Hiking poles / monopod / tripod

[helged]

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Those of us that love nature and enjoy photography, or vice versa, would like to get the best out of the two. When hiking for a long day or several days, possibly with ascents and descents in the range of 1500+ m, weight and size of the camera gear matters. Digital M with a few lenses is one option, bridging relatively small size, relatively low weight, and outstanding optical quality. There are other options around, of course, but digital M was the route that I entered after using Mamiya 7 medium-format film for quite some years.

 

If photography is my main objective and if I am alone (or together with other photographers), I may bring with me several lenses, possibly some macro devises, and a sturdily tripod. If, on the other hand, I hike together with friends, it's both hopeless and tiresome to stop the group for every interesting photo opportunity, putting the tripod in place, fasten the camera and then start taking photos.

 

For strenuous hiking, high-quality hiking poles are a must. And hiking poles can be used as a monopod, and sometimes also as a tripod. The stability is of course not at the level of a sturdy tripod, but it's generally superior to free-hand photography.

 

Unfortunately – to my knowledge and experience at least – specially made hiking poles with monopod options fail for extended, alpine walks. I have therefore made a slight remaking of my favourite hiking poles that works to my satisfaction.

 

So if you are searching for a high-quality hiking pole with a quick release plate option (screwing in cold weather or in exposed terrain or when hiking with your partner is a no-go), you may consider the following:

 

Shave off the upper few mm of one of your favourite hiking poles to get a flat surface. Onto this flat surface you will fasten, by two-sided tape and two long screws, a holder for a suitable quick-release plate. I ended up with Velbon QRA-3. Together with a corresponding head, I use Velbon QHD-41Q, you get a relatively small, sufficiently stable and light-weight system.

 

Drill two holes in the holder so that the holder can be screwed onto the prepared pole. I used 60 mm long screws. These, together with two-sided tape under the holder, keep the holder absolutely in place. Be careful with the long screws so they don't eat their way out of the grip... Otherwise no problems at all. And that's it.

 

Add one quick release plate onto the M-body, and the body can be directly fixed to the pole. This is done in almost no time. If more flexibility is wanted, add the Velbon head to the pole, and a fully operational monopod is obtained. This is also quickly done; I typically carry the head in a small poach attached onto the side of my backpack. Or, I may simply keep the head onto the pole. This adds a little weight and unbalance to the pole, but this does not bother me.

 

In case of longer exposures, Trailpix ultralight tripod is an option. In this case two poles, together with an accessory pole (or one pole from a friend or a piece of wood) make up the tripod. For the Trailpix I have added another Velbon QRA-3 holder with double-sided tape between the holder and Trailpix.

 

For the camera, I always carry this in the front in a small carrier, with the strap going diagonally over one shoulder, and with the hip strap from the backpack running through a belt loop on the back of the carrier. Tamrak 5513 works well, but there are of course other options around. I like to bring with me three lenses when hiking (typically 21/50/90, or 28/50/90). I then fix one small pouch on both sides of the carrier. In this way, one body and three lenses are ready for action.

 

Please chime in with other solutions/experiences...

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Edited August 23, 2014 by helged

[honcho]

...Please chime in with other solutions...

 

A lightweight carbon tripod with a ball head, such as the Gitzo 1550T is a far better option, imo.

 

I can see what you're trying to do, attaching a camera to a walking pole is nothing new and can be a usable solution for some situations, but I personally couldn't be bothered with all that fiddling with poles, legs and other bits and pieces. I'd rather be taking photographs from a reliable lightweight tripod and head that is quick to set up and easy to adjust.

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[CalArts 99]

A lightweight carbon tripod with a ball head, such as the Gitzo 1550T is a far better option, imo.

 

When I hike high up into the mountains, a good quality hiking pole (e.g. a Leki) is almost imperative especially on very steep descents. Carrying a tripod isn't what I want to do in those instances (even carrying a camera isn't fun .) So his combo of a hiking pole and yet a functional monopod when desired, does make sense if one decides to also bring along a camera. At least to me it does.

[honcho]

As I said, a walking pole can be adapted to use as a monopod. It's nothing new. With the Trailpix stuff you are carrying extra weight (the bits and ball head) to join two walking poles. This 'solution' is neither one thing or the other, it's fiddly to set up and you still need something to act as the third leg or anchor point unless you include the optional Trailpix leg or legs (which you will need to carry in addition to everything else) and the whole thing is difficult to use with limited adjustment. One other point from a safety aspect on the hill is that you cannot fold the legs in if you need to move to another viewpoint, it has to be carried with the legs splayed because they are fixed in position, which makes it a potential trip hazard.

 

To me, it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

 

At around only 1kg for a lightweight tripod such as the 1550T, it's lighter than a pair of walking poles plus the Trailpix bits and pieces combined and much more convenient to use. I use my Gitzo with either a Fuji GX617 with 90 and 180mm lenses, a Cambo Wide 470 or a Hasselblad 503CW (yes, I really do haul this stuff up hills) and it is surprisingly stable with such large and heavy cameras, despite being lightweight.

