6 Essential Tripod Accessories for Landscape Photography!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

🌟QUICK QUESTION: Are you using any of these 6 accessories right now?

[@MaxwellSmart6425]

Great video as always, Mark, L bracket a total must, check on the filter bag. Also required for long exposure, photography, tripod hook, great for windy days and came with a tripod, I use the spikes, but will look into those grabbers you have. As always thank you for your great videos and look forward to your next installment.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

@@MaxwellSmart6425 Thanks a million for checking out the video Dean!

[@imSteveSmith]

I use a RRS TVC-34L and Nisi Filter Kit. I switched from a RRS BH-55 to a Acratech Panoramic Head. I like it a lot more than a ball head for landscape photography. The video was useful to me. I am following up on your advice on the claw feet. And I will try using baskets when in the sand. Sounds like it offers significant benefits.

[@tjsinva]

3 legged thing makes a variety of L brackets at different prices from reasonable to high.

[@patrickcarrierephoto]

Yes: Tripod spikes, NiSi filter pouch & L-bracket.

[@ThePaul8777]

Great suggestions and I agree with almost all points. HOWEVER, I would have the following request. I live in Utah and do a lot of work on slickrock. Don’t throw your rubber feet away. They will give your tripod traction on slickrock just like the rubber on your boots. Claws, spikes, and baskets will make your tripod insecure, especially if you’re on a slope. They can also damage the slickrock and leave scars that will outlast you and your grandchildren.

[@MichaelGarbarinoPhotography]

Leave no trace!

[@akbarrmd7714]

buy tripod that allows you to remove the rubber cap IF you need the spikes, that give ya option to switch between feets without unscrewing

[@seanpowless]

Love it that you didn't edit out being tongue tied. I think you shining a light on your struggles in the field, the human in you. I feel is the "it" that makes your videos resonate and draws me so much. Thanks

[@rpinspiredphotography4641]

Oh, great, more things I now want to have! LOL!! great stuff, Mark!!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

LOL!

[@arkadiuszciekanski5298]

L-Bracket is awesome. 👍🙂

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Indeed!

[@marchinderickx8193]

Very good video full of tips and tricks; really appreciated!

[@shanesmithphotography]

Once again another awesome, helpful video Mark! I'm finally back and catching up on your videos :) I'm not sure if you've heard or seen the "SILENCE CORNER - ATOLL C" yet. I have to say I've always loved my L-Bracket but I feel this is something that makes it so much quicker and easier to adjust your camera on your tripod. IF you havent heard or seen them maybe check them out and see what you think. I'd like to know your thoughts of it 👍🏼 Hope your years has been going well for you and your family mate!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Great reminder. I’m headed to the beach this May. Need to get some spikes.

[@DanaPushie]

Another great video Mark. Generally I use either the spike or rubber tripod feet; the same with my monopod. I had not given much thought to additional accessories, so thanks for doing this video. I always have a Smallrig cage on my camera, which has been a complete game changer for me. Great quality and pricing and I use other products by them. Cheers.

[@rayspencer5025]

For years living in Western New York State, I used to carry 3 Frisbees when shooting in deep snow. I would place them upside down on the snow and then put my tripod on them.

[@dannyhead5287]

Happy Wednesday!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

hahahah best day of the week!

[@bartjes2509]

Thanks for sharing, I carry 3 old CDs in my bag that I put under the tripod feet when the soil is unstable. Downside is these CDs are not attached to the tripod itself. I also use an elastic band that I can change in length. The band is connected to my photobag and I can attach it to the bottom of the tripod. It will pull the tripod down but because the bag is lying on the ground, the wind cannot have it dangling underneath the tripod, creating forces on that tripod

Hi Mark thanks for this wonderfull video. A video on Ball heads would really usefull

[@mikebartow9415]

I bought 1 inch web strapping 9 foot long and fastek buckle. It can hang from the hook from the center column either the short or long. With the strap buckled together the level can be adjusted to close to 4 1/2 feet. I don’t have to pull bag up but rest on the ground. The lower the center of gravity makes the tripod less like to be subject to motion or tipsy.

[@1717jbs]

Great ideas, Thanks.

[@williemacdonald72]

I use rock claws on all my tripods, they are superb for everything barring indoors but not much landscape photography is done inside. I use three inch spikes on the tripod I use for my star tracker, it's a Benro Mach3 XL aluminium and it is solid as a rock. I really liked the ski pole like attachments, I use four inch diameter rubber washers along with spikes when shooting on sand with the same effect and a fraction of the cost.

[@TheMickebostrom]

Sturdy!

