Selfie stick - to bring or not to bring

[Dani7]

Hello everyone . Well the selfie stick I bought over three years ago for my cancelled Camino in 2020, is not compatible with my bigger phone. Since then I’ve gone from an iPhone 8 to 14 max pro. The pictures and or videos were to be for family and friends and myself (musings on the Meseta perhaps ).

My question. For those who have used one in past caminos for reasons similar to above or currently planning or currently doing a Camino, are you using it and is it giving you what you were expecting it to?

Thanks

 

[SnapDecision]

Hello everyone . Well the selfie stick I bought over three years ago for my cancelled Camino in 2020, is not compatible with my bigger phone. Since then I’ve gone from an iPhone 8 to 14 max pro. The pictures and or videos were to be for family and friends and myself (musings on the Meseta perhaps ).

My question. For those who have used one in past caminos for reasons similar to above or currently planning or currently doing a Camino, are you using it and is it giving you what you were expecting it to?

Thanks

Imagine a Camino where every pilgrim is holding a selfie stick

 

[TerriMartin]

I decided not to bring one and me, my family and friends have been very happy with my photos so far.

If you do bring one make sure it’s not precious. It may be something you choose to get rid of along the way due to weight.

 

[C clearly]

Imagine a Camino where every pilgrim is holding a selfish stick

There are many many "imagine" scenarios that conjure up weird images. Imagine a Camino where every pilgrim is wearing a hands-free umbrella.

Let's confine the responses to people who have used (or considered taking) selfie sticks and can offer some suggestions from that perspective.

 

[J Willhaus]

I don't take a lot of photos (although my husband does). I would vote no. My family and friends only wanted to know that I was safe and honestly didn't even understand what the Camino was or why I would want to walk 500 miles in Spain. Take photos or videos for yourself, but mostly I find that people glaze over or find an excuse not to have to sit and look at my Camino photos. Maybe take a couple of photos a day if you will keep up a vlog or something to go back nd look at for yourself later? I found even keeping up with a journal was sometimes difficult with long walking days, many new friends to talk to, or interesting things to see in the evening.

 

[lovelyshell]

I never saw anyone use a selfie stick. Seems like a hassle to carry one around. There are always welcoming pilgrims willing to take a picture for you.

 

[Jamieb]

I brought one on my 2019 Camino and used it maybe twice, it was too much of a hassle to stop, dig in my backpack for it, get it set up to use then put away. I would not bring it again.

 

[henrythedog]

I bought one. It didn’t pass the ‘do I really need this’ test and in now resides in the immense ‘things I thought I wanted but really didn’t need’ box.

 

[Jodean]

I do not have a selfie stick but have a gimbal. This allows you to walk and film at the same time if you were interested in doing videos.
If it is just photos you want, suggest leaving the stick at home.
Even my gimbal was a bit too heavy and I mainly used it to film the churches and the Botafumero in Santiago. Still have not decided if it will be coming along this spring or not. If the money was there, would get one of those little pocket gimbals. Light, unobtrusive, smooth videos.

 

[Former member 92300]

Personally - not worth the extra weight for me. Sure - it would be nice to have better selfies - but the hand held camera/phone selfies are great reminders/memories of your trip too.

You could always ask someone to take a few good photos of you...

 

[Former member 92300]

I never saw anyone use a selfie stick. Seems like a hassle to carry one around. There are always welcoming pilgrims willing to take a picture for you.

I did - in the Sarria to Santiago section. But many of them tended to overpack anyway or in some cases - only had a daypack and shipped their bag forward.

 

[NadineK]

I brought one on my last few Camino's, and mostly for vlogging (which I recently started to do). I have to say, the times I used the selfie-stick, I really liked the resulting photos/videos. BUT, it was often easier to just pull out my phone, hold my arm out, and hit record. Those videos are fine! Sometimes I forgot I was even carrying the selfie-stick... but one key, for me, was to keep it in my waist-pack so that it was easily accessible. I think if you're not going to wear a waist-pack or have an easy-ish way of accessing the stick, you might find it to be too much of a hassle to stop, take off your pack, dig around, etc.

