I have found the best solution to be handlebar tape for bicycles. I have been an avid cyclist for 25+ years and use Cinelli Cork Gel bar tape. It is extremely durable (and weather resistant), very comfortable and not as bulky and messy as pipe insulation/duct tape.
I have used it for years with various tripods. I just wrapped two of my GT3532LS legs a couple of months ago. I bought the LegCoats to try them out and wish I hadn't...$40 wasted.
This is where I buy my bike stuff but you can find the stuff in most decent bike shops around the globe. You can have your choice of colours!
One side of it has adhesive to make the process easier but it's a good idea to 'stretch' it a little as you are putting it on. I finish off the ends with a little electrical tape. I can share a photo if you like...
I actually find it to be more comfortable than the LegCoats I bought, you would be surprised how much padding the 1/8th of cork and the additional gel provides. Mind you, I only carry my tripod on my shoulder for no more than five kilometers, anything longer and I just strap it to my backpack.
actually was going to look into them a photo plus last October but got caught up in about 5 other things and completely forgot about them. thanks for reminding me for this fall.
neilvan wrote:
I actually find it to be more comfortable than the LegCoats I bought, you would be surprised how much padding the 1/8th of cork and the additional gel provides. Mind you, I only carry my tripod on my shoulder for no more than five kilometers, anything longer and I just strap it to my backpack.
is that 5km with camera and long lens or just the tripod itself?
sjms wrote:
yes it does stay in place if the user knows how to do it right. evidently I do.
I found that carrying a larger tripod over my shoulder with telephoto and camera attached caused the foam to creep over time. It's durability has little to do with your brilliant ability to follow installation directions; it has more to do with the materials being used not being able to withstand load and stresses over time.
oh I never said anything about following instructions now. I did find their method pretty much inadequate for long term use. being that I work in an industry that deals with stresses both immediate and over time I have managed to get them to both stay in place and be reasonably easy to remove both immediate and over time. and the foam itself holds up real well with the covers on once applied properly.
My Lenscoat Wraps arrived and I am starting to wonder if I got the right set. It appears to be 2-3" short or is it really meant to be this way. I got the LegCoat® Wraps 510 Black (set of 3) spec'd by Lenscoat.com for the GT5541LS.
I would call them and ask about this. I have the legcoat wrap for my tvc-34L, and as you can see, the entire leg section, except for 1.5 inches, is covered. This is the wrap 514 for TVC-34L. Next to that is a 5541LS for comparison. It has a shorter leg section, so there probably is a size of wrap that covers all or most of the leg section.
I emailed lenscoat but my problem is these were bought on my behalf by a friend at the retail shop of BH Photo last week. I just asked him to buy the set for me because I am currently in the Philippines.
I also bought another LegCoat Wraps 310 Black (set of 3) for my GT3541LS but I fear that this problem would still persist. What is worse is that my tripod legs are located a good 350 miles away from me so I have no way of testing.
mitesh perhaps I should've gone with the 514 that you have instead of the 510 that was recommended but I chose the wraps based on the recommendation of BH and Legscoat. No need to apologize. I also used an iPhone to take a photo of my Legcoat.
