Creative Ideas for Tripod Alternative?
 

My wife and I will be traveling to Italy tomorrow. During this trip, I will be filming a video tour for one of the hotels we are staying at. The smallest tripod I have is a Manfrotto 190xprob with a 501HDV head, which is too large to bring on the flight (aka too large to fit in the small bags we're bringing). Does anyone have any ideas for someone I could use once I get there to balance my shot? I'm shooting with a Canon T2i, not exactly the steadiest of cameras...

A monopod like the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/487699-REG/Manfrotto_562B_562B_Four_Section_Fluid_Video.html is the obvious choice.

Michael, I understand your dilemma but wouldn't dream of trying to make the sort of programme you're proposing without a tripod.

Why not rent one when you arrive? Alternatively, buy a secondhand one locally and sell it just before you leave - or even buy a new one and negotiate a buy-back as part of the deal subject to condition?

Incidentally why does the tripod substitute need to fit in your small bags? That Manfrotto 190XPROB is a very lightweight tripod & even with a 501DV head is much smaller & lighter than the sort of sports equipment sports equipment like golf clubs, a bicycle or skis that people people fly with all the time. It should fit in carry-on luggage & even if it didn't then wrap it bubble wrap & stick it in a small tote bag & put it in the hold.

I have the Manfrotto 561b and absolutely love it !!!!!

But..... a tripod..... it isn't.

As was stated already, renting would be the best solution and IMO, worst case solution would be buy a new inexpensive tripod there and UPS it back here before you leave. You always could have a new one purchased ahead of time, and delivered to your hotel, as long as they are aware to receive a package for you.

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't packed yet, so I will definitely try fitting it in my large carry-on bag. That would be ideal, although I will check into rentals as well.
It is actually a barter job. Video tour in exchange for room upgrade to a Suite. Here's a side question - my wife is nervous about me doing a job out of the country. She's nervous about what the hotel could do if we get back to the States, edit the video, and they do not like it. Does anyone else feel like this is a risky barter?

Hotels upgrade rooms all the time. It doesn't actually cost them any real money unless the hotel is full & they had to turn away someone who would have paid full price for the suite.

What's the worst that they can do if they don't like the video? They cannot take another charge from your credit card (well they could but you would get the CC company to reverse the charge). Tell your wife not to worry. I am sure that they will love the video.

Michael, in my view you're between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand you sound as though you don't have a contract - if you do the terms of client satisfaction in that are your security. If you don't - well there's enough been said here over the years about doing jobs without a contract to trouble anybody in business.

Trouble is that most "advanced" societies have revenue authorities that take a dim view of barter since it removes their ability to tax you. You could well find yourself liable to pay tax on the value of your barter.

I think your wife's right. Far better to do the job for old fashioned lucre but it's probably too late now.

If you go down the monopod path, don't forget "the other leg" you can use ... by leaning against something solid such as a column or building. Handy for getting stabilisation in the most unlikely of places.

All the best.

Andrew

I wrote up a little blog about some alternatives here - HDSLR Rig Alternatives | CineTechnica

Andy

Yes. How did you get into this deal, do you know those hotel people, what are they going to use this for and do they understand video production?

In our early years with our company we did barter deals with travel companies it happens all the time.

So I'd be concerned about what level of production they expect and what you actually present.

A 15min show with stock music and fx costs way more than a hotel upgrade to a suite .. and you're only going to sleep in it.

You're probably reading this at the hotel by now so if you haven't settled into the suite I'd cancel it or you'll likely upset the hotel (and maybe the Mafia) and miss seeing Italy into the bargain.

Cheers.

Manfrotto is in Italy - maybe they are close enough to rent you a few! ;)