Pods for Safari

[Craig Markham]

I've seen positive recommendations for using a ToddPod for mounting your tripod head when photographing from a safari vehicle hatch. It straddles the corner of the hatch, and has adjustable 3-point supports.

However, since I will already be packing my Gitzo G1227 with Wimberly II head, why not just retract the Gitzo legs and open them to horizontal position -- two legs extending to either side across the sides of the hatch, and the 3rd leg straight forward across the hatch corner? This actually gives you more working space behind the camera because of the leg angles. It's also possible to use other configurations, like two legs extended to the floor and one leg forward across the corner. I have 3mm neoprene padding on the legs to avoid abrasion. The weight of camera and lens compresses the neoprene enough to minimize potential wobble. I've tried this on the corner of my deck rails (photo) and it seems to work very well. Any thoughts, pro or con?

[George DeCamp]

I really have my doubts on this! You would have to be in the rear corner of the vehicle and stay there, too cumbersome to move the tripod around. I used 2 beanbags both times I was there and that worked like a charm. Easy to move around and no problem positioning it quickly. However just my opinion, maybe some folks have success with this.

I haven't tried a ToddPod so I can't comment on that.

[mikeojohnson]

I agree with George. I have been to Africa three times. The ability to pick up your rig and move it from side to side, or even just a few inches one way or the other, is critical to getting the images. Bean bags work great. I have used the ones from Kinesis. I don't know the specifics of where you are going, but would question whether you would even need a tripod.
Mike

[mikeojohnson]

Another quick suggestion: If you bring a pair of Wimberly M-1 quick release arms you can put them on the foot of your long lens and gain the easy rotation from horizontal to vertical. Works very well, particularly if you have a roof on your safari vehicle limiting your vertical space.

We would put the lens with body into a Kinesis long lens bag when the land rover was running and then pull it out quickly to shoot.
You can see some shots of our setups here: www.pbase.com/mikeojohnson/tanzania08

Mike

[Robert O'Toole]

I've seen positive recommendations for using a ToddPod for mounting your tripod head when photographing from a safari vehicle hatch. It straddles the corner of the hatch, and has adjustable 3-point supports.

Having been to Kenya with a Todd-pod and a 600/4 on a Wimb 1, I do see a problem. Some of the vehicles such as the Toyotas have hand rails around the hatches and the T-P fits under these. The Gitzo idea looks good but it would have to go over these rails. Maybe find out what kind of vehicle you will be using there then make a decision based on that. Almost everyone on Safari has a different method and from what I have seen the T-P/Wimb combo works the best that I have used or seen there.

Robert

[Jeffrey Sipress]

I'm heading out on safari in one week, and made my own collapsable rig similar to Todd's, but lighter and a bit smaller. Sorry I have not made any images of it yet, but they will come. I own a precision machine shop and machined and welded this unit.

I also think that the T-P, my own SafariPod, and the small extended tripod all do the same thing. This gitzo idea is not bad, and functions just as either of the others. Just lift it and reposition it easily as on a bag. If I end up in a LandCruiser with those rails, I can place my mount above or below the rails.

There is a strong camp for the beanbags, and then those more mechanically inclined. Once you've had your camera and huge lens carefully balanced, hands free, and steady on a Wimberly gimbal, you will never go back.

[Craig Markham]

Thank you so much for your responses -- very useful input. I'll be spending 3 weeks in Tanzania in Dec 2008 with a small, independent group w/guide/driver. Itinerary includes Tarangire N.P., Ngorongoro, Olduvai Gorge, Serengeti N P., Ndutu including a walking safari), Lake Eyasi, Ngyani village, Usambara Mts., and Pemba Is. The venues, activities and types of photo ops will be so diverse that I will need to keep my equipment inventory as light and multi-use as possible. I won't be riding in a safari tank all the time, and plan to do birding, snorkeling (Pemba) and cultural photography as well.

Sounds like sewing up a beanbag for the trip is a good idea, since that will be minimal bulk and very useful in vehicle travel, as you point out. I would expect that my T-P/Wimberley will get significant use during the non-motorized segments of the trip. I had considered constructing my own safaripod, but baulked at adding another specialized, unwieldy item to my duffle.

Mike, I enjoyed seeing your Tanz photo collection. I see that the pop-top support struts and rear rack on the vehicle can present line-of sight challenges too. I've bookmarked your website for future reference -- thanks!

Jeffrey, good luck on your safari -- have a great trip!

Again, thank you all for your voices of experience.

-- Craig

[Jean-Philippe Baude]

Hi all,

It depend how the 4x4 is configured but in Africa I use this system with ballhead or Wimberley head.



The system is composed with Manfrotto 035 clamp and Manfrotto 037 screw to attach the head to the clamp. The screw is 3/8" on one side and 1/4" another side.

JP :cool:

[Phil Shaw]

I often use a tripod flattened out and straddling the hatch as discussed, and I think it works quite well. There are a couple of problems however. It would be very difficult to operate like this if there three or more photographers in the vehicle. The other problem is that you cannot really move the vehicle when your tripod is set up like this, coz if you hit a pothole, you will not be able to hold onto your gear and it will go overboard. You also need to relatively tall to use your camera like this. I am 6ft and if you are not as tall you might have problems, particularly if the subject is close, or the vehicle is tipped to one side. You definitely need to take at least a couple of beanbags with you - I always take four and fill them with rice. They provide a very flexible camera/lens support system - allowing you to get a lower shooting angle by shoot from the window for example, and they are also useful for holding your camera on the seat while the vehicle is in motion. The downside of shooting from a beanbag is that if you pan, or move from horizontal to vertical format, the focus changes. The Manfrotto superclamp is a waste of space and baggage allowance; it rotates on the handrail and will drive you crazy.

[Craig Markham]

My conclusion regarding beanbag vs Tripod/Wimberley for motor safari lens support, following my Dec 2008 Tanzania trip:

Though I did bring my tripod and Wimberley head, in a safari vehicle, the bean bag was the support system of choice.
1. I could easily change photo positions in the vehicle; no futzing with the setup, just flop the bag where you want it and fire away.
2. The empty beanbag was nearly weightless for air travel.
3. Beans were available at local markets.
4. The beanbag was very durable and adaptable, damped vibrations, and gave secure support for my 500mm.
5. At at the end of the safari, the beans became a delicious addition to our menu!

Just to see if it would work, (I tried it just once!) the tripod/Wimberley head combo in various configurations in the vehicle. All the possibilities were cumbersome, it was difficult to shift positions, and this rigid setup was extremely sensitive to vehicle and personnel movement and vibrations -- inside the vehicle, it was more of a liability than an asset. The beanbag definitely was the winner!

The tripod/Wimberley rig was only useful for short walking safaris and around lodge grounds for birding and scenics (Clients are strictly prohibited by regulation from setting up outside the vehicle while on motor safari). For most tripod applications, I could have saved luggage weight by leaving the heavy Wimberley home, and used my ball head instead.

The exception was on the shores of Lake Eyasi, which were teeming with Pelicans, flamingos, Ibis, storks.... There, on the ground, free of the confines of a vehicle, the Wimberley was clearly the best tool for the job.

Happy travels!
Craig