Has digital photography reduced your use of tripods?

Bob Larter wrote:

How do you deal with long lenses and center of gravity?

I drilled and tapped a foot long aluminium bar every inch so I could
mount the camera back set by up to 11 inches. (The last hole
was just drilled to clear 1/4 bolt) I have tried counter weights
to pull the c/g to the hinge line on the head works but is
complicated.

I'm failing to see what the advantage is of doing it that way. The
weight on the camera is going to be the same however you mount it, & I'd
be nervous about the aluminium threads stripping, & dumping your camera
on the ground.

The aluminium bar I used was 1/2 by 1 by 12 inches. It is a hard a hard
aluminium. The bar had one of the end holes 1/4 drilled and the rest of the
holes drilled and tapped for 1/4-20 so it could be fastened to the tripod
head. The Camera was bolted to the bar through the 1/4 hole.

It is secure. It will balance the camera and lens reasonably well over a
limited range. The camera is backset so the c/g is above the head hinge.
Not perfect but a big help.

The tripod has quick release and a spare quick release shoe was attached
to the bar to make mounting on the head easier.

Walter..