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photobackpacker · Apr 16, 2005

I shoot a Master Technika mounted on a Gitzo 1349 Carbon Fiber with a Linhof Low Profile head. I get super sharp images but lose my share to camera movement induced by wind, trucks passing by, chickadee landing on the lens standard (really happened), sneezes, ham-fisted cable release techniques and harmonic vibration.

I discovered that my Wisner when mounted on my aluminum Bogen would vibrate like a tuning fork seemingly on its own. As a result, I started hanging my backpack from the center column to change the harmonics and add additional weight to the assembly. My Gitzo comes with a hook which makes this even easier.

I am curious, what techniques do the rest of you use to steady your LF cameras during long exposures? Do you use Bulb or Time settings, long cable releases...

colrehogan · Apr 16, 2005

I use a Manfrotto long lens support with my 8x10 Ansco camera. It supports the rear bed and is secured to my Manfrotto 475 tripod.

noseoil · Apr 16, 2005

No problems with the 4X5 Shen Hao and a Bogen 3051 (3047 head) tripod. The camera weighs only 1/3 the weight of the tripod.

With the 8X10, I'm still working on an easy outrigger design to take movements out of things. Need more bracing than the old B&J beast has in its design. A new Canham would be nice, but cost is prohibitive. tim

David A. Goldfarb · Apr 16, 2005

For wind I usually just wait for lulls and shield the camera with my body. Sometimes I'll rest a hand on the vibrating part of the camera, which is a technique that 35mm photographers sometimes use with long lenses to dampen vibrations. Occasionally I'll hang the camera bag from the tripod, as long as the wind isn't causing the bag to swing and create more problems.

Indoors I might attach a 10 lb counterweight from a lighting boom to the tripod (but I'm not carrying that thing in my backpack!). This weight is handy when I've got the tripod positioned with two legs on the outside of a window ledge and one leg on the floor (this leg gets the counterweight), and I don't want the whole thing to go flying out the window.

Ole · Apr 16, 2005

I haven't had that problem - with my wood tripod

MurrayMinchin · Apr 16, 2005

I have a woody like Ole...rigid, yet doesn't shudder...

Murray

rbarker · Apr 16, 2005

A small canvas book bag is often handy as a stabalizing counterweight. Just fill it with rocks (or whatever) once the tripod is set up in the field.

Claire Senft · Apr 16, 2005

To reduce the effect of ground vibration I use wooden pads under my tripod feet the top surface of which is covered with Sorbothane a rubberlike product that reacts as if it were a liquid..see Edmund Scientific. It is used foot pads in shoes for greater foot comfort and for reducing vibration to equipment. If you wish to try this material be aware of the fact that there are two Edmund sites one of which charges a grat deal more forr this product than the other. From my center post I have a chain hanging connected to a very strong bungee and a foot pad. I adjust its height so that it is somewhat above ground level. I place one foot into the foot pad and I apply maximum downward pressure bringing it firmly into ground contact...this is far more pressure than is likely to be applied from a camera bag.

Shmoo · Apr 16, 2005

I hook a carabiner or s-hook on to the ring at the base of my bogen 3021 (3047 head) and hang my backpack on it which sufficiently weights it down. I'm shooting a Sinar F2.

S

brianjnelson · Apr 16, 2005

I use a Bogen Magic Arm attached to the bed of the camera and clamped to the tripod leg. This with a weighted tripod help a lot.

Brian J. Nelson

Wayne Olson · Apr 29, 2005

Bruce,

That hook hole you hang your camera bag from - get a bungee cord (or a couple of varying length) and hook both ends in to make a loop. Choose a length enough that it doesn't hit the ground. Put your foot in it and step down to stabilize the rig. Camera bags swing and can make movement worse. WARNING: Remove your big foot slowly and carefully and remember that it's in there after you release the shutter. Not that I'd know anything about the mishaps that can occur. Really. Never happened!

hortense · Apr 29, 2005

That's why I use a standard SURVEYOR'S wooden tripod. While my compadres make fun of my tripod as it squeaks when I open it, I've NEVER had a problem with vibration or wind. However, I've seen one the the "high tech" tripods fall over during wind gusts.

colivet · Apr 29, 2005

A couple of years ago I was goiung from 4x5 to 8x10. I new I needed a bigger tripod and I am the kind of guy that goes for the best there is. I thought that buying a carbon fiber was "it" because of the strength in relation to weight. After much thinking, I mean weeks, it came down to me from the blues skyes the idea that I should consider a wood tripod. Again much thinking and research over the net led me to the purchase of a Ries tripod.
I do not regret it. It was the best purchase I have ever made and I love the tripod as much as I love my best lenses. Go wood!

Baxter Bradford · Apr 30, 2005

Wayne Olson said:
Bruce,

That hook hole you hang your camera bag from - get a bungee cord (or a couple of varying length) and hook both ends in to make a loop. Choose a length enough that it doesn't hit the ground. Put your foot in it and step down to stabilize the rig. Camera bags swing and can make movement worse. WARNING: Remove your big foot slowly and carefully and remember that it's in there after you release the shutter. Not that I'd know anything about the mishaps that can occur. Really. Never happened!

I too employ a similar method in strong winds, using thin piece of rope instead of bungee. By treading on the bend in the rope, where it dangles from the hook out through legs on the floor, tension is applied progressively, pulling the tripod/camera combo firmly into the ground.

This is a much lighter and simple solution, than hanging weights. It is becoming adopted by many of those who have seen it employed. It leaves all expensive camera gear in the bag, at a safe location. No worries about stepping off the rope, like there is with a bungy!

My 1325 Gitzo has no centre column and hook, so I drilled a 3mm hole in the brass head attachment bolt and put some 2mm Dyneema (Spectra) rope through this to form a loop.

juan · Apr 30, 2005

A Black Beast and a Zone VI heavy duty tripod (wooden). I've used it in 20-knot gales. I've used it beside Interstate highways. No vibration problems.
juan

Ole · Apr 30, 2005

Looks like we have a consensus here - I count five wood-tripod users, not one of us bothered by vibrations!

It's nice to know I've made the right choise

raucousimages · Apr 30, 2005

When I went to 8x10 I purchased a Bogen 3058. It is a heavy beast with a threaded stud on the bottom that I attached an eye bolt to in order to tie it down to somthing. The only movement I have is from the bellows in the wind. The reason I did not go with wood is that I often shoot in the rain with the help of an umberela or set up in a lake or stream.

Ole · Apr 30, 2005

raucousimages said:
... The reason I did not go with wood is that I often shoot in the rain with the help of an umberela or set up in a lake or stream.

So do I - and I use a wood tripod.

photobackpacker · Apr 30, 2005

Ole said:
Looks like we have a consensus here - I count five wood-tripod users, not one of us bothered by vibrations!

It's nice to know I've made the right choise

I still have my Zone VI tripod. It weighs in at 12+ pounds and folds up to a compact 44" with the bogan 3047 head. My Gitzo 1349 carbon fiber weighs 8+ pounds and collapses to 26" with the Linhof low profile head. I can easily lash it to my backpack and it is not an impediment to movement.

On a long trek in backcountry or especially when I am rappelling down a steep slope the Gitzo gets the nod. When I hang my pack on the tripod, the only "vibes" I get come from the landscape I am shooting.

Truth be known, I really prefer the wood but adding 4 pounds and 44" item to my pack is just not practical.

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