Tripods @ WDW?

[sigsegv]

I'll be going down to WDW tomorrow for a conference. This will be my first time there with my Canon Digital Rebel and new tripod (http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=368&itemid=2526). I love taking pictures and think I'll have most evenings free for taking pics around the World. Since I go to WDW once or twice a year, I really don't have the need to ride stuff, but I really want to get some nice pics. I've got a nice, fairly reasonablly-sized camera bag that'll hold my camera with std lens, a 75mm-300mm lens, external flash, and table-top tripod (in an external pocket), along with extra cards, battery, etc. I have no problems carrying these around with me.

I do have a few questions about my tripod though:

1. How do you (air) travel with it? Between my camera and laptop bags, I cannot carry it on, so I think I'm stuck checking it. Should I stick it in a big bag along with my other clothes (I'm leaning toward this) or check it seperately?

2. Does security have a fit bringing a tripod in the parks?

3. How practical is it to use a tripod in the parks? It's going to be pretty busy the dates I'm there. Is it even worth the hassle of carrying around?

Thanks.

-sig

 

[mkt]

it's not really a problem to take one... we leave ours at Guest Relations, since the lockers are generally too small

 

[cloudboy]

When I travel with my tripod I usually just fold it up and pack it in my suit case - I find it much easier to manage that way. Of course, I usually pack way too much and bring a large suitcase.

Having tried it once or twice, though, I have to say that setting up a tripod in Disney is definitely not fun. Just too many people. It may not be so bad in the evenings. The thing that gets me is when you are trying to take a shot of something, even an artistic shot - people start walking by, realize that there is no one there, and then stop to turn around and look at what you are taking a picture of rihgt in front of the camera. They then jump away a minute later as they realize they do this. It's kind of amusing, really.

 

[sigsegv]

Originally posted by cloudboy
When I travel with my tripod I usually just fold it up and pack it in my suit case - I find it much easier to manage that way. Of course, I usually pack way too much and bring a large suitcase.

Me too, so I'm planning on bringing a bag that's much bigger than my normal one.

Having tried it once or twice, though, I have to say that setting up a tripod in Disney is definitely not fun. Just too many people. It may not be so bad in the evenings. The thing that gets me is when you are trying to take a shot of something, even an artistic shot - people start walking by, realize that there is no one there, and then stop to turn around and look at what you are taking a picture of rihgt in front of the camera. They then jump away a minute later as they realize they do this. It's kind of amusing, really.

Heh. Doesn't take being at WDW to see this.

-sig

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Tripods

I was under the impression that the use of tripods at WDW was frowned upon - people tripping over them etc.
For this reason I always use a monopod, ideal for steadying the camera yet only one leg which nobody falls over.
Has there been a change in "policy" or have tripods always been allowed ??

 

[mkt]

there's no rule prohibiting the use of tripods at WDW....


just idiot CM's who think there is a rule against it.

 

[mikebrakes]

I don't know if there's an official rule or not, but when I was there two years ago, I tried to use a tripod in Epcot at The American Gardens. A CM told me only tabletop size can be used (I had a full size one) and something about having to wrap my leg around it or something strange like that. (Tripping hazard.) I was sitting in back with nobody near me for three rows!! (Whatever,,,)

As long as you're using a tabletop model, I don't see a problem. It's just a matter of finding some place to set it up. If you can get up front for a parade or something (I managed to do so for SpectroMagic) you should be able to use it.

I wound up leaving mine behind in the room for the rest of the trip. (Too big and buky to carry anyway.) As long as your tripod is small enough to carry around, bring it. A monopod might be better to use if you are only taking pictures - if you have one of those.

Next time I go, I'll be bringing a tabletop one.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Re: Tripods

Originally posted by CAPTAIN HOOK
I was under the impression that the use of tripods at WDW was frowned upon - people tripping over them etc.
For this reason I always use a monopod, ideal for steadying the camera yet only one leg which nobody falls over.
Has there been a change in "policy" or have tripods always been allowed ??

Alright, TSA first. You pack a tripod in your suitcase, expect it to be inspected. Either with their explosives detector or physically inspected. It happens to me every time.

Security wont have a cow. Coordinators might. While they dont have any rules against them, they will consider someone going through a large crowd with a tripod as a guest saftey issue, and i have to agree with them on that. Its very crowded on Main street after 7 PM. And someone going through it with a tripod and bag tends to make life difficult, even if youre being extrememly careful.

If youre going to bring one, set it up early and let the crowd fill in around you. And stay there until the crowd leaves. Or leave it in a locker until late at night, like after wishes and then go out when there arent too many people about.

If an average CM asks you to do something about your tripod, ask to talk to a cooridnator or their boss and explain the situation to them. If they pull the whole 'are you a pro? You have pro gear....' kinda crap, explain to them that simply because you have nice stuff , doesnt mean you are a pro. Just as so youre willing to work with them and when you do set up, you make it so you are out of the way, off to the side, not blocking anyones view and the whatnot.

As for the american gardens.... you may run into problems there, depending upon the artist that is performing there. Typically they or, more importantly, their label is more interested in keeping control of what pictures get taken of their artist. This is why a bunch of newspapers will not photograph any concert where they have to sign a waver or any sort of contact to photograph them, such as the current brittney tour. Traditionally, they wont let anyone shot with pro gear without prior apporval and labels tend to have a very broad and loose definition of pro equipment. (Personally i dontthink a record executive would know a professional camera if it bit them on the ______)

Only once have i run into problems, and for that i just pulled out my CM ID and they let me be.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Originally posted by cloudboy
Having tried it once or twice, though, I have to say that setting up a tripod in Disney is definitely not fun. Just too many people. It may not be so bad in the evenings. The thing that gets me is when you are trying to take a shot of something, even an artistic shot - people start walking by, realize that there is no one there, and then stop to turn around and look at what you are taking a picture of rihgt in front of the camera. They then jump away a minute later as they realize they do this. It's kind of amusing, really.

