Kitz Forum
Computers & Hardware => Other Technologies & Hardware => Topic started by: UncleUB on August 24, 2009, 08:52:42 AM
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Hi all.
I am first of all looking for a tripod for my Sony A200.Reason: to be able to take dusk/night landscape photos.
I want something that is quite tall,as I am 6.2" and can't bend too far,and also cost is a paramount feature.I know I will be only able to consider the cheaper end of the market.
I have see this..........
http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Tripods/Hama/Hama-Star-63-Tripod
Any thoughts or advice............
Oh and can anyone give me tips and advice for night time landscape photography..........
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That tripod is well worth a look...........it is a decent compromise between stability and cost, especially when you consider that it is something that you would not be using everyday.......so no need to buy the top flight jobs, match your budget to your usage. Also, it is light enough to be carried around and as long as you are not trying to use it on extreme terrain it should do fine......you can add extra stability by hanging something heavyish (a six pack ? ;D or camera bag or a plastic back full of stones etc) on that hook at the bottom of the centre column
Will have a look at the alternatives within your budget and see what there is.
The prime rule in buying a tripod ( at least the aluminium ones, carbon fibre is a different story) is that it should be at least as heavy as the heaviest load you intend to put on it...........so get the Sony and the heaviest lens you have and weigh, that will give you a good guide.
If you go to have a look at that or other tripods in Jessops or wherever, take that camera/lens combo with you if possible and try it for size.........make sure there is no wobble when the camera is loaded and.......important........with you longest lens on board and extended to it's fullest, make sure that the tripod is stonge enough to support it without the camera/lens combo drooping and you lens slowly rotating until it is pointing at the ground.
Also make sure that you can get your eye to the eyepiece without getting yourself snagged up on the pan and tilt control arms which on some can protrude a fair bit ( there is nothing to stop you have these arms point to the side or front if it keeps them out your face and as long as they don't appear in the pic.)
Night landscape is generally the same as day in terms of composition etc.
There is a temptation at night to crank up the ISO rating to it's highest in order to allow shorter shutter speeds, but that can lead to very bad digital noise.....better to leave the setting at its lowest and allow for a longer shutter speed.
At night, leave the flash off.
Once your camera is on tripod, composition settled, exposure settings agreed on, it's time to fire the shutter...........and that is when you can get camera wobble and blurry pics......and on a longish exposure time that is going to get worse so the idea is to reduce that as much as possible, which is why a lot of folks fire the shutter by means of a cable release which allows you to do the firing without actually touching the camera ( and it is shaky hands that causes most blurry pics). Now, I suspect that you do not have such a gizmo but there is a way to do a hands free shooting........and its free and built into the camera.... ;D............the self timer function.!
You can set the camera using that to allow a few seconds delay between pressing the shutter button and the shutter actually firing....a few seconds in which the vibration caused by your hands will die off. So, set self timer...press button...hands off and stand back...camera fires when nice and steady.
For night pics one of the best accessories to have is a little torch....makes the fiddling around changing lenses etc much easier.
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Excellent advice as always TD :)
Just seen the Hama Star 63 @ Tesco Direct for ............£8.97 :swoon: + £5 delivery = £13.97
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.203-9465.aspx
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I've just added an extra wee bit in the first paragraph ... :)
Nice price at Tesco :thumbs:
Just had a look at the spec.........it extends to a maximum of 166 Cms (what that is in real money I have no idea :-[) with the centre column at full stretch (remember that a full column will be a bitty more prone to wobble than will be an unextended one.. ) which is about par for the course within this price range.
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it extends to a maximum of 166 Cms (what that is in real money I have no idea
166cm = 65"(5.3")
I have seen this Giotto one,a little bit more expensive.........hows it compare to the Hama
http://www.collegecameras.co.uk/Giottos-VT809-Tripod-p-1352.html
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The two are much of a muchness and neither is better than the other.
The Giotto has a carry handle on the column, but the Hama comes with a carry/protective bag. The Hama has a built in spirit level which can be handy in getting straight horizons etc.
The max heights on the two are about the same..............and I think that within your budget you will not get one much taller than that unless it is so wobbly as to be useless............to get something solid at 6 feet or so takes you into the £100+ bracket. :(
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I really enjoy all the photo questions ... and TD's replies ! I have a special folder called " TD's Photo Class " and whenever I see one of your 'gems' I copy and paste it ..... :) for future reference!
Merci TD ! :)
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to get something solid at 6 feet or so takes you into the £100+ bracket.
