New Tripods are here

[FarmerJohn]

Some new packages arrived here yesterday! Yay toys!

After a few suggestions here, I ordered some tripods. One was the Manfrotto 715B tripod (thanks Michaelb) and one was the Manfrotto 686B self-standing monopod.

I think I'll be quite happy with the tripod. It is small enough to carry around easily for my travels. And it is easy to set up.

I'm not sure about the monopod. It's very sturdy, but it's somewhat wobbly with the legs, even using on my living room floor. I could see it being useful for using at viewpoints at national parks, but probably not on any trail. Might be sending it back to Adorama . . .

[adam75south]

i just got a tripod too. tested it out a little bit and everything rocks. i already have my first night shot planned out, just need to go find a good place to shoot from and do it.
(3021n w/ 322rc2 head)

[FarmerJohn]

I think if I go for a night shot, it'll be along the Chicago and Lake Michigan shoreline. If only parking downtown wasn't so damn expensive or hard to find :D

[FarmerJohn]

Here are some new photos featuring use of my tripod. They're from the naperville riverwalk, a place I've been before. But the tripod definitely makes it easier to shoot as the light dims.

All were ISO 100, f/8.

1/4 sec
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_nadzVfy-AUk/SYX4GjDziGI/AAAAAAAABvc/P4i6h53Tsi8/s800/river-1.jpg

1/160 sec
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_nadzVfy-AUk/SYX3kKwvx7I/AAAAAAAABus/f2vYl3CXkYA/s800/bridge-1.JPG

1/25 sec
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_nadzVfy-AUk/SYX3qdvY-0I/AAAAAAAABu4/ADKoxmWIX6o/s720/bridge-2.jpg

1/60 sec
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_nadzVfy-AUk/SYX3yJVMPtI/AAAAAAAABvE/i0kCAsrFpuc/s576/tower.jpg

[TheWengler]

I don't really get the self standing monopod thing. I wouldn't try to replace a tripod with it.

[FarmerJohn]

I don't really get the self standing monopod thing. I wouldn't try to replace a tripod with it.

As a concept I really like it. Carry something only slightly bigger than a monopod, but able to add free-standing support as needed? Yes please!

But all the implementations I've seen are less than functional for anything other than flat surfaces, meaning indoor. I think I'll be sending it back.

[michaelb]

Glad you like the tripod. I just got back from Mexico and I used it extensively there without a hitch.

[Zoinac]

I just bought a Manfroto 055MF4 last night actually! Carbon Fiber, compact light. Nice ball head on it. I'm thrilled. Haven't taken it out to use it yet though.. work :(

[Flossmoor40D]

I think if I go for a night shot, it'll be along the Chicago and Lake Michigan shoreline. If only parking downtown wasn't so damn expensive or hard to find :D

Go down by the Planitarium, make a u-turn in front of the building and start driving back toward the museums and soldier field. You can pull up along the median and park for a short time and not be bothered. I did this the other day for 10-15 minutes and didn't have any problems, plus you can setup within clear view of your car so you can watch for the parking patrol and still have a full view from Sears Tower to Navy Pier with water fronting all. Just my suggestion.

[erichlund]

The little legs on a monopod are not to make it self standing. They are to provide a bracing tension when you don't have something like a wall to lean up against. A monopod, in and of itself, is very limited in the support if gives. In fact, you leave lens stabilization systems (VR, OS, OIS, IS) on when using a monopod, which should tell you something. The bracing tension provides just a little more support than a single point on the ground.

I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT LEAVE YOUR CAMERA STANDING ON A WOBBLY MONOPOD IN EVEN THE LIGHTEST OF BREEZES, UNLESS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO REPLACE IT. Did I say that loud enough???

[GaryS]

I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT LEAVE YOUR CAMERA STANDING ON A WOBBLY MONOPOD IN EVEN THE LIGHTEST OF BREEZES, UNLESS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO REPLACE IT. Did I say that loud enough???

Shhhh.... Don't let my wife hear you... I just got an idea for a justification of a 50D!