Hope you can reschedule your canceled Camino soon! (or maybe you already have!)

 

[Lexicos]

You may find yourself throwing it away in week one, for the weight. Every bit counts, I find, especially if you’re walking the full distance.

 

[isawtman]

I have a little handle for my go pro. If I don't use it I get more
footage with my thumb in it. Now, I have a little handle that
folds out to be a short little three legged camera tripod

 

[Dani7]

I brought one on my last few Camino's, and mostly for vlogging (which I recently started to do). I have to say, the times I used the selfie-stick, I really liked the resulting photos/videos. BUT, it was often easier to just pull out my phone, hold my arm out, and hit record. Those videos are fine! Sometimes I forgot I was even carrying the selfie-stick... but one key, for me, was to keep it in my waist-pack so that it was easily accessible. I think if you're not going to wear a waist-pack or have an easy-ish way of accessing the stick, you might find it to be too much of a hassle to stop, take off your pack, dig around, etc.

Hope you can reschedule your canceled Camino soon! (or maybe you already have!)

Flying out April 17th

 

[Dani7]

Thank you so much. I appreciate your time. It was to go in my waist pack but after reading your responses and with my own reflection…I’ve decided that i can do without. I was on the fence and my gut was telling me…are you 100% sure. I’m not even 25% sure and THAT cinched it for me.

What a wonderful community of caring people on this forum.

 

[roamingpaddy]

Im having great fun with my SS and am using it right now as im on camino. I got a bluetooth enabled on for 20. As a solo walker I enjoy using one, its fun, its light

 

[C clearly]

As a solo walker I enjoy using one, its fun, its light

You've always got good company then!

 

[David]

I have never used a selfie stick but can imagine certain situations where it would be handy, especially taking photos around corners ...
You can now buy camera brackets that fix onto hiking poles as well as selfie stick hiking poles - so maybe a Google search? A bracket surely would be very light?

 

[sfisch801]

Hello everyone . Well the selfie stick I bought over three years ago for my cancelled Camino in 2020, is not compatible with my bigger phone. Since then I’ve gone from an iPhone 8 to 14 max pro. The pictures and or videos were to be for family and friends and myself (musings on the Meseta perhaps ).

My question. For those who have used one in past caminos for reasons similar to above or currently planning or currently doing a Camino, are you using it and is it giving you what you were expecting it to?

Thanks

I wished for one while walking many times…but not sure I would have been happy carrying it…if small and light enough, yes, especially if solo.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

…are you 100% sure. I’m not even 25% sure and THAT cinched it for me.

I wonder if @roamingpaddy 's great selfie made you question the above? I did take one with me in 2017, (but interestingly not on subsequent trips). I remember that I took some great selfies with it. I just skimmed through my photo album of that camino, and yes, they were good, but curiously there were only 5 selfies out of a couple of hundred photos . So...

 

[J.Patrick]

I remember taking a picture with myself in it on the first day of a camino, and then never again afterwards. I’d much rather have an uncluttered picture of the countryside than one focused on me. But you like what you like.

 

[roamingpaddy]

Oh, go on, go on. Do not be too sensible on the camino, my one is light and fits in my pocket and bluetooth enabled, they are such fun

 

[darealdeal77]

Hi! On our Camino Frances in 2014 I took a lot of selfies, and timed photos by using my hiking pole and two fat rubber bands. I stuck the hiking pole on the ground, attached my phone to the pole with the rubber bands, making sure not to cover the lenses, set the timer and that was it! Or found a flat place to place the phone. Done, rubber bands back in the pocket, no investment of selfie stick or extra heavy equipment! Hope this helps! Buen Camino!

