How often do you use a Tripod?

[Rodchenko]

I can't remember the last time I used my tripod for anything other than teaching my toddler how to count.

But I wouldn't want to be without it.

I've used my monopod more, as it doubles as a walking pole, so I can take photos while out rambling. Also useful for gig photos.

 

[yanchep_mike]

With LF a must, with MF most of the time, 35mm so,so.

 

[Keith]

With LF a must, with MF most of the time, 35mm so,so.

There is something pretty liberating about shooting LF hand held ... if it's like a Graphic and has an RF. 😀

 

[Canyongazer]

With the fast lenses and high ISO capability of mirrorless digital, not much with those. I do always have a 10", non-extentendable tripod for them in the backpack, just in case.

With the D800, however, it's tripod most of the time. I think of and use it much like MF and feel obligated to do my best not to screw up while that 36MP sensor does its thing.

btw, I used to keep tripod(s) at home in a closet but occasionally found myself out somewhere with an unanticipated need of a tripod.
The very helpful but less than earth shaking revelation: Keep a tripod permanently in the trunk of each car.
What if you need a tripod while at home? Well, there are a couple in the garage. 🙂

 

[Bill Clark]

It depends.

Two examples:

This past weekend zero as I was making photos of my 1 year old grandson who is constantly moving! Fun and lots of smiles!

Family groups 100% of the time.

 

[KevinS]

100% of the time when I was using film and shooting professionally (after IS came out, 98%). With digital cameras, especially P&S, I seldom use one, but that is changing. I get better results with the tripod than with IS, so now I'm going back to using one most of the time. Still have a heavy Bogen with automatic legs that I've used for about 25 years. Also keep one in the car for unexpected opportunities and the rare trip involving air travel. That one is a cheap Velbon (name rubbed off long ago) designed with suggestions by the late Herbert Keppler.

 

[oftheherd]

There is something pretty liberating about shooting LF hand held ... if it's like a Graphic and has an RF. 😀

Keith, my first thought was that liberating just wasn't the right word, even for some of my heavier 9x12 cameras (with RF 😛). But thinking about it I think that is right on. To get that big a negative hand held is just fun.

I keep a tripod in the trunk of my car. I have several at home. Two are the type where the column can be tilted from vertical to below 90 degrees. All but one are Velbon aluminum. Even my stronger Mamiya tripod is aluminum.

Even so, I only use them when I think I need to. I can still hold cameras pretty steady, and know how high speeds can help. In Korea I used to carry a Velbon in case of need for photographs, and also to discourage slicky-boys. 😀

 

[rbsinto]

As infrequently as humanly possible.
"A street photographer with a tripod is like a cello player in a marching band"
However, to be fair, triopods are very handy for keeping one's gloves or coffee cup from falling into the snow in the wintertime.

 

[fergus]

All the time Keith 🙂
I am a large-format wanna-be with an NEX...

 

[Martin Carone Santos]

The little Leitz table tripod is always with me. But use it not much. Large tripods only occasionally, with Viso I.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

Whenever I need to - which is most times when I'm using my Hasselblad and always when I start shooting with my newly-refurbed MPP.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

The older I get the more I use one.

 

[narsuitus]

I use a tripod when I am shooting ...

a. long shutter speeds
b. medium format or large format cameras
c. long focal lengths
d. video
e. multiple cameras at the same time
f. heavenly bodies with tracking
g. panoramas


In some situations, I may use a monopod or a copy stand instead of a tripod.


https://flic.kr/p/rJaDxx
https://flic.kr/p/c43w5w
https://flic.kr/p/tot9pd

 

[Out to Lunch]

The older I get, the more I realize that a sturdy tripod is actually a useful implement.

 

[dct]

Only for extensive macro or landscape work. But for occasional images outside I'm used going down to 1/30 or slower with a film RF body or digital mirrorless cameras, provided I find a firm stand.

 

[michaelwj]

Not nearly often enough!

Well said Frank!

I use mine far less than I should. Maybe I shouldn't keep it in the closet?

 

[Darthfeeble]

I like landscapes, thus I use tripods. From a great hunk of a Giottos to a cheap Sunpak carbon fibre.

 

[c.poulton]

I'm mainly a street shooter, so although I do actually own a tripod (inherited) I never use it, ever...

 

[rbsinto]

I'm mainly a street shooter, so although I do actually own a tripod (inherited) I never use it, ever...

You're my kinda guy.

 

[Nokton48]

Not usually with 35mm bodies. 35mm is for catching the fleeting, IMHO.
For medium format, I really prefer the results with tripod.
Composition and sharpness are greatly improved, almost always.
For 4x5 5x7 & 8x10 a tripod is an absolute necessity, obviously.

I have six or seven tripods of varying sizes, from smaller to huge.

In my studio I have a Plaubel Camera Stand that could easily support the front end of a car. 😀 😀 😀