Comments on: The Care and Feeding of Your Tripod http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod Photo/video thoughts from the largest rental house Mon, 20 May 2013 21:20:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Jeff http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-33676 Jeff Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:32:37 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-33676 With the lever-lock tripods, would it make sense to get the tension just the way you like it, then put a drop of lightweight threadlock on the screw so you never have to adjust it again? With the lever-lock tripods, would it make sense to get the tension just the way you like it, then put a drop of lightweight threadlock on the screw so you never have to adjust it again?

]]> By: Frank Kolwicz http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-17030 Frank Kolwicz Sat, 18 Aug 2012 12:50:37 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-17030 And I should have added: clean the bottoms of the legs often. At least do it with your hand or a towel to knock off loose material before putting it back in whatever vehicle or bag you use to carry the tripod and wash them before they go into anything where the grit can build up, shake loose and move into the joints. And I should have added: clean the bottoms of the legs often. At least do it with your hand or a towel to knock off loose material before putting it back in whatever vehicle or bag you use to carry the tripod and wash them before they go into anything where the grit can build up, shake loose and move into the joints.

]]> By: Frank Kolwicz http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-16973 Frank Kolwicz Tue, 14 Aug 2012 22:53:10 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-16973 I've been using a Gitzo for over 20 years and have only had to clean one of the leg sliders once. The secret? I slide the lowest section down at least 6" and leave it that way unless I have to pack the tripod to it's absolute minimum for some reason. And, of course, slide them back out as soon as you can. In sand, the first thing I do is slide the lowest sections down another couple of inches. Avoiding grit in the first place is best for sliding parts. This won't be of any help if you do a lot of low-level shooting in gritty or muddy conditions, but then there may be something like tripod condoms to put on the bottoms of the legs to help out. The best design for this kind of situation is the Benbo with it's upside-down leg design, so that the sliding joints don't have to be shoved into the muck. I don't know why more tripods don't utilize this simple alternative. The bad thing about the Benbo is that the knuckle that wears out fast and won't hold a decent weight outfit. I’ve been using a Gitzo for over 20 years and have only had to clean one of the leg sliders once. The secret? I slide the lowest section down at least 6″ and leave it that way unless I have to pack the tripod to it’s absolute minimum for some reason. And, of course, slide them back out as soon as you can.

In sand, the first thing I do is slide the lowest sections down another couple of inches. Avoiding grit in the first place is best for sliding parts.

This won’t be of any help if you do a lot of low-level shooting in gritty or muddy conditions, but then there may be something like tripod condoms to put on the bottoms of the legs to help out.

The best design for this kind of situation is the Benbo with it’s upside-down leg design, so that the sliding joints don’t have to be shoved into the muck. I don’t know why more tripods don’t utilize this simple alternative. The bad thing about the Benbo is that the knuckle that wears out fast and won’t hold a decent weight outfit.

]]> By: A Trip to the Tripod Spa | Induro Blog http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-13807 A Trip to the Tripod Spa | Induro Blog Mon, 16 Jul 2012 20:19:16 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-13807 [...] consider giving your tripod some well deserved R&R. Roger Cicala of lensrental.com takes us through the steps of cleaning and caring for a variety of tripod [...] [...] consider giving your tripod some well deserved R&R. Roger Cicala of lensrental.com takes us through the steps of cleaning and caring for a variety of tripod [...]

]]> By: Jon Reade http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-10908 Jon Reade Wed, 27 Jun 2012 08:41:56 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-10908 Excellent article! Good work :) Only one criticism - you really should have some "share it" icons on the page(s) to allow readers to easily promote it and spread the word. How to guides like this are priceless, I'm definitely going to share it (manually this time). Excellent article! Good work :)
Only one criticism – you really should have some “share it” icons on the page(s) to allow readers to easily promote it and spread the word. How to guides like this are priceless, I’m definitely going to share it (manually this time).

]]> By: As Seen by Janine http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-10858 As Seen by Janine Sat, 23 Jun 2012 17:25:36 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-10858 This is a really helpful tutorial. While I have had to do some minor leg repair and cleaning on my Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 tripod, it was a bit dicey and I learned the hard way, as you mentioned, about aligning my lock levers before reassembly! I also didn't know how to do many of the other some of the things you mention, for example, the tip about using graphite. I love that you provided the direct link to Bogen-Manfrotto replacement parts. Super well written and illustrated. Thanks! This is a really helpful tutorial. While I have had to do some minor leg repair and cleaning on my Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 tripod, it was a bit dicey and I learned the hard way, as you mentioned, about aligning my lock levers before reassembly! I also didn’t know how to do many of the other some of the things you mention, for example, the tip about using graphite. I love that you provided the direct link to Bogen-Manfrotto replacement parts. Super well written and illustrated. Thanks!

]]> By: Roger Cicala http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-10764 Roger Cicala Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:16:14 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-10764 HI Mark, Any of the waterproof, silicone gel type have worked well for us. There are a number of different versions made, many of which have specific heat resistant or electrical insulating properties. Vers1lube 332L has worked well for us (it's probably overkill), as has Novagard G662. HI Mark,
Any of the waterproof, silicone gel type have worked well for us. There are a number of different versions made, many of which have specific heat resistant or electrical insulating properties. Vers1lube 332L has worked well for us (it’s probably overkill), as has Novagard G662.

]]> By: Mark Winchester http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-10763 Mark Winchester Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:51:53 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-10763 When I wandered over to Amazon, I discover a host of lubricants made by Novagard AND several that are a part of it's Versilube line of lubricants. Is there a PARTICULAR one that would be a good option for keeping my Gitzo tripods in good shape? When I wandered over to Amazon, I discover a host of lubricants made by Novagard AND several that are a part of it’s Versilube line of lubricants. Is there a PARTICULAR one that would be a good option for keeping my Gitzo tripods in good shape?

]]> By: Jerry L http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-10753 Jerry L Tue, 19 Jun 2012 04:08:48 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-10753 Looks great, I'll have to have a look at this when the sand in my tripod starts to get problematic. Think you could do one on ballheads? On my last excursion to the beach, I got some sand in mine and it worked its way inside. Also, I have another head that is way too loose and so needs to be adjusted a bit to be useful. Looks great, I’ll have to have a look at this when the sand in my tripod starts to get problematic.

Think you could do one on ballheads? On my last excursion to the beach, I got some sand in mine and it worked its way inside. Also, I have another head that is way too loose and so needs to be adjusted a bit to be useful.

]]> By: Ken Ballweg http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-tripod/comment-page-1#comment-10736 Ken Ballweg Sat, 16 Jun 2012 18:59:54 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=7213#comment-10736 As someone who does coastal area landscapes, I've become quite adept at the "getting the sand out strip-down". Good to have the info on, and source for lubricants for the twist locks and shims. Not sure why I didn't think to look on Amazon before. Wish I was as brave about sensor cleaning, as blowing sand is the bane of my life and will only become a non-issue when I figure out a way to change lenses in some protected way. Or give up changing lenses in the field. Have thought about using an old film "changing bag" but not sure if it will really solve the issue. As someone who does coastal area landscapes, I’ve become quite adept at the “getting the sand out strip-down”. Good to have the info on, and source for lubricants for the twist locks and shims. Not sure why I didn’t think to look on Amazon before.

Wish I was as brave about sensor cleaning, as blowing sand is the bane of my life and will only become a non-issue when I figure out a way to change lenses in some protected way. Or give up changing lenses in the field.

Have thought about using an old film “changing bag” but not sure if it will really solve the issue.

]]>