17 Essential Tripod Tips For Wildlife Photographers

[@johntoolan7243]

Steve is one of the best educators on the web! It’s never a waste of time to watch his videos or read his books.

[@steveking6204]

Yep

[@byrontowles2018]

Hey Steve. Great informative video. Over the years (50 + counting!) I've come to use most of these techniques myself. I'd like to share three others I use with you & your subscribers. To test your tripod's stability during shutter release, tape a small flashlight to the camera or lens, point towards a wall, turn off the room lights & watch the motion of the light when you remotely trip the shutter. My second trick is to change the splay angle of one leg to a wider stance & straddle it (space permitting) to quickly adjust height without extending or reducing the leg height via the leg locks. My third & final trick is to use my tripod as a "bi-pod" with long lenses when shooting rapid action, extending only two legs while keeping the ballhead a little loose for tilting & panning. It's more stable than using a monopod & more flexible than using all three legs. You guys should give these tricks a try!

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much! I'll have to try some of those out (although I almost always use silent shutter / electronic shutter now, so the first one may not apply to me anymore LOL!) Really like that third idea!

[@cesarm8811]

Steve simply said your the best educator for wildlife photography.

[@lescobrandon3047]

Excellent video as always. One thing I found when hanging a weight from a hook under the head when weather is windy. I use a ‘Bungee cord’ and let the weight on the ground pull downward. I hope that makes sense the way I wrote that.

[@martintolley9234]

Great idea. I've found the hanging camera bag works like a sail in high winds to make the rig less stable rather than more stable.

[@backcountrygallery]

Great tip!

[@backcountrygallery]

I've not run into that too much, but I don't use the technique often and when I do, my gigantic bag is reply tight in there are shown in the video :) Still, I like Lesco's bungee idea!

[@koolkutz7]

Good tip :-)

[@triplewinlin5576]

Terrific uncommon sense tips!

[@zigatretjak75]

That tumbling down the slope I just barely avoided, good tips Steve, thank you

[@kilohotel6750]

I picked up a roll of 100 umbrella bags on Amazon for around $10 and keep them and three rubber bands in the truck for when I need to protect my legs, definitely worth it especially when shooting on the beach and surf.

[@backcountrygallery]

That's a great idea!

[@leniehulse1621]

I have used empty small condiments plastic bottles - only downside it can’t really go down in the sand much.

[@backcountrygallery]

@@leniehulse1621 Clever :)

[@Jesusrouco]

Steve, this video is extremely helpful, every single tip is appreciated, specially for amateur wildlife photographer like me, Thanks for all this amazing content !

[@davidsneddon2242]

First class Steve. Everyone's a winner. Have a great weekend. Simple, straightforward but oh so important, cheers mate.

[@tedcomeau2671]

Great tips I’m really looking forward to your video on Z9 review and setup , I have learned a lot about photography from you , Thanks Ted

[@NikCan66]

Excellent advice

[@jer3006]

Great collection of tips, thank you! They are easy to remember while sitting at my desk. I just sometimes forget to test the tripod in the excitement of getting that first shot off. Head-slap here! 🤕

[@richardbirger2245]

good job, quick good ideas

[@ashokan134]

Thanks Steve!

[@nettayaw2231]

So true and so helpful. Many aren’t from common sense but from experience. Thanks🌷still can’t find your book on site sending to Thailand( darn ! forgot to check it out when I was in Germany for months)😒

[@sarajitsil]

A full video on Tripod usage!! Very practical and useful tips. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge 😊 Much appreciated 🙏

[@explorer8888]

Great video! Thanks! I didn’t know about those tripod accessories. To protect the bottom of the legs, I’ve been using 3 🎾 tennis balls. A small incision allows for a tight fit and they won’t come out. I do a lot of beach photography and they work great.

[@jdsmphotography2144]

AS USUAL, THE BEST

[@JeffandLeslie]

Thanks Steve

[@akgakg74]

Excellent video

[@KnightsandWeekends]

100% agree on the tripod leg adjustments. I extend the lowest first unless I know for sure adjustments won't be needed. If stability is a problem, you skimped on your tripod.

[@pmetselaar5356]

Steve door het gebruik van spike's staan alle statieven steviger op alle ondergronden. Groeten Peter

[@rayspencer5025]

I appreciate the tip about the tripod leg sleeves. I did not know such a thing existed.

[@backcountrygallery]

They're pretty cool. :) Quick to use too.

