Has Anybody Tried the TrekPod?

[NikonnooB]

As I keep trying to improve my photo skills, I'm finding the need for stability to be more important than before. Sadly, I'm WAY too lazy to carry and setup the very inexpensive tripod I have. There're too many levers and it's annoying just screwing the camera onto the top. Let alone the weight of the thing. I've also wanted to use a walking stick on some of my more rigorous searches for things to photograph, but the one I have is too cumbersome to carry with the camera and all.

I saw an ad for the Trekpod, and wonder if anyone has any experience with it. I do like the idea of the little tripod stability thing on the bottom, and the strength of the stick, but don't really love that it's in 2 parts.

I also wonder if a monopod is a useful suggestion (aside from that very cool string/bolt/washer thing from a few weeks ago), or if anyone knows how to make using a regular tripod less cumbersome.

Any input will be appreciated.

[Farkled]

I have and use a Monopod but have no experience with the model at which you are looking. Monopod = Good

[moi]

Would the 'gorillapod' help?

http://www.gorillapod.com/

[velvet4269]

No experience with it, but I did see one in the local camera shop when I was buying my tripod last weekend, and seriously considered it (given where I trek, carting around my tripod may not exactly be the best thing in the world).

The only disadvantages I see to it are:
1) the ballhead is *extremely* limited, and pretty small. It might work for a p&s, but I'd be leery of putting my DSLR on something so small (but I'm paranoid)
2) not a lot of diversity in height (that said, most of the photos I take are pretty close to the ground, as is)

That said, I still seriously considered it for a long time (I was probably in the store a good half-an-hour) before deciding on the other. When I first saw it, I went "oh, now that works!"

[hpebley3]

Originally Posted by NikonnooB

... it's annoying just screwing the camera onto the top. ... if anyone knows how to make using a regular tripod less cumbersome. Any input will be appreciated.

My inexpensive tripod has a little plate that screws onto the camera and then the plate is what actually mounts to the tripod. Screwing the plate on and off the camera is a pain, so I just leave the plate on the camera all the time. Then it's just a matter of mounting the whole thing to the tripod with the little latching lever; much less work. Also, I tend to leave the various adjustment knobs for the head tight enough that they don't move with the weight of the camera but loose enough that I can move them manually without adjusting the tension.

Hope this helps.

[Quo Fan]

I saw this at Hunts when I was looking at lenses. I put my 30D on it and it held it just fine. The mfg rep was there and assured me that it will hold a heavire camera than the one I put on it.

[NikonnooB]

Velvet4269 - you said "the other", which other did you end up getting?

Quo Fan mentions the test for weight. So cool to get that input! I understand they have a couple of sizes of that magnetic connector they use, and they've rated it for various weights. My camera and lenses are relatively light, as DSLRs go. But, seeing the practical test got done makes me feel better.

Moi - I've considered the gorillapod. In fact, there was a helpful thread on this on DPS last night, when I posted. Thing is, I'm not sure I want to have to try to find something to mount it on, if I want a shot from any height.

Hpebley3 - do you know what that's called? I'd heard someone makes things like that, and it may be very useful for me (as long as I can find a lighter tripod on which to use it). It doesn't get in the way of the tripod handles?

Farkled - do you find lateral movement to be an issue with your monopod? Which one do you use? I'm concerned the mounting areas on the ones I've seen don't seem very secure...

THANK YOU ALL!

[velvet4269]

NikonnooB, I ended up buying the Bogen/Manfrotto 190XDB (non-pro model) legs, with an Induro SA-01 ballhead. The nice thing about the ballhead I got: it has a quick-release lever; I'm notorious for leaving the plate attached to my camera, and it's so much more convenient to just flip the lever and take it off, than it is to unscrew the whole thing.

Thusfar, I'm loving it, but I haven't really used it "out in the field" yet, as I'm still looking for an easier way to cart it around. Total cost was about $180 for the combo, but I purchased locally (read: probably paid too much), so you may be able to find it less online.

One thing to keep in mind with the weight-test: your DSLR & lenses may be light now but you definitely want something you can grow with. The legs I bought will hold up to 11lbs, while the head I bought will go up to about 8 - that's going to be enough to keep me out of trouble for a while.

[NikonnooB]

Good to see you plan ahead!

Thing that concerns me is the whole "cart it around" idea. I tend to like things easy, and I'm kind of thinking the combo walking stick/'pod might incentivize me to actually carry it and use it.

'Course, that Gorillapod is looking better and better, too - but I'm concerned about having to find something to attach it to.

That ballhead with a quick-release lever really does have me very interested, though. That looks like the best payoff of everything, no matter what 'pod I end up with.

[onesaint]

Originally Posted by NikonnooB

That ballhead with a quick-release lever really does have me very interested, though. That looks like the best payoff of everything, no matter what 'pod I end up with.

the the Trekpod says it has a "ully integrated quick-release MagMount™ system." im not sure how that works, but the best in small portable and supports a heavy load is the Kirk BH-3. it has a sweet spot (an area that you can tighten retention and the camera stays still, but can still be moved to reposition the camera), is super small, and uses quick release plates. i have two manfroto ball heads and hate their QR mechanisms.

beyond that, youll have to train yourself on how to shoot steady with a monopod (positions and what have you). where as the "tripod" legs on the Trekpod will allow you to have it free standing.

you could always get a carbon fiber monopod, but i am unsure about using these as walking sticks.