Tripod on the beach

My question is probably pretty stupid, but here I go anyway:

When I use the tripod at the beach I get sand and saltwater in all the little gaps on the legs. They are the twisting kind, and sand is the last thing I want in there.

What do you guys do to avoid this? I thought about taking a big trashbag next time and putting the tripod inside, or maybe one for each leg.

Any other suggestions? Rinsing out the sand (I have to rinse off the saltwater anyway) is very timeconsuming and probably not 100% effective.

I don't avoid it. I just rinse mine when it's a problem.

It hasn't been a major problem for me, though. I just put it under the hose.

dazzlebea wrote in post #6125232
My question is probably pretty stupid, but here I go anyway:

When I use the tripod at the beach I get sand and saltwater in all the little gaps on the legs. They are the twisting kind, and sand is the last thing I want in there.

What do you guys do to avoid this? I thought about taking a big trashbag next time and putting the tripod inside, or maybe one for each leg.

Any other suggestions? Rinsing out the sand (I have to rinse off the saltwater anyway) is very timeconsuming and probably not 100% effective.

how about plastic bags over the bottom of the legs? i was thinking about the same thing for setting up my tripod in the mud .

ed rader

Have a read here.

You will need to clean the leg locks, I have been given two Gitzos, with the leg locks corroded stuck.
I managed to repair one, the other is still stuck...

Just like fishing gear -- Rinse it off and lightly oil any "rustable" spots.

T.D. wrote in post #6125246
I don't avoid it. I just rinse mine when it's a problem.

It hasn't been a major problem for me, though. I just put it under the hose.

I tried just rinsing it, but I could still hear the sand grinding in the locks. Perfect for when you want to give someone goosebumps.

ed rader wrote in post #6125278
how about plastic bags over the bottom of the legs? i was thinking about the same thing for setting up my tripod in the mud .

ed rader

Ed, I think that's what I'll do next time. Dealing with the bags has got to be less timeconsuming than taking the whole tripod apart.

René Damkot wrote in post #6125288
Have a read here.

You will need to clean the leg locks, I have been given two Gitzos, with the leg locks corroded stuck.
I managed to repair one, the other is still stuck...

René, that's a great link. Looks like I did many things right Currently my tripod is in a million pieces in the yard to dry out completely before I put it back together.

monty28428 wrote in post #6125304
Just like fishing gear -- Rinse it off and lightly oil any "rustable" spots.

My fishing gear consists of a wallet with money and a store, but I know what you mean

I just had an idea: rolls of giftwrap often come in clear plastic baggies. That should work well as inconspicuous leg covers.

Bembo tripods are good in salt water and sand as the fatest part of the tripod legs are its feet.

Benbo (Not to be confused with Benro) is great in that aspect, but only if the water isn't higher then one leg section...

I get ziploc bags that can zip the bottom so water doesn't flow in as easily, but I don't like to take my tripod to the beach. It's just one more thing to carry, but I do it.

Maybe a trip to Wally World for a $25.00 special to use just at the beach?

A couple of ideas

Tripod boots: I once saw a set of tripod boots which were made from neoprene and designed to protect the tripod in mud and water. Unfortunately I did not purchase a set when I saw them on the Internet. I have not found these lately and wish that I could. I use Saran Wrap on the legs of my tripod but, I still will not imerse the legs in water - especially salt water.

Snow shoes: Several manufacturers sell snow and mud shoes for their tripods and monopods. As long as you don't actualy place your tripod in the water; these shoes will prevent the tripod legs from sinking in the sand. This is an image of one type of snow shoe available for Giottos tripods.

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I have only flip-lock legs on my tripods and monopod and they evidently don't have the sand catching gaps you mention. I do like to shoot on the beach (especially sand dunes) and using these with a good rinsing does the trick.