I thought as much,
but tbh,as this will be my first tripod and wil only be used now and then I think (hope) the Hama will suffice my needs. :)
Thanks for all your time and trouble TD,very much appreciated. :thumbs:
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I think that is a wise move unkyUb........the Hama should do just fine, all things considered. Only time will tell if the lower height causes you problems...and if it does, it has not cost you a fortune ( hope Sue and Blue agree with that :D)
As a side issue, I see so many pics taken from eye-level that it is refreshing to see ones taken when kneeling or lying down ......much nicer perspective, although of course not always possible.
No time or trouble, it's a pleasure to try and help. :)
@ scottiesmum........aw, shucks :blush:
Oh, almost forgot......unkyUb I'm thinking back to that lovely flower image that you posted in the "printer recommendation" thread. I pinched that :-[............according to the imprinted metada on that pic., it was shot in sRGB colour mode. It would be an advantage if you are going to print your pics to go into your camera menu and alter the colour space to RGB 1998..............you'll get even more colour rendition, a wider range of colour nuance and a wider range of detail... ;)
sRGB is fine for the web, RGB1998 is better for printing.
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Oh, almost forgot......unkyUb I'm thinking back to that lovely flower image that you posted in the "printer recommendation" thread. I pinched that :-[ according to the imprinted metada on that pic., it was shot in sRGB colour mode. It would be an advantage if you are going to print your pics to go into your camera menu and alter the colour space to RGB 1998..............you'll get even more colour rendition, a wider range of colour nuance and a wider range of detail ;)
sRGB is fine for the web, RGB1998 is better for printing.
Thanks TD,will have to have delve into the camera settings......... ??? Which menu would that come under.?
No problems with the flower photo TD,call it a present from the 'printer guru' to the 'camera guru' :lol:
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:D
>>Which menu would that come under<<<
Page 88 in the user manual..............which seems to suggest that RGB1998 is the deafult setting (good)..........
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Page 88 in the user manual..............which seems to suggest that RGB1998 is the deafult setting (good).
Thats good then,one less thing to tax my brain.. :D
Just had a go with the self timer.... :thumbs:
You'll make a photographer of me yet... ;D
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>>>Just had a go with the self timer....<<<
Living dangerously now, unkyUb.... :D
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Shooting night shots:
If your camera has a B (bulb) option just get a mat black card and with camera on a tripod on the lowest ISO put the card in front of the lens.
When you are ready to take the photo remove the card from the front and replace it when the time you allow has expired.
Reset for next frame and increase/decrease the times (bracket exposure)
When it comes to fireworks do the same thing but this time remove the card when a firework goes up and replace card over the front of lens (no need to touch the lens/camera) and try and visualise the position it was in the photo, wait for another to go up in another area of the frame and remove the card again giving two exposures on one frame.
The advantage is you do not touch the camera and introduce and shake.
You could also use a lapse timer if the times are quite fast.
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The problem with the bulb setting is that you must have the means of holding the shutter open and then, once it has done it's thing, closing it.
That's fine if you have a cable release..........which unkyUb does not have hence my not mentioning bulb in my earlier posts.
All and any of my posts in answer to photo questions posed by unkyUb are tempered by my knowledge of the equipment he has to hand.
Having said that, and assuming that a cable release is to hand, then your ideas and suggestions are of course perfectly valid. :)
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Have got the go ahead to get the tripod,it was looking in doubt a few minutes ago when I looked like buying a new mobile phone...see 'panic,panic thread................. ;D
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See, another thing to thank a woman for .... not losing her 'phone so that you can have a new tripod :lol: :lol:
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:-X
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the trickwith the dark cardin front of the lens is whats known to amateur astronomers as the hat trick
For hanging weights off the tripod' this is one of the uses forthe 1/4 inch whitworth screw thread (same as the screw thread to secure the camera) at the base of the centre rod
A good way of stabalizing a tripod once set up is whilst applying a slight downward pressure at the top of the tripod and at the same time with a foot push 2 of the legs out a bit so there applying a slight inward pinching pressure on the ground. A tripod has 3 main possibilities in remaining stable.
Mechanical: the physical strength of the construction though out.
Mass: this is where adding weight at the right point increases stability. this relies on newtons laws of physics mainly the one where every action has an equal and opposite reaction. in theory the heavyer it it the less likely its going to react from a given force.
