I'm looking for a tripod that can handle salt water for seascapes. I noticed that Leophoto is coming out with one sometime in 2021 designed for salt water but is there already one on the market where you can add spiked feet and can easily clean after use?
I've got a current model Gitzo Mountaineer that has nicely sealed leg locks. I've used it in both fresh and salt water without problems. However...
Even with a tripod that's somehow certified to be properly water sealed, I'd still disassemble the legs and wash and dry everything regularly. No problems with any of my tripods after decades of use.
I'm sure someone will suggest RRS tripods because their aluminum spiders are more corrosion resistant than Gitzo's coated alloy ones, but I'd still follow "clean it after use" protocol. With what a good tripod costs, a bit of cleaning is worthwhile.
I assumed any of them would have to be cleaned. The Leophoto one is supposed to have things to help the water flow around the legs easier. Don't know how important that is but I need a new tripod and I'm deciding on if it's worth waiting for the new tripod or if there is one already out there that will handle salt water with a reasonable amount of cleaning. I usually clean mine after every use in the ocean anyway.
I learned a valuable lesson the last time I shot in the ocean. After the shoot, I carried my Gitzo over my shoulder as I walked back to the hotel. I must have been changing my grip, but I let the apex drop below the legs. Then all this seawater rushed out and splashed onto the underside of the apex. I didn't think anything of it at the time. I disassembled the legs like I always do after every ocean shoot. After returning home, I found that the button used to release the systematic plate from the apex was stuck. Well, it was all frosty looking and corroded and took some elbow grease to buff it all out.
No matter the tripod, always rinse it off. If possible, rinse it off before retracting any leg section that has sand on it. Clean the sand off the leg collars if you have time. Don't carry it upside down. Maybe even unscrew the feet to drain the water before walking away.
cleaning and diluting (saltwater) is for both the best and only way to increase longevity an any reasonably good tripod.
the big difference between RRS and Gitzo are the materials use.
Gitzo- Mg alloy with a overcoat of special paint to protect the alloy from exposure to corrosive (salty) environment and its aggressive nature. paint can be problematic and porous allowing for filiform corrosion. all secondary elements are also made of materials for corrosion resistance and longevity
RRS- all alloy parts are 6061 T6 hard anodized alloy. much more resistant to same exposure but can still corrode but considerably slower pace. can technically be repaired. all secondary elements are also made of materials for corrosion resistance and longevity
boat hulls are made from Aluminum alloy. you don't do that with Mg.
If you’re feeling especially wealthy, you could try to track down one of those fancy Ocean Traveller Gitzos with the stainless hardware and the special leg locks. I don’t think they are available new any more, but fleabay may be your friend here.
ksmmike wrote:
The Leophoto one is supposed to have things to help the water flow around the legs easier.
My Gitzo Mountaineer 3542L has 0-ring seals on each leg lock that are supposed to keep water and dust out, but I don't know if they're guaranteed to be totally water/dust proof. I haven't noticed water on the legs when disassembling after intermittent immersion during the day.
BTW: One reason I bought the Mountaineer is that its center column is easily removed/replaced without tools or hassle.
This warranty does not cover any defects or costs caused by:
- misuse and subsequent damage. Misuse is defined by, but not limited to, the cases described here below, in the additional documentation and in the instruction manual included with the product;
its a big hole
after lawyering up you get this. tell me what's wrong here:
Gitzo products in the US are covered by a Standard Limited Warranty six (6) months from date of purchase and are eligible for a free Standard Limited Warranty Extension, upon online product registration, for an additional nine (9) years, six (6)months - thus up to a total coverage of seven (7) years from date of purchase.
I haven't tried them yet because I believe they must have standard rubber feet on the tripod. Leg spikes or rock claws I would think would poke through the bottom ruining them. They may be worth a look since their pretty inexpensive. I use either rock claws or leg spikes so I can anchor the tripod in the sand or gravel.
I shoot with an FLM CP38L II and clean it after every outdoor use. Easy to disassemble and reassemble. I agree fully with Melancolia about carrying the tripod upright until any water can be drained and not collapsing the legs until all sand can be rinsed off. I carry a jug of water in my rig specifically for rinsing in fresh water after salt water use.
-Chris
I don't think I would trust any tripod to be just fine with saltwater. Plus, it would be expensive enough that I would want to baby it a little. No matter what you get, you will have to rinse and clean after using in saltwater. Make sure you understand the leg locks and disassembly. Some leg locks have very simple mechanisms with few parts (good) and others have complicated arrangements of multiple parts (bad). Make sure to take some white lithium grease in your kit to re-lube the legs. FYI, salt water can get inside the tubes and mildew so make sure your rinse out the insides too if water gets in there.
cseelye wrote:
I shoot with an FLM CP38L II and clean it after every outdoor use. Easy to disassemble and reassemble. I agree fully with Melancolia about carrying the tripod upright until any water can be drained and not collapsing the legs until all sand can be rinsed off. I carry a jug of water in my rig specifically for rinsing in fresh water after salt water use.
-Chris
Thanks Chris,
That particular FLM was on my list of ones to consider. Where I generally photo in the ocean, there is a shower near by. Generally, I wash my tripod in there then leave the legs out as much as possible until I get home and give it another wash, but the jug of water is a good idea.
remember that the term "waterproof" does not mean it will live a long and prosperous life in a corrosive ocean environment. maintenance is key. those "o" rings will need to be changed out at an accelerated rate. and then there's stripping down and cleaning out. though not often my legsets have spent a a bit of time in hotel tubs submerged in pieces along the way.
in the end mother nature will win. it is an inevitable fact if you are going to do it constantly.
what Mr. Court has shown is a reasonable option that leans towards the sacrificial over time. but the price is more palatable
oh i still have my Bogan/Manfrotto 3021 complete with plastic adjustment clip on wrench for the leg locks.
I've had older Slik and Bogen tripods. AFAIK both have aluminum legs. Haven't had a real problem. I want the water in the legs or they float and aren't stable. Use the showers and rinse them off like fishing poles and yourself. Neither was an expensive tripod, I did live near the ocean for awhile but I don't remember how often I took it out. Maybe it could be However I don't really think it should be a problem?
I bought a Gitzo Systematic tripod GT3531S years ago. I put I into salt water in Alaska 5 years ago, and took down the leg bushes, gave it a wash, and still perfect.
Just check you don't lose all the little bits inside.
The RRS carbon fibre tripods are reputed to have significantly better sealing, but I don't regard this as very important. Unless it is a submarine, salt water will get in and it will still need to be washed. IMHO. Thinking about it, submarines let salt water in too.
Get a carbon fibre tripod you like and use it as you see fit, and maintain it as carefully as you see fit. (All IMHO!)
Iain
