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Tripods -- Cheap and Compact
-- Wayne --, June 14, 1998
My first rule of thumb regarding tripods is: any tripod is better than no tripod at all.
Having tried to jam a camera in the nook of a tree branch, or done contortions
reading the viewfinder from a tabletop perch, I can safely state the above with all
assurance. Even the worst piece of junk is better than nothing at all.
I started with the proverbial SLIK U8000, and still have it, although the pan head
broke on me. I still like it, because it is so lightweight and simple to use. No, its not
the most adaptable or rugged, but 95% of my pictures don't make great demands of
my tripod. Just set it up and shoot. My standard gear, (EOS Elan IIE w/ 28-105), is
just not so heavy to need more mass. Surely, if my body and lenses needed it, a
more substantial 'pod would be the answer.
A Bogen 3221 entered my life a couple of years ago as the answer to just such
question. I've used it sparingly, because I'm just not so into photography as a great
pursuit like some. (I'm a grab shooter. So sue me.) If I know I'm going after fragile
subject matter, (dusk or night shots, windy telephoto days, wedding portraiture) its
with me. Mostly, it enjoys its space in the closet with two other Bogen monopods,
which, though really cool, don't get much use either.
Confessedly, the SLIK compact tripod, (don't have the model) which the former
poster dissed, is my favorite, most used unit. Why? Simple: its light, small, and
doesn't hassle me like a big 'pod can and will. I like the fact that it doesn't intrude
on my traveling, as I hook its pan arm to any bag or pocket opening when
tightened.
When first purchased, I imagined it primarily as a backpacking 'pod, (which I don't
really do that much of.) Instead, its become an established member of my "ready
gear" - the shoulder bag packed with the Elan and short zoomer, 75-300 telephoto
OR 380EX flash, my circ-pol filter in hard case, film box and microfibre cleaning
cloth. I've got 90% of all my essential gear quickly stashed and ready to go. The
SLIK compact is so handy, and doesn't even have to use a ball head; the screw
mount is fast enough to use on the fly.
Most places will offer a perch or table upon which it stands. I can get almost 4 feet
out of it fully extended, but even I admit that's pushing it. (I've got some great night
shots of L.A. from the Mullholland drive observation point using this unit. The
rock wall was so handy.) Another great feature is when I use it as a defacto chest
pod. No, its not the most comfortable, but for steadying a telephoto, or using slow
film in low light, it has saved several erstwhile loser situations for me.
http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/cheap (6 of 15)7/3/2005 2:21:27 AM