use a tripod?

[back alley]

i was looking at the cv lens poll and seeing all the numbers that use and like these lenses. i'm thinking about the zeiss m and leica m lenses that i have or had over the years.
when it comes to camera gear i like 'the good stuff' and have owned some very good and pricey gear over the years, both rf and slr, 35 and 120.

but i started thinking about getting the most out of my gear and i wonder how many of us actually squeeze out all the quality our gear can muster.
i'm talking using a tripod. i never use a tripod and my hands are not as steady as they once were.
is it worth the extra cost of leica or zeiss if we don't use a tripod?

 

[colyn]

I use a tripod quiet often but have to admit that I use the monopod more since it is easier to carry.

 

[ferider]

A good tripod is essential for my stuff, sometimes.

And you might not get 400 l/mm out of your 25 Biogon without one.
But your photos show that it's a great lens anyways, which you use effectively 🙂

Roland.

 

[richard_l]

Monopod.

-Richard

 

[arbib]

I voted "Less than 50%" But only in some studio use.
I shoot at 1/250s or above (90% of the time). with under 105mm lens. and 1/500s or above with longer, (70-300 on my DSLR is a 112-480 FOV). with my RF, I only have a 50 anyway,(I don't use the Hector at all). So 1/250s is more than enough.

 

[mwooten]

I carry my tripod in the back of my car. So it's there if I need it for when the light gets really low. However, since I seem to have misplaced the quick release plate (again) it gets less use than it could.

Michael

 

[dreamsandart]

For hand held photography anything under 1/125-60 is a compromise so a tripod is better for sharpness. Since carrying a good steady tripod but as an extra piece of equipment and is not always possible or desirable I have a Leitz tabletop that works very well on flat surfaces or on the chest or shoulder and isn't so big and bulky.

 

[al1966]

I prefer not to but for macros I will and as Im on so many strong painkillers 🙁 I cant hand hold as well now 😡 I prefer a monopod to a tripod for wandering but miss just being able to hand hold at 1/15.

 

[lament]

Blur caused by hand-holding will certainly ruin sharpness, but it won't affect the other mythical characteristics of leica lenses such as the "glow" (whether it exists or not).

 

[GeneW]

When I use a tripod or monopod, I tend to get very good images, but I love the freedom of hand holding, so I only use them occasionally.

Gene

 

[Ducky]

I rarely use a tripod outside but use it in my studio/office for set up shooting. I never carry one unless I am planning to shoot long. I have carried a monopod but not lately.

 

[peter_n]

I use a tripod for certain kinds of shots. Its overkill for a Leica M but most people go the opposite direction - they want to spend the least amount of money possible on a camera support system. If you want to get the absolute max out of your lens sometimes good support is a necessary evil.

 

[photogdave]

I agree with Peter. Too many people underestimate the value of a good tripod and end up going cheap.
I voted less than 50% because I only use one with my TLRs or occasional SLR macro work. My RFs never find themselves on a tripod unless I'm doing a self portrait (thank you M4 self-timer!).
For years I've carried around a little Slik table top that has come in real handy but I had never owned a serious tripod before! This week I picked up a Gitzo Basalt 2931 and a Kirk BH-3. It was expensive but it's high quality stuff and it should be the last tripod I ever buy (unless it's stolen). I can't wait to get out and try it; too bad it's raining!

 

[jan normandale]

I own 6 of 'em .... not one ... six!

 

[Keith]

I own a cheap tripod and the main camera that goes on it is my A620. In low light with the tripod that little point and shoot amazes me with the results it produces!

I do want a real tripod though ... I think they are fun to use and are the only real way to evaluate the sharpness of a lens!

 

[ChrisPlatt]

A monopod is a good compromise.

My friend who lurks here (Hi Bob!) always uses a "stick" with his
Pentax and Rolleiflex cameras. His results are always quite sharp.

Chris

 

[Steve Litt]

The reason I use a rangefinder camera is because it is small and unobtrusive and the lens is fast enough to hand hold. I dont use wide lenses or really long ones and have never wanted MF quality always prefering B/W 400 iso 35mm (or RD-1) So I am happy to take what I get.I find it hard to say when I have admired a photo because of its ultimate sharpness.I do have a tripod from using slow zooms on a SLR in the past and a monopod.I prefer leaning against something or pulling against the camera strap.I expect if I used a really wide lens I would need a tripod and a spot meter.For me thats a good reason not to as I am lazy and hate carrying more than I really need to!

Regards
Steve

 

[jvr]

Yes, I do use a tripod. I have a "normal" tripod (big enough to carry my Fotoman 6x17 without cringe), a very light and small one (an Ultrapod II - http://www.pedcopods.com/products.htm) that I carry everywhere in my photo bag and a tiny one I carry on my business suitcase.

I use them for night or interior shots, more often than I later remember... 🙂

The Ultrapod II was my photographic best buy ever. I've been using it on almost a daily basis for more than 10 years and has served me very, very well. It can be "tied" (using the attached velcro belt) to almost anything and I even use it, sometimes, just supported on my shoulder (I can easily gain one or two apertures). It's even light enough to use it on the camera all the time, when moving in and out of dark places. I just fold it beneath the camera. Weight is so low it does not interfere. The Ultrapod II is robust enough to hold my D100 with the 75-300 on it (the old, heavy one... 🙂.

Having said that, my M3 and the Epson get a LOT of handheld use...

 

[peter_n]

This week I picked up a Gitzo Basalt 2931 and a Kirk BH-3. It was expensive but it's high quality stuff and it should be the last tripod I ever buy (unless it's stolen).

Nice kit! I have a used Gitzo 1228 with a Linhof b/h that uses an Arca-Swiss QR system. Last tripod I'll ever buy too! 🙂 I mostly use mine with the 135mm lens.

 

[traveller]

A standard-tripod is a good thing but nothing I want to carry around with me the whole day. But I have the table tripod from Leica too and it is small and sturdy enough to get a place in my bag.