Good tripod for water/sand.

Can anybody suggest a good tripod for water/sand useage, it must be able of holding a 600mm. The gitzo 1548 I have is excellent but, boy, do I get fed up stripping it down, cleaning and greasing every joint after it after every trip to the coast.

I have a Uniloc/Benbo and I don't rate these as adequate due to the weight of the 600mm.

Obviously weight is an issue but not a big issue as this will be solely used for this purpose.

Anybody used a manfrotto 525MVB?

Hi Tom

I think a Manfrotto 055 would be ok for you. I have never had to strip down my Manfrotto to clean out the leg clamps and I have had mine in sand, in mud, on beaches, etc many times.

The clamps can clog in heavy sand or mud, but a quick wash and then knock out any remaining sand/mud once dry.

cheers

Sean

I have one Tom - but I don't use it anymore since I got the Miller.

For what you want to use it for I'd imagine you'd need a midleg spreader - which I have - but you'll struggle to get very low with it.

And the leg locks don't like grit either - they bind really easy especially when cold or wet as soon as any mud gets in the blocks.

There's a nice Miller that I always think would replace my 1548 - it's here http://www.millertripods.com/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=178#

but I don't know if the collars would be any more resistent than those on the Gitzo.

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy an extra couple of pairs of waders? .

Goes anybody know of any firm that makes waterproof 'socks' for tripod legs?

T

Nope - I made my own out of old hide canavas so mine are not waterproof just sand proof, but it would be fairly straight forward to use some waterproofed material to make a set of tripod socks up, just double fold the seams to make a sealing lip all round when sewing. - or make a second waterproof barrier layer out of a cheap emergency survival bag available from good walking equipment shops (or similar)

Mike

I was thinking of end capped 2" drainage tube... but they would be clumbersome, your canvas option is more appealing.. may be neoprene and a wet suit maker...

T

There's a company across the bay from me that do any custom shape fabric stuff.
I've had several items made by them, ranging from main sails for a yacht to the back canopy cover for my land-rover.
Owen Sails website

John

tom, i use those umbrealla plastic bags they have outside major dept stores on wet days. They're about the length of the 3 sections of the 1548 and are light and disposable. Def waterproof as well. I bought a bag of 1000 and have hardly used half of it.