pvdhaar
Peter
Can't do without one: for macro and astrophotography a tripod's a must..
How often do you use a Tripod?
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johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
A tripod sees use with filming with the D600, with shooting the Graflex 4x5 w. Aero-Ektar, the Rolleiflexes and the Hasselblad, and the Horseman 842 Convertible.
Hardly ever use one for the 135 format, almost always use one for the MF and LF formats.
Hardly ever use one for the 135 format, almost always use one for the MF and LF formats.
css9450
Veteran
My new D750 has only seldom been shot without being attached to a tripod, because its used almost entirely for long-exposure urban-exploration-type photos (typically 1/2 second to 20-30 seconds depending on light) or for REALLY long-exposure night work (30 seconds to four or more minutes). I don't think this camera has ever seen sunlight!
Steve M.
Veteran
Personally, I hate the things w/ a passion. For me, they kill everything that is fun about photography. The spontaneity, the freedom and creativity of being able to move around intuitively and smoothly, and quickly get shots from different angles, and a lot more. Obviously I am not a LF shooter.
Toting the thing is worse than using it. But, for some recent self portraits of the girlfriend and I, a tripod was a necessary evil. However, the tripod taken shots didn't look nearly as good as the hand held shots that I took of June by herself.
Toting the thing is worse than using it. But, for some recent self portraits of the girlfriend and I, a tripod was a necessary evil. However, the tripod taken shots didn't look nearly as good as the hand held shots that I took of June by herself.
Steve M.
Veteran
"Watching the wavering video image from hand held videos is nauseating."
It was until they invented the Steadicam.
It was until they invented the Steadicam.
CMur12
Veteran
I have a tremor in my hands, so I can no longer handhold a camera steadily.
I recently got a DSLR with IS in the main lens, so I'm hoping I can realistically handhold it with good stability. The wide angle zoom has no IS, however, so I anticipate using a tripod and angle-finder with that lens for landscapes.
- Murray
I recently got a DSLR with IS in the main lens, so I'm hoping I can realistically handhold it with good stability. The wide angle zoom has no IS, however, so I anticipate using a tripod and angle-finder with that lens for landscapes.
- Murray
Richard G
Veteran
I have been using tripods more and more lately. For years I had just the Leitz small tabletop. I would use it as a chest-pod, plaster against an upright wall, use it low on rocks etc. I used it for landscapes in mountainous country in New Zealand.
I have an older Manfrotto 190 in aluminium that was in my office at work for years. It is now just behind the door in the front room at home with a wonderful new CB40 Leofoto ballhead. This morning I captured the cat in dim light from a low angle at 3200 ISO in the Monochrom: very hard to hold still bent from the waist.
L2009478.jpg by Richard, on Flickr
The revival of the tripod has come along a lot since buying a Hasselblad 500CM. It changes how you see and how you take photographs. It slows you down to analyse the shot more and check details you won't want in the finished print. This has spilled over to my digital 35mm. Sometimes I am waiting for just the right light, and the camera is all set up. Other times I am waiting for a bird to land in a particular branch. (Still waiting...)
I now have a light weight Gitzo 1545T which is so light I can take it for miles without noticing. It's good enough for the Hasselblad and the 35mm cameras.
I have an older Manfrotto 190 in aluminium that was in my office at work for years. It is now just behind the door in the front room at home with a wonderful new CB40 Leofoto ballhead. This morning I captured the cat in dim light from a low angle at 3200 ISO in the Monochrom: very hard to hold still bent from the waist.
L2009478.jpg by Richard, on Flickr
The revival of the tripod has come along a lot since buying a Hasselblad 500CM. It changes how you see and how you take photographs. It slows you down to analyse the shot more and check details you won't want in the finished print. This has spilled over to my digital 35mm. Sometimes I am waiting for just the right light, and the camera is all set up. Other times I am waiting for a bird to land in a particular branch. (Still waiting...)
I now have a light weight Gitzo 1545T which is so light I can take it for miles without noticing. It's good enough for the Hasselblad and the 35mm cameras.
al1966
Feed Your Head
Rarely use them due to doing most of my work on the move, there are projects I have done, still life type of things that I will use one. I have an Old Manfrotto I bought years and years ago, used and its been sterling. Its a 220 or something like that heavy and cumbersome, was not low cost but has proved its value.
Out to Lunch
Veteran
As least as possible.
leica M2 fan
Veteran
In the old days I always took a tripod with me on photo excursions. It's only been in the last 5 or 6 years that I haven't used it as much. Mostly due to the
weight but I have 2 monopads that I use instead and they work well for me.
weight but I have 2 monopads that I use instead and they work well for me.