[@jimwhite1050]

Thanks again Mark. Tripod claws - another great recommendation.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Of course - glad to do it Jim!

[@tonyb2760]

L- brackets are a must on all my camera bodies and spikes on the tripods, as for the rock claw feet, I always install those when I know I will be in or near a creek, especially for water fall photography. Those things have enabled me to have my tripod legs virtually spread eagle on rocks in a creek without any slippage. I can highly recommend the claw feet.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

I agree with everything you said Tony!

[@peterbuitelaar8543]

For seascapes I found out that long spikes, 10-12 cm, are working best. Extend the first leg completely to avoid water with sand in the first leg lock and push it in. With the disks and short spikes the water will flush the sand away underneath the disks. A hanging bag on the hook moving in the wind is resulting in instability and can even hit a leg. I use a very strong elastic cord (like a bungee cord) connected to the hook of my Gitzo Systematic 4 and my F-Stop Tilopa carrying handle in such a way that the bag is hanging with the top on the rope and the bottom stays on the ‘floor’ with some tension on the cord. It acts like a weight but vibrations are minimized and moved away from the tripod by the cord and the bag. A normal rope will not work. With very strong wind and a long lens I double the rope (I have a two meter long rope). The rope with two loops to connect to tripod and bag I have standard in my bag.

[@MyAvalonPhotography]

I have a cotton vest for carrying my camera. I am old and need all the the convenience for weight distribution I can get. But I am tempted by the L bracket. Do you carry your camera attached to the tripod? And do you think attaching the L bracket to the bracket for the cotton vest is a bad idea. Once I extend my tripod I tend to carry it that way but the camera is on my vest

[@markhewitson8510]

Hi Mark, thanks for another great video. I stay in Cape Town but off to Tromso/Lofoten next week for 14 days. Any tips you can pass on. I didn't realise it was so windy etc. Your tripods tips are already a great idea for me...never thought of my tripod disappearing in to the snow. Thank you for all the time you invest in your videos. I'm sure they help so many of us 🙂

[@mikeslater1545]

Very cool! Most of the time i've had to clear the debris away from the feet to get a more solid base. Keep up the great work!

[@SteveAmaon]

Super useful information. You are so right about filter use. I usually bring a bag full and rarely take the time to go retrieve the one I want to use. That bag is awesome!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Steve!

[@Axonteer]

I know people that use old cd's as a tripod sand base to widen the "foot" on soggy muddy ground :D

[@RewDowns]

Love that filter pouch, I've been looking for something like that!

[@vzshadow1]

L-bracket and hook. Those are the only ones I use.

[@garymc8956]

My RRS heavy tripod wasn’t as tall as I liked and I solved it with the very solid stainless steel extensions that have tips that convert from rubber balls to spikes. They have the added advantage of getting the tripod ends up out of the sand and muck.

[@andymcgarty3099]

Really useful. We all have tripods and its great to see how to get the most out of them with a few accessories. Thanks.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Andy!

[@DesertPackrat]

Silence Corner’s new Atoll collar is far superior to a L bracket. It doesn’t require reattaching to go from portrait to landscape, it rotates on-axis requiring less reframing, doesn’t block your side ports or flip screen, has two arca Swiss plate points which means one can be used for a fusion plate to black rapid, uses arca Swiss square to connect to peak designs capture, rotates for upside down shots, clicks in major rotation degrees, and is just as lightweight as a L bracket.

[@paulbenson3441]

I still have the rubber feet on my tripod and I mostly set up on soft ground. So, I usually have to wait for everything to settle down before pressing the shutter. I have been considering for quite a while to purchase tripod spikes. On odd occasions I'll have the tripod set up on a rock and the rubber feet seem to be okay, except when the wind is gusting. The claw feet look like they are worth a try. I have one query, Mark. I sometimes take panoramas if I want more detail from a distant image by zooming in and have the flexibility of gathering more information by add extra shots from either side of the main theme and then stitching together in Photoshop and cropping back a little to get the image I want. I don't have a spirit level for setting up my tripod and it doesn't have the facility for one. I use the central pole in the tripod and adjust the legs by eye to get the pole as vertical as possible by eye. It would be very useful to have a spider of three spirit levels that could be secured to the tripod centre pole, to make levelling a lot quicker and, hopefully, a bit more precise. Many tripod heads have spirit levels built in, but mine doesn't and it can be an expensive business to upgrade to a more functional tripod. Any suggestions would be most helpful.

[@richardpesce5325]

Great advice. Thanks Mark!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Richard!

