Tripod + Travel camera bag = Which Combination ??


i-Noob

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Jan 16, 2012
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I've been spending quite some time reading about tripods / camera bags.. Ending up with some missing idea somewhere, silly me lol.. Appreciated if someone could share more info.. Thank you :)

1) I wanted to learn more about landscape/architecture/night photography & to have a start ahead i definately need a sturdy/comfortable tripod + a decent head.. I would soak the tripod into salt water/mud/uneven surface.. Quite numbers of ppl would suggest Sirui Tripod as i read thru.. Pan-tilt head or Ball head?
Any specific require for the task? Pan-tilt head might need longer time to setup, but looks firmed & slightly heavy too i guess.. My budget around 300-400sgd for tripod + head.. Any suggestion ? =p

2) Need a camera bag too.. Some say " spend only on what is needed" (No offence ^^).. i.e Wouldn't it a waste if spend on a Think Tank HD backpack while i'm only using my 550D w/ 18-55 kit lens ? (might need to sqeeze in an umbrealla too =p )..

3) Lastly, which combination is good for traveling/ tracking.. Total budget on tripod + bag = around 500 sgd..
a) Tripod w/ strap + Shoulder bag (smaller size, can fit in my 550D w/ kit lens) -- Hard time during tracking / slope climbing..
b) Tripod attached to a Backpack (more rooms for laptop & lenses which i don't have them now) -- imagine a muddy tripod attached to backpack, but of cos i can wipe it before tight it on backpack =p
c) Tripod w/ strap + Backpack ?? then what's the purpose of having a backpack which can attach a tripod lol, silly me
d) Hand carry Tripod + a Shoulder bag while traveling / tracking ?
e) Don't have extra money to hire someone to carry my tripod =p (No offence ^^ )

Thanks all for the input .. Cheers !!!!........
 

Nice !!! with elbow support too :) Are u carrying a sling bag & tripod seperately ?
 

Nice !!! with elbow support too :) Are u carrying a sling bag & tripod seperately ?

No, carry with what it show. Tripod below, 2 body with lens on top & a drink by the side.
 

Thanks jameskkmok for the tips, currently i'm eyeing on Lowepro Sling series.. Think they have smaller size of bag that can fit my beginner set & also tight on a tripod :)
Would like to hear from others too.. Thanks for the input :)
 

No, carry with what it show. Tripod below, 2 body with lens on top & a drink by the side.

Yea.. that's really looks compact & steady.. Any recommandation on tripod + head, really need to hear from u guys before i walk into the shop hehe ^^ TQ
 

I've read some even forced to check in their tripod at some random airport.. CF tripod sound better @ chances of reduce minute vibrations from the enviroment(wind and ground vibrations).. Wonder a CF tripod would it be too fragile compared to Alu tripod ? Would Alu tripod survive better if abused by those flight assistant , i.e as i know most of the time they throw the luggages in cabin Not carry with care :)
 

i-Noob said:
Thanks jameskkmok for the tips, currently i'm eyeing on Lowepro Sling series.. Think they have smaller size of bag that can fit my beginner set & also tight on a tripod :)
Would like to hear from others too.. Thanks for the input :)

Be careful of one side sling bags. Your shoulder will break in no time

Just imagine one shoulder is taking all the weight and your chest will be v uncomfy

Best is a backpack with 2 straps so that weight is distributed.

Anyway it's ok to try out a one sling bag. If u don't like it, can always sell it off.
 

Be careful of one side sling bags. Your shoulder will break in no time

Just imagine one shoulder is taking all the weight and your chest will be v uncomfy

Best is a backpack with 2 straps so that weight is distributed.

Anyway it's ok to try out a one sling bag. If u don't like it, can always sell it off.

Another good input.. Thanks for dropping by :)
 

I got the TT HD backpack. It is BIG as I have only a 600D and 3 small lens. I bought it because I needed a DSLR backpack with laptop compartment and lot of spaces for travelling. Usually I stuff all my adapters/accessories/clothes etc inside the empty slots so that I can skip the luggage wait at arrival. Camera bag not only for camera, can treat as normal bag too.
The HD are not good for changing lens thou, you have to put it down on the ground, sometime I wonder why they make such a big bag for many lens but it is so troublesome to change lens. It is good for transferring lens from A to B only.
For shooting without a tripod, I use a sling bag.
For shooting with a tripod, I use the HD with the tripod attached to it to distribute the load better.
 

