Dragons: "...I stopped taking either my mini tripod or monopod with me on tours a few years back and usualy have been able to find a substitute solution when necessary (even used my wife's head for a night shot without flash in Moscow's Red Square). ..."

Please explain the wife's head for a night shot without flash. Does it really work?

Probably not in my case, a bipod jumping up and down in rage, is not conducive to a good photo! Though it could work if her eyes were sending death rays given the right sort of film! - Don't even bother with a digital camera, the electronics are too easily fried!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Steve H,

quote:

Originally posted by steveH:
Probably not in my case, a bipod jumping up and down in rage, is not conducive to a good photo! Though it could work if her eyes were sending death rays given the right sort of film! - Don't even bother with a digital camera, the electronics are too easily fried!

Was that your wife or someone else's? That could be the reason for the bipod jumping up and down in rage.

Cat's, when my eye is looking through a viewfinder, who knows what is going on elsewhere? Perhaps it was the fact that I was using her right ear as a pan and tilt handle, and trying to lock off her nose that upset her. I think however that attempting to adjust the legs to level things up was the last straw, that and the fact that the exposure wasn't appropriate for the time of day!

quote:

Originally posted by Cat's Inheritance:
Please explain the wife's head for a night shot without flash. Does it really work?

Its far from ideal Cats but it can work provided the exposure is not too long.

My wife is quite short and on the occasion I refered to there were no buildings, posts, rails, etc any where near for me to steady the shot so I placed the camera on top of her head (at my eye level) for that little bit of extra stability.

The shots were far from ideal and still a little fuzzy from slight camera shake but certainly better than I could have achieved otherwise.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dragons,

Obviously Dragons - your dear wife is level headed and stable!

Beautiful pictures, dragons! I always do my night shots without flash as well--they turn out much better.

quote:

Originally posted by dragons:
They were in the letter box junk mail a few weeks before Christmas Clare. You should be able to get one at the photo sections of Kmart, Big W or one of the camera shops. I was a bit slow getting around to trying to buy one and by the time I tried a couple of days before Christmas all the stores had sold out.

They should be back in stock shortly (if not already) and I will pick one up soon.

I stopped taking either my mini tripod or monopod with me on tours a few years back and usualy have been able to find a substitute solution when necessary (even used my wife's head for a night shot without flash in Moscow's Red Square). I will probably take the Gorillapod with me this year though (assuming I get one )

Thanks Dragons, I'll keep a lookout for them. Those pics from your wife's head turned out well!

cheers,
ClareS

ClareS, I finally was able to purchase my Gorillapod. They actually come in 3 different sizes and weights.

They are not available in Kmart or Big W but some photographic stores now have them.

quote:

Originally posted by dragons:
ClareS, I finally was able to purchase my Gorillapod. They actually come in 3 different sizes and weights.

They are not available in Kmart or Big W but some photographic stores now have them.

Thanks for that info Dragons. I'll keep an eye out. I had a quick squizz in JB HiFi the other day & didn't see any there.

Cheers,
ClareS

A "mini" tripod (under 12") is not really considered as a tripod, it's more intended for shooting from a tabletop or some other flat surface. A Gorilla pod is also considered a mini tripod.

I generally carry a monopod with me on tour. Most places will allow you to use a monopod as it doesn't carry the same problems as setting up a tripod, and it's a lot smaller. Mine folds down to about 20 inches and I just throw it in my suitcase. As a bonus, my monopod will double as a walking stick.

I also recently purchased a device called a Quikpod that allows you to take hand-held photos of yourself with your little point and shoot camera. It's also great for extending the length of your arm so you can poke your camera up over the heads of a crowd or through fences or whatever. It cost me about $20 at Black's Camera. Check out quikpod.com for more info.

Hi FoxDesigns,
I've been contemplating this whole tripod thing and I think my final decision will be made when it comes to weighing my suitcase.
The monopod is coming with me for sure. I was thinking that I could take the tripod as it fits on the overhead rack in the bus... But now I want to check out the QuickPod device. Mine is a point and shoot but not lightweight; it's the Canon G6.
Thanks for the input.

Canadians/Ontarians -
I was at Blacks Photography today and purchased the quikpod for $19.99. I'll now be taking photos of myself in front of the beautiful Swiss mountain views! I think I can even leave the tripod at home and just go with the quikpod and monopod!
It is definitely dandy and thanks to Fox Designs for the tip.
-ZS

I always take a monopod. Very lightweight, small (it collapses to a small cylinder about 8" long and easily fits into the Trafalgar bag) and very useful for nighttime or interior shots. Most places which ban tripods have no problem with monopods.[/QUOTE]


What brand of monopod do you use. I haven't been able to find one that collapses that small.

There's a large chain of camera shops in the UK called "Jessops". My monopod is one of their own branded ones.