All Forum Comments
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on Glasgow meet 9th April 2011 at 02/04/2011 - 10:38
Algernon wrote:
Cullmann Magics fold flat and are quite rigid. I use one to hold a large flashgun and brolly.
Nice idea. Definitely worth looking into.Cullmann Magics fold flat and are quite rigid. I use one to hold a large flashgun and brolly.
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on Tamrac ZipShot at 27/03/2011 - 20:45
Algernon wrote:
Far too flimsy You would be better off with something like this Polaroid which looks identical to a Pentax badged one I saw recently on some site.
Minolta also did one similar with a stronger B&S head. Leica also do one, but the heads are separate and expensive.
I've got the Polaroid and Minolta and have used them with a K20D and 55-300mm + 1.7x converter.
Not really looking for a tabletop tripod. I will (eventually) get a Gorillapod (SLR zoom version) to serve that purpose as it's more flexible. I've used the smaller Gorillapod (with magnetic feet) with my compact for some time and it's exceedingly useful.Far too flimsy You would be better off with something like this Polaroid which looks identical to a Pentax badged one I saw recently on some site.
Minolta also did one similar with a stronger B&S head. Leica also do one, but the heads are separate and expensive.
I've got the Polaroid and Minolta and have used them with a K20D and 55-300mm + 1.7x converter.
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on Tamrac ZipShot at 27/03/2011 - 20:00
Gwyn wrote:
You should never put the maximum weight on a tripod, certainly not on ones like the zipshot - manufacturers usually over estimate that.
And the height is hopeless, unless you like an aching back, or are very short.
Well I'm not the tallest (5'6") but I must admit the height would most likely have me reaching for live view mode rather than trying to bend over the eyepiece. (With live view one can crouch rather than bend, so no aching back).You should never put the maximum weight on a tripod, certainly not on ones like the zipshot - manufacturers usually over estimate that.
And the height is hopeless, unless you like an aching back, or are very short.
How about this alternative: http://www.giottos-tripods.co.uk/index.php?page=productpage&cat=4b8b81bae5942&pr...
On the plus side it's about the same height (folded) as the ZipShot but a good 45cm higher when fully extended, and has a much better weight capacity.
On the negative side it's a lot heavier (even if you get the carbon fibre one) and MUCH more expensive... however it is still clearly going to be a lot more convenient to carry than a full-size tripod.
Any opinions?
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on Tamrac ZipShot at 27/03/2011 - 19:57
To be fair, it's had much more positive reviews elsewhere (seen a few on YouTube for example) and if I wrote anything off on the basis of single user reviews I'd never buy anything at all. I only posted the link to that particular site because it's about the cheapest price from a reliable source.
As for how carefully the guy sets it up in the video, I don't see why anybody would do it carelessly. The legs are obviously quite thin and you wouldn't want to bend them... something the weight of a camera wouldn't do but the strength of a person applied less than carefully could easily do.
http://www.tamrac.co.uk/pages/zipshot.htm
It's rated by the manufacturer to support 1.35kg whereas the heaviest body/lens combination I currently have is 1.21Kg.
I accept that it's probably a bit wobbly but I'd be very surprised if it would actually fall over unless you mount a really unbalanced body/lens combo on it, give it a heavy knock or use it in strong or gusty wind (all of which I would endeavor to avoid).
As for how carefully the guy sets it up in the video, I don't see why anybody would do it carelessly. The legs are obviously quite thin and you wouldn't want to bend them... something the weight of a camera wouldn't do but the strength of a person applied less than carefully could easily do.
http://www.tamrac.co.uk/pages/zipshot.htm
It's rated by the manufacturer to support 1.35kg whereas the heaviest body/lens combination I currently have is 1.21Kg.
I accept that it's probably a bit wobbly but I'd be very surprised if it would actually fall over unless you mount a really unbalanced body/lens combo on it, give it a heavy knock or use it in strong or gusty wind (all of which I would endeavor to avoid).
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on Tamrac ZipShot at 27/03/2011 - 19:27
Does anybody have any experience using one of these?
