tripod?

[Yogi GunKanobee]

I’ve just bought a spotting scope, it’s nowhere near top of the range, but I only really wanted it for 100 and 200 yards. It’s a Barr and Stroud 20-60x80.

I tried it on the tripod that we used for our little digital camera, and being quite a bit heavier than a small digital camera, it’s more wobbly than a very wobbly thing. I have no idea about tripods, except they usually have three legs, so can anyone recommend a tripod that is cheaper than the scope, can be used while shooting prone or on a table top, and won’t wobble about too much?

[Steve E]

For shooting prone a tripod is next to useless. You need a dedicated scope stand like a Ewing (who may be out of business now) or get an old Tucker stand and have an adaptor made to fit the scope to the stand. Several companies in the USA (Sinclair, Big Blue, Creedmoor, Ray Vin etc) make scope stands but none of them are cheap. When you could get a Ewing stand they were close to £200 but they really are the best around.

[Demonic69]

£200 for a Mic stand with an adapter! Crikey, manufacturers must love that some shooters will pay over the odds for anything ;-)
What about a Mic stand with an adapter, I could sort you one out for £150 ;-)

I don't read my own signature!

[billgatese30]

Never tried them for a spotting scope but have seen them used on large DSLR camera setups without issue.

http://joby.com/gorillapod

[DW58]

Never tried them for a spotting scope but have seen them used on large DSLR camera setups without issue.

http://joby.com/gorillapod

I have one of the above - I'd recommend either the "SLR-Zoom" or "Focus" which will support my Canon EOS Canon EOS 7D plus 100-400L zoom, thus should easily support a spotting scope - I certainly hope so as I plan on using mine for the same purpose.

[billgatese30]

The SLR zoom is loads cheaper than the focus so if the former supports a 7D and a 100-400L at full extension then it should handle a 1.5-2kg scope no problem.

[Steve E]

Never tried them for a spotting scope but have seen them used on large DSLR camera setups without issue.

http://joby.com/gorillapod

Absolutely useless for mounting a decent scope on when shooting in the prone position.
You need a stand with a large area footprint to be stable.

[billgatese30]

Depends on the definition of large. Some of these have 300mm or so long legs. When set low that's quite a wide foot print versus some stands I have seen TR shooters use which are 200-250mm if they are lucky.

[DW58]

Never tried them for a spotting scope but have seen them used on large DSLR camera setups without issue.

http://joby.com/gorillapod

Absolutely useless for mounting a decent scope on when shooting in the prone position.
You need a stand with a large area footprint to be stable.

The Gorillapod I have has very sturdy legs around 25-30cm in length and 2.5cm across each segment. It will easily adjust to a large enough footprint - I can only assume you have seen the very small versions.

[Yogi GunKanobee]

The Gorillapods look to me like they would do the job. Would you need one with the ball head, or could the scope screw directly onto it?