Essential Tripod Tips For Wildlife Photographers

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Steve

Steve

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Are you making critical mistakes with your tripod that are costing you shots? Many people are (I see it all the time) and what’s worse is that they don’t even know it!

In this rapid-fire video, we’ll go over all the field-tested tips and techniques you need for a better wildlife photography tripod experience! It’s the best eight minutes you’ll spend all day! Plus, this is about more than just getting better shots – this video may prevent an equipment catastrophe too (the last tip can save your gear from destruction)!



Items in this video:

Tripod: Really Right Stuff Versa Tripod TVC-34L MK2

Head: Wimberley WH-200 W/ Really Right Stuff Cradle Clamp Quick Release

Shoulder Pad: Various companies make them, on Amazon or B&H, just search Tripod Shoulder Pad (Note that these have really gone up in price since I purchased mine)

Sleeves: OP/Tech USA Celar Tripod Sleeves
 
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Another great video Steve! I do not use a tripod that much, as I handhold for 90% of my shots. Your video is a good refresher for me, and something I’ll bookmark to go back and review again the next time I take out the tripod! 😎
 
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Excellent tips, Steve! Never thought about putting two legs forward on a hill, but I'll have to try that.

And you can tell it's a brand new video when you go to watch it and there are only 460 views! Tomorrow that'll be in the thousands...or higher!
 
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MikeJ said:
Excellent tips, Steve! Never thought about putting two legs forward on a hill, but I'll have to try that.

And you can tell it's a brand new video when you go to watch it and there are only 460 views! Tomorrow that'll be in the thousands...or higher!
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Thanks!

1188 now :)
 
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Thanks, Steve. Very useful information and some new methods for me to apply when I'm out with a tripod.

I really appreciate all the effort you put into creating your very useful and informative video tips and I also look forward to when you produce a Z9 ebook covering your focus methods!
 
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BrianMM said:
Thanks, Steve. Very useful information and some new methods for me to apply when I'm out with a tripod.

I really appreciate all the effort you put into creating your very useful and informative video tips and I also look forward to when you produce a Z9 ebook covering your focus methods!
Click to expand...
Thanks!

The z9 info will actually be added to my mirrorless AF book shortly :)
 
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Steve said:
Are you making critical mistakes with your tripod that are costing you shots? Many people are (I see it all the time) and what’s worse is that they don’t even know it!

In this rapid-fire video, we’ll go over all the field-tested tips and techniques you need for a better wildlife photography tripod experience! It’s the best eight minutes you’ll spend all day! Plus, this is about more than just getting better shots – this video may prevent an equipment catastrophe too (the last tip can save your gear from destruction)!



Items in this video:

Tripod: Really Right Stuff Versa Tripod TVC-34L MK2

Head: Wimberley WH-200 W/ Really Right Stuff Cradle Clamp Quick Release

Shoulder Pad: Various companies make them, on Amazon or B&H, just search Tripod Shoulder Pad (Note that these have really gone up in price since I purchased mine)

Sleeves: OP/Tech USA Celar Tripod Sleeves
Click to expand...
First class Steve. Every video a winner. Have a great weekend. Simple, straightforward but oh so important, cheers mate.
 
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One thing I do that wasn't mentioned is when needing a quick set on a hill and the legs are all the same length and I don't have time to adjust the uphill leg, I increase the angle of the uphill leg, I undo the angle lock and raise the leg until I have the proper set. When doing this, be sure that the center of the tripod (CG, center of gravity) is well behind the front legs and you have to use extra care as that uphill leg will be sticking out quite a ways (slope dependent). This isn't really a totally acceptable substitute for shortening the uphill leg but in a situation that requires quick set up, it's faster than shortening the leg. I also find that if I'm doing a bunch of quick sets, this cuts down on having to equal out the leg length before moving to the next set up. Works for me, YMMV.
 
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Warren D said:
One thing I do that wasn't mentioned is when needing a quick set on a hill and the legs are all the same length and I don't have time to adjust the uphill leg, I increase the angle of the uphill leg, I undo the angle lock and raise the leg until I have the proper set. When doing this, be sure that the center of the tripod (CG, center of gravity) is well behind the front legs and you have to use extra care as that uphill leg will be sticking out quite a ways (slope dependent). This isn't really a totally acceptable substitute for shortening the uphill leg but in a situation that requires quick set up, it's faster than shortening the leg. I also find that if I'm doing a bunch of quick sets, this cuts down on having to equal out the leg length before moving to the next set up. Works for me, YMMV.
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That works too :)

I've never found it to take any longer to just test, pull the tripod back, and twist again to lock. As you say, YMMV :)
 
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Thanks, Steve. 2071 views after I watched it this AM.

I didn't know about the plastic leg covers that were available for sale from some of the photography retailers. I've used the umbrella bags that are available for customer use at some retailers. After using them, I used to take them home and recycle them. Now, I take them home and reuse them.

The video appears to be taped in Florida. Where?

Edited to remove my tip that was already included in the video... Dum-dee-duum!!!
 
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Nice video. Question though. Assuming the subject is moving, is there a rule of thumb for what shutter speed a tripod would have no advantage over a monopod? I just hate carrying the weight on a long trail.
 