[@PMCN53]

Hi Mark, I agree, the spike are so much better than the rubber feet. I'll look into getting the claw feet as well. Re Lofoten... I was there in Feb 2020 and the weather wasn't too bad then, we didn't have too many windy days either. I guess it's just nature doing its thing and we have to adapt to the conditions if we can. Realy, what is Landscape photography without having to battle the elements, that would be far too easy... LOL! PS: I want to go back there again, it's a wonderful place to be.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

I'm with ya! I can't wait to return next year - feel like I only scratched the surface there

[@robinc-k7162]

Great video, thanks! The filter bag is a great idea. Do you have any concerns about the filters sliding out? It looks like a loose fit for each slot.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

Hi Mark, I use spikes on my tripod. It's much better on rocks and slippery surfaces. But one thing I would say is get a lighter tripod. I switch to the travel tripod about three months ago.. Without sounding like an infomercial, I really like the ULANZI it is absolutely brilliant. There is a very simple test to try a tripod. It's called the cup of water test. If you get a cup of water and placed it on top of the tripod and then just tap the tripod legs and you will see how stable it is and if the cup of water just fall straight off then that tripod is not very stable. It is a very simple test that I've seen done online and it works. The Ulanzi worked really well with this test so it is stable. I don't like screws on the legs of the tripod they're too slow to move, and they also get dirty on them and you constantly having to clean them. I think screws are the dumbest idea, and I keep saying to many of the manufacturers of tripods make two versions of every tripod, one with screws and one with clips and give people the choice. I can tell you as a seascape photographer I will never ever buy a tripod that has screws in it because it will get dirt in it, and once it gets a tiny bit of dirt inside those screws ..its cactus. Find consideration that you didn't mention is the overall weight and portability if you've got a huge big tripod. It's great for just Local scenes but it will not get you out hiking. I think this is a major consideration

[@steveboys5369]

Hi Mark, more good information there, thanks for sharing. The "saucer" feet are essentially spreader plates, and for those with a little DIY experience, they can be home made. I like the filter bag idea ... you're right, if they're in front of you, then they're more likely to get used .. and if its windy, then they go in the main bag. The hook for adding weight is a good idea too, mine has it by default, since adding mass nearly always aids stability.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad to do it and thanks for checking it out Steve!

[@JimEmbury]

Excellent! Some things for me to look into.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks James!

[@JMSteger]

Hi Mark, Thank for another helpful video. I appreciate the tips on the tripod foot options. I currently just use the rubberized feet that came with the tripod. I use an L-bracket all the time. It also enables you to change your camera orientation while keeping your camera level. I 100% agree with your comment on using a filter bag strapped to the top of the tripod. I currently use the Shimoda version, but previously used the F-Stop one like you demonstrated. You didn't discuss this, but I use the same Colorado Tripod Company bullhead as you., I think it's fantastic. Have you ever tried using magnetic filters?

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

Many useful tripod tips!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank ya Tim!

[@scothowe539]

I just bought a travel tripod to go with my main tripod as we are taking a cruise this fall. Both are from FLM and come with a set of spikes although I’ve never used them. Both of my cameras have L brackets that never come off. Wouldn’t want to be without them. I recently added a leveling base and switched to using a fluid head as seen on Hudson Henry’s channel. It’s a bit of a different approach but it’s great for long lenses and panoramas. Got a stone bag to but have yet to use it.

[@derbagger22]

I did look online at stiffness tests for a wide number of tripods, because ultimately that is a very important metric. And then I looked for the best for my needs. I've been running an FLM tripod with Sirui ballhead that's worked VERY well for me.

[@tomerickson5476]

Thanks Mark. As usual, spot on - great information. Just got the claws yesterday and they're already on my tripod.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks for checking out the video Tom! Glad to hear you were able to get a set of claw feet for your tripod.

[@kirbyaguilar8682]

Great tip. I have the rubber spike and the claw except the last one. The claw is very useful specially when you are travelling via plane because they do not allow sharp objects

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Kirby!

[@jerryrichards8172]

I was shooting 35mm 2.5 hr star arcs over Mt lassen ca. When I pulled my tripod with it's spiked feet out of the snow that had turned to ice. l pulled the entire foot out of the tripod wich stayed in the ice. I didn't relize that till 2 hrs later at home and I was whipping down my tripod. So I took the 1.5 hr drive back to the mountains that night. Removed the foot from the ice. Latter I used epoxy to put it back in place never came back out.

[@GeorgeENorkus]

Very good video. Tripod feet is one subject I've been doing for years and like you, have never thought about it. I'm a bit more handy than the average person and have added small pieces of aluminum inside each of the foot part of each leg. That allows me to simply drill and tap a hole to accept whatever type of foot I want.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it George!

