Tripod Advice

[Rigel]

Are tripods useful? And Why? Some advice please

[izadoodle]

Yes, Tripods are very useful and necessary.
1. They slow you down, which helps you to analyze your subject
2. When using a tripod, your images are sharper.
3. A tripod makes possible the long exposures necessary when shooting small f/stops to attain a deep depth of field, it also lets you shoot in low light with no flash. Lets you use slow shutter speed so you can creatively blur water and other moving subjects.
Stacey

[Rigel]

Thanx for the advice Stacey

[izadoodle]

Not a problem Rigel!!
Stacey

[Mperko]

Stacey said everything Tripods are essential if you want large prints. You will often get a tiny bit of blur from camera shake that is not detectable in smaller prints, but becomes noticeable in big enlargements. Tripods and cable releases cure this. Mirror lockup too.

[Vinky]

Tripods are for situations where the subject isn't moving, and there is limited light. Don't take one to the zoo, or for a family get together. Don't bring it to a football game or a racing event. Don't use it for bug portraits unless the bugs are frozen. Really the only time to use a tripod is when the shutter speed is less than the reciprical of the focal length of the lens, otherwise you loose more than you gain.

A tripod is a tool and like any tool has it's place. Don't get stuck looking at the world from the height of your tripod. Learn to hold a camera against your face and to brace your arms to your sides. Always lean against a solid object whenever possible. With the advent of digital cameras ISO ratings have shot up remarkably. Gone are the days of Kodachrome 25 and the need to have 1/15 sec exposure in the middle of the day.

[Mperko]

Really the only time to use a tripod is when the shutter speed is less than the reciprical of the focal length of the lens, otherwise you loose more than you gain.

What are you losing exactly? Some mobility maybe, but that is hardly necessary in every situation. What about taking multiple shots for a panorama? A tripod is pretty essential. Landscape photograhers use a tripod and cable release almost always. Argueably, this is because they are shooting at minimum aperature, but you're never going to go below the reciprocal of your focal length on a wide angle lens in daylight, even at minimum aperature.

There's a shot in my gallery of a seagull in flight, and I shot it at 300mm in daylight, with a shutter speed of probably 1/800, and I still used a tripod. I panned with the tripod.

In my opinion, you gain much more than you lose bringing a tripod. You won't have to use it on every shot necessarily, but I'm glad that I bring it with me everywhere.

That being said, I totally agree with you when you say don't get stuck looking at life from the height of your tripod, but that's why they are adjustable I rarely have mine at eye level. Even so, I often leave the tripod to the side and get down on my stomach to take a photo. That is an important point you made.

[Ahnuld]

I take along a monopod if I need the "steady" hand. I use a Feisol graphite, really strong, really light, and it closes up to the size of one of those little umbrellas. I'm a Canoneer (I dislike being referred to as a "Canonite") and got the tip from a Nikon trekker whp spend 4 months shooting in the rough areas of Europe — Alps — with his Feisol. Tossed his Gitzo away — not really, he sold his Gitzo Mountaineer monopod and made a profit — and kept the Feisol.

[warpdriver1]

I use my tripod for some landscape shots and when I want to be in the picture like the one I took of my wife and I in my gallery. I also like to use for macro since I drink a lot of caffine......
Mike

[FL]

You have obviously seen why people think that a tripod is imortant, if you are considering buying one I would suggest that the quality of the tripod is also an important consideration.

[keithbales]

Never leave home without one.

Essential for night shots and long exposures.

Keith

[EricvZ]

... or make your way through the crowd ...
... or hit the ones who try to steals your cam ...

I carrry it often with me, but i rarely use it when i am out. I use it more often to get shots from the flowers in my garden. Mine is a cheap (20,- Euro) no name tripod, lightweighted aluminium, steady but not sturdy, but it's handy because i can easily swivel the head 90 degr. for protrait shots.

[Janika]

I have a mini tripod in the car all the time, however I don'r carry a large, full size one with me. Usually you can find a steady resting place for your shoulder or elbow when shooting. I mostly use my tripod at night and / or for doing macro shots.

[emiliejay]

I love my tripod I love my tripod, although I did buy a new one that I hated. so...having said that, make sure first before you buy one to test it out at the store. Put your camera on it, make sure it can take the weight of it with your largest/heaviest lens, that it feels good to you and that the weight and height is good. Play around with some different heads. I prefer the ball but a lot of people like the pan and tilt. If you are left handed or you are a left handed photographer like me, make sure you are comfortable with the location of all the gadgets that you have to adjust quickly. That was my problem with my newest tripod, which I gave away. I still love my older one although it is heavy but I managed to cart it around with me for a month in Italy. It helped that I had a pack mule...oops I mean husband to help.

Cheers, Emilie