Tripod??

mstewart

mstewart

Member
Rating - 100%
167   0   0
Location
Mission, BC
Hi,
I'm hoping to get some advice. I finally got a decent spotting scope. A Leica Televid 16-48X62. I started with a Bushnell then a Leupold green ring. The Leica is by far the best. My question is what tripod or stand to buy. Currently I have a Nikon but it's a bit wobbly. I use my scope for range work but I also do a 2 week backpack hunt in Northern BC every year. I need something that is lightweight, fairly compact and useful when the ground is not completely level. Price range below $400. I'm wondering what make, model professional guides use.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
 
ask photographers in your area, they most likely the most personal experience and can steer you in the right direction. I don't know, I use a heavy duty manfrotto that was a hand me down, way too heavy to carry but great for range work.
 
For target spotting from the prone position as in F-class or similar long range shooting a photo tripod may not be suitable because of the way the tripod interferes with the position of the shooter and the rifle. In this case a target scope stand (Ewing, Giraud, Champions Choice, etc.) would be better.

For game spotting and more general use from a standing or sitting position the photo type tripod would likely be better. It is always a trade-off between weight/size, price and stability. There are many articles on photo sites about various approaches to this; in my opinion one of the better ones is at http://www.bythom.com/support.htm.

I don't hunt but for a two week backpack trip with camera gear I would be thinking about one of the carbon fiber tripods with a small or medium ball head. Likely this would be more than your $400 budget.

I have the Manfrotto 055 (aluminum) with a RRS BH55 head, it is fine for a couple of hours away from the car but way too heavy for a two week backpack trip.

Snapshot

Try to get something with a hook or eye under the head; then use a carabiner to clip your pack or something to it, the idea is to weight down the tripod to help stabilize it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom