Holiday camera support

Jackp93

Jackp93

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Jack
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Hi all

I’d like some advice on how you support your camera when your out on holiday, so that you can get family photos. I really like the look of the peak design tripod as it seems to be the smallest tripod so will easily fit in a day bag but don’t know if I could justify the cost of it, any other advice would be greatly appreciate, my camera would be a Olympus m10 mkiii with either a 14-42 or a 40-150.

thanks in advance

Jack
 
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Not quiet sure what your getting at here ,is it to take photos with or to be in the photo as well?
If the former then with olympus I.b.I.s system you won’t need any form or type of support , I use a 1-mkiii body with a 100-400 lens and haven’t used a tripod or monopod in 3 years every shot is handheld including birds in flight .
If it’s the latter just find something to rest your camera on
 
I usually use my Peak Design tripod, but if I don't have it, and I want to do a group shot with me in it, I balance the camera on a wall and use strategically placed pebbles to tweak the framing of the shot. Although a little table top tripod would be better for that.
 
the black fox said:
Not quiet sure what your getting at here ,is it to take photos with or to be in the photo as well?
If the former then with olympus I.b.I.s system you won’t need any form or type of support , I use a 1-mkiii body with a 100-400 lens and haven’t used a tripod or monopod in 3 years every shot is handheld including birds in flight .
If it’s the latter just find something to rest your camera on
Click to expand...

I think he wants to take family pictures and be in them? So, I suppose the camera is going to be on the timer, placed somewhere and taking the picture unmanned?
 
Hi yes sorry I should have explained better it’s so that I can be in the photo as well.
 
So, if its to take pics of yourself and family in a group then unless you have a wall handy to balance the camera on ( maybe with a small table top eg a small Joby or gorilla pod ), then I suppose you need one. The peak design seems like overkill for just that. Even a cheapo "travel" tripod from Amazon will do the job unless, maybe, you have the 40-150 pro rather than the kit lens which is a bit front heavy.

ditto- I have never needed to use a tripod with an Oly IBIS body when I can be there to handhold. I only need one for DSLR and heavy long lenses in which case the cheap ones are total c**p. The only other case where one might need a tripod with a small sensor camera is something like manual focussing in macro - there again its worth investing in a good tripod.
 
Jackp93 said:
I’d like some advice on how you support your camera when your out on holiday, so that you can get family photos.
Click to expand...
Perhaps this is where your phone and a selfie stick comes in?

It's got to be easier than camera supports and all that palaver. ;)


bovey9 said:
I have taken a little table top tripod on holiday before. I now have two teenage daughters so its a waste of time as they hate their photo being taken :(
Click to expand...
The trick is to get them interested in photography, so they're on your side... :naughty:

Nikon F 1991 21-34.jpg
 
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For my A6000 travel kit I have a tiny table top tripod which lives in my small camera bag, plus a Chinese CF travel tripod which I sometimes take with me if I want a 'proper' tripod.
It's not as small as a PD, but is reasonably stable, and at under £100 was a lot cheaper.

Note: It did take quite a lot of searching through Amazon listings to find a CF travel tripod that was the right combination of small, light, cheap and stable.
 
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Jackp93 said:
Olympus m10 mkiii with either a 14-42 or a 40-150.
Click to expand...

I use an E-M10ii. If you're using the EZ pancake 14-42 then something like this is enough to level the camera as long as you can find a suitable surface to stand it on.
That's what's in my kit bag but it seldom sees the daylight.
Not sure why you'd want a self timed/remote released shot at 40-150mm.

1660044408250.png

This is an example - mine came from 7dayshop back in the day.
www.ebay.co.uk

Phot-r Mini Small Universal Flexible Tabletop Tripod Holder Grip Digital Camera for sale online | eBay UK

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Phot-r Mini Small Universal Flexible Tabletop Tripod Holder Grip Digital Camera at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!
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You can also use OMShare app and WiFi control on your phone and frame up at arms length to selfie - though to be honest I find that really awkward to do esp. in sunshine.
My E-PL5 had a screen that flipped over the top of the body so you could use the screen which was much easier and quicker.
 
I have a device called a "pod" which is basically a heavy duty small bean bag with a tripod screw sticking up through the middle. I've used it under all sorts of rigs for exposures up to 30 seconds as well as using it held against lamp posts. For shorter exposures, a jacket, shirt or practically anything can be used to point the lens in the right direction and a 10 second timer should give plenty of time to get into the shot.
 
I got a table top tripod with a Panasonic G100 I bought recently and it seems ok. The table top ones seem to start at under £20 but I wonder if a small conventional tripod might be a more flexible option? I saw some on Amazon which go from 8 to 20 inches and start at just under £50 and they look small enough to go in a small man bag or camera bag.
 
I use a platypod, flat metal plate with adjustable feet. Take the ball head from tripod or monopod. The plate fits in bag taking almost no space and the monopod goes in bag or pocket. Can also get you long stable shots in places you can’t take a tripod, e.g. no tripods allowed in Empire State bldg, platypod no issue. You can get low to the ground, higher up and need something stable to sit it on, wall table, bench, etc. As with all table top supports, not great if table is wobbly.
 
If you are have been looking at a PD tripod have a look at a small travel trilpod.
I recently bought one like this Vanguard Tripod
Folds down to 13 ins, decent ball head and came with spikes, short column and a bag.
Also a holder to mount a phone and a little Bluetooth trigger too.

Some of the cheaper tripods are poor, but there are some decent ones for not much more money.
 
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Another vote for gorillapod; usually pack one for holidays for the occasional long exposure. Never want to take a pic of myself.
 
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