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Whiskeyman said:
Thanks, Steve. 2071 views after I watched it this AM.

I didn't know about the plastic leg covers that were available for sale from some of the photography retailers. I've used the umbrella bags that are available for customer use at some retailers. After using them, I used to take them home and recycle them. Now, I take them home and reuse them.

Another tip for using a tripod on a hill. It is optimum to extend and place two legs downhill. While this can cause the third, uphill, leg to get in the photographer's way, it is the most stable employment method in this situation.

The video appears to be taped in Florida. Where?
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Most was at and around Ft Desoto, some around here.

BTW - I do mention putting two legs forward on the hill in the video :)
 
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bleirer said:
Nice video. Question though. Assuming the subject is moving, is there a rule of thumb for what shutter speed a tripod would have no advantage over a monopod? I just hate carrying the weight on a long trail.
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Too many variables :)

For me, if I'm at 1/800th or faster with a 600mm, it doesn't seem to make much of a difference which I use. At 1/500th and less, I start seeing an advantage with the tripod. Between speeds, it's hit or miss which is better. I often use a tripod just because I can get lower with it and I like to have the option to really drop shutter speeds if needed. I find it also helps if I want to be low and do slow shutter speed panning :) FWIW, even after all these years, I often have to debate with myself for a bit before heading out from the truck, deciding if it's a monopod or tripod day!
 
Steve said:
Too many variables :)

For me, if I'm at 1/800th or faster with a 600mm, it doesn't seem to make much of a difference which I use. At 1/500th and less, I start seeing an advantage with the tripod. Between speeds, it's hit or miss which is better. I often use a tripod just because I can get lower with it and I like to have the option to really drop shutter speeds if needed. I find it also helps if I want to be low and do slow shutter speed panning :) FWIW, even after all these years, I often have to debate with myself for a bit before heading out from the truck, deciding if it's a monopod or tripod day!
Click to expand...

Thanks. These days every weight has to earn it's place in the kit. I'm always with a walking stick on any trail, and if the stick happens to be a monopod, all the better.
 
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Nice video @Steve . The first two go hand in hand. I've just converted to always extending the bottom sections. So few times that I don't need to be able to adjust or not in sand/mud/water. It's just easier for a simple minded guy to do it one way. And of course my pod is beefy enough to get away with it.

Regarding hanging weight under the pod for me the need usually arises due to wind. In which case using the bag can be even worse. Carrying a nylon bag and one gallon zip lock bag weighs almost nothing and allows use of rocks, sand, or water for weight. A gallon of water is 8 lbs.
 
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NorthernFocus said:
Nice video @Steve . The first two go hand in hand. I've just converted to always extending the bottom sections. So few times that I don't need to be able to adjust or not in sand/mud/water. It's just easier for a simple minded guy to do it one way. And of course my pod is beefy enough to get away with it.

Regarding hanging weight under the pod for me the need usually arises due to wind. In which case using the bag can be even worse. Carrying a nylon bag and one gallon zip lock bag weighs almost nothing and allows use of rocks, sand, or water for weight. A gallon of water is 8 lbs.
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I think it depends on the bag. Mine is pretty snug in there so it doesn't seem to mind the wind. I also think it helps to clip close to the bag and suspend it a foot down or so as I've seen some do.

One comment I saw on YT for this video was to place the bag (or weight) on the ground and then attach a bungee cord from the bag to the tripod clip. That way, you get a stiff downward pull without the bag in the air. Kind of interesting, I think you'd have to test a few bungees though to get the sweet spot for tension.
 
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Steve said:
One comment I saw on YT for this video was to place the bag (or weight) on the ground and then attach a bungee cord from the bag to the tripod clip. That way, you get a stiff downward pull without the bag in the air. Kind of interesting, I think you'd have to test a few bungees though to get the sweet spot for tension.
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You and I must've seen the same TY video! And agree - you'd almost have to carry a selection of different lengths, not just to find the sweet spot, but potentially a different length for how many leg sections are extended.
 
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Steve said:
I think it depends on the bag. Mine is pretty snug in there so it doesn't seem to mind the wind. I also think it helps to clip close to the bag and suspend it a foot down or so as I've seen some do.

One comment I saw on YT for this video was to place the bag (or weight) on the ground and then attach a bungee cord from the bag to the tripod clip. That way, you get a stiff downward pull without the bag in the air. Kind of interesting, I think you'd have to test a few bungees though to get the sweet spot for tension.
Click to expand...
This is what we did with large format gear back in the day, if the bag was fully hanging it would be worse than none at all. Resting on the ground, the extra weight added some dampening.
 
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Watching this video -- great tips and reminders, as always -- I'll give slinging the tripod over my shoulder another try. I've been using the Lens Coat strap thingy (they call it a cushion; just looked it up) which allows me to carry the tripod with legs open (though I pull them as closed as I can) and upright, resting on one shoulder. Concluded at some point this was my preferred method, but the other way just looks easier somehow.... Now to find my other shoulder pad thingy :) Thanks, Steve, as always.
 
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