 

[El Cascayal]

A tale of personal selfie sticks: on my first Camino, I got a lightweight, Bluetooth enabled stick that I diligently charged every evening and carried in my waist pack. Every single time I tried to use it, it never worked. Half way through the Primitivo as my recently found Camino companions lined up for the selfie, it became the running joke. It never worked, not once. Little by little just mentioning selfie stick elicited loud laughs!
I now take a lightweight drone-ish super lightweight thing that is considered a selfie stick called Pixy. I love it! Here is a picture as some Camino friends and me as we were arriving in Obradoiro. @roamingpaddy, Whaddaya say?
View attachment IMG_8545.MOV

 

[Sandrapf99]

Hello everyone . Well the selfie stick I bought over three years ago for my cancelled Camino in 2020, is not compatible with my bigger phone. Since then I’ve gone from an iPhone 8 to 14 max pro. The pictures and or videos were to be for family and friends and myself (musings on the Meseta perhaps ).

My question. For those who have used one in past caminos for reasons similar to above or currently planning or currently doing a Camino, are you using it and is it giving you what you were expecting it to?

Thanks

I bought one to bring to my first Camino. Big mistake… I never used it and it became weight I didn’t need. I’m only 103 pounds and every ounce counts.

If you already use it often and don’t mind carrying it, then you might want to bring it along. Otherwise, not worth the weight.

 

[Lynne (USA/Crete Greece)]

Oh, go on, go on. Do not be too sensible on the camino, my one is light and fits in my pocket and bluetooth enabled, they are such fun

Hi Paddy,
what is the brand, model of your selfie stick? TY

 

[roamingpaddy]

Hi Paddy,
what is the brand, model of your selfie stick? TY

Lynne, I cannot see a name on it and I left the box at home, Im on the camino now, but I enclose a pic.

 

[Dani7]

Hi! On our Camino Frances in 2014 I took a lot of selfies, and timed photos by using my hiking pole and two fat rubber bands. I stuck the hiking pole on the ground, attached my phone to the pole with the rubber bands, making sure not to cover the lenses, set the timer and that was it! Or found a flat place to place the phone. Done, rubber bands back in the pocket, no investment of selfie stick or extra heavy equipment! Hope this helps! Buen Camino!

THAT is an amazing picture of two happy and content pilgrims

 

[Arctic_Alex]

On my first camino I had no selfie stick and that was totally fine. The occasional shot with myself in it would be done by fellow pilgrims who just happened to be around. I did not miss the stick at all. On the up upcoming camino I might be vlogging, hence I will need a selfie stick. Just for photos and the occasional video of some Easter procession I would not bring it.

 

[Dani7]

A tale of personal selfie sticks: on my first Camino, I got a lightweight, Bluetooth enabled stick that I diligently charged every evening and carried in my waist pack. Every single time I tried to use it, it never worked. Half way through the Primitivo as my recently found Camino companions lined up for the selfie, it became the running joke. It never worked, not once. Little by little just mentioning selfie stick elicited loud laughs!
I now take a lightweight drone-ish super lightweight thing that is considered a selfie stick called Pixy. I love it! Here is a picture as some Camino friends and me as we were arriving in Obradoiro. @roamingpaddy, Whaddaya say?
View attachment 143539

Sadly here is the latest on the Pixy device. Announced august 2022

Pixy, currently priced at $250 apiece, remains available for purchase in the U.S. for now (presumably until inventory runs out). According to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, Spiegel informed staffers in a recent Q&A session that the Pixy project was getting scrapped as part of a reprioritization of company resources.

 

[El Cascayal]

Pixy project was getting scrapped as part of a reprioritization of company resources.

It’s not the first time Snapchat, the parent company, has done this with products that are successful. I bought 2 extra batteries just in case. It is a lot of fun to use and people of all ages seem to be fascinated when it takes flight from the palm of my hand and returns. See the faces of onlookers in Obradoiro.

 

[Lynne (USA/Crete Greece)]

Lynne, I cannot see a name on it and I left the box at home, Im on the camino now, but I enclose a pic.

Thank you. Buen Camino

 

[Viscount Gumpy of Ol']

I’d just mention that if you have an iPhone and Apple Watch you can set up the phone on a convenient object and trigger the camera from the watch. I presume other combinations of phones and watches can do similar.

