Hide Tripod

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Hi all,

Now I posted a little while back about a decent tripod I could get for under £100. I've been giving this some thought over the past few weeks and I now reckon i'd be best off getting something to use in a hide instead of a standard tripod as this is when I'd be using it most, plus i'm sure I could get a good quality hide clamp for under £100.

So my question is, which clamp would others recommend and what head?

Thanks

[John D]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

Hi all,

Now I posted a little while back about a decent tripod I could get for under £100. I've been giving this some thought over the past few weeks and I now reckon i'd be best off getting something to use in a hide instead of a standard tripod as this is when I'd be using it most, plus i'm sure I could get a good quality hide clamp for under £100.

So my question is, which clamp would others recommend and what head?

Thanks

Hi, I have an Opticron BC2 Hide Clamp which I use for my camera or scope.
£55 from Sherwoods-photo (see their web page). Excellent, well made with very secure head and quick release plate etc,
John D

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Thats excellent, that was one I was looking at

[Hobjob]

I bought a Cullman.

The clamp was rigid enough, the head not smooth enough, and clamp needed an extra block of wood for thinnish tables / elbowrests.

Many hides have the bech too close to the table / elbow rests for easy use of hide clamp.

I now use a manfrotto clamp on the main vertical pole of a manfrotto tripod that easily slides out of the tripod. I'd not be without the tripod, personally.

Rigidity and a smooth head makes all the difference.

[denisg]

Hello YB, same guy who used to post on OE by any chance?

Anyway, to answer your question, it depends on what you want to use it for but imho, there isn't a good one among them, sorry. Certainly, if you wish to use a camera and long lens I would absolutely stick with a tripod. If you must have a clamp then buy one that takes a tripod centre column and try to find a piece of tube that slides over it. Fit a screw lock to this tube and mount it as a brace between the hide floor and clamp. Hide shelves are rarely anywhere near vibration free in my experience and need all the help they can get.

If you want this for bin's or scope the Manfrotto one is very good. Best monopod or clap is a tripod! imho of course.

Denis.
Gallery

[Tormentil]

The Opticron BC2 Hide Clamp does take a tripod centre column. It comes with two sleeves for different column diameters.