Once again, you have no clue as to what youre talking about.

The evenings are the WORST time to try and set up a tripod, especially from 7:15ish to 9 PM. People are ligning up for Spectro and then staying put for Wishes. Main Street is PACKED and its virtually impossible to go up either sidewalk after 7:45 with any equipment.

Its not realistically possible to set up anything as a long exposure until near park closing, and not really smart until after Wishes. There are too many people and youre running a huge risk of having your equipment damaged or broken due to someone else's carelessness.

Best advice? Do it on the way out, after the end of posted park closing.

 

[sigsegv]

Originally posted by mikebrakes
As long as you're using a tabletop model, I don't see a problem. It's just a matter of finding some place to set it up. If you can get up front for a parade or something (I managed to do so for SpectroMagic) you should be able to use it.

I wound up leaving mine behind in the room for the rest of the trip. (Too big and buky to carry anyway.) As long as your tripod is small enough to carry around, bring it. A monopod might be better to use if you are only taking pictures - if you have one of those.

Next time I go, I'll be bringing a tabletop one.

I usually bring my tabletop tripod, but that's only so useful. That's why I got my Monfrotto. It's a much nicer tripod, but a lot more of a hassle than the tabletop one.

-sig

 

[marni1971]

Que memories of resting my still and video eqipment on rails and planters...

And when I got MAJOR shakes on my camcorder 19 mins into Fantasmic! - should have seen how high my crossed legs were to rest my elbow on... I looked like a contortionist (how do you spell that?):lol:

My girlfriend thinks its bad enough me stopping to capture something as it is without a tri/monopod.. "its a holiday... not photo class etc. etc."

 

[popkid]

well, i've only brought a tripod to WDW once but here was my experience:

i packed the ballhead in my suitcase, and carried the tripod legs with me. the legs were strapped to my camera bag, and i experienced no problems getting them thru security and onto the plane.

i only brought the tripod to the park with me one day with the express purpose of photographings wishes with the typical down main-street-ish type of shot.

i set up an hour early with my back against the wall as to not obstruct anyones view, or be a 'tripping' hazard. everything was good (except me forgetting the ring adapter for my 70-200mm lens) the lights when down, and then the kids went up. thats right, every dad in the park promped their little kiddies on their shoulders completely blocking me and my camera.

what can you do? what's more important, a great memory making moment like that between a father and his child, or another photograph of wishes? (PhotoDave219, you're not allowed to answer that one)

 

[PhotoDave219]

Originally posted by popkid

i set up an hour early with my back against the wall as to not obstruct anyones view, or be a 'tripping' hazard. everything was good (except me forgetting the ring adapter for my 70-200mm lens) the lights when down, and then the kids went up. thats right, every dad in the park promped their little kiddies on their shoulders completely blocking me and my camera.

what can you do? what's more important, a great memory making moment like that between a father and his child, or another photograph of wishes? (PhotoDave219, you're not allowed to answer that one)

... :lol: ....Hense why i have a 7 1/2 foot tall tripod. Sorry to hear it Popkid, it happens to us all.

As for Wishes, I think ive found an ideal spot or 2, but they arent places you can readily fit a tripod. One of them you can clamp onto a railing, the other needs special access. (I saw a film crew filming wishes from one of the locations) End of Main Street gets great aerials but loses the low level effects. Across from the castle does the opposite effect. From tomorrowland, things arent lined up, same deal from frontierland. In front of Casey's and the Plaza Resturant seem ideal but there are trees in the way and are waaaaaay to crowded.

And it is possbile to pull off an awesome fireworks shot without a tripod. My friend from PennState did it on a point & shoot from the contemporary, just by using a railing.

 

[lebernadin]

a little OT since this doesn't involve a tripod...but is about bringing camera equip into an event/park....

My wife and i went to the US/Holland pre-World Cup match at Gillette Stadium in '02. I had my regular Rebel b4 i bought the Digital last fall. I'd brought my regular bag with the 300 and whatever else was in it. Well when we got to the security checkpoint and this girl searched my bag she said i couldn't bring my 300 lens in because it could be used as a projectile. I thought she was kidding, but she wasn't. I asked to see someone else, and they backed her up. :hammer:

Have there been precedents set where people have thrown their expensive lens at other people in stands? :lol:

I didn't bother pushing it further and jogged back to the car to stash it.

But what about my shoes? the camera body itself? the lens that is already attached to the body? the bag strap that i could strangle someone with? same with my shoelaces?

ah the ironies of security checkpoints...

 

[mickhyperion]

I've always found that there are enough walls, railings, and trash cans around to help in getting the best nightshots. It's not always the ideal shot, but it sounds like you have to make a lot of that kind of compromise with a tripod too. I have gotten hundreds of amazing shots thanks to those trash cans.

I always find the camera enough to worry about lugging around without having to worry about a tripod along with it. I've considered it, but have ruled it out out of fear of all the reasons everyone has mentioned. A three-legged stick creature suddenly kicked and caught up between people's legs while my precious camera is attached to the other end is just too nightmarish a scene for me. Could even be dangerous.