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)!
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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
PS – If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll REALLY like my e-books and video workshops! Thousands of pages and hours of videos filled with tips, tricks, and techniques – all my best content! Check ’em out – click here (hey, it’s free to look).
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along totally agree with what you have said! Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often Slope Unblocked
As someone who is new to the adventure of wildlife photography, I appreciate the insights and advise in your movies. Thank you very much!
Really useful tips, and I would just add, spend as much money as you can on a decent tripod. After all, it’s going to support a significant sum of money on top of it.
Excellent advice, just to say about once a year strip my tripod down and carefully clean, then reassemble. It is an expensive carbon fibre and want it to last so look after it.
Thanks again.
As one who is newly captivated by the adventure of wildlife photography I really appreciate the tips and advice in your videos. Thank you!
Good tips. Another tip for leveling or adjusting height quickly, especially if you’re using a Gitzo, is you can keep the legs extended but use the pull out clips at the top of each leg to splay the leg(s) a bit to one of three positions, effectively lowering the height.
Question on the gimbal head. I like to have the knobs for the gimbal on the left side as my right hand is handling all the camera controls. All the videos I see have the controls for the gimbal on the right, such as your set up. Obviously I can have them wherever I like, but I’m wondering why most have them on the right–am I missing something? Thanks and great video as always.
I rest my hand on the lens for added support and it’s easier when the controls are out of the way. With a properly setup gimbal, there’s no need to work the knobs once you start shooting. See my video here:
https://backcountrygallery.com/how-to-properly-balance-a-gimbal-head/
That point is exactly what I mentioned to Steve a while back, for me it’s just like you say, having the knobs on the left side the right hand is free for handling all the camera controls, and this is what I use.
For me, using the left forearm to help stabilize the lens doesn’t take away from the function of also driving the knobs of the gimbal head.
Many seem like common sense but learn along time ago , one person’s common sense is anothers genus. Good tips and great reminders. Thanks!
Any plans on how to sell our photos…make money, in one of your posts, videos?
We have all invested lots of money in our equipment and travel to get incredible shots, based on your recommendations… Would be great to get the satisfaction of selling some photos!
Thanks, Steve…your posts are incredible.
Tom P.
Can I just come over for a few days, go shopping, do a workshop and start over? Laughing on the outside, but crying on the inside.
For me, one of the most dangerous omissions when using a tripod is not to adjust the slider on each leg. Many times, when moving from one to another we forget to check that each one of each leg is well tighted, so omitting one of them could cause that one could slip down, with the consequent fall of our equipment. Personally, when I shoot in snowy, muddy or sandy conditions I add to the foot of the lower section the rubber pads which, for example, come in Gitzo’s tripod kit that offers a wider surface area to help prevent… Read more »
That’s why at the end of the video I recommend always pushing down on the top 🙂
First class Steve. Everyone’s a winner. Have a great weekend. Simple, straightforward but oh so important, cheers mate.
Good reminders!