String tripod

I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice sites
suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?

In article , Johnny
wrote:

I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice sites
suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?


Don't know about better, but what used to be called chain-pods were
once manufactured commercially. I carried one for years; you'd stand on
one end and pull up on the camera. Chain being more rigid than string,
and the floor being steadier than your neck.

Once could also visualize a fantastic dual-purpose device that would
steady the camera against the neck, AND suspend the camera when your
hands are otherwise occupied. Must check with the patent office...

On 07/22/2018 04:08 PM, Scott Schuckert wrote:
In article , Johnny
wrote:

I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice sites
suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?


Don't know about better, but what used to be called chain-pods were
once manufactured commercially. I carried one for years; you'd stand on
one end and pull up on the camera. Chain being more rigid than string,
and the floor being steadier than your neck.

Once could also visualize a fantastic dual-purpose device that would
steady the camera against the neck, AND suspend the camera when your
hands are otherwise occupied. Must check with the patent office...


With an SLR, you would have the camera directly in front of your eye.
Wrapping the string around your neck would not likely be as helpful as
standing on the end of the string.

But if you are holding the camera away from your eye and looking at the
screen on the back of the camera, then looping the string around your
neck may work.

Try both methods and pick the one that works best for you.

As for that device that holds the camera hands-free: maybe you could
call it a "SteadiCam".

--
Ken Hart

On Jul 22, 2018, Ken Hart wrote
(in article ):

On 07/22/2018 04:08 PM, Scott Schuckert wrote:
In , Johnny
wrote:

I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice sites
suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?

Don't know about better, but what used to be called chain-pods were
once manufactured commercially. I carried one for years; you'd stand on
one end and pull up on the camera. Chain being more rigid than string,
and the floor being steadier than your neck.

Once could also visualize a fantastic dual-purpose device that would
steady the camera against the neck, AND suspend the camera when your
hands are otherwise occupied. Must check with the patent office...

With an SLR, you would have the camera directly in front of your eye.
Wrapping the string around your neck would not likely be as helpful as
standing on the end of the string.

But if you are holding the camera away from your eye and looking at the
screen on the back of the camera, then looping the string around your
neck may work.

Try both methods and pick the one that works best for you.

As for that device that holds the camera hands-free: maybe you could call it a "SteadiCam".

I alway thought the best device to hold a camera hands-free was/is called a
tripod.

--

Regards,
Savageduck

On Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 9:57:20 AM UTC-4, Johnny wrote:
I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice sites
suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?

Hi,

For stationary subjects, use the selftimer and hold the camera with 2 hands.

Mort Linder

On 22/07/2018 14:57, Johnny wrote:
I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice
sites suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?


It's notable how many "sports" pros who need mobility and long (heavy)
lenses simply go for a monopod. I've never used one myself, but think
about getting one from time to time. No reason it should not work fine
on a compact (especially a superzoom) as long as it is not too heavy,
and is quick and easy to "telescope".

On Jul 23, 2018, newshound wrote
(in ) :

On 22/07/2018 14:57, Johnny wrote:
I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice
sites suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?

It's notable how many "sports" pros who need mobility and long (heavy)
lenses simply go for a monopod. I've never used one myself, but think
about getting one from time to time. No reason it should not work fine
on a compact (especially a superzoom) as long as it is not too heavy,
and is quick and easy to "telescope".

A monopod works great for sports photography where support is needed for
heavy long lenses, and the lens/camera is mainly used for lateral/horizontal
panning. It is not as useful when it comes to vertical panning, and can be
quite awkward especially if the target is at a higher, or lower elevation
from the horizontal line of sight. With typical lateral/horizontal panning
the pivot point is the grounded foot of the monopod, and panning to track the
action on a sports field, track, or arena becomes natural and simple. Add to
that, panning motion imparts quite a lot of inertial stabilization, and is a
reason to consider not having OIS/VR turned on with lenses which do not
compensate for lateral panning (some do). Most importantly, since the subject
is in motion, IBIS, and most basic OIS/VR is not going to help, fast glass,
and higher ISO will.

IBIS and/or OIS/VR is only going to be helpful for handheld shooting, and
even there shooting technique is still important.