[@lennarthalvarsson399]

I really agree the advantages of using different tripod feet for different situations. I use tripod and feet from Leofoto. They are really good. The claws are very good for even rocks fe when shooting coastals. In woodlands I normally use spikes which are 4 inches long. The rubber feet I use for my wooden floor inside

[@michaelhale416]

Great idea about hanging the filters on the tripod. I am exactly what you described and more often than not, did not bother digging them out of my bag. I have also looked into an l-bracket, but unfortunately they don't make one specific to my camera. I tried one of the universal fit style, but it did not work well at all. Another great video. Cheers.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Michael!

[@blamon01]

Thanks for the video. I saw that filter pouch on that previous video. It looks great. I am going to get one. Speaking of tripods, everyone says that tripods without a center column are best due to vibration problems of a center column, which seems to makes sense. I say ‘seems’ because most everyone I know as well as youtube vloggers use tripods with center columns. I’ve been to The Center Column website and they agree no center column is best. But nobody (that I know of anyway) has proven it. How about some real world proof! How about a video comparing a center column tripod to one without a center column? Take the 2 tripods out in the field and take photos with each. Load the photos up in Lightroom and see the results. On the center column tripod you could raise the center column up to different heights and see how that affects images. Of course you couldn’t test all scenarios like wind, etc. But I still think it would be a very interesting test. Show me the proof of no center column!

[@stephenschmid492]

Good video, Mark. I was curious - it seems you have stopped using the Fotopro tripod you made a video about a while back. Can you say why?

[@craigpiferphotography]

That's the first time I've seen the claw feet, it's usually just the spikes everywhere. Not sure if my old Bogen can use different feet, I've had the stock rubber pads on it for the last 20+ years. I do have a cheap travel tripod that can take the 1/4 thread ones, but seems silly to spend more than half the cost of the tripod for a new set of feet. Also first time seeing those shields, such an amazing idea. Great info as always Mark, thanks.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank ya Craig!

[@davidwoods80]

Good video. I'm mainly a street photographer, so adding spikes to my tripod when I venture into sketchy areas at night might come in handy...🤪Always be prepared for the unexpected!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

🤣

[@erikswenson2659]

Out of concern that my spikes would get confiscated by the TSA when flying with my gear, I made my own spikes with a bull-nosed profile. Any DYIer can easily make custom feet as the feet screw on with a standard thread size. So, for a few bucks you can pick up three bolts. Then grind the heads to the profile you desire, or find three bottle caps or other suitable claw feet, drill a hole in the caps sized to fit the bolts and bolt the feet the legs. Of course, most will be happy to shell out the $30+, but do they need to avoid taking pointy spikes through airport security?

[@huette]

You have just reminded me to finally purchase the spikes for my peak design tripod. Every time I am on a hike I am annoyed and plan to get them, then at home I have already forgotten about it... The L bracket is a game changer when working with a tripod a lot. Thanks again for your tips, helpful as always! Edit: if you have hiking poles with you and you need the little gizmos (disks?) on them, eg in snow, you might need them on your tripod as well. You can just move them from the poles, it's quite easy. A low budget version of these is a CD for each tripod foot, I guess everybody has some old ones of these at home.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Always happy to do it!

[@JohnLamjohnlsl]

on my largest tripord gt3543xls i currently use "Gitzo video rubber and spike feet" the craw type i have try them but i rarely use it, the problem with them is when you strape it on the heavy camera bag and move it around they strach the surface of the vehicle so it need to remove it every time and it cause time at site and of the other accessory problem, i moved to a 2 bag system on side bag of the main camera with the main lens and assessory mounted on so have have fast access and the main back pack have the other 2-3 Tripod few other camera, all the lens and ohter less use accessory L-brack i have it on my all my camera 2 other unusle item i have in my back is a nodal rail, mainly for reseting the center of gravity when there is high vibration cause by high wind, the camera will get stable faster when there is a wind speed gap and a video brack for reverse mounting (hanging the camera from a reverse mounded tripod) when i want the camera touching the water surface of the reflection

[@damienlemoine1200]

Thanks again for the good content. I’m really interested in the L bracket but I need to buy another ball head in order to attach the body to the tripod isn’t it ?

[@tjsinva]

Good stuff!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

THanks ya!

[@kaseyclark2108]

What about tripod carry straps?? I find that I can take a much bigger tripod out into the field if I have a fast and convenient shoulder strap for it.