[@אבימלכה-צ3ז]

Excellent tips as always your education is the best.

[@corrbox2]

Great information Steve. I never knew there were plastic covers manufactured to cover the tripod legs when placing them in sand or water. I made my own with plastic bags and sealed with gaffer tape. This is a appreciated and eye opoening tip. The rest iof your information is also very helpful and well worth practicing in the field. 👌👀📷👍😎

[@marciacooper4662]

Great tips Steve, especially the first one with extending the lower sections. I had to laugh when you showed adjusting the height with the lower legs. Not fast at all. Thanks!!

[@edureg]

Good Job! Next video about tips for monopods???? Greetings from Buenos Aires!

[@julaca8690]

Thank you for this video. There are things in life that we don't want to learn the hard way.

[@backcountrygallery]

For sure. I've watched tripods topple with 600 F/4s and pro cameras on 'em. It's not pretty. I've cought a few before they hit the ground in our workshops.

[@mikedavis1110]

Great info on Tripods and any update on your Z9 review?

[@leniehulse1621]

Great, useful tips!! Thanks so much!

[@rafaln9231]

Hi, great episode! Maybe you will also do about cleaning the Gitzo tripod?

[@dougcoxon5596]

Another great video Steve! Thank a lot!😎

[@joernc]

What's your oppinion on a leveling base? I use one for years, and I'm quite happy with it. I know it's extra cost, adds to the weight, and I don't dare to just sling the tripod with attached camera over my shoulder. But when shooting from a hide, having a perfect level pivot point without adjusting the legs for ages is IMHO a big bonus.

[@backcountrygallery]

I don't use one. For what I do with wildlife, the added weight isn't worth it - and I'm constantly slinging the tripod over my shoulder. I have one though - I used to use it all the time when I shot more landscapes, especially with panos. For wildlife, even if the tripod isn't perfect, I just compensate by rotating the camera. It's not always perfect, but close enough that a quick straighten in Lightroom is all that's needed to fix it.

[@SaswatMishra14]

Thanks for great info Steve

[@dougkrupa2372]

Great tripod Video .Are you going to do Z9 setup video?

[@dons7991]

Excellent tripod advice! For tall photographers, buying a solid tripod that will bring the viewfinder to eye level, without extending any center column, is very important. I know from experience. I'm 6'5". 😉 Just bought & downloaded your "Birds-in-Flight" ebook.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks!!

[@merkin22]

Thanks, Steve!

[@unclebuck5957]

Thanks for the great tips

[@BillFerris]

Great vid, Steve. Thanks for producing and sharing it. Question: there's about 10-seconds of silence starting at 5:55. Is a voice track missing? Additional tip: Occasionally when I'm out doing wildlife photography, I'll happen upon a great landscape photo op. I carry a 24-70mm zoom for just these situations. Most short lenses don't have a tripod foot and the tripod adapter plate on the bottom of my camera positions the body so that it rubs against the gimbal yoke. An easy adjustment to avoid this tight fit is to rotate the gimbal mount 180 degrees. The camera still attaches to the reoriented mount but won't rub against the yoke.

[@backcountrygallery]

It's not - I forgot to mention that you can get lower without a center column in the original video and tacked on that info. :) Thanks for the tip too :) BTW - Wimberley also makes an adapter for gimbal mounts that allows you to mount from the camera's QR plate. (Wimberley M-8 Perpendicular Plate)

[@cryptographerchris4856]

Great tips as always.

[@tjcuneo]

Enjoyed the video. You didn't mention using spikes. I have found them to be helpful when shooting in water and especially ocean surf.

[@backcountrygallery]

I've tried spikes in the past and found that while they were great for some surfaces, they slid around too much on rocks (especially slimy ones). I found that the rubber feet do pretty well, overall, for me. I've thought about reversible feet, but the thing is when I see a subject, I don't want to play with gear (swap feet in or out depending on the surface), so I've just stuck with the normal rubber ones. Not always perfect, but have worked well for me. YMMV

[@danbrown6680]

Love all your advice

[@danbrown6680]

Your ebook on BIF was super helpful recently in Cambridge, MD for ducks and swans.

[@oXydex]

The biggest gain I got for stability is using spikes instead of the rubber feet. It really tacks onto almost all surfaces inkl rocks, wood, sand and dirt

[@backcountrygallery]

I've had mixed results with spikes and have found rubber feet work well for most of the stuff I do. I may have to give them another go :)

[@isoawe1888]

Thanks Steve. Who makes the pad you have attached? The only ones I’ve seen are more like a cradle you use with legs opened. Thanks again.