Damping: by design either the tripod naturaly translates any movement within its structure or by adding tension (hence the trick of pushing the legs out a bit) any movement force has to work against the inherent tension.
http://www.davesastro.co.uk/equipment/scopes.html if you look at the astro systems 216 f5 telescope each leg of the tripod has 2 vertical strips of aluminium, the base of which are bolted together,then a spacer pushes them apart and at the top the 2 strips are pulled together again. theres a lot of tension there and it works as a very good damper. so much so you could stand on it whilst holding on to another complete identical scope.
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Any thoughts or advice............
Two other "PODS" you might like to consider at some stage are:
"MONO POD" bit like a walking stick, so comes in very handy just for the "you never know when you want to use it" when out walking, mine is 23" closed and 57" fully open, with hand-strap.
Also one of the mini Tri-Pods, similar to the ones lower down on your page link.
These can be ideal for indoor work, or when sitting at a table taking refreshments whilst out walking.
And fits in your pocket when not being used.
If buying one to also go with a Cam-Corder, then get a sturdy one, although they are much heavier and more robust.
But for general camera usage, the bendy type are quite good and very lightweight..
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Well I have just ordered the Hama Star 63 from Tesco Direct,should be here some time tomorrow.
Tbh,I will really be only using it on quite level grassy surfaces(my moutaineering days are long gone),so I think for a first tripod it should be ok and will fulfill my needs.
Wait a minute,Tesco Direct. :scare: I hope that the tripod is not going up my back passage the same as the phone did :-X........ :lol:
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:thumbs:
:lol:
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Its Arrived !!!
And I am well impressed........ :thumbs:
The quality and adjustment all for £8.97 is brilliant,I have seen these on other photographic websites for £30..!!
If I set it to the maximum height then it is too high for me and I'm 6.2".I lower the centre pole down quite a bit to make it just right for me without having to bend.It swivels left to right and up and down with a lever which you twist to lock it in place.And its got a little spirit level built in as well. Also a centre hook which you can hang things on.(is this to make it more stable) :)
Just need to hone my photographic skills now........................ ;D
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:thumbs: :thumbs: hooray ..................... but :'( was it painful :lol:
enjoy it Unc ! we're expecting some very spectacular photos after that description ;D
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:thumbs: :thumbs: hooray ..................... but :'( was it painful :lol:
Not at all,my back passage never came into it............. :D
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Also a centre hook which you can hang things on.(is this to make it more stable) :)
It serves two purposes, yes to either hang a weight to make it more stable, or/and to be able to hang accessories on, sooner than leaving them on a floor (possibly wet grass) or the fear of them being out of site and getting lost or stolen.
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>> my back passage never came into it
I think that what we were worrying about was whether it came into your back passage.. ;D
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Its Arrived !!!
And I am well impressed........ :thumbs:
The quality and adjustment all for £8.97 is brilliant,I have seen these on other photographic websites for £30..!!
If I set it to the maximum height then it is too high for me and I'm 6.2".I lower the centre pole down quite a bit to make it just right for me without having to bend.It swivels left to right and up and down with a lever which you twist to lock it in place.And its got a little spirit level built in as well. Also a centre hook which you can hang things on.(is this to make it more stable) :)
Just need to hone my photographic skills now........................ ;D
:thumbs: :clap: :clap2:
Enjoy ;D
>>>is this to make it more stable<<<<............carry a rolled up Tesco plastic shopping bag......if you want some extra stability fill it with local stones/sand or whatever and hang on hook......then empty out, roll up bag and off home.
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[/quote]
Two other "PODS" you might like to consider at some stage are:
"MONO POD" bit like a walking stick, so comes in very handy just for the "you never know when you want to use it" when out walking, mine is 23" closed and 57" fully open, with hand-strap.
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Mono pods are a a good point and often forgotten. they make the world of difference in providing more stability,yet much easyer to carry than a tripod and quicker to set up. I've got a velbon which I've had for years (has some teeth marks from unfriendly dogs, another handy use)
A strong one will double up as a walking stick although not a good idea to do thie with the camera still attached as the shock of each step would gradualy fatigue your camera and shorten its life.
The other handy thing with monopods is if your taking videos then just by having the monopod attached but set at it's shortest lenght so it hangs like a pendulum can act as a very good stabiliser for the picture if your moving about. it also slows your panning down which alway feels 4 times slower when filming than it appears on playback. It's the combination of the extra momentum, and the moment around the wrist holding the camera.