JohnJon82 said:
I got the TT HD backpack. It is BIG as I have only a 600D and 3 small lens. I bought it because I needed a DSLR backpack with laptop compartment and lot of spaces for travelling. Usually I stuff all my adapters/accessories/clothes etc inside the empty slots so that I can skip the luggage wait at arrival. Camera bag not only for camera, can treat as normal bag too.
The HD are not good for changing lens thou, you have to put it down on the ground, sometime I wonder why they make such a big bag for many lens but it is so troublesome to change lens. It is good for transferring lens from A to B only.
For shooting without a tripod, I use a sling bag.
For shooting with a tripod, I use the HD with the tripod attached to it to distribute the load better.

Yea sound sad @ the lens changing part ye.. Thanks for the input.. Cheer !!
 

Be careful of one side sling bags. Your shoulder will break in no time

Just imagine one shoulder is taking all the weight and your chest will be v uncomfy

Best is a backpack with 2 straps so that weight is distributed.

Anyway it's ok to try out a one sling bag. If u don't like it, can always sell it off.

Couldn't agree more. I have a Lowepro sling which is sitting in my store all the time cos really dont like the weight especially carrying it for an extended period of time. Have since bought the Lowepro Versapack and has been using it since. :)
 

If you are tracking and if its a long distance one, i would advice a backpack ask the weight can be evenly distributed to your shoulders, if the backpack comes with a waist clip the weight can also be distributed to the waist as well, most backpack for cameras has a compartment to fit the tripod in. If im going oversea, i'll put my CF tripod into the padded bag provided and stuff it into my luggage. But if im tracking to a location to shoot, i'll usually bring my ALU tripod, cos i broke my CF monopod once when lost balance and bang into some rocks.
 

If you are tracking and if its a long distance one, i would advice a backpack ask the weight can be evenly distributed to your shoulders, if the backpack comes with a waist clip the weight can also be distributed to the waist as well, most backpack for cameras has a compartment to fit the tripod in. If im going oversea, i'll put my CF tripod into the padded bag provided and stuff it into my luggage. But if im tracking to a location to shoot, i'll usually bring my ALU tripod, cos i broke my CF monopod once when lost balance and bang into some rocks.

Aww that's pain in the butt :( Will take note of that, thank you :)
 

Kongfu said:
Couldn't agree more. I have a Lowepro sling which is sitting in my store all the time cos really dont like the weight especially carrying it for an extended period of time. Have since bought the Lowepro Versapack and has been using it since. :)

Sell it away lah....... someone might like it
 

I use a Lowepro Fastpack 250 with a Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom tripod and find them perfect for my recent travels to UK.
Backpack allows fast action side retrieval of camera (no need to unzip the whole bag or dig deep, sufficient to hold my cam body with 3 lenses, cleaning kit, snacks, and the Joby tripod.
Joby tripod is a very light and compact device that allows me to take self-portraits (I don't really trust passerbys to take photos, even if they hold a pro-DSLR... haha!), and attaches to any structurally sound support.
 

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I used a lowepro flipside 200 and a slik sprint gm tripod on my recent Guangzhou trip. Am thinking of getting a Joby Gorillapod SLR zoom with ball head for my HK trip next month. Any suggestion?
 

a sirui 1204 CF tripod would cost u abt 300.
that lefts u with another sgd200.

i suggest lowepro versapack 200 aw
 

Finally i bought a Sling bag 202AW at CP this afternoon.. Well i don't have any other lenses yet beside my 18-55 kit lens so i sqeezed an umbrella + a jacket + some disposable rain coat in it LoL (wonder it still a camera bag after all =b).. The quick access to the side camera pocket seem ok to me, by swinging the bag to the front (it stopped right below my chest level) also can act as a support while snap photo (+1 to jameskkmok for the wonderful tips).. The rooms inside the bag can actualy fit in a pro camera with 70-200mm & still got rooms for 2-3 more lenses which looks kinda big to me, but why 202AW instead of 200AW cos of the extra strap for tripod.. There a all weather cover below the bag (always prepare for the bad weather =b)
Also tried some Manfotto tripods, CF one still ok lah, but when the sales personal show me the 3kg Alu tripod (w/out head), i was like Duh -.- Still haven't decide anything on tripod yet but i'm eyeing on Sirui tripod since budget around +/- 300sgd.. Might dropbuy TK Foto next week :)
Praying hard that won't ending up with a broken right shoulder with this Sling bag + tripod, LoL... (tested & kinda confidence with a 3kg tripod w/ head, maybe long run pain in the butt idk =b)
Thank you so much for all the infos/tips/advises, you guys are great.. Cheers !!!