trekking with tripod

[☠northy]

if you're trekking into the bush (or you know, just a few blocks down the road) with a tripod, how do you carry it along with all your camera gear?

my tripod came with a bag, but it doesn't fit into it easily and it's more trouble than it's worth... sometimes i lug it around in a big blue ikea bag, but there's got to be a more practical solution!

suggestions?

[Mike]

If it's just a few blocks I'll just carry it in one hand. For example when I took the pics this morning, I had my camera and lenses in the messenger bag and just had the tripod in my other hand while I walked a couple blocks to where I wanted to set up.

For when we go hiking my day pack has a pocket and strap for holding the tripod on the outside of the pack.

[Brendan Maunder]

My camera bag has a strap that holds my tripod.

It has wheels so you can drag it around but if you need to go off road it turns into a backpack.
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Pro-Runner-x350-AW,2185,16.htm

[Carol Estes]

I have a shootsac that has great places for storage, where I can pack a mini tripod. But just keep the large tripod in the floor board of the car. I just carry it, more trouble than it's worth in and out of a bag @northy

[☠northy]

@welcometocarolworld so true... 'cept i kept dropping it in the snow in order to take hand held shots... plus i like to have at least one hand free when out in the snow - so i can save my camera if i fall ;p

[Kass]

When I was on my landscape course, many had straps for their tripods and just slung them over their shoulders. Easiest way to carry.

[Michael Elliott]

I throw my camera bag on my shoulder first and then the triod bag and it all sticks in place nicely ... as long as I stand up straight ;)

[☠northy]

@russianblue yeah - i think that's what i need... do they buy them or mcgiver them out of something?

[Kass]

Who's mcgiver? No MacGyver at my course. LoL They purchased them when they bought their tripods.

[☠northy]

@russianblue funny... i've forever been spelling it with an "i", but you are correct... it's a "y"... must fix in my "get pushed" bla bla :)

[Traci McLaughlin]

My camera bag is a backpack style with straps specifically for hauling a tripod along.

[summerfield]

mine slips no problemo in its own sling bag.

[Aaron]

I thought everyone just had "people" to do that for them; or am I the only one?

[☠northy]

@grizzlysghost my entourage took off for Monte Carlo last week... I hear they're winning big and won't be back anytime soon ;)

[Leonie Mogridge]

I saw these on eBay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MATIN-Tripod-Carrying-Strap-for-Manfrotto-102-190-055-/251102962606?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3a76e723ae&_uhb=1#ht_2311wt_745
They state for Manfrotto tripods, but presume they would work for any type.

[ABH Images]

I actually extend the legs on the tripod and use it as a defacto walking or climbing stick. It works well and provides balance when slung over my shoulder.

[Peter de Graaff]

I have two bags and two tripods. I use Kata bags and Sirui carbon fibre tripod for big work. It has the capacity to carry tripod on side of bag for trekking. I also have a Zipshot tripod which is super light weight and can easily be folded and attached

[Laura]

In rough areas I use it as a walking stick like @emsabh. Other than that I either just carry it or it straps onto my backpack. I use a Think Tank Streetwalker. http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/streetwalker-backpack.aspx

I picked it because it will fit under my seat on even commuter planes.

[sue-capetown]

@grizzlysghost Aaron .. me too... ha ha ha.

@northy I find it a bind too. However the backpack of which Brendan speaks would be a sensible option. I also have a backpack but doesn't have tripod straps. (its small) but since I have 'people' as in my long suffering husband... I think I might upgrade in the near future.

I have found it sits in the car more than it gets used. :-(

[Sue Wilde]

My camera backpack has a space to strap the tripod but it makes the bag a bit unbalanced. I prefer to put the tripod in its own bag and sling it over one shoulder

[Teresa (pocketmouse)]

@northy My tripod didn't even come with a bag - so I got a bag from an old crappy tripod that my boyfriend used to own. My tripod doesn't quite fit in it, but if I do the zipper up tightly it's pretty secure, and I can lug it around without any dramas :)

[Karen H]

I found a yoga bag on clearance, and it works great to sling my tripod across my back.

[☠northy]

@tigerdreamer well now why didn't I think of that? I shld even have an old one lying around somewhere! Smart idea - tx!!!

[Richard]

I always have this issue. I have a bag for it which it fits in great but the strap is not that big so its always slipping off my shoulder. Such a pain.

[Sharyn's Shots シ]

The Matin straps that Leonie mentioned are fantastic. I have a carry bag with strap for my tripod but often prefer to leave it out of the bag and just use the Matin strap. Great to sling over your shoulder or even attach it to the straps of your camera bag.

[Leonie Mogridge]

@sewsharyn
I presume this strap could be attached to any brand tripod? I don't have one myself, but had been looking at this one.

[Sharyn's Shots シ]

@onie They can. A photography friend and I have completely different tripods but the same straps .

[Leonie Mogridge]

@sewsharyn
Thanks for that...shall go ahead and order one :)

[Jase]

One of my skate backpacks, the type with straps for a board, works just as well for a tripod. And, more importantly, looks much cooler than a camera backpack :)

[AC]

@grizzlysghost
FYI - Love your comments... I was going to suggest a camera equipment caddie, too!

[AC]

@tigerdreamer
Great idea...
and you can use the mat to keep the tripod firmly in place! ;)

[Paula]

I try to look as stupiid as possible while carrying it. It came in a bag with a strap so I sometimes carry it across my chest along with my hot pink bag across my chest the opposite way. Or I go less on equipment and try to shove it in my bag with the head downward. Ideally I will become famous one day and be able to hire a cabanas boy as my photo schleper.

[Paula]

It is why I beg my lovely assistant to come along. She also picks me up off the ground after the difficult shot. @grizzlysghost

[Gabriel Siqueira]

@northy i carry it in a proper bag adapted to tripods.
Also, i pack a small manfrotto tripod.
Or an even lighter slingshot tripod, sort of 900g. Very very light. :)

[K1W1]

My mandroto just goes on the outside of my back pack style camera bag or I use it as a walking pole when I'm hiking round the frozen lakes. I have one of those walking stick grips for ice that goes onto one leg of it too cause I'm always landing on my butt...or was until I started doing that. Get some yac tracks for your boots too. They have saved me and my camera lots:)

[☠northy]

@mikehamm @agima @welcometocarolworld @russianblue @michaelelliott @l2lumom @summerfield @grizzlysghost @emsabh @peterdegraaff @lstasel @suelaubscher @swilde @pocketmouse @tigerdreamer @brav @sewsharyn @onie @jase_h @3rdxoff @phillyphotos @gabrielklee @k1w1

tx guys... i think i needs to get me one of those straps that just goes directly on the tripod... i brought a bag for my tripod this morning, but it ended up being more trouble than it was worth and i once again just hitched the thing under my arm...

not sure i'd want a caddy... i don't much like observers while i'm shooting ;p

[june milner]

@tigerdreamer I chucked out an old yoga bag.. _(got a bigger one)
2 years later got the tripod anf realised too late my mistake.
Never chuck these odd things away..

[Karen H]

@june Between teaching and photography, I'm well on my way to becoming a hoarder. ;)

[K1W1]

@northy I dont much care for taggers along either. They kind of make you feel like you have to rush :)

[☠northy]

@k1w1 yeah... or they stomp thru your pristine snow and ruin it ;p

[K1W1]

@northy :) some people just have no clues.