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/13069088/Tamrac-Zipshot-Camcorder...
I already have a full-size tripod but it's large and heavy enough that it gets left in the car in most situations. I thought this might be useful for carrying around on those occasions where one might only want a tripod for the occasional shot.
I know it probably isn't that stable but I thought it would probably be perfectly okay for shooting 'mirror up' with a cable remote (which I do have in my camera bag all the time) if there isn't much wind - which is all I'd really expect of it. Anybody tried one?
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/13069088/Tamrac-Zipshot-Camcorder...
I already have a full-size tripod but it's large and heavy enough that it gets left in the car in most situations. I thought this might be useful for carrying around on those occasions where one might only want a tripod for the occasional shot.
I know it probably isn't that stable but I thought it would probably be perfectly okay for shooting 'mirror up' with a cable remote (which I do have in my camera bag all the time) if there isn't much wind - which is all I'd really expect of it. Anybody tried one?
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on Tamrac ZipShot at 27/03/2011 - 18:00
Thanks David. I'd be interested to see some shots when you have that lens.
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on First day out with DA 55-300 at 22/03/2011 - 23:33
Thanks for all the comments and tips! I was quite pleased with this set. I agree with Crossed-up as 6 and 8 are my favourites. I really like No. 4 as well.
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on First day out with DA 55-300 at 20/03/2011 - 20:16
I'm afraid I'm not aware of an option for this and I've read the entire K-5 manual twice (and various bits even more times).
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on K5 Viewfinder at 19/03/2011 - 22:52
I think I'm in love with this lens... Some of my favourites from today. Taken in and around Holyrood Park and Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh. C&C welcome.
No. 1 - Seagull 1
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Seagull1.jpg[/IMG]
No. 2 - Seagull 2
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Seagull2.jpg[/IMG]
No. 3 - Swan 1
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Swan1.jpg[/IMG]
No. 4 - Swan 2
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Swan2.jpg[/IMG]
No. 5 - Swan 3
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Swan3.jpg[/IMG]
No. 6 - Three Swans
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/ThreeSwans.jpg[/IMG]
No. 7 - Tufted Duck
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/TuftedDuck.jpg[/IMG]
No. 8 - Cityscape 1 from Arthur's Seat
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Edinburgh%20Cityscapes/City1.jpg[/IMG]
No. 9 - Cityscape 2 from Arthur's Seat
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Edinburgh%20Cityscapes/City2.jpg[/IMG]
No. 10 - Cityscape from Ocean Terminal
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Edinburgh%20Cityscapes/City3.jpg[/IMG]
No. 1 - Seagull 1
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Seagull1.jpg[/IMG]
No. 2 - Seagull 2
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Seagull2.jpg[/IMG]
No. 3 - Swan 1
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Swan1.jpg[/IMG]
No. 4 - Swan 2
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Swan2.jpg[/IMG]
No. 5 - Swan 3
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/Swan3.jpg[/IMG]
No. 6 - Three Swans
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/ThreeSwans.jpg[/IMG]
No. 7 - Tufted Duck
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Birds/TuftedDuck.jpg[/IMG]
No. 8 - Cityscape 1 from Arthur's Seat
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Edinburgh%20Cityscapes/City1.jpg[/IMG]
No. 9 - Cityscape 2 from Arthur's Seat
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Edinburgh%20Cityscapes/City2.jpg[/IMG]
No. 10 - Cityscape from Ocean Terminal
[IMG]http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb411/msitaylor/Edinburgh%20Cityscapes/City3.jpg[/IMG]
Comment by MarkTaylor posted on First day out with DA 55-300 at 19/03/2011 - 22:36
I also have a question. I notice some others are bringing partners/family and my wife would quite like to come and join in with the photography but is afraid she won't be welcome because she's a Canon user! I said I didn't think it would be a problem but being a relative newbie I thought I'd better check in case there are 'rules' for such meet-ups?
It may turn out to be academic because she has a long term health problem which may prevent her from being able to go anyway - it will depend on whether she feels up to it on the day.