Gadgets To Make Milky Way Photography Easier 

Enjoyed watching you video, as always

I can’t tell you how glad I am to have found this channel. I haven’t light painted in more than 20 years and my inspiration is back! I’m gearing up to go back out ASAP. I used to do single exposures on film with shots that could take 6 or more hours to create, so tripod movement was the enemy. I used to use a pet screw (large screw used to hold a dog leash in the yard) I would screw it into the ground right under the tripod and then connect it to a ring on the bottom of the center column using a small ratchet strap That setup was ROCK SOLID. It worked on sand, grass, and a lot of different kinds of dirt. I really like your leg brackets for rocky terrain! Thanks for all of these videos. I’m so inspired.

Another fantastic video Richard, and you are so right we all enjoy that ' chase ' that is what keeps us going...

SO many handy ideas here Richard, thanks for sharing mate. Your right, it's not all about the photography, there are things that make the experience better which in turn will positively impact your photography. 👍

Food for thought, thanks for your hard work , will have to look through all my old accessories to repurpose. 👍

Top tips Richard. Thanks. As a pastie lover, I must say that finding a bakery that makes them is a real challenge! Cheers

Fantastic idea for the jetboil Richard👏🏻👏🏻

Well for every problem there's a solution , pasty have not had or seen one for years. Great video thanks

Richard, you are the MacGyver of photography. 🙂

Your enthusiasm is contagious 😀♥️

You have some ideas that I never knew I needed! Maybe not for the same use but for some of the random ways I shoot too. Keep them coming man!

What a great idea and so simple hack. well done richard.

Very nice a lot of simple gadget for make a great one..nice video as always.

Great tips. Always learning.

Good tips Richard, as you say, they all help for a better outcome. 👍😊

Awesome tips on all the things you have made or modified to do what needs to be done! I really like the clamps and bracket ! I always learn so much from your videos ! Keep up the great work!

I must have missed this video when I was moving house!! Glad I found it now, as there are some great tips in here. I will definitely be investing in the rock bag!! Thanks as always for the great content.

Awesome video with brilliant ideas. Thanks Richard. Always a pleasure 👏

Another great informative video Richard

Thought I am not so much into jetboils…. I still gave it a thumbs up 👍

Some great ideas Richard. Your clamp and plate you could also hammer a tent peg into the plate if your on softer ground 😁

Good video Richard If you have nicer soil you could use some big tent pegs

You're 100% right mate. A lot of the things I've purchased for my photography have nothing to do with photography but it might be something that excites me and motivates me to go out next time. It might be something as silly as a beanie that I want to wear next time I go, etc. Love your work

5:48 YES YES YES! And that's what makes you a great landscape astrophotographer, Richard! Thank you wholeheartedly for this amazing video as usual. Your videos are nothing but entertaining, educational, adventurous, and full of knowledge and art!

Buschtrack, that nice road is better than my road to work, haha😁

Video chock full of good info. Thanks Richard. Keep safe mate.

Thanks for the simple hacks Richard 👍

You need to be sponsored by the reject shop and manfrotto lol another good video Richard

Tips & tricks from Mr. Richard. Interesting ideas and solutions. Thanks for sharing 😊.

Love my baby tripod, perfect for sitting on a table or anything flat. I mostly use it with my phone with a bluetooth shutter release. They are the perfect gadget for the kit.

Very good and interesting tips ! Lots of great idea in you, my friend! Creativity is the thing again ! 😘😘

Креатив не только в фотографии! Вы очень умный человек!!! Спасибо за лайфхаки!!! Очень познавательно !!!

Richard, these ideas are fantastic!! As you were describing the clamp and brackets to secure your tripod at the bottom of the tripod leg, I thought this would be a great solution for securing a light stand when outdoors in the wind. Sometimes a sandbag works, but they are big and bulky! In some cases, you could just a tent stake on your bracket to secure the leg to the ground!! GREAT ideas and good food for thought!! Love the 1% ideas -- they do make a difference! Thanks, for the video!!

Thanks for sharing Richard, I think we are from the same mold, my wife commented that "he sounds just like you", as I am always devising some little tool or gadget for something or other, lol!

Cool hacks Richard, I’ll pinch a couple of those ideas and adopt them :)

I love building/modifying stuff! Those Smalrig clamps are so handy. Bought mine with little arms with 1/4 screws on both ends, for say mounting a monitor. I jusordered 3 more. DIY or die...just thought that, I know lame The tripod hammock is a must have. I put my gear bag,, or a power battery on it and do..dads I need Handy.

Thanks again

When you got your pasty, I was wondering where your rum ball was? Lol. Great ideas, love the clamp idea. Don't you also use your small tripods for lighting as well. I never get time to prepare hot food or drinks when out, I just use a flask if I get chance.. Thanks for all the great ideas and your cheerful and enthusiasm in delivering it, it makes me smile.

