tripod
I almost always carry a tripod with me, even if you don't see it in my videos. That's because it's holding my video camera! So you might understand why my tripod has become such a crucial tool in my work. And for the last couple of years, I've been using the Coman Zero Y carbon fiber tripod which I love. Let me tell you why.
I recently lost another of my tripod feet. Instead of replacing with an original, expensive one, I decided to make a foot using a cork from a bottle of wine.
I had already done this with another of the legs, and it works really good! Haven't lost it in several weeks of intense use, and if I ever do, it will very easy and cheap to replace again.
You know how much I love my small RX100 cameras. I always carry one with me no matter what I'm doing, and that has led me to making some images I would've never made otherwise, including the current image of the month, "Golden Gate".
I love that these cameras are complete systems out of the box: no lenses to buy! There are some accessories, though, that I think are very useful and make these little devices even better image making machines. These are the 5+1 accessories for the RX100 series I have and use.
Read MoreA short video with a few tips about tripods.
I've talked about the importance of documenting your work before. I believe that documenting and sharing your processes and workflows can only help you to improve them.
One the mediums I choose to document and share my work is video. I've been uploading video content to YouTube for a few years now, and I've learned quite a few things on the way.
I will be sharing some advice, tips and tricks in the next few days. Today, we'll talk about the camera gear I use to make those videos.
Read MoreI have 4 tripods. I'll use one or another depending on the situation and the camera I'm using.
Disclaimer: I'm not associated with any of these brands and I bought all of these tripods with my own money.
Phone Tripod
I bought this one at a physical store in Chicago (Camera Store Company) and I don't know the brand or model. This is the tripod I use with my GoPro, and I love it! Much better than my old Gorilla Pod.
I can't find it anywhere online, so I'll recommend this Manfrotto for your phone, GoPro or small compact camera: Manfrotto Tripod for phones.
Fotopro FY-583
This ought to be my favorite tripod ever. Designed for phones and very light cameras, the build quality is pretty bad and it's not that stable. These are compromises you have to make when you want the lightest and most compact tripod.
Before this one, I was using a Gorilla Pod, which I found unusuable to record myself operating the camera. It's just too short and the low angles were pretty weird.
The Fotopro changed all of that, and I believe that my videos are so much better because of this. I can show footage of me operating the camera now, as well as footage from the environment I am in.
The only option I had before I found out about this tripod was to use a "real" tripod. I bring a lot of stuff with me (vlogging gear, analog camera, digital camera, lenses, film backs, drone, filters...) so a second tripod wasn't an option at all.
I've used it for stills as well. It's a tripod you can bring with you even if you aren't planning on going on a shoot. It's a "just in case" tripod.
IMPORTANT: I just found out about a newer version of this tripod, taller and more stable, designed for heavier cameras. I will be checking out soon! I might have to change my recommendation for best vlogging tripod.
Manfrotto BeFree
This Manfrotto was my first "serious" tripod. It's a travel tripod so the main goal here is to keep it light, while still offering stability and good quality.
I bought it for my digital camera, and when I bought the Bronica I thought I'd have to buy a bigger tripod. Turns out, it works just fine with the beast. I used it for a year and a half in several National Parks and cities, in every weather condition, and it's just amazing.
I love it so much that my current BeFree is the third copy I own, after losing the first one and destroying the second.
Manfrotto 055XPRO3
This tripod is incredible. The ball head alone is worth every penny, it's a true marvel. You can do very cool stuff with the center column, which can give you those angles you need for product photography.
I used it as my only tripod for stills for a few months, but I soon realized that it wasn't the best option for hikes and long outings. That's why I bought my thrid BeFree a couple of months ago.
Probably not the best option as your only tripod, but it won't let you down if you decide to go for it. Really, really good tripod.
Carrying a second tripod for vlogging (or to document your work) can be -literally- a pain.
For the longest time, I used a Gorilla Pod, but I hated it because most of the time I’d have to place it on the ground. I wanted an extremely light, and yet tall, tripod to bring along with me and record myself in the field.
I think I’ve found it.
Read MoreFor almost 3 years now, I've been using a Manfrotto BeFree as my main tripod for both photography and video. It's light and compact, and stable enough even for my Bronica SQ-Ai.
My recent road trip to South Dakota seems to have taken a toll on the Manfrotto though. One of the sections was already loose, but the mud and snow in the Badlands broke it for real, and also made me lose the three "feet" (if that's the correct name) on all three legs.
After looking at tripods for a few days, I decided to go with Manfrotto again and get the heavier, but also taller Manfrotto 055XPRO3 (what a name) with a sturdier ball head, too (I was having some problems with the old one when using long lenses).
I'll have it in my hands this week, and I'll be reporting on how it feels very soon.