[@douglasanderson5507]

Mark I’m a little surprised you did not say anything about using the centre column or adjustments to legs. Douglas Anderson Calgary Alberta

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Hey Douglas - Those really aren't accessories as those are things that generally come with the tripod.

[@LeoDodier]

Great tips, thank you. Do you generally position the legs of the tripod the same every time? For example, do you always have the two back legs parallel to your body and the third leg in front of the camera?

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Leo! No it just depends what's in front of me - that usually dictates the orientation of the legs.

[@jeffnewman8261]

Great tip about attaching the filters to the tripod so you are more likely to use them. Does the bag ever move in the wind though?

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Jeff! From my experience only in extreme wind - then I take it off.

[@Jatinm007]

Good Stuff.. I need to get claw Tripod feet:)

[@TexBayAngler]

Just discovered your videos. Good stuff!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@lemgranada875]

I will definitely go get a l bracket. Both of my tripods come with built in spikes. I screw in the rubber feet to expose the spikes.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

L Bracket is a game changer for sure!

[@joe3eagles]

I sometimes find myself in a quandary concerning my L-bracket. I like to use a battery grip on my Canon 90D because it holds two batteries and more easily accommodates my huge hand. I also like to use my L-bracket for the same reasons you pointed out in the video. The problem is that I haven't found an L-bracket that fits well over the battery grip. So I end up using one or the other, but never both. Do you have any recommendations for an L-bracket that solves that issue?

[@tribaluxe]

Where did you find the ski pole-like baskets that fit your tripod? I have often looked online without finding anything already made; lots of DIY stuff like using CDs but no ready-made baskets. Any baskets I have on ski or trekking poles have way too small center holes. Apparently you do not use a tripod carry handle?

[@bkc1965]

Great video as usual with very useful information. Could you please add the F-Stop Filter pouch to your links in the info? Thanks

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Bryan! It's there - it's the first link in the description for the gear covered in this video

[@bkc1965]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto Oh...I see said the blind man... I guess I couldn't see the forest for the trees...or is it the trees for the forest? Thanks again.

[@blujeans9462]

What do you recommend for 'creap'? I have a high-end (acratech) ball head rated for twice the amount of weight of my camera/lens but still I found that sometimes it still starts to slowly drop down. When it was new I didn't notice it as much. Is there some maintenance that should be done or perhaps a device that can help this?

[@guzziknight]

Can you use the claw feet on cement and asphalt?😊

[@adjake1]

I’m assuming that filter bag will fit a 100x150? I can’t find that info on their site.

[@derricksalisbury7631]

Hi Mark just found your channel I enjoyed your video and some sound advice can I ask about the gloves your wearing and any info on them please as I'm in the market for a pair

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Derrick! The gloves I was wearing are from North Face

[@derricksalisbury7631]

@Mark Denney how are they waterproof windproof and what model as I thought it looked like North face but can't find them in that green and black

[@tomrussell5220]

Tom Russell

[@davidbenstead5112]

Very interesting video as usual but I'm surprised you didn't mention using a geared head like the Benbo GD3WH. It's such a useful tool for when composing landscape photographs.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

I really want to get one but I can't get past how heavy they are.

[@davidbenstead5112]

Possibly, but my Benro is only 870 vs 1000 grm for my Manfrotto 3 way X-Pro head. Worth a check next time you're at a camera store?

[@jamesv.wilkerson30]

You''ve been costing me money with these gear videos...Thank you for the ideas, but slow down so my budget can keep up. The macro lens set me back a bit.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

LOL!

[@davecollins8007]

One comment - If travelling on an aircraft with your tripod as hand luggage you cannot take the spikes on the aircraft - at least in Europe anyway (Don't know about USA) so remember to remove them before travelling or they may be removed for you!

[@davehallock3102]

I was hoping that you were going to mention your ball head. I ordered mine a long time ago and still haven't received it.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Yeah I hear they're extremely backed up

[@leniehulse1621]

The only thing I don’t like about metal accessories is the damage they can make to the environment, eg like beautiful rocks.

[@derbagger22]

Yeah, I know companies like RRS make quality products. However, when you see $300 for an L bracket, you know that is nothing than a brand cache money grab. I have a Small Rig L bracket as well as some of their other stuff. Excellent for and craftsmanship. For a very fair price...

[@michaellowry5441]

My L bracket hasn't left my camera in 3 years

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Same! Once it goes on - it never comes off!

[@brentolsenthanksformaking2528]

Thank you please read Romans 10:9-13

[@davettbr6425]

So true.

[@freedomsaoirse]

Don't shoot!