Do you feel like a Dork carrying your tripod?

OK, so I bought a tripod finally, and today we're going to the zoo again. Would you take the tripod with you? I'm not sure of the etiquette, but I don't remember ever seeing people having one there. I'd hate for people to be looking at me (and my family, lol) like I was a Dork for bringing a tripod to the zoo.

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks,

~Steve

I carry a monopod to the zoo. Sometimes there are restrictions in carrying tripods, especially against setting them up on sidewalks or where others can trip.

I carry mine into NYC whenever I go in with my camera. Some places (Grand Central) I've been told I can't set it up, others I've gotten great shots because I had it with me. I don't mind how people think I look, as long as the photos come out how I want

I have a tiny table top manfrotto that stays in my bag. It's about 6 inches and works in a pinch. I don't think I would walk around all day with a full size tripod.

Which would you rather be...

The "dork" who has crisp, focused pictures that they can show with pride? Or, ...

The "dork" who has a tripod but didn't take it and ended up with soft photos because they worried what others might think?

Take the tripod. Have fun at the zoo. Afterall, the only animals there that you are concerned with don't have an opinion.

Yeah a zoo is often more of a monopod area. As are places that don't allow full tripods.
And yes, carrying around tripods and long lenses can make you feel extremely dorky depending on the surroundings. But cameras are pretty much standard in zoos so that might be the place you can feel least dorky at.

Try a gorillapod..

Ace and Deuce wrote in post #14066598
... I'd hate for people to be looking at me (and my family, lol) like I was a Dork for bringing a tripod to the zoo.....

According to your profile you are 6'6" and 44 years old, so I'd say you are old enough, big enough and mature enough not to give a damn about what other people think about you carrying anything you want.

I feel like a photographer, not a dork

Here in Bangkok you get photog cred (if that even exists) for carrying a tripod.

Carry it like a BOSS and be proud.

Gregg.Siam wrote in post #14066669
Carry it like a BOSS and be proud.

That's it, it's goin' with me!! Thanks guys!

teekay wrote in post #14066666
According to your profile you are 6'6" and 44 years old, so I'd say you are old enough, big enough and mature enough not to give a damn about what other people think about you carrying anything you want.

Words of wisdom! Thanks again!!

GregPH wrote in post #14066657
Try a gorillapod..

That captures more attention than a tripod. I have a Gorilla pod and usually only use it when I go to non busy areas where I can use it to attach my quantum flash to a tree or a rail. My wife thinks it's dorky all by itself. I do not feel that my Gorilla pod would offer any advantage at the zoo since there is a lack of things to attach it to and no way would I use it on top of a wall where it could fall over.

In my experience, both zoos in my city restrict tripods. The web page will say what is acceptable and what is not allowed. Want to feel like a dork? Just see how you feel when security is coming to you telling you to put the tripod away.

My monopod doesn't get much attention, it's the big white lenses that do that!

if you feel you will look a certain way.......you will

Do you even need it broad daylight?

I used to be very self-conscious carrying a lot of gear around, but as I've grown older I find that I don't care what others think as long as I don't intrude on their space. I also found to my surprise that those people I was so self-conscious about really didn't care either! A lot of self-induced stress, it turned out.

Take your tripod if it's allowed and if you have a specific need for it. I wouldn't necessarily take it "just in case".

No.