Well I have my new Canon 350D and I was a wondering if any of you hunt and carry a tripod as well?

I do all spot and stalk/ ambush style hunting. Much like you lads hunt Elk. But the tought of carrying a big ol tripod browns me off the idea.

Absolutely, every time. As soon as I don't I wish I had. I enjoy taking lots of shots while I wander, usually in poor light. The sturdier the better but even a really compact lightweight tripod is better than nothing. Great camera choice by the way, you will love it.

Dave

Cabela's also makes a hiking staff that can be used as a monopod, it works really well also.

Dave

One way to avoid carrying a tripod is to buy a small cheap ball head and then get a stud that is 1/4-20 threads on one end and a lag screw on the other.  LocTite the 1/4-20 end into the ball head and now you can screw it into any available tree or stump when you need a camera support.

I think that they actually sell something like this commercially if you are averse to building it yourself.

-Fritz

Alan:

I have been a serious wildlife/nature photographer for 20 years and a hunter for 35. I learned one thing early on, you either hunt or photograph. I do not mean carring a small camera for documenting success, I mean wildlife photography. For that, it all depends on which lens you are using. I have owned everything from ultra wide angle (Nikon and Canon) to super telephotos (Nikon and Canon 300 f:2.8,500 f:/4 and f:4 I.S., and 600 f:/4 I.S. as well as the bodies to go along with them(F-5, F-100, D1H, 10D, 20D, 1DMK2. You need and want a tripod with a really strong ballhead or Wimberley head for the BIG lenses. And a sturdy tripod with a medium weight ballhead for smaller lenses, even I.S. lenses. These things you cannot carry and hunt. A good GITZO Carbon Fiber monopod is OK for sporting events, but not all that good in the woods. The best all around lens you could get IMO is the Canon 70-200 f:/2.8 I.S. and a smaller zoom W/A (i.e. 17 -40) Still quite a handfull. So either hunt or photograph. I actually hunted with a camera instead of a bow or gun for a few seasons, it was a blast. When hunting you might consider a smaller camera a high end P&S will give you good results. These are just my findings from years of trying to do both, and the thing I found is that neither turns out well.

Good Luck

Frank

Aussie_longbow i carry my tripod as well everytime i go in the woods. i use a lowepro backpack to carry my camera and lens and the tripod i use attaches to the outside.  i bought a Feisol tripod that weighs almost nothing. it's a carbon fiber tripod that will extend up to 5'. i then put a arcatech head on it. worth it's weight in gold if you plan on taking a lot of photographs.
heres a link to the tripod:
http://www.feisol.com/english/feisolen.htm
heres the ball head i use:
http://acratech.net/ultimate_ballhead.html

Like Frank mentioned, if you're going to try for serious wildlife photos there's a lot of bulky and heavy stuff to lug around.  Much more than I would even think about taking along when I hunt.

I can't imagine carrying a tripod on spot 'n stalk hunts.

Phil

Thanks lads, might look at a smallish type one for when it's needed.

You are right Frank, one can not hunt and take pics at the same time. Not a truer word said.

In Oz, alan

Alan:

Wildlife/Nature photography is very addicting, as well as, very satisfying. You have a great camera, add a few quality lenses and enjoy.

Frank

http://www.rei.com/product/411006

I carry a mini tripod at times, but can set the camera on a pack if need be.

Also, I set my camera on a 2 second delay when taking photos by hand.  This allows me to hold the camera still while the photo gets taken, and not have to be pushing the button that could cause movement and blur.

I carry a tripod at times, but can set the camera on a pack if need be.

Also, I set my camera on a 2 second delay when taking photos by hand.  This allows me to hold the camera still while the photo gets taken, and not have to be pushing the button that could cause movement and blur.

I'm considering trying one of these..

Joby Gorillapod

Al,

Check out the Gorilla pods. You can find them at B&H photo. Used to carry a Ultra (mini) pod until I found the Gorilla.

You can wrap the legs around a branch or small tree plus it can serve as a small tripod. Excellent piece of equipment that never leaves my pack. Also can hold a small camcorder depending on model chosen.

Chris

Al,

Check out this product.  http://shop.outdoorsmans.com/category.sc?categoryId=3
I have the mid sized tripod w/ the pan grip handle.  Awesome small manufacturing company from Arizona that seems to make everything just right for hunting.  Nice folks to deal with too.

The older I get, the lighter I like my stuff. Here is what I put in the pack when I hit the woods. A 4 megapixal Olympus that I got from a hock shop for $35 (with a memory card and case!) and a mini Carson tripod I picked up somewhere along the way. I have 5 or 6 digital cameras (DSLR's down to the Olympus) and the Olympus takes great pics, is easy for the kids/wife to use. The way I see it, if it becomes a pain to haul it around, you'll end up leaving it at camp and won't have it when you need it.





JL

Here's another vote for the Gorillapod.

Jerry

I Still Vote For the "PocketPod" from KustomKing here in the States. Cant GET anymore Simple Than That!!

I use a Gitzo G0011 with a Monfrotto 482 ball head.
This rig is 12" long and the weight isn't noticeable. This rig is strong enough to hold a full size SLR and a normal zoom lens. Won't hold the heary glass f2.8 zooms and telephotos.

This works well wearing hunting clothes as you have to get down and dirty to frame the picture. Plus it's fully adjustable for landscape and portrait. (For you hugging that Big Deer )

I agree with others here. I like the UltraPod II


Very handy and light.