Shooting during high wind

[mkt]

This question is geared towards Dave, but really... anyone that knows

Are there any suggestions or strategies for shooting with a tripod during heavy wind?

I have been using my legs to hold down the tripod, and shooting with a trigger while the other hand holds an umbrella to deflect the wind (it is as ghetto as it sounds)... so I'm trying to think what else I can do.

I am hesitant to buy a weighted tripod, since I don't like lugging heavy gear to the top of a hill, and using my body as the weight can be awkward. I'm thinking about maybe bringing some dive weights or sandbags I can put on the base of the tripod to steady it, or just bring a friend along to hold the tripod down.

Any thoughts ?

 

[Master Yoda]

Depending on the ground conditions steaks and straps might work for you but when it comes to wind it always seems like additional weight is the best solution. You also might look at lowering your tripod as much as possible to lower the center of gravity.

 

[mkt]

I should add the ground conditions.

Either grassy field with an incline or thick stone wall.

 

[Master Yoda]

I should add the ground conditions.

Either grassy field with an incline or thick stone wall.

The steaks and straps would work with the grassy field. With the stone wall about all I could suggest would be a percussion drill and tapcons.:lol:

 

[mkt]

The steaks and straps would work with the grassy field. With the stone wall about all I could suggest would be a percussion drill and tapcons.:lol:

lol! Somehow I doubt either the National Park Service or UNESCO would be ok with my desecration of a National Park/UNESCO World Heritage site just so I can take photos across the harbor

 

[PhotoDave219]

Sandbags.

 

[mkt]

dave, how much weight do you recommend?

Also, I have quite a few of these around the house... you think they'd work? They're scuba weight bags. They're filled with small lead pellets.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Couple of the 5 pounders should work.

 

[PhotoJoe]

I've played with these at trade shows. Pretty slick product.

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