Tripod leg cords?

[John Powers]

Instead of sailor hardware a simple sailor knot would allow adjustment and eliminate yet another small part to break or disappear.

John

[Jim Grimes]

I just picked up several of the "footloops" from Richard Ritter yesterday at the workshop. I already had 10' of 1/4" nylon cord. I was going to put thje setup on my Ries, but in reevaluating the tripod construction, it really isn't necessary. The Ries had a reliable locking mechanism at the top that will keep the legs from splaying. It is a great idea though for any tripod in which there is a chance of the legs moving from under the camera.

James

[Turner Reich]

I bought a Berlebach and it has the metal loops on each leg for a cord or chain but none came with it. The Berlebach has the anti-splaying head mechanics too so I don't need the cord connection. It could be used to put a bag on I guess. I can see why the older tripods had such a thing. The legs were attached by a simple hinge and nothing to keep them from spreading out.

[Bruce Barlow]

Years ago I photographed with Anthony Guidice of Fine Art Photo Supply, who had just written a newsletter bashing the tripod cord. Then he saw mw use it to stabilize my tripod legs on perilous rocks, and hang my darkcloth so it wouldn't become a sail. "Wow!" He said, "That's fantastic!" He was then sternly lectured about being an armchair photographer who wrote nonsense without first trying it.

Yup, it's mostly a clothesline for my darkcloth, but I'd hate to guess how many times it's saved my camera in a stiff breeze.

Check EMS for cord locks. The cord's cheap and easy to apply, and is wholly wonderful. Almost as good as the carpenter's apron...