 

[chuckhibbs]

Hello everyone . Well the selfie stick I bought over three years ago for my cancelled Camino in 2020, is not compatible with my bigger phone. Since then I’ve gone from an iPhone 8 to 14 max pro. The pictures and or videos were to be for family and friends and myself (musings on the Meseta perhaps ).

My question. For those who have used one in past caminos for reasons similar to above or currently planning or currently doing a Camino, are you using it and is it giving you what you were expecting it to?

Thanks

I took a carried a selfie stick with me my 2019 Camino. Everyone around me would tool their eyes every time I threatened to use it. At about 409 miles I decided to ignore my camino friends and dig it out of my pack back and take a group photo. Alas, it was broken and useless. All that unnecessary weight.

 

[Albertinho]

I do not have a selfie stick but have a gimbal. This allows you to walk and film at the same time if you were interested in doing videos.
If it is just photos you want, suggest leaving the stick at home.
Even my gimbal was a bit too heavy and I mainly used it to film the churches and the Botafumero in Santiago. Still have not decided if it will be coming along this spring or not. If the money was there, would get one of those little pocket gimbals. Light, unobtrusive, smooth videos.

A Gopro camera in a harness on your breast is a nice option
Used it on 4 of my caminhos

 

[Dani7]

I’d just mention that if you have an iPhone and Apple Watch you can set up the phone on a convenient object and trigger the camera from the watch. I presume other combinations of phones and watches can do similar.

I stopped wearing a watch at 17. Had a really boring summer job and kept counting the minutes away lol. But your idea is good to know. Thanks

 

[JohnRRogers]

I’m bringing a small 360 camera for photos and videos of my Camino and for that I will use the small selfie stick.

 

[Dani7]

I’m bringing a small 360 camera for photos and videos of my Camino and for that I will use the small selfie stick.

Which camera?

 

[IMLiege]

When you take pictures, be sure to rotate the camera to landscape mode, particularly for video. Portrait is alright for stills but for video it doesn't play back very well on TVs, taking up only the middle 1/3 of the screen.

My son did Camino del Norte last year. He used a magnetic camera mount from his car, the kind that fits into the A/C vents on the dash. He used a clip from a bicycle rear red light to attach it to his walking stick. He would walk along with the stick and when he wanted a selfie he just stuck his iPhone onto the magnetic mount, set the timer and took the picture. He also took video as he walked along and provided a narration for where he had spent the night and where that day's destination was. It made for some great video and I put in stills between the video segments.





View attachment Produce-1.mp4

 

[Gar]

I bought a bluetooth enabled selfie stick and took the top off and attached it to one of my poles so I had it hand all the time, the reach wasn’t as good as the stick but happy enough. The trick is the make these things handy otherwise you will not use them

 

[JimDerry]

I guess I am old.....I brought a camera (remember those things?) and in 2014 I decided to take one selfie a day of my wife and me on the trek. My wife was not happy about that. But later, when we had finished and were home and reminiscing about the Camino she said they were her favorite pics! They showed emotions that were honest and true! Not all happy but that is the way. No stick, no fancy stuff. Just a long arm! Unfortunately now she is gone....but those pix are with me always. I have literally 1000's of landscape, cathedrals, etc but the ones that count to me me are the selfies.

 

[Roscoe]

Personally - not worth the extra weight for me. Sure - it would be nice to have better selfies - but the hand held camera/phone selfies are great reminders/memories of your trip too.

You could always ask someone to take a few good photos of you...

Even a professional would struggle to take a good photo of me! I'm happy to photograph the scenery.

 

[JohnRRogers]

Which camera?

Which camera?

I’m bringing the Insta360 X3

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I’m bringing the Insta360 X3

Funny enough, exactly today I am testing the Insta 360 X3 for the first time and wonder, if I should take it with me on my Camino in May

 

[IMLiege]

I bought a bluetooth enabled selfie stick and took the top off and attached it to one of my poles so I had it hand all the time, the reach wasn’t as good as the stick but happy enough. The trick is the make these things handy otherwise you will not use them

By any chance is it Fugetek stick? I have one of those and the small remote is very handy to just keep in your pocket, turn it on and press the button to take a pic. Can you post a pic of how you mounted the top part to your walking stick?

