Using tripods at stations in London, where is it safe and allowed?

[enphyte]

The thread title is the question I have essentially.
Now of course I am aware that at busier stations tripods aren't really allowed, particularly in London, so I know not to use them in those stations (atleast not without permission!). I am also well aware of the rules regarding using them at stations.

My main point of question is regarding the use of tripods at stations and whether it is safe and allowed to do so.
For example, if I was to use a tripod at South Kenton, Peckham Rye, and other similarly sized stations (& some semi-major stations like Watford Jct), would that be allowed / should I ask for permission from station staff? It looks like in Boogies's videos he uses a tripod at the stations he visits, so wanted to see if I could do the same.
Would it also be safe to use them aswell? When I've brought it up to my parents, they've been worried about someone going up and snatching the camera if it was on a tripod rather than me holding it with a strap. Should I avoid using a tripod at certain stations for my own safety?

I mainly ask as I would like to use a tripod for my trainspotting videos, as the stabilisation on my camera (Sony ZV-E10) isn't the best in the world (I am practicing using handheld) and a tripod would help me massively.
Any advice for handheld usage would be welcome aswell if using a tripod isn't realistic (atleast within London).

Thanks for any and all help, I'm still learning the techniques and unwritten rules of train spotting.

 

[sad1e]

From my experience staff at smaller station's such as bushey don't really mind the use of tripod as long as you aren't being obnoxious with them, But I wouldn't want to try it out at busy stations such as Clapham junction, I've seen staff get very annoyed at people using tripods there.

 

[gazthomas]

Network Railways guidance for stations it manages states:

• Tripods should be avoided where possible. If you need to use a tripod you must speak to our station staff to ensure you are in a safe area.

 

[enphyte]

Awesome, thanks for the advice! Hope to be able to use when I'm out trainspotting next time, where ever that may be

 

[Class15]

My experience of Overground stations is that it depends which station. I don’t know about tripods, as I don’t use one, but I find the staff at, for example, Upper Holloway much more accommodating to trainspotters than at, for example, Camden Road.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

South Kenton is currently unstaffed so, unless you seriously annoy drivers to the extent they call it in, you are unlikely to be challenged.

 

[DarloRich]

may I ask: Why would a tripod be necessary?

I have never felt the need to use one taking pictures of trains

 

[Peter Mugridge]

He's talking about image stabilisation, so I assume he is making videos?

 

[DarloRich]

He's talking about image stabilisation, so I assume he is making videos?

I just do it free hand - not worth the trouble carting all that gear about. In fact I have never used a tripod for anything!

( and my hands are not steady but modern software on cameras is easily able to compensate for it)

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I just do it free hand - not worth the trouble carting all that gear about. In fact I have never used a tripod for anything!

( and my hands are not steady but modern software on cameras is easily able to compensate for it)

Same here - if you look at my YouTube channel, everything I've filmed with the exception of the eclipse of the moon a few years ago has been hand held... including that long continuous bit of the fireworks display when QE2 sailed on her final voyage...

 

[AM9]

The thread title is the question I have essentially.
Now of course I am aware that at busier stations tripods aren't really allowed, particularly in London, so I know not to use them in those stations (atleast not without permission!). I am also well aware of the rules regarding using them at stations.

My main point of question is regarding the use of tripods at stations and whether it is safe and allowed to do so.
For example, if I was to use a tripod at South Kenton, Peckham Rye, and other similarly sized stations (& some semi-major stations like Watford Jct), would that be allowed / should I ask for permission from station staff? It looks like in Boogies's videos he uses a tripod at the stations he visits, so wanted to see if I could do the same.
Would it also be safe to use them aswell? When I've brought it up to my parents, they've been worried about someone going up and snatching the camera if it was on a tripod rather than me holding it with a strap. Should I avoid using a tripod at certain stations for my own safety?

I mainly ask as I would like to use a tripod for my trainspotting videos, as the stabilisation on my camera (Sony ZV-E10) isn't the best in the world (I am practicing using handheld) and a tripod would help me massively.
Any advice for handheld usage would be welcome aswell if using a tripod isn't realistic (atleast within London).

Thanks for any and all help, I'm still learning the techniques and unwritten rules of train spotting.