[@KrisVComm]

Really helpful video!

[@pianoman1973]

Great tips ! Which tripod would you recommend if I'm in my first steps at wildlife photography ? The lenses I use are Sony 100-400 GM and the Sony 200-600 G ( if weight is important ) + 1.4 TC

[@backcountrygallery]

The 200-600 for sure. The 100-400 is great, but 400mm is often a bit short, The 200-600 is fantastic and even takes a .14 TC pretty well.

[@pianoman1973]

@@backcountrygallery Thanks for your response, could you also refer to tripod please ? thanks !!

[@rolandrick]

What’s that for a cool triangle shaped thing on the top of the tripod legs?

[@dannd715]

Great video

[@otavioernesto2741]

Hi Steve. What is your advice regarding VR when using a tripod? ON or OFF? Thanks.

[@dbv11]

Hi Steve, what’s your current “traveling by airplane” tripod? Ive got the Z400, z800 and a gimbal. Need a travel tripod. Thanks!

[@brianthomas6500]

Another good vid. You confirmed what I thought/my way of doing things. Handy tips for the newbies.

[@davidpbixler9261]

Great video and tips, Steve! What's your procedure for leveling a tripod on uneven ground?

[@backcountrygallery]

Dang, I should have put that in here! I'm not sure if this is the best way to not, but I start with the bottom sections and pull a bit of the middle leg section down (my tripod is a tall one, so I don't need the third section for a normal height). Next, I get one leg out and down, making it a little longer than the other two. With that leg out and down, I look at the level on the base of the tripod and center up the bubble. Keeping the tripod in that position, I drop the other legs by loosing the tripod locks. Once they are down, just lock in. This only works if you extend the bottom first of course.

[@davidpbixler9261]

@@backcountrygallery Thanks very much!

[@LightTheShadows]

Two more thoughts from my side: A. Use metal spikes whenever you are not on sensitive surfaces like wooden floors and the like. B. Rather use a cord to tether down your tripod instead of a wobbling bag. Imagine wind speeds higher than a light breeze. The bag will be swinging like crazy and so will the tripod.

[@psoon04286]

Must get those tripod leg sleeves. Are they special order items?

[@backcountrygallery]

They weren't the last time I looked at B&H. One viewer also recommended umbrella sleeves and rubber bands, so that might work too.

[@ryanmontreal5883]

Hi Steve, another solid video! Just wondering if the old "turn off stabilization " when mounted on a tripod is something you follow and tell your student's? Thanks👍

[@backcountrygallery]

It varies. Some lenses work better with it off, on others it doesn't seem to matter. Shutter speed also plays a roll. For the most part, I shut it off at faster shutter speeds. Since I'm on loose gimbal most of the time, the rig is seldom "locked down" so stabilization seems to help at slower shutter speeds on a tripod.

[@brianthomas6500]

Some lenses will detect when then are locked solid and auto turn off the Stab. As Steve stated, its not often you lock down. Its a point worth a mention though. Camera and lens instructions should give the user a guide, thats if they ever get read!!! ha ha

[@koolkutz7]

I tend to turn stabilization OFF when my camera is on a tripod with a gimbal head like in Steve's video. I loosen the pan & tilt nuts a little and it gives freedom to quickly move to fast paced wildlife scenarios. I may put my left hand over the top of the lens to 'dampen' it down a bit too-and I still try and use a reasonably high shutter speed to cover all bases!

[@skakdosmer]

Question: (4:27) Which is worse? Watching $20,000 worth of camera gear bouncing down the hill, or not being able to afford the gear in the first place? (The worst is of course not really being able to afford the gear, buying it anyway, and then seeing it bounce down the hill - especially if you couldn't afford to insure it). (No, I've not tried it!)

[@backcountrygallery]

LOL - yeah, I was gonna say both!

[@longrider9551]

The only man I would consider paying for a workshop with✌

[@aljo.antony]

Why have you placed a piece of triangular fabric on the tripod close to the hinge ?

[@backcountrygallery]

It's a shoulder pad - makes carrying the tripod far more comfortable.

[@gewglesux]

I'll use my Benro for when I'm anywhere NEAR water/sand.... Gitzo all other times.