A monopod is a compromise which provides the sports photographer some
stability for heavy lenses along with a degree of mobility. However, the
monopod is not going to provide the same degree of stabilization as a good
tripod, especially if used with a gimbal head (a much better choice for
airshows, or birds in flight). I have seen some photographers using a monopod
with a gimbal head at airshows especially if they are using heavy lenses.

--

Regards,
Savageduck

On 7/23/2018 5:41 PM, Savageduck wrote:
On Jul 23, 2018, newshound wrote
(in ) :

On 22/07/2018 14:57, Johnny wrote:
I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice
sites suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?

It's notable how many "sports" pros who need mobility and long (heavy)
lenses simply go for a monopod. I've never used one myself, but think
about getting one from time to time. No reason it should not work fine
on a compact (especially a superzoom) as long as it is not too heavy,
and is quick and easy to "telescope".

A monopod works great for sports photography where support is needed for
heavy long lenses, and the lens/camera is mainly used for lateral/horizontal
panning. It is not as useful when it comes to vertical panning, and can be
quite awkward especially if the target is at a higher, or lower elevation
from the horizontal line of sight. With typical lateral/horizontal panning
the pivot point is the grounded foot of the monopod, and panning to track the
action on a sports field, track, or arena becomes natural and simple. Add to
that, panning motion imparts quite a lot of inertial stabilization, and is a
reason to consider not having OIS/VR turned on with lenses which do not
compensate for lateral panning (some do). Most importantly, since the subject
is in motion, IBIS, and most basic OIS/VR is not going to help, fast glass,
and higher ISO will.

IBIS and/or OIS/VR is only going to be helpful for handheld shooting, and
even there shooting technique is still important.

A monopod is a compromise which provides the sports photographer some
stability for heavy lenses along with a degree of mobility. However, the
monopod is not going to provide the same degree of stabilization as a good
tripod, especially if used with a gimbal head (a much better choice for
airshows, or birds in flight). I have seen some photographers using a monopod
with a gimbal head at airshows especially if they are using heavy lenses.


All true, but if you are shooting at a high ISO and shutter speed, a
monopod is easier to use than a tripod.

--
PeterN

On Jul 23, 2018, PeterN wrote
(in article ):

On 7/23/2018 5:41 PM, Savageduck wrote:
On Jul 23, 2018, newshound wrote
(in ) :

On 22/07/2018 14:57, Johnny wrote:
I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice
sites suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?

It's notable how many "sports" pros who need mobility and long (heavy)
lenses simply go for a monopod. I've never used one myself, but think
about getting one from time to time. No reason it should not work fine
on a compact (especially a superzoom) as long as it is not too heavy,
and is quick and easy to "telescope".

A monopod works great for sports photography where support is needed for
heavy long lenses, and the lens/camera is mainly used for lateral/horizontal
panning. It is not as useful when it comes to vertical panning, and can be
quite awkward especially if the target is at a higher, or lower elevation
from the horizontal line of sight. With typical lateral/horizontal panning
the pivot point is the grounded foot of the monopod, and panning to track
the action on a sports field, track, or arena becomes natural and simple. Add to
that, panning motion imparts quite a lot of inertial stabilization, and is a
reason to consider not having OIS/VR turned on with lenses which do not
compensate for lateral panning (some do). Most importantly, since the
subject is in motion, IBIS, and most basic OIS/VR is not going to help, fast glass,
and higher ISO will.

IBIS and/or OIS/VR is only going to be helpful for handheld shooting, and
even there shooting technique is still important.

A monopod is a compromise which provides the sports photographer some
stability for heavy lenses along with a degree of mobility. However, the
monopod is not going to provide the same degree of stabilization as a good
tripod, especially if used with a gimbal head (a much better choice for
airshows, or birds in flight). I have seen some photographers using a
monopod with a gimbal head at airshows especially if they are using heavy lenses.

All true, but if you are shooting at a high ISO and shutter speed, a
monopod is easier to use than a tripod.

There is a time, and place for the use of either, and if you are shooting
with a 400mm, or 600mm lens all day, and need some mobility to various
shooting positions at an event, a tripod can be awkward. A monopod will
support that weight, but without providing the stability of a tripod. ISO and
shutter speed is actually irrelevant when it comes to choice of support tool.