If you've never tried this and have access to a monopod, give it a go.it often has enough effect to improve a lot of shots.
the down side is now you have something dangling below the camera which ruins the shot if it taps into say a chair back your passing. so for the wedding reception whilst going between the dining tables this is a bad idea. make's the play back look as if the camera person is getting rugby tackled on a regular basis
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The one pictured here has the usual swivel attachment on the top, my "Velbon" does not, it just has the screw thread on the top which I find acceptable.
http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Tripods/Hama/Hama-Star-78-Monopod
Some Monopods from Jessops can be found here. But the prices are ?
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Accessories/Tripods%20and%20Supports/Monopods/Show.html
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That Hama one OF has the same head as mine... ;)
I suppose if I had a Manfrotto carbon fibre one at the side of mine I would see big differences(as well as the price)
But as I have said for the money(the rrp on the Hama site is £46.97) I think I have got a bargain@ £8.97
http://www.hama.co.uk/portal/articleId*100477/action*2563
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You have sone well enough, unkyUb.
Honestly, I think that with your mobility problems, a monopod would not be the best idea.
They are great for holding up heavy, long lenses but the user still has to hold up the monopod, possibly inducing wobble and certainly taking up a valuable hand ..........clap your camera on the tripod and leave both hands free for the fiddling and setting up....and that Hama is not too heavy to carry around ( especially if you fashion a strap for it and sling it over a shoulder.
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especially if you fashion a strap for it and sling it over a shoulder.
Forgot to say,it comes with its own bag with adjustable shoulder strap :)
Re mono pods: As you say TD with my mobility one would be no good.With this I can set it up and as you say be hands free.I will then follow your advice using the self timer. :)
Apart from the aluminum legs,most of the other parts are plastic,but it still seems sturdy enough.
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>>>Apart from the aluminum legs,most of the other parts are plastic,but it still seems sturdy enough<<<
Yes, but very strong plastic..............years ago I had a tripod very similar to the Hama with the same materials in the construction.........it lasted me about fifteen years before the plastic locks began to loosen a bit and yours will do the same....lots of life in these components.. :)........the main killer for these plastic bits is long exposure to very low temperatures, meaning arctic temperatures, and I don't suppose that such will feature in your plans... ;D
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TD's Handy Hint of the Day for newbie tripod users... ;D
You are out landscape snapping, the wee plate (the QRP or quick release plate) of the tripod is screwed firmly to the bottom of the camera and secured in it's bed on the tripod by the locking lever. Great.
You are snapping in landscape orientation using the wee spirit level to keep that horizon square.
You decide that you want to take an image in portrait orientation.
Now, to do that you must rotate the camera ninety degrees and of course you do that by using the tilt lever on the tripod....................
I see so many people tilting the camera anti-clockwise to do that, so that the camera is now hanging to the left hand side of the tripod, which keeps the shutter release button and the exposure controls nice and handy and the top edge of the camera..............................but, that also means that the weight of the camera/lens combo is acting on the screw holding the camera to the tripod in a manner which would/may allow the weight of the camera to unscrew itself and droop, possibly even fall off.
So, for portrait orientation, tilt the camera clockwise..........the controls/shutter button are now in a slightly awkard position at the bottom of the camera......but the weight is now acting against the thread on the screw and if the camera rotates at all it will serve to tighten and not loosen the screw.
A little awkward but much more secure. :)
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So, for portrait orientation, tilt the camera clockwise..........the controls/shutter button are now in a slightly awkard position at the bottom of the camera
Obviously that depend on the which camera a person is using to start with.
As the main controls on my camera are on the top of the camera (when in Landscape mode) so rotating to Portrait mode puts the main controls on the left or right hand side (not the bottom)
Don't forget the camera has only been rotated 90 degrees "not 180 degrees"
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Here's a couple of pics showing the new tripod in action.I can't believe it only cost me £7.97,what a bargain.
(https://forum.kitz.co.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh3.ggpht.com%2F_0gk6jcD9fuE%2FSrezXfIC75I%2FAAAAAAAAAp0%2FSWmI_Mx_eLM%2Fs720%2FP1030143.JPG&hash=1ef61126a98ef06bd6c11bcf76a357b7243cef64)
(https://forum.kitz.co.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2F_0gk6jcD9fuE%2FSrezR2OCvQI%2FAAAAAAAAApo%2FkQYFEu5u8FQ%2Fs720%2FP1030141.JPG&hash=f7bc5dddec29dfe1e0cd2987909ee46ff0701c68)
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:thumbs:
I see that Blue gives it his seal of approval, too... :D