Have you tried a monopod? I used them for years where space was limited, (although not in UK stations). they don't present a trip hazard and overall occupy no more space that a person hand-holding a camera. For video, a tilting head is useful, allowing you to vertically align the camera rather than standing astride it or stretch it out in front, (which is a trip hazard). For light work, see Ebay, there are plenty of Chines copies of established makes that are suitable. Hope that helps.

 

[Class15]

I just do it free hand - not worth the trouble carting all that gear about. In fact I have never used a tripod for anything!

( and my hands are not steady but modern software on cameras is easily able to compensate for it)

Agreed! As long as I hold my hand still it’s all good!

 

[DarloRich]

Same here - if you look at my YouTube channel, everything I've filmed with the exception of the eclipse of the moon a few years ago has been hand held... including that long continuous bit of the fireworks display when QE2 sailed on her final voyage...

actually - I lied - I used a monopod to film some wildlife. It was quite helpful if only to lean on

 

[pokemonsuper9]

In some cases I can find fences or other structures to lean/stabilise my phone against.
Obviously very dependent on where/what is aimed to be recorded.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Would it also be safe to use them aswell? When I've brought it up to my parents, they've been worried about someone going up and snatching the camera if it was on a tripod rather than me holding it with a strap. Should I avoid using a tripod at certain stations for my own safety?

That is sensible advice. At some lesser used stations in not very nice areas flaunting expensive electronic equipment isn't a good idea.

Don't be paranoid but also don't get too caught up in what you are doing that you are not aware of what is going on around you and whether someone appears to be taking an unnatural interest in what you are doing.

 

[trainmania100]

Do cameras not come with in built stabilisation? I can't remember the last time ive used a tripod, my phone stabilization is fantastic.

 

[D1511]

Do cameras not come with in built stabilisation? I can't remember the last time ive used a tripod, my phone stabilization is fantastic.

Lenses do, but a Canon RF mid range zoom lens with 3rd gen IS is a cool £2000+.

I was going to go with @AM9 's suggestion and suggest a monopod. I have a proper Manfrotto CF tripod, but I also got myself one of those Chinese aluminium monopod jobs (a Sirui) from Amazon and it really is very good.
Station staff don't like tripods for the platform space their footprint occupies and the potential trip hazard the angled legs present......so a monopod doesn't press their buttons at all....... but it will provide a very stable shooting platform for you.

 

[enphyte]

Hey all, I've went trainspotting yesterday so was unable to read your replies until now!

may I ask: Why would a tripod be necessary?

I do a mixture of filming videos and taking photos of trains. While not needed in every case and scenario, for some shots and stations I figure it may be easier to film with a tripod (particularly if I'm filming a train from a distance, I find it hard to keep my hands stable enough for a good shot). I've got pretty good at handheld so far, still need to iron some parts out, but being able to use handheld and a tripod (where best suited) would be great for me.

Have you tried a monopod?

I have never heard of a monopod before! Shows how new I am to this whole thing, haha.
I shall look into one.

In some cases I can find fences or other structures to lean/stabilise my phone against.
Obviously very dependent on where/what is aimed to be recorded.

Where I can I'll give this a try too. When I was on the West Somerset Railway last weekend (just need to edit my photos now), I used the table I sat beside for a good shot outside the window. Works pretty well!

That is sensible advice. At some lesser used stations in not very nice areas flaunting expensive electronic equipment isn't a good idea.

Don't be paranoid but also don't get too caught up in what you are doing that you are not aware of what is going on around you and whether someone appears to be taking an unnatural interest in what you are doing.

Indeed, my parents did give me some good advice there, one of the pieces of advice that I received from them was to have someone with me whilst trainspotting using the tripod. Presumably to have a second pair of eyes watching to be safe, so I'll keep all that in mind.

Do cameras not come with in built stabilisation?

My camera, the Sony ZV-E10 does come with video stabilisation, however the Active stabilisation crops the footage and (in my experience) doesn't do much considering how heavily it crops the footage. I am currently using the in-built OSS stabilisation that is part of the Sony lense that comes with the camera, however it doesn't make the video completely smooth and a lot of manual stabilisation whilst handheld is needed. Still figuring out the various parts of the camera, largely through my own use alongside some videos on YouTube that go through some settings, but overall it is a good camera.
Of course the best stabilisation is that of the person filming, so I can hope with time & experience I can make my footage more stable

Again thanks everyone for the sound advice and tips, I'll definitely be looking into a monopod. I have some good footage from my day yesterday, so I hope to share these with everyone soon.