoided but the temptation is always there. Then we would miss out on the pleasure of showing off to our friends and family our mind-numbing holiday footage. Some have that sparkle to breathe some magic into their travel films and make them more appealing.

Like most, I have tried finding a litter bin or a convenient post or wall. But often, they are not where you want them. I have tried a monopod, bit not successfully as it still waves about in the wind. Beanie bags, I have not tried, but a convenient wall with a camera bag is a good second. It is best to avoid those low ground shots especially in busy areas!

So I still continue with my trusty £9.99 ALDI special offer lightweight tripod, after all it is not all that heavy and one of the best purchases I have made, after my camera.

Now to compound my loyalties, we have just replaced our digital still camera with a 35mm look-alike, but really when you get really dedicated, a tripod can be useful for that as well.

[daveswan]

My problem (?) is that I shoot stills as well as cine, and am serious enough about both to insist on a tripod. I have, in my time lugged a 5x4 field camera, lenses, film (Remember that?) holders, and the obligatory tripod over the Lakeland Fells.
Unfortunately I now find I need a whole new species of legs and head, both of which cost and weigh more.
Ah well, my poor shoulder!
Dave