[@alanolander9983]

Thanks, Steve! So you don't use a leveling base with your gimbal?

[@backcountrygallery]

No, it adds extra weight and I don't really need it. I'm pretty quick at leveling the tripod and when I don't have time to get it perfectly level, I'm pretty good at rotating that camera while panning to keep things level. (Close enough anyway). I used to use one all the time with landscape setups though - especially when shooting panos - you have to be so precise!

[@rschellie]

Have you had any experience with the Manfrotto MOVE System? I know you put out a previous video covering using a RRS Arca Swiss Clamp to allow you to swap tripod heads faster and I wonder if this would be a more economical replacement. Thanks!

[@backcountrygallery]

I don't have any experience with it, but it does look like a good system and, as you say, more economical.

[@mikehardy8247]

For most people who can afford the best Tripods, REALLY RIGHT STUFF, AND GITZO are known brands. I wanted to give a very enthusiastic shout out to "Pro Media Gear ". I have no affiliation. Made in Chicago Illinois USA. Comparable price to other two, but buy American, and I think a better product. Compare them.

[@backcountrygallery]

I've looked at them and it was close between the two. I think (not 100% sure) the reason I went with RRS was that it has an o-ring seal around the locks (and I think I liked the locks better on the RRS). Not 100% sure if that was the difference, but I think it was. It was a close call either way though. Also, I believe RRS is an American company.

[@Sakshi-Art12]

I'm studing in 10 standard and .I want to become a wildlife camera man .Sir can you tell me how to become a wildlife cameraman or can you give me some tipes regarding wildlife camera man please sir please

[@christophscheper4979]

Thanks for the tips, I am new to using a tripod for wildlife photography. One comment, on hillsides I usually try to level the tripod by adjusting the angle of the legs, not the length (seems faster). Is there a huge downside over adjusting the leg extension?

[@backcountrygallery]

Some people do and that works just as well, as long as the tripod is sturdy. I don't think I'd want to do it with flimsy legs since it's putting more stress on the locks.

[@skakdosmer]

I wouldn’t do it in windy conditions as it increases the risk of the whole thing crashing down at the moment you’re looking away.

[@backcountrygallery]

@@skakdosmer I think that's true no matter what (had it happen a few years back with a normally set tripod - not fun), but I can see what you mean for sure.

[@turboprop50]

Hi Steve. What is the brand name (part number) of the shoulder camouflage pad in your tripod? Thank you.

[@backcountrygallery]

Best bet is to just search for tripod shoulder pad - it's the same pad, branded by lots of different companies.

[@scottyounggren4385]

how much longer till you bust out the Z9 set up video?

[@backcountrygallery]

My priority is my Nikon mirrorless AF book (which I'm working on at the moment). I also think I'll do a setup guide PDF like I did with the a1, rather than a full YT video.

[@scottyounggren4385]

@@backcountrygallery can't wait for it bro! I've sure enjoyed and learned from the others I've gotten from you! Also I thought you might share on your tripod tips about putting the camera/shutter on the strong side of the gimbal to reduce vibration from clicking the shutter (see why your books are so good and I'm not a writer like you...lol). Have a deluxe day!

[@IsmaelPedraza]

Steve, What type of wildlife tripod do you recommend? I’m about to make a purchase and I’m not sure what to get. Thank you!

[@backcountrygallery]

I have the ones I use listed in the description. I don't really do any tripod research, so all I know is that the gear I use works well :)

[@tjcuneo]

I use a FLM CP34-L4 II 10X Carbon Fiber Series II Tripod and Wimberley gimbal and it is the perfect setup for wildlife photography. Extends to 68" and will go to as low as 5". Easy to maintain and can handle heavy body lens combinations.

[@IsmaelPedraza]

@@backcountrygallery thank you!

[@IsmaelPedraza]

@@tjcuneo thank you!

[@i_am_x_wild]

You forgot the best way to carry the tripod But great tips none the less

[@backcountrygallery]

LOL, not sure I found the best way yet!

[@i_am_x_wild]

@Steve Perry I gave you a part 2 idea lol. Any tips on camera trapping? If you have a video on this already, I apologize

[@Mr1Spring]

You forgot the use of spikes!

[@backcountrygallery]

I don't usually use them. I've tried them a few times and while they are great on dirt, sand, etc, I don't like them on rocks (eps wet or slippery ones). Since I'm not really one to fuss with tripod feet all the time, I just use the rubber ones. YMMV...