Carrying Manfrotto 190CL Tripod.

[ZephyrLGreen]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the other camera info and discussions.

I have a SLR Digital Canon 30D and a Manfrotto 190CL Tripod, nothing compact or light about it, i used to have a point and shoot, but i love the extra things a SLR can do, and be digital.

Also i am presently riding a 84 XT 250, yes i know it is small, but it has gone to Asia, two up with gear and my last trip was Darwin to Hobart, with a few detours and it still sat on about 110km/hr most of the way, that was about 5,000km.

So, has anybody got any ideas on carrying a tripod? I have thought about PVC tude, maybe under rack, above the mud-guard ... or putting a tube on the front near the head light ... even thought about just strapping it on to the rack (without the head on it) ... but prefer to have gear less visible and protected from dust ect.

The obvious answer is bigger bike, smaller camera, lighter tripod ... but i use my gear for work and travel ... also carry ibook laptop and other gadgets.

For the camera i presently use a Lowpro backpack that i put in the rear rack bag, but is not practical to do this for longer trips ... and the tripod doesn't fit in the rear bag. I have also thought about a customising a rear bag for all the gear ... or side bags ... but prefer simple solutions cause they are usually best.

All advice welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Zephyr

[Winterbiker]

Hi ZephrLGreen,

I don´t know, where to fit this tripoid on your bike, but I´ve shortened the legs, so you don´t need so much space. May be, this will be of some help for you.

Winterbiker

[Grant Johnson]

Best normal method of carrying a tripod I've seen is the plastic tube.

Over the years I've found that the most important thing is to ensure that it only takes a few seconds to get the tripod out and setup - or you just don't do it.

I'd suggest padding a tube, drop the tripod in, and pop a cover on, perhaps padlocked. Make it quick and easy! Sand the cover so it drops on EASY, and use a Dzus fastener or something QUICK to secure it on. Padlock for overnight etc.

If you can put the tube on the off-side - away from traffic - that adds a little safety too.

I carry a Gitzo carbon fibre tripod, 4 sections, which packs about as small as a 190 Manfrotto, but goes taller - I'm over 6 feet. A top quality ball head with a quick-release is more compact than a panhead, and quick to use.

Where is the big problem - get the tube, cut it to size, and offer it up - it'll soon bcome ovbvious what's possible and what's not. Think vertical or near-vertical, perhaps just in front of the panniers. If it's tall, and you have a stack of luggage, so what?

hope that helps,

[The Cameraman]

Hi Zephyr,

I gave up lugging my 055CL tripod about, as it just took up too much space on my XT250 Serow, so I now use a Manfrotto monopod (579 model), along with a set of removeable legs (MN678 model). These give me enough uptions and take up far less space and weigh far less!

I bought a bit of PVC waste pipe from my local builders merchant, bonded the bottom end closed with a screw on lid and fitted another lid onto the top.

I then mount this sideways across the rear of my luggage, which means I can access it at anytime, without having to remove any other kit.

I can't post you a photo of the set up as a mate's borrowed it for a tour across the US but I'm well happy with the result.

OK it's not as solid a set up as my 055CL but it does the job for me. It's rare for me to ever use a tripod but when I need one, I really need one!

Oh I also forgot GIVI are due to start the supply of a large soft luggage unit designed for use by quads etc, which from the prototype images I've seen could be ideal if turned around by 90deg would 'overlap'
the rear rack/sear and appears large enough to replace a rear box and panniers. I'll let you know more when I get my hands on a set

Regards

Reggie AKA The Cameraman

[Deke in AK]

For what it is worth, this what I do. I use a cheap lightweight tripod and take plastic grocery bags, putting several together as layers, and fill them with rocks, sand or whatever to give some weight and stability to the tripod. This works better than you can imagine. No expensive tripod to get broken, stolen or lost and it works as well as one of the very heavy "pro" models. If the tripod breaks on the road, discard it and buy another.

YMMV, Dennis

[Bjorn]

Hi,

Same as Grant, I carry a small Gitzo with me all the time. The more sections the better, and they get smaller & lighter every year.
Winterbiker's bag idea is good & I've done this myself before. Works a treat. Only important thing is: get a good & sturdy ballhead if you're fuzzy about composition or use heavy (SLR) gear.

If you want something REALLY light, check this out:
http://monsterpod.us/

Not sure if it'll take a SLR though... I wouldn't dare to try it out


Bjorn