• Camera Equipment

    The New (Perfect?) Tripod

    August 14, 2023

    Back in late May I ordered the Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod. I sat undecided for months before ordering it because of its high price. Please don’t think this is a review with any ratings but it’s my way of sharing my experience at how the tripod is working for me after almost 3 months of use. 

    My current tripod is a carbon fiber Manfrotto 3443 I’ve had for over 20 years. I have had no complaints or issues with this tripod, it has served me well. However, I do not carry it with me primarily due to its size. At just over 5 pounds and a folded length of about 29 inches I’m not excited about lugging it around at my age.

    Here are my impressions. I was pleasantly surprised with the size of this new tripod. They call it a travel tripod for a valid reason. Because it’s small and lightweight, at 2.8 pounds and just over 15 inches in folded length, it is very easy to carry. And, since it is easy to carry I am finding I bring it with me far more often than my other tripod. And, I use it!

    I am going through a learning curve in setting it up and taking it down and finding what works best for me. Each time I use it I find myself getting into a routine, it becomes easier and quicker, which is something I really want in a tripod and entices me to use it more often.

    I was concerned with how stable the tripod was going to be. I shoot with a mirrorless camera so my gear is much smaller and lighter. My largest lens is the 70-300mm zoom and the tripod has no issues supporting it. It is stable enough for my photography. Gusty winds will be an issue with any tripod.

    For my stature its minimum height of 51” inches is good enough for me, only 3 inches shorter than my Manfrotto. I love the ball head. It is easy to place my camera in the ball head and lock it down. I did forget to lock it down once and had a close call. I also like how easy and quickly the one ring is to adjust. I seldom shoot vertical images and when I do it has not been a problem for me. I raise the center column about 4-5 inches and have begun to use my LCD more when on the tripod. It really is easier than looking through the viewfinder. The tripod is not capable of doing a panorama series but I’ve only done that once in all my years of photography. I so enjoy not having an L-bracket on my camera. Their little standard plate is small and much less intrusive.

    I also find it to be physically attractive, a state of the art tripod. Its design fits my hand very well because of the shape of the legs and how it’s folded. There is no wasted space. I probably will never use the stowable mobile phone mount but it’s there. Peak Design also has several useful videos on their website for using and servicing the tripods.

    So, I am pleased with my purchase but still reeling from the cost. It will not make me a better photographer and I knew that when I ordered it. However, when I use it as a tool in the craft of photography it will help in my photography. Just taking a tripod with me does that. Was it worth the money? Probably not. Well…

    In closing I’ll say it is not the perfect tripod because there is none. But we can argue that when I have it with me and use it, it is the perfect tripod at that moment. Oh, and it’s guaranteed for life. It’ll probably outlast me.

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  • Mary Oliver,  Plants

    Details

    August 30, 2021

    ““Keep some room in your heart for the Unimaginable.”

    Mary Oliver, Evidence: Poems

    An image from an afternoon walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. I like the details in this image because I relied on a tripod rather than my image stabilized lenses. After, carrying the tripod over my shoulders for awhile I remembered why I normally leave it in the car. Also, this was not a planned image but one I accidently framed. Another image given to me, with details. Unimaginable.

    I hadn’t visited this natural area in a few days. Loved that the grass was still tall along the trail and the grass they cut and bayled has begun to grow back and turn green again. I was surrounded by dragonflies and grasshoppers along the trail.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Photography,  sunrises

    Have you ever forgot…

    September 12, 2009
    Sunrise at
    Sunrise at the Arapaho Natural Area

    …to bring something important on a photo shoot? I have and here’s my story. When the alarm clock broke me from my sleep I reach for the snooze button. Man, is it dark. Wonder if that’s because the suns not up yet? Once the annoying sound has been silenced, I rub my eyes hoping it will help them adjust to the darkness. I start to see the dim light coming through my bedroom window from the street light. My mind asks if I really want to crawl out of this warm bed on a cold October morning in hopes of a beautiful sunrise. But, the voice of passion within a photographer coaxes the body to get out of the bed at this early hour!

    I dress and pack my gear in the car. Brrr, it is cold. Let’s get that car heater going. There is very little traffic as everyone else  with any sort of sanity is still in bed.  Since I’m not driving very far and this is one of my favorite places, the Arapaho Bend Natural Area, I arrive in plenty of time. I find my parking spot in the small turnout along the dirt road, turn off the engine and step back out into the cold. I know I will have to walk down to the waters edge for the view I want and hopefully not get too wet from the tall grasses. I do love the quiet of these morning hours. Strangely, I’m not feeling the cold as much. Once I’m at the waters edge I set up my tripod and get ready to shoot. Wait a minute! No way! Yes, I did! I frantically look in this pocket of my bag and then in that pocket but it’s not there. Yep, I forgot to put my L-bracket on my camera and now I cannot place my camera on my tripod. S#@*!!!!

    Frustrated and angry at myself, I sit down on the wet ground and stare at the horizon as the sun begins to rise. Look at the colors in those clouds! Their reflection in the water! This is awesome! My senses are waking up as I can hear the geese on the far side of the pond. I’m breathing slower and gently. The light breeze is gently lapping the water along the shoreline. I am realizing the calming beauty of nature is embracing my spirit. I’m enjoying all of this, the sights, the smells, the sounds and I’m not cold anymore. Once again,the voice inside of us that wants us to photograph speaks to me. It begs me to go ahead and shoot. “Why not? You’re here. Go ahead and hand hold that camera. Forget the tripod. Now is the time. So, pull up those knees, prop your elbows on top of the knees, take a breath and press the shutter. Lets’ see what you get.” So, I did.

    Another lesson in learning to listen to the voice inside. And, that’s my story.

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  • Metro Parks,  People/Portraits

    Nature Walk

    July 12, 2009

     

    Taking a Walk
    Taking a Walk

    They say walking is good exercise. I believe them. We can keep weight off, build up our cardiovascular and just feel good about ourselves. Finding the discipline to walk on a regular basis has been lacking in my life for the past few years. Now that I have this nature area behind my apartments I do get out more often and that’s good. I headed out to the park with my camera and tripod, thinking I could get a self-portrait image along with a walk. 

    On the way back to the car, this silly question came to mind. I bought myself a nice carbon fiber tripod a few years ago and have been really pleased with it. It’s rugged and solid. Paid a lot of money for it. But even with the three legs I still have to carry the darn thing. Anyone else have to carry theirs, also?

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