Beach Tripod

EASmithV · Dec 30, 2008

Hey, I think that using a geared tripod head in a sandy environment is a bad idea, but I need confirmation. Also do you have any tips on how to avoid getting your tripod crapped up from shooting on the beach?

dpurdy · Dec 30, 2008

I have used a few tripods on beach and sand dunes. One of them has a geared center column. I haven't had a problem with any of them even getting legs in salt water. But then usually the first thing I do after using them like that is sit down and clean them off.
Dennis

mikebarger · Dec 30, 2008

I'm the same as Dennis, no problems on NC beaches.

I use a 410 head, just make sure everything is washed down good when your done.

South central Missouri, wishing I was on a beach.

Mike

JOSarff · Dec 30, 2008

You can make some small 6" or so squares out of 1/4 inch plywood. That will stop the legs from sinking.

arigram · Dec 30, 2008

For the tripod legs you can also use these by Manfrotto:
Dead Link Removed
or construct your own (as I did using disposable plates and plastic bottle caps).
You can also wrap the tripod with plastic bags.

Vaughn · Dec 30, 2008

I prefer to get the legs into the sand for stability (rather than use any "snow shoe" approach) , but one trick is to always extend the lower legs all the way out before you walk out onto the sand. This keeps the leg locking mechanisms as far from the sand as possible. And of course, never lay the pod down on the sand.

When I was using a 4x5 in wet, windy situations, I had a nylon stuff-bag (such as used to stuff sleeping bags into for backpacking) that I would just slip over the camera and tripod head as I was walking around, etc. They even have a cord to tighten the opening of the bag around the tripod legs.

Vaughn

Larry Bullis · Dec 30, 2008

Where the Manfrotto product would keep the leg from sinking in, that also is a potential problem because it offers no lateral stability. The tips of the legs in the sand would solve that problem, but the legs could sink in farther after you've got set up already, big bummer. It's happened to me a bunch.

Thrift stores seem to have ski poles fairly often. I knew a guy once who actually did snowshoe with his 4x5 and he would affix the webbed feet from ski poles just a bit above the end of the leg, so the tripod would both sink into the snow some and also ride on top of it. I suspect that would work at the beach as well.

mikebarger · Dec 30, 2008

I'm with Vaugh on the legs in the sand. I tried the bags over the legs, but just poked holes in the bags shoving the tripod into the sand.

We've been to NC beach every other year for 16 years, same tripod the whole time. Only tried bags one season, then just shove them into the sand from then on.

Mike

EASmithV · Dec 30, 2008

Fron what I've read, I think i'm going to use newspaper bags+rubber bands over the legs of the tripod. My biggest concern was my 410 head getting stripped by sand. I had that happen to an AF Lens once, it wasn't fun.

mikebarger · Dec 30, 2008

I've had that head for the last three trips, no problems.

Mike

Stock Dektol · Dec 30, 2008

You can make a "snow shoe" concept for each leg of the tripod to prevent sinking. This can be made out of old tennis/ the like rackets. For sand getting into parts on tripods.... plastic bags.

Beach Tripod

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