Tripod broke in a muddy rice paddy in Bali

I was set up near Ubud shooting the sunset over the terraces. Perfect light, perfect angle. Then my cheap tripod just snapped at the leg joint. Camera went straight into the mud. Water and dirt everywhere. I spent 20 minutes cleaning it with a wet wipe and a shirt. Luckily the lens cap was on. Now I carry a mini travel tripod from a brand I actually trust. Anyone else had gear fail at the worst possible moment?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessica_ross3819d ago

Totally agree @jamesm48, my old tripod collapsed right into a waterfall in Costa Rica.

taylor.amy14d ago

Yeah @jamesm48, that's the gear nightmare right there?

jamesm4819d ago

Toss that cheap plastic junk in the trash where it belongs. I've seen too many photographers learn this lesson the hard way when their gear fails in the middle of nowhere. Mud and water are brutal on electronics, you got lucky the lens cap was on. A solid tripod is worth the money because it keeps your camera safe and stable. Get something with metal legs and proper locks, it'll last years instead of one trip. Spend the cash upfront so you don't have to dig your camera out of a rice paddy again.