>> I wonder how intense that wind must have been, because I'm sure you >> always use a robust tripod, and the gear itself isn't lightweight. > >It was quite windy; a gale or something. A sudden gust of wind must have >toppled the tripod over. The tripod had been in place for about half an >hour before this happened. I was waithing for a sunset which turned out to >be nothing out of the ordinary. The tripod was placed on the edge of a >cliff. The fact that the tripod with head weights about 4kg did
Commiserations Pal. FYI: I shoot tv news using a Betacam SX camcorder and a Sachtler fluid head carbon fibre tripod. The total combo weight is in the region of nearly 30 lbs all up with 2 mics, rain covers, top light aboard. With the tripod erected to about 5 feet and the camera on top, a gusting wind of more than 20 mph catching it broadside is enough to lift it off one leg. I have heard of it happening to others, and even if the kit belongs to my employer, it's still too much hassle watching �30K's worth hitting the deck from that height. One of the first things I learned as an apprentice was to remove the camera from the [tripod] head and place it on the ground underneath and between the tripod legs when leaving it for more than a couple of minutes. In a crowded shopping area (for instance) where I have to go get anther tape or battery, and leave the kit with a reporter stood next to it, it is still at risk from being tripped over by unwary shoppers. Outside, if it's windy, it comes off if I'm leaving it out of arm's reach for any length of time at all. Not much use to you now, but perhaps this info could aid someone else who had not taken these things into consideration. Best, Cotty ____________________________________ Free UK Macintosh Classified Ads at http://www.macads.co.uk/ ____________________________________ Oh, swipe me! He paints with light! http://www.macads.co.uk/snaps/ ____________________________________
