Tripod Question

[Biomech]

Just wondering, how does everyone set their tripod? Is there a "standard" thinking?

Personally, I have 2 legs at the back and one at the front. Seems about right, let's me get close enough, 2 legs for stability on the "heavy side". (Obviously when there's no obstructions)

[JohnnieBoy]

I'm a newbie, so excuse my ignorance, but aren't tripods leveled?
I don't understand "heavy side".

[WooD]

Originally Posted by Biomech

Just wondering, how does everyone set their tripod? Is there a "standard" thinking?

Personally, I have 2 legs at the back and one at the front. Seems about right, let's me get close enough, 2 legs for stability on the "heavy side". (Obviously when there's no obstructions)

I'd guess this would be the way most people set them up. The leg out front will keep it from tipping when you have a heavy long lens mounted to it.

[SwissJon]

I tend to do it the other way round. 1 leg at the back, 2 at the front. Means I don't see the spread legs with ultra-wide lenses. If it gets a little front heave, I'll alter the back leg a little in length. The only very heavy long lens I have has a tripod mount on it, so the centre of gravity is pretty much over the tripod.

Mind you, that very much depends on where I am and what the terrain is like.. I do it that way round on flat land, but in the mountains, it's whatever and however makes my camera most stable.

[baycruisers]

I put the third leg forward so I'm less likely to trip over it or catch it with my foot and move the tripod.

[SwissJon]

My third leg is always forward when I'm photographing beautiful women..

[NgaiHill]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

My third leg is always forward when I'm photographing beautiful women..

Oh dear, only 6 posts in and Jon has brought the tone of the thread down already!

How I set my tripod legs depends on the terrain, last time I used it was in front of a low concrete wall so two legs to the front, hard up against the wall for a little extra stability.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I tend to do it the other way round. 1 leg at the back, 2 at the front. Means I don't see the spread legs with ultra-wide lenses. If it gets a little front heave, I'll alter the back leg a little in length.

Ditto for me. Depends on the conditions and where legs CAN go, but if I can, that's where they go.

[rosserx]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Ditto for me. Depends on the conditions and where legs CAN go, but if I can, that's where they go.

Double ditto for me. 1 back 2 front.

[Jim Bryant]

1 in front 2 in back.