Very clear hacks Richard! Loved the idea of using the detachable hanging bag in the middle of the tripod to weigh it down and of course, the leg clamps. 👏🏽

Thanks for another superb video/tutorial. Always interesting, always informative.

Ingenious!

Awesome tips, thank you!

Love that bush track, so relaxing. I'm looking at buying a couple of those cheap small tripods to mount mini light panels for lighting a scene inside and out. Thanks

I use spikes on my tripod legs. And then a ground screw in the middle of the tripod legs as an anchor and just tie the tripod down with a rope. Works every time.

Nice one Richard we do what is needed to get the job done, until i get around to buying a lens warmer i use 2 pieces of a cut sock like a sleeve over the lens and place a hand warmer between the 2 🤣

Great video Richard! I love those mini tripods, I have the Neewer branded version. Absolutely gold for slider work. Also mustn't forget your wheels. I'm very jealous of your Subaru, so much more practical for nights out than a ute 🙂.

Hey rich, just a little tip for keeping your tripod solid and take away the worry of it blowing over... I use a tent peg and guy rope to secure it and it works great! The other thing I've used when I'm conscious of space is a one of those screw in the ground anchors that you put your dog lead onto! That way you can secure the tripod with the guy rope directly down and no trip hazard

Nice one, great tips!

Great video!

Hey Richard, I don't like videos like this... they make me spend money ! 😃 actually you have some fantastic tips and hacks. Love the videos! Greg

I can see a patent coming with the tripod leg additional stabilizers makes a lot of sense , thanks again , yes I do like the slik mini tripods have two of them , may look cheap but your right they have enough movement to get a level and are well made considering price

My Manfrotto addiction went from the studio hex, to the RC4, to the RC2. I'm currently using the Hex on my SkyguiderPro on my old mega Manfrotto studio tripod... Thanks for reminding me not all plates need to be trashed, Manfrotto quick release plates are sweet!

Awesome gadgets Richard. Definitely helps make life easier. I have to get myself one of those cradles under the tripod for knick knacks while shooting. Great video mate 👍🙏

You are encouraging people to stand on the edge of cliffs

Great video as always Richard , pity that office works no longer sell the Silk tripods but other sellers have them thankyou once again

Hi Richard, great video as always, I think you are rapidly becoming the MacGuiver of Astro photography. Must admit there have been a few occasions recently where I have found myself thinking, how would Richard solve this problem 😂. Thanks again.

Great tips and hacks there Richard. Love the tripod leg clamp idea.They could also be pegged down with tent pegs where the ground permitted.I've always had small tripods for low shots or for setting up on tables or flat rocks and the like.I also use them a lot for macro photography.I have two that are a bit sturdier for DSLRs and a gorilla pod for mounting GoPros to trees,rails or poles.I simply couldn't do without them. I have also changed everything I can to Manfrotto quick release plates so I never have to be changing mounts just because I've swapped to a different tripod or camera. It makes a good universal system to make everything a lot quicker and easier.

Looks like i need to send you some more freeze dried meals.

Richard, haven't read all of the comments, but if the ground will accept them, try driving spikes into the ground through the holes of the leg stabilizers. No need to look for a rock or anything else heavy.

Great ideas! I need to find those ball heads as like you I started with Manfrotto 25 years ago and I now have things that require ball heads that I have to switch the plates. My star tracker’s, My PlatyPod, and my Slik tripod that was my first tripod. I use it for the star tracker. Also like your idea with the stove adaptation and the small tripods. The clamp idea would be a great addition for me especially during winter as I could turn them up and push them into the snow and ice to help hold my tripod. Thank you for sharing these ideas. Not sure if your a good or bad influence Richard🤣

I'm always picking up something new when I watch your videos. I remember you mentioning the leg clamps in your last video and I wondered, "Hmmm, what was that?" But then I forgot to ask! I'm glad you showed us. Did you get the clamps through a photo/video store? I don't think I have seen those in a hardware store.

Great tips! How about glow in the dark tape on tripod legs so you can find the gear later at night after returning to it after a time lapse shoot! I’ve misplaced gear among badlands formations. Cheers!

A really interesting topic this week ! At the beginning my heart skipped abump when I thought I spotted a big snake, but it turned out to be only a stick! On the subject of gadgets to help, do you have an app to find all those backeries out in the wilds ? Some great ideas mentioned. My suggestion : spiritevel - I use an app on my phone, I always have this nearby.

Hi Richard, love your videos! Please send me a link to the lens warmer you are using. Its freezing cold in Norway now, and the iPad I use for drone flying need some heating also 🤗

To avoid bumping the tripod legs my hanging camera bag touches the ground. On dirty damp ground I replace it with water filled OJ bottles, 3kg each. Many places I shot time-lapse without any rocks on site.

Ha, tripod on it's side, been there, done that, and 24-105 lens destoyed. No not wind, a cow took interest in it. Oh well....

Opps i meant Slik tripods lol

An old frypan with a ballhead screwed into it is lower and more stable than a slik tabletop tripod...🦘