Carrying Tripod ?

[AmongMadPeople]

I'm considering taking the tripod to the world for the first time. I've been researching some options for carrying it, and am wondering what others here do.

I usually only carry one body/one lens and have a bag large enough to carry it with the rest of my stuff when not in use. I can't do backpacks and won't do cross body straps. I have an old camp chair bag that is the perfect size and is easy for me to carry. But I'd feel like a doofus walking around with a camp chair bag, so I don't think I'll take that.

Looking online, I can find affordable tripod bags with similar carrying straps to the chair bag. Or I can do a strap that just connects to either end of the tripod and can be flung over one shoulder. I can see pros and cons with either of these options, and not sure which is most practical for the park environment.

Anyone with advice or insight on what works for them?

 

[Grumpy-Fan]

I`ve been thinking about sticking mine in a locker durring the day so I don`t have to carry it around all day, but now that I`m thinking about it I`m not sure how big the lockers are. I only plan on using mine for night-time shots.

 

[CP_alum08]

Just out of curiosity, why would you rather carry around a camping chair bag and a small camera bag instead of a backpack?

Will you have a car with you? I rarely use my tripod during the day so most times I just leave it in the car then get it before fireworks and carry it the rest of the night on my backpack. All the parks except MK I can get to the car and back within 20 minutes and to me loosing those 20 minutes is worth not carrying it around all day.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

Just out of curiosity, why would you rather carry around a camping chair bag and a small camera bag instead of a backpack?

Will you have a car with you? I rarely use my tripod during the day so most times I just leave it in the car then get it before fireworks and carry it the rest of the night on my backpack. All the parks except MK I can get to the car and back within 20 minutes and to me loosing those 20 minutes is worth not carrying it around all day.

I just physically can't walk with a backpack, I don't have anything against them otherwise. But I can carry stuff around on my shoulder all day with no ill effects.

We never do a full day in the parks without going back to the hotel at some point, so I won't be carrying it during the day. Just in the evenings and nights. But I'll still need some practical way to carry it around during the time I'm not using it. I wish the backpack method worked for me, but it only would if I could con someone else into carrying it

 

[CP_alum08]

Do you need a full size tripod? Could you get by with something smaller, a real travel tripod, that you could put into a shopping bag? Or even a Gorillapod? Obviously both have their limitations but they would be easier to carry around. I guess it all depends on your camera weight too, but might be something to think about.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I have a crumpler six million dollar bag, while it has no official tripod holder, it lays perfectly on top of your camera and then is secured when you close and buckle the top. I have a pretty cheap manfrotto

 

[AmongMadPeople]

I have a crumpler six million dollar bag, while it has no official tripod holder, it lays perfectly on top of your camera and then is secured when you close and buckle the top. I have a pretty cheap manfrotto

I really like that brand of bags, but unfortunately they were out of my price range. Maybe one day

I ended up getting a Lowepro Slingshot 102 AW. As expected, it looks and feels awful when worn cross body, but it fits comfortably over my left shoulder if I keep the strap short. The tripod securely straps to the side. Reversing the hood for storage, it holds the camera, speedlight (off camera) and an extra lens no problem. Plus the compartment on top for little miscellaneous stuff, and it's the perfect size for me.

 

[wiigirl]

I have a crumpler six million dollar bag, while it has no official tripod holder, it lays perfectly on top of your camera and then is secured when you close and buckle the top. I have a pretty cheap manfrotto

Same here...

 

[ddbowdoin]

I really like that brand of bags, but unfortunately they were out of my price range. Maybe one day

I ended up getting a Lowepro Slingshot 102 AW. As expected, it looks and feels awful when worn cross body, but it fits comfortably over my left shoulder if I keep the strap short. The tripod securely straps to the side. Reversing the hood for storage, it holds the camera, speedlight (off camera) and an extra lens no problem. Plus the compartment on top for little miscellaneous stuff, and it's the perfect size for me.

I was lucky... A local shop had a weird blue color that was real cheap. I think I paid 79 for the six million bag