Spiked feet OR Rubber Feet

[Sean Hearder]

I have a Benro tripod that I use. Fact is I have had other tripods too in the past.

The reason for this thread is: i got a set of spikes, with the tripod, for the legs which i can use if i screw the rubber feet off and screw these in. But WHY?

On other tripods i have/had the spikes were incorporated and you simply screw the rubber feet in and the spike protrudes out the bottom. I have always left it on the rubber feet whether inside or outside.

Do you use the spikes? Why would you need to? Typically the rubber feet would work anywhere? No?

Just interested

Thanks.

[peterah]

I mostly use the rubber feet on my tripod. The only 2 times when I screwed the rubber in to get the spikes sticking out was once when using it in the Umngeni River in slippery mud, and the second time in icy conditions in the Berg - the spikes gave me better grip than the rubber which slipped.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

just if you need it to stand still on slippery places... NOT GOOD for wooden floors...

[Sean Hearder]

just if you need it to stand still on slippery places... NOT GOOD for wooden floors...

LOL yeah i will stay away from wooden floors - thanks

[Sean Hearder]

I mostly use the rubber feet on my tripod. The only 2 times when I screwed the rubber in to get the spikes sticking out was once when using it in the Umngeni River in slippery mud, and the second time in icy conditions in the Berg - the spikes gave me better grip than the rubber which slipped.

AH thanks Peter - So i guess I am then not doing something "wrong". Seemed like a stupid question but i guess any question I ask improves my knowledge

[Terry J]

just if you need it to stand still on slippery places... NOT GOOD for wooden floors...

Sean I agree that the spiked feet are not so good on some wooden floors, for instance on a Rhodesian teak parquet floor the tripod will slide around, same with Burmese teak. The spikes will work very well on a Yellow wood floor even if it is highly polished, ust give each leg a good push downwards the feet will dig inresulting in a very stable tripod.
Seriously I have never found need for spiked feet as the rubber ones have always worked well enough for me.
I have often toyed with the idea of modifiying one of my tripods to take flat disks of about 75mm dia for sandy areas. Will most probaly try it when I get my hands on some flat aluminium stock.

[Peter Veitch]

I have often toyed with the idea of modifiying one of my tripods to take flat disks of about 75mm dia for sandy areas. Will most probaly try it when I get my hands on some flat aluminium stock.

Three paving bricks in your camera bag will work equally well!

[Jaco de Klerk]

Can't recall that I've used spikes.. rubber does a good job.

I have often toyed with the idea of modifiying one of my tripods to take flat disks of about 75mm dia for sandy areas. Will most probaly try it when I get my hands on some flat aluminium stock.

I spent 4 and a bit years in the Middle East - eventually got a big Gitzo rubber disk for my monopod - http://www.gitzo.com/big-foot
But to be honest, the boer-maak-'n-plan alternative works just as well.. just cut a 3cm cross in a tennis ball..

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

...
But to be honest, the boer-maak-'n-plan alternative works just as well.. just cut a 3cm cross in a tennis ball..

hahaha... that IS a good plan!

[Leo Theron]

So…

…. But to be honest, the boer-maak-'n-plan alternative works just as well.. just cut a 3cm cross in a tennis ball..

You must have balls to do that!

[JandeBeer]

So…

You must have balls to do that!

Of the tennis type that is ...