I just got back from a week in Las Vegas on business, and put my TL 120 through its
paces taking lots of twilight and night shots of all the neon signs.

I got some great shots, but several of my images suffered from motion blur due to this
camera being too darn heavy for my tripod. I would be interested to hear what tripods
have been working well for other TL 120 users. I'd like to get something with a quick
release plate, and I realize this probably won't be cheap.

Last time I was in Vegas I was chased out of the front of the Venetian casino because
security thought I looked like a professional photographer with my tripod. This time I
came armed with a "pod" camera support, and was able to get all the shots I wanted at the
Venetian by positioning the camera on various pillars and shelves. The pod kept the
camera perfectly still, which yielded some ultra sharp images. This underscored the fact
that my tripod wasn't managing to do this all the time.

I used rubber screw in lens shades and had no visible lens flare in numerous direct shots
of bright lights.

Jim Harp

Jim Harp writes:

> I would be interested to hear what tripods have been working well
> for other TL 120 users. I'd like to get something with a quick
> release plate, and I realize this probably won't be cheap.

I am a real fan of Bogen/Manfrotto tripods. I have two right now, a
big heavy "studio" model that is no longer made and a somewhat
smaller one I take on my field trips (including caving and
backpacking). This one is from the 3000 model line.

The 3001 weighs 3.7 lbs and can support 11 pounds
The 3011 weighs 4.8 lbs and can support 13.2 pounds
The 3021 is same as 3011 but allows legs to go as low as 3" (my model)

Of course you will need to get the head of your choice.

At B&H the 3011BN is $148.00, add a a 486RC2 compact ballhead and an
RC2 quick release and it is $213.95.

My personal choice for a head is the 3265 Grip Action Ball Head. It
drops load capacipty to 5.5 lbs. It is $90.95 with quick release
plate.

> Last time I was in Vegas I was chased out of the front of the
> Venetian casino because security thought I looked like a
> professional photographer with my tripod.

Last summer I was in Vegas and shot extensively in the Bellagio with
my RBT X3 on a tripod in the lobby (for the Chihuly glass) as well as
the atrium courtyard (model railroad setup). I also did street night
shots and other locations and wasn't approached by management or
security anywhere. I guess it all depends on who is on duty and what
kind of day they are having *{;-)

Thanks,

David W. Kesner

jamesbharp wrote:

> . . .I would be interested to hear what tripods
> have been working well for other TL 120 users. . .

I use a Slik Snapman Deluxe with a Bogen 3437 head.

I don't really recommend the Snapman (it was the best
thing $80 would buy five years ago) but it's light
enough to stick in my pack without worrying too much
about the weight. I like the head and haven't seen
anything else as nice in the same weight.
--
John Thurston
Juneau Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us