Almost Lost It

Took out the 40D to try and get some shots of the fireworks on the 4th. I had the camera on a tripod I had in the closet from my 35mm days about 25years ago. I had the camera on M with shutter set to bulb, f11 apt. and for some reason the shutter did not fire. While I turned the camera to have a look to see if the remote switch was connected properly the whole top of the tripod, camera and all, came off in my hands. I lucky didn't drop it! Needless to say no photos of any fireworks; just happy not to have trashed my 40D! Pays to invest in a good tripod! I am now reasearching these on this forum - looks like a bogen manfrotto or maybe an amvona, can't afford to spend too much right now!

If you cant afford much right now then I would wait until you can, inevitably you will want to buy a decent one like a Manfrotto and it will probably last you much longer than a cheaper one would.

Let me guess: Camera set to OneShot AF?
Probably couldn't lock focus, so would not release the shutter...


There are some affordable, decent tripods out there...
Manfrotto for one. Amvona seems okay.
A search will turn up lots of threads.

Thanks, all good advise. You guessed it, set to one shot and I probably had forgotten to switch to manual focus! That is why I just love this forum; many members always willing to help people!

CameraBuff wrote in post #5859633
the whole top of the tripod, camera and all, came off in my hands.

Did you have to change your pants after that

This is a good rig that won't break the bank:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …315_700DX_Pro_T​ripod.html

No, but I did break out in a cold sweat! Thanks for the link - looks like what I need. I have a couple of possibilities on the local craigslist also, one is for a manfrotto 3228wn with 3030 head, slightly used and one for a new never used Amvona AT6903.

CameraBuff wrote in post #5860733
Thanks, all good advise. You guessed it, set to one shot and I probably had forgotten to switch to manual focus! That is why I just love this forum; many members always willing to help people!

One of the nice things about putting the focus on the '*' (rather than the shutter) button, is that this problem does not happen

I didn't know what I had mine on the other night in the dark. It just fired with bulb and I didn't have a remote as that is one of the reasons why I don't use the remote. If your tripod is sturdy, no need for the release. But I would save up and plan on spending around $200 for a decent set of legs and head.

SuzyView wrote in post #5862211
I didn't know what I had mine on the other night in the dark. It just fired with bulb and I didn't have a remote as that is one of the reasons why I don't use the remote. If your tripod is sturdy, no need for the release. But I would save up and plan on spending around $200 for a decent set of legs and head.

Ehhh, personally when on bulb mode shooting fireworks I like the release rather than holding the shutter button down. That looks and feels a little awkward and IMO no matter how sturdy the tripod, with your hand on the camera, shake is inevitable and squiggly fireworks to boot!

For fireworks, I don't use the remote, but for moon shots, oh yeah!

One of the common mistakes beginning photographers make is not spending the money on a good quality tripod in the beginning. I've seen way too many people trying to shoot with a cheap tripod and then wondering why their pictures aren't any good.

Shutterbug Doug wrote in post #5863095
Ehhh, personally when on bulb mode shooting fireworks I like the release rather than holding the shutter button down. That looks and feels a little awkward and IMO no matter how sturdy the tripod, with your hand on the camera, shake is inevitable and squiggly fireworks to boot!

One of the nice things about the Canon remotes is that you can lock them in the "on" position so you don't have to keep holding the button down when using bulb.

SuzyView wrote in post #5862211
If your tripod is sturdy, no need for the release. But I would save up and plan on spending around $200 for a decent set of legs and head.

I disagree, sometimes even the slightest movement of the shutter button will wreck a shot (most noticeable on macros). A release is a good thing to have in the kit.


But I do agree...save money for a good tripod/head...it's worth it in the long run.

SuzyView wrote in post #5862211
If your tripod is sturdy, no need for the release. But I would save up and plan on spending around $200 for a decent set of legs and head.

that is absolutely not true. the release is not there to prevent the vibration of the tripod. it is there to prevent the vibration that is caused by you pressing the shutter. a solid tripod is not a replacement for a shutter release and idealy, you should have both.

SuzyView wrote in post #5862211
I didn't know what I had mine on the other night in the dark. It just fired with bulb and I didn't have a remote as that is one of the reasons why I don't use the remote. If your tripod is sturdy, no need for the release. But I would save up and plan on spending around $200 for a decent set of legs and head.

btw, how do you fire with bulb if you don't have the release? do you keep your finger on the shutter the whole time?

You may want to take a look at the Slik 700 tripod. I can't recall when I used a tripod (which is often) without using a remote release.