The problem with a monopod, or a tripod for that matter, is with birds, and
aircraft in flight, particularly when the vertical shooting angle starts to
exceed 30º to directly overhead. Then the monopod just becomes an awkward
encumbrance. Try to aim at a plane or a bird which takes a turn directly
overhead while you are tracking it with a camera/lens combo supported by a
monopod. Some folks will add a ball-head to the monopod, but that is not
always the best solution.

When it comes to gimbal heads, the problem is price, where some can cost more
than the tripod they are mounted on.

I will usually tailor my use of tripod, or monopod to the circumstances of my
shoot, but for the most part, even with my new 100-400mm I will shoot
handheld. Long exposure stuff demands a tripod. Where one is panning, or
tracking the subject, handheld with good technique is my usual method. Then
there is walk-around, or street where inconspicuous is the way to go.

--

Regards,
Savageduck

On 7/23/2018 9:56 PM, Savageduck wrote:
On Jul 23, 2018, PeterN wrote
(in article ):

On 7/23/2018 5:41 PM, Savageduck wrote:
On Jul 23, 2018, newshound wrote
(in ) :

On 22/07/2018 14:57, Johnny wrote:
I have a basic digital compact and use a string tripod to avoid camera
shake.

I usually loop the string round the back of my neck but most advice
sites suggest standing on the string.

Is one of these better than the other for reducing shake?

It's notable how many "sports" pros who need mobility and long (heavy)
lenses simply go for a monopod. I've never used one myself, but think
about getting one from time to time. No reason it should not work fine
on a compact (especially a superzoom) as long as it is not too heavy,
and is quick and easy to "telescope".

A monopod works great for sports photography where support is needed for
heavy long lenses, and the lens/camera is mainly used for lateral/horizontal
panning. It is not as useful when it comes to vertical panning, and can be
quite awkward especially if the target is at a higher, or lower elevation
from the horizontal line of sight. With typical lateral/horizontal panning
the pivot point is the grounded foot of the monopod, and panning to track
the action on a sports field, track, or arena becomes natural and simple. Add to
that, panning motion imparts quite a lot of inertial stabilization, and is a
reason to consider not having OIS/VR turned on with lenses which do not
compensate for lateral panning (some do). Most importantly, since the
subject is in motion, IBIS, and most basic OIS/VR is not going to help, fast glass,
and higher ISO will.

IBIS and/or OIS/VR is only going to be helpful for handheld shooting, and
even there shooting technique is still important.

A monopod is a compromise which provides the sports photographer some
stability for heavy lenses along with a degree of mobility. However, the
monopod is not going to provide the same degree of stabilization as a good
tripod, especially if used with a gimbal head (a much better choice for
airshows, or birds in flight). I have seen some photographers using a
monopod with a gimbal head at airshows especially if they are using heavy lenses.

All true, but if you are shooting at a high ISO and shutter speed, a
monopod is easier to use than a tripod.

There is a time, and place for the use of either, and if you are shooting
with a 400mm, or 600mm lens all day, and need some mobility to various
shooting positions at an event, a tripod can be awkward. A monopod will
support that weight, but without providing the stability of a tripod. ISO and
shutter speed is actually irrelevant when it comes to choice of support tool.

The problem with a monopod, or a tripod for that matter, is with birds, and
aircraft in flight, particularly when the vertical shooting angle starts to
exceed 30º to directly overhead. Then the monopod just becomes an awkward
encumbrance. Try to aim at a plane or a bird which takes a turn directly
overhead while you are tracking it with a camera/lens combo supported by a
monopod. Some folks will add a ball-head to the monopod, but that is not
always the best solution.

When it comes to gimbal heads, the problem is price, where some can cost more
than the tripod they are mounted on.

I will usually tailor my use of tripod, or monopod to the circumstances of my
shoot, but for the most part, even with my new 100-400mm I will shoot
handheld. Long exposure stuff demands a tripod. Where one is panning, or
tracking the subject, handheld with good technique is my usual method. Then
there is walk-around, or street where inconspicuous is the way to go.


I always use a pan head on my monopod. I use the mostly monopod for zoo
work. For landscape I use my tripod. For wildlife, it depends. If I am
waiting for a bird to fly into a particular spot, I prefocus, put the
camera on a tripod, sit down on my chair, and wait. Of course I use a
remote release. It depends on the situation. I also use my monopod as a
balancing cane.

--
PeterN