tripod in water? what to do?

[tekkie]

this morning for the first time I used my tripod in fairly deep water which put the levers under water and I got water in the legs

got me darn wet as well, my boots were shorter than I thought, got my rear soaked as well, the water is darn cold lol

so a few questions

1) is this going to make the inside corrode over time?
2) should I avoid the water with it?
3) is there some model that is better for use in the water?

its a Manfrotto aluminum tripod

[gasrocks]

Easy solution. Get some PVC pipe from the local Home building store, hardware store. Cut off about 2 foot long pieces. Buy pipe that has an I.D. big enough to slip over the tripod legs. Glue a PVC cap on one end of the 3 sections of pipe. Slip the pieces of pipe over your tripod legs and now you can stand it in mud, water, sand, snow without the legs getting dirty.

[tekkie]

hmm this might be a good idea, I will measure up what diameter I need and go grab some :)

[artyman]

The aluminium is probably anodised the same as boat masts, I never worried about my mast getting wet and that was salt water as well :) so I wouldn't worry to much.

[tekkie]

ok I would have to use 2" piping to get it up around the tripod leg locks :(

dooh this is going to add a ton of weight

[BradM]

Dry Pod waders are what you want.

http://www.rjwiley.smugmug.com/gallery/6552437_qX76L#496616519_UvWSb

[tekkie]

sweet I like that solution, thank you very much I just sent them an email on it

[bobinatcat]

I have never thoght of that idea with the PVC. great

[tekkie]

ordered the kit, that will solve this problem ;)

[canonloader]

Maxis Gamez posts in the birds forum and he has that picture of his posted in the what we look like thread. They look like they would work.

[tekkie]

yup I think so, Rod already shipped them out this afternoon :) awesome

[Tom Reichner]

Easy solution. Get some PVC pipe from the local Home building store, hardware store. Cut off about 2 foot long pieces. Buy pipe that has an I.D. big enough to slip over the tripod legs. Glue a PVC cap on one end of the 3 sections of pipe. Slip the pieces of pipe over your tripod legs and now you can stand it in mud, water, sand, snow without the legs getting dirty.

ABS pipe may work well, too. It is lighter than PVC. It is also a flat black, which would not stand out so much as the white PVC. Keep in mind that i takes a different glue than the PVC pipe.

[mpoole]

Maybe three plastic garbage bags and elastics? Light cheap and very portable. You might have to put something on the feet to keep them from poking through.

[tekkie]

Maybe three plastic garbage bags and elastics? Light cheap and very portable. You might have to put something on the feet to keep them from poking through.

that is pretty much the poor mans version of this :) http://www.rjwiley.smugmug.com/galle...96616519_UvWSb (http://www.rjwiley.smugmug.com/gallery/6552437_qX76L#496616519_UvWSb)

this is a better solution imo but I guess I have not used either yet so I cant say for sure. I will probably test it out this weekend and then I will post back my findings ;)

[Tom Reichner]

hey, Tekkie - just curious . . . what is it you're photographing in deep water? Ducks? Also, when you're out in the water, what do you use as a blind - I mean, how do you conceal yourself from skittish subjects?

[BradM]

Maybe three plastic garbage bags and elastics? Light cheap and very portable. You might have to put something on the feet to keep them from poking through.


If you can source it you can find a plastic "bag" in a tube, the same material that is used to package various products and it heat sealed or "welded" on the end.

But if you can find the roll of this stuff it comes in various widths, 3" will work for most tripods. 100' rolls can be bought for around $8.00 from packing jobbers, sometimes Fedex stores has it.

You cut off a length twice of what you need to protect to the top twist or flip lock. Slip it over the leg for half the tube length and then fold it up to above the upper lock.

Using a velcro loop (these are at Wally World &c., $3.00 for a 6) tighten it above the lock.

For "high tech" or rough or sharp bottoms on the feet go to your local drugstore and find the rubber cane/crutch foot that will slide over your tripod foot and hold the folded tube in place. Another 5 or 6 bucks for three.

But for sandy or muddy bottoms this material will not wear out with cautious use for a couple times, the feet add considerable life to the plastic.

Bottomline under $20 bucks you have the material to use this for a great many number of times.

The Dry Pods are a very nice product and work as advertised.

I use this type of stuff often on shore birds on a rising tide, it pays to stay in place and have the birds work the mud and water edge coming closer and closer to you. The birds often don't even see you if you have been there for a lengthy period of time.

Just don't get stuck out there. Know where you are working and stay safe.

[tekkie]

hey, Tekkie - just curious . . . what is it you're photographing in deep water? Ducks? Also, when you're out in the water, what do you use as a blind - I mean, how do you conceal yourself from skittish subjects?

its not really that deep its about 2 feet or so but enough to get water ;)

the 2 ducks that I have been able to get so far are pretty darn tame, I know just by how they look if its them or not, the others forget about it your not getting near the water let alone in it :)