 

[IMLiege]

I guess I am old.....I brought a camera (remember those things?) and in 2014 I decided to take one selfie a day of my wife and me on the trek. My wife was not happy about that. But later, when we had finished and were home and reminiscing about the Camino she said they were her favorite pics! They showed emotions that were honest and true! Not all happy but that is the way. No stick, no fancy stuff. Just a long arm! Unfortunately now she is gone....but those pix are with me always. I have literally 1000's of landscape, cathedrals, etc but the ones that count to me me are the selfies.

I have a camera (Nikon Coolpix) that I wear in a holster on my belt. I always have my phone and although it's older (Samsung S8) it takes great pics and videos in HD. The Nikon can't do that, plus it's just extra weight and something to keep track of. Since I got the S8 in 2018 I find that I'm using the Nikon less and less.
I totally agree on the selfies being worth it. I'm 1 of about 12 guys that have been going on 2-3 fishing trips every year since the mid-80s. It's the pics of the people and not the scenery that are most important to us. I have maintained a web site for many years and the guys love to visit it and reminisce.

 

[mrosenlof]

I'm not a SS user, but I am a photographer. Your friends and family have a pretty good idea what you look like, share some photos that relate something about your experience. Try to tell a story, maybe including a brief caption. Occasionally ask someone you trust to take your photo with your device, so your F&F can see how happy your are.

 

[Tagg23]

Flying out April 17th

Hello we are starting our walk on the 16th...maybe we'll see you en route. Buen Camino

 

[Drifter]

--The big problem with backpacking and selfie sticks is 1) Weight 2) Where are you gonna store it when you're not using it? If you don't devise some kind of shoulder strap holder for it, you're never going to use it.
--When I first started to Vlog my hikes, I put a GoPro Handlebar mount at the bottom of the grip of my trekking pole with a GoPro (as shown in the pic below). Then I changed to an iPhone holder on that mount. Whenever I thought a selfie would be nice, just flip up the iPhone clamp, slide the phone in, grab the pole at the basket and shoot. Then when done, pop out the phone and tilt the phone holder back down and keep walking. The problem is you have to SHOUT, or use a lavaliere microphone if you want to talk to the camera.

--Selfie sticks can be nice. And you can get some really interesting effects from them. If there's a crowd of people, you can raise the phone up above the crowd. It's MUCH easier to do "walk-bys" using a selfie stick leaning against something like a fence.
--The problem is videos where the video maker is never seen and is just a disembodied voice...are pretty dull to watch. So to make videos interesting, it takes several angles. One clip of you talking to the camera. Clips of you with the camera facing forward while you walk. Clips of other people. Clips of animals, etc.
--YouTubers use selfie sticks to mount to their camera as a better way to hold the camera at arm's length while they talk to the camera. You WILL get a much steadier shot with a selfie stick as opposed to trying to hold the phone/camera in your hand.
--A really light pocket tripod, which can also be used to hold the camera still while you talk to the camera, is the little Joby Mini, which just weighs a couple ounces. I DO use that still to do a walk-by, or to talk to the camera while sitting at a picnic table.
--Lately, I just hold the camera in my hand if I want to talk to the camera while I walk. Is it ideal? Well, no, because there can be too much shake/bounce. But it's close enough.
--If you're just going to do videos for yourself, and not market them, then you don't need a selfie stick.
--OR...bring a camera shy friend who takes videos of you while you're hiking!

 

[J Willhaus]

Just say no...

 

[Sara_Dhooma]

I like using this style of selfie stick. The remotes don’t use batteries (charge with usb).

The tripod feature is nice for watching videos and video chatting.

Sometimes I go days without using it. Too hot, tired, or in a rush!

However - when walking solo I always have the option to grab a great photo.

 

[David Tallan]

I brought one with me on my 2016 Camino, a last minute purchase after having watched a bunch of Camino YouTube videos. It was the first thing to go from my backpack, before we left the Pyrenees, I think. Certainly before we left Navarra.