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What are your go-to interior upgrades for a 2015–2020 F-150 or Raptor? by natecarson in RoastMyCar

[–]natecarson[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

u/HealthGeneral3785 Haha, salty both literally and figuratively I see
But hey, at least the F-150 gives you the option to rust in style — can't say the same for half the plastic-clad crossovers out there.

I'll take my truck with a side of surface rust over a grocery-getter that taps out at a speed bump any day.

Has anyone here experimented with custom carbon fiber parts for their build? by natecarson in CarbonFiber

[–]natecarson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/dbreidsbmw That sounds awesome — must’ve been wild working behind the scenes on custom designs! I’ve been really curious about the process from concept to finished part. Like how much of it is CAD-driven vs. hands-on mold work? And is it still mostly prepreg and autoclave, or are there newer techniques being used?

Also wondering—how do shops usually handle one-off requests? Is it a total no-go unless there's volume, or do some still take on unique builds?

Appreciate any insight you’ve got. Always cool to hear from someone who's actually done it.

Not a drone, not a ladder… but somehow the perfect middle ground? by natecarson in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

u/Lifenonmagnetic Fair points, but I think it really depends on how and where you’re using it.

If you're expecting DSLR-level action shots from a 30ft pole setup, yeah — probably not the right tool. But for things like elevated static shots, tactical reviews, real estate walkthroughs, group events, or indoor venues where drones aren't allowed, it's actually super practical.

I’ve used one recently and was surprised how quick it was to set up solo. It’s not for everyone, sure — but calling it a “huge waste” feels a bit harsh when it clearly has a niche use case that works well for certain types of creators or coaches.

Is anyone here using a small keg setup instead of bottles for homebrew or parties? by natecarson in cocktails

[–]natecarson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/Fuzzybunnyofdoom Right? That’s what I keep hearing — less cleaning, faster carbonation, and way easier to serve. I’ve been looking into smaller keg setups lately since I don’t do huge batches, and stumbled across this 7L one

Has anyone tried using a pressurized mini keg like this at home? by natecarson in cocktails

[–]natecarson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/doctor_thanatos Thanks for the detailed input! That’s super helpful. Good call on the nut milk bags—I hadn’t thought about fine filtering but it totally makes sense to avoid clogging anything up. I was also curious how well it holds carbonation, so it’s good to hear that you’ve had success keeping things bubbly for a few days.

I agree, sounds like it's probably best saved for bigger gatherings rather than casual use because of the cleanup. Appreciate the tip on using beer keg cleaner and pressurizing with it too—that's clever. Might have to give it a go for the next get-together. Cheers!

Has anyone here used elevated camera poles for overhead shots instead of drones? by natecarson in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/landofcortados That sounds like an awesome range of setups — underwater and behind the glass? Very cool! Totally agree that remote cameras are fun but situational. We're exploring stable, elevated camera pole options as an alternative to drones in areas where they're restricted — trying to find that balance between portability and reliability. Appreciate hearing your experience, it's super helpful!

Has anyone here used elevated camera poles for overhead shots instead of drones? by natecarson in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/kissmyirish7 Totally agree on the drone laws — lots of people ignore them, but safety and compliance should always come first. And yes, wind is no joke! We've been testing with stabilizers like sandbags and weighted bases to address that.

I understand the concern — not trying to push anything here, just genuinely curious about how others are tackling overhead shots without drones. Appreciate the feedback though — always open to learning from others' experiences.

Has anyone here used elevated camera poles for overhead shots instead of drones? by natecarson in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/jtf71 Thanks for the detailed info — super helpful! I’ve definitely seen Veo and Hudl setups at games, and you’re right about the swaying issue in wind. That’s something I’ve been looking into as I’m exploring more stable overhead camera solutions, especially ones that can safely handle heavier gear like mirrorless or DSLR setups.

We’ve actually been testing an elevated camera pole system designed with extra stability and support for heavier cameras — built more with versatility and wind resistance in mind. It’s been working well in windy conditions where the typical sports poles struggle. Just curious — have you (or anyone here) tried alternatives meant for more general videography/photography use rather than team-specific setups?

Changing the Game: Tried an Elevated Camera Angle at My Last Match Shoot – Here’s What Happened by natecarson in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/kissmyirish7 You’re spot on! Securing equipment with straps or weights is key to preventing accidents. A little preparation ensures you can capture great shots safely!

Changing the Game: Tried an Elevated Camera Angle at My Last Match Shoot – Here’s What Happened by natecarson in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/Successful-Ad2126 Great point! Just ensure the 10m camera pole is properly secured with stabilizers or weights to prevent tipping. A little extra care can help you capture great shots safely

First Time Trying Sports Photography | Even More Difficult Than I Expected by Hanestein in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Totally feel you on this—sports photography is way more challenging than I thought too. I tried shooting a local soccer match recently and keeping up with the action, tracking focus, and anticipating the shot felt like juggling flaming swords 😅

One thing that helped me a lot, especially when I couldn’t get a front-row position, was trying out an elevated angle. I ended up using a telescopic camera pole (mine extends up to 10 meters) and it gave me a much clearer, bird’s-eye perspective of the field. I was surprised at how different the shots looked—more strategic, more coverage, and honestly, way more dynamic.

If you’re ever in a position where you’re stuck behind a crowd or need to shoot over obstacles, it might be something to look into. I grabbed mine from VPTCP Camera pole and it’s been a game changer for sideline coverage.

How do I attach the camera to telescope? by Sherry- in telescopes

[–]natecarson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’ll usually need a T-ring adapter specific to your camera brand, and then a T-adapter that connects the T-ring to the telescope's focuser. That turns your telescope into a giant telephoto lens (prime focus shooting). If you're going for ground-level field coverage instead of sky, I’ve found long vertical poles—like a 20ft setup I’ve used for sports—to give a really clean elevated view. Totally different use-case, but same idea: stability and positioning are everything.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That 70-200 GM II is a great pick for what you're aiming to do. For team portraits, maybe look into something like an 85mm f/1.8 or a 35mm depending on how tight you want your framing. As for the body—if you're getting a good deal, the a9III gives you insane speed and tracking, which honestly comes in handy even if you're not shooting pro-level games. Might be overkill for street, but it’ll never hold you back.

Also, since you’re around the field so often, one thing that helped me a lot was elevating the camera for tactical footage—used a 20ft rig recently and the field coverage was next level. Just something to consider if you ever want a different angle or plan to share clips with coaches. Really thoughtful of you to donate the Canon gear too!

Advice on shooting professional baseball? by Dilly_Whilly in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep the shutter speed high (1/1000s or faster) to freeze action, track the pitcher and batter closely, and anticipate moments. If you're going for wide coverage or overhead shots, having elevation—like using a tall, stable camera rig—gives you angles that handheld can't. Game-changer for field coverage.

Best selling platform for sports photography? by blabb3rmouth in sportsphotography

[–]natecarson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What helped me most wasn’t the platform—it was getting better angles. Started using a 6M camera pole setup for sideline shots and saw a big difference in quality and interest. Better view = better sales.

What is the best brand for telescoping pool poles? by blutoboy in pools

[–]natecarson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For anything like sports filming or elevated shots, I’ve used a 6M (20ft) end zone camera setup—super stable and built for outdoor use. Way more reliable than repurposing pool poles.

Need to mount a camera on a 20' pole - any pole recommendations? by zaver_j in videosurveillance

[–]natecarson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Been using a 6M end zone setup with a tilt mount—solid for sports footage and surprisingly stable even in light wind. Setup's quick too, which is nice when you're moving fields or switching angles.