 

As an aside, I agree with the usefulness of poles for walking especially on descents, I've used them for years, but I think you'll find two are better than one, whether going up, down or on the flat.

Edited August 23, 2014 by honcho

[CalArts 99]

As I said, a walking pole can be adapted to use as a monopod. It's nothing new. With the Trailpix stuff you are carrying extra weight (the bits and ball head) to join two walking poles. This 'solution' is neither one thing or the other, it's fiddly to set up and you still need something to act as the third leg or anchor point unless you include the optional Trailpix leg or legs (which you will need to carry in addition to everything else) and the whole thing is difficult to use with limited adjustment.

 

You're probably right, and I wasn't thinking about the legs but only about cutting the top off the stick to mount a QR and then end up with a monopod. That's as far as I'd go with it (forget the additional legs, etc..) But with only a small point and shoot type of camera, too (e.g., the Merrill DP series.) But in end I rarely ever take a camera with me anyway. I'm not into landscape imagery and hiking/climbing is a whole separate activity for me. So I guess it's all moot in my case.

[helged]

Thanks for the comments, I think we (partially) agree...

 

My starting point was that if/when tripod is not an option, high-quality alpine hiking poles can be turned into a fully functional monopod. I have used the pictured poles for some years now, for extended alpine hikes (10-14 hrs a day, with 2000+ m ascents/descents) without problems.

 

Trailpix was not the focus of the thread...

[LocalHero1953]

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Thanks - useful info.

 

A bit OT, and I see you use a separate Tamrac bag: as a serious hiker, do you have a preferred backpack for carrying camera and lenses for long distances? I see a number of reviews, but most seem to be by people who are more concerned with how the kit is stored in the pack and less with how good they are as genuine long distance hiking bags.

[honcho]

As for camera back packs, I never use one. With the exception of specialised waterproof packs which are the best option in some situations (marine, caving etc), invariably they're heavy, over-designed, expensive and unsuitable for long distance or altitude. I prefer a well-fitting lightweight backpack with enough volume to take what I need, depending on what I'm doing. Cameras, lenses, film, filters, meters etc are put into an assortment of lightweight Exped drybags for protection from wet weather. A drybag will also conveniently clip over the camera mounted on a tripod to protect it from rain.

[LocalHero1953]

I am aware that one doesn't HAVE to use a specialist backpack. , but I'd appreciate comments from anyone who has used specific packs intended for photographic kit, or packs that are not specifically for photography but have useful features, such as separate quick access to secondary compartments or the bottom of the main compartment.

[helged]

...do you have a preferred backpack for carrying camera and lenses for long distances?

 

Actually, I only bring with me a Tamrac bag (with batteries, SD-cards, etc in the front pocket). The mentioned bag takes an M-body with viewfinder and a lens of the size up to 50 Noct. I never bring the Noct with me in the mountains, but it gives an idea of the size it accepts. I then attach small Lowpro lens cases on both sides of Tamrac's shoulder strap. To ensure that the lens cases do not fall off the shoulder strap and is loosely fixed to the bag, I fix them with small (and light-weight) climbing carabiners.

 

With the back loop on the Tamrac fasten to the hip belt of the backpack and with the main strap running diagonally over one shoulder, I hike, climb, ski, etc. like this, almost irrespective of weather conditions. You hardly feel the weight of the gear in this way, it actually partly balances the weight of the backpack and, importantly, camera and lenses are available without taking the backpack off. A great advantage! The gear is also kept to the body, dangling bags are nothing but a pain! If needed, the monopod is easily accessible as well.

 

In case of real downpour, or when tenting, I have a sufficiently large dry bag (of no weight) in my backpack for safe(er) storage.

 

I follow the same procedure when photography is in focus, but then I put additional lens cases in my backpack (either at the top for easy access, or in the lower compartment if available). In addition, a light-weight tripod is fixed to the backpack.

 

I have tested a few dedicated backpacks for photography, but I have not found/seen any that I deem functional and flexible for long-distance/strenuous hiking.

[honcho]

.... packs that are not specifically for photography but have useful features, such as separate quick access to secondary compartments or the bottom of the main compartment.

 

Not a good idea imo, especially with heavy packs full of camping gear when the full weight of the pack will rest on your camera equipment when you take the pack off and put it down. The camera will also be more vulnerable to damage at the base of the pack if you slip.

 

I really don't subscribe to the idea that seperate compartments are in some way 'better' without adding weight and more opportunity for water to find it's way into the pack through zips. I have always preferred single compartment 'alpine' style sacks over multiple compartments.

[spydrxx]

I had a collapsible aluminum pole which had a removable wooden knob and wristpiece on top. I epoxied a tripod screw into the top center of the pole where the knob attached, and a nut into the base of the knob. Now I have an (almost) instant camera support, if needed, and a quite durable hiking pole.

[pico]

I am aware that one doesn't HAVE to use a specialist backpack.[...].

 

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