Russell W. Barnes
Well-known
The beauty of my old Mess-Baldix 6x6 folder is that it has a little flap that folds down when open and so enables stability of the camera on any handy flat surface, even aiding greatly on lamp-posts, signs, bollards, etc... Being a 6x6 with a longer focal length than 35mm, shakes are exaggerated and stability is, I feel, more important than with my Pentax MX. I now automatically seek out the flat tops of street furniture when I'm out 'n' about.
I have a Manfrotto Pixi thing about 7" long which slips in the pocket, as well as one of those flexible things with bendy legs that come in the better quality Christmas crackers. It's very useful with my Sony RX100 II but I wouldn't trust it with anything heavier.
I also have a big Benbo device that has a mind of its own but is extremely useful as part of my copy set-up for 6X6 negs. I bought it specifically to copy photographs years ago.
I've had more success with a bean-bag and a long lens - and it's easier to set up!
I have a Manfrotto Pixi thing about 7" long which slips in the pocket, as well as one of those flexible things with bendy legs that come in the better quality Christmas crackers. It's very useful with my Sony RX100 II but I wouldn't trust it with anything heavier.
I also have a big Benbo device that has a mind of its own but is extremely useful as part of my copy set-up for 6X6 negs. I bought it specifically to copy photographs years ago.
I've had more success with a bean-bag and a long lens - and it's easier to set up!
zuiko85
Veteran
Especially since I shoot a lot of pinhole lately. But even with other film photography, the tripod is at least within reach and now days I don't want to be in too much of a hurry taking pictures.
peter_n
Veteran
I must have been through about 20 tripods, starting with an aluminum Slik and ending with a RRS. I used as many as six concurrently but now I've settled down with just two that I like a lot, both are durable and very stable. If you're looking for a decent tripod consult Dave Berryrieser's excellent comparison site.
I've been through even more ballheads, once again starting with a Slik and currently using Acratech, Arca-Swiss and FLM heads. I swap out heads frequently and use a 50mm Arca-Swiss type clamp on the apex of my tripods and a 50mm square plate on the base of my heads. Changing ballheads is quick with no degradation in rigidity.
I use my support gear for urban night shots, macro and landscapes.
I've been through even more ballheads, once again starting with a Slik and currently using Acratech, Arca-Swiss and FLM heads. I swap out heads frequently and use a 50mm Arca-Swiss type clamp on the apex of my tripods and a 50mm square plate on the base of my heads. Changing ballheads is quick with no degradation in rigidity.
I use my support gear for urban night shots, macro and landscapes.
Attachments
Dogman
Veteran
I haven't used a tripod in several years...since I settled into shooting totally digital. Prior to that, I used one quite a bit even though I hated the damn things. I still have heavy Gitzo and Bogen (Manfrotto) tripods around here somewhere but I think the last time one was taken out of the house was when I used a spotting scope to view distant birds, not for photography.
Oddly enough, I still keep a monopod in my vehicle and a Leica tabletop tripod sometimes gets tossed in a bag when going on a trip. I just don't remember ever using them with a digital camera.
Oddly enough, I still keep a monopod in my vehicle and a Leica tabletop tripod sometimes gets tossed in a bag when going on a trip. I just don't remember ever using them with a digital camera.
retinax
Well-known
It's been years. I don't have one now. So I voted never. Although I recognize the benefits, I don't enjoy using them, carrying them or paying for them, and mostly don't work in a stationary fashion.
That being said, I think I will eventually buy one again because I want to take pictures that require it, and in the end the results matter.
Also thinking about buying a monopod. No cumbersome to set up, lighter, can double as walking stick...
That being said, I think I will eventually buy one again because I want to take pictures that require it, and in the end the results matter.
Also thinking about buying a monopod. No cumbersome to set up, lighter, can double as walking stick...
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
I don't use one enough.
I want to get a Berlebach.
Phil Forrest
I want to get a Berlebach.
Phil Forrest
capitalK
Warrior Poet :P
I almost never use a tripod. Having said that, on the rare occasions that I have used one I have never regretted it.
kxl
Social Documentary
I have 4 -- my uses are primarily for birding, travel and long exposures. Due to my mobility constraints, I do most of my shooting when I am sitting down or leaning against something. I do sometimes use a tripod to steady myself.
- A Gitzo 3532 that I use with an AS Z1 ballhead and Wimberley sidekick for use with my D500 and 200-500mm
- An older (1st gen) Feisol 3442 that I've used for travel for years but has probably seen better days. My son has pretty much claimed this for himself.
- A new Sirui EN-2204 - my new travel tripod. One of the legs unscrews for use as a monopod.
- A Gorillapod
- A Gitzo 3532 that I use with an AS Z1 ballhead and Wimberley sidekick for use with my D500 and 200-500mm
- An older (1st gen) Feisol 3442 that I've used for travel for years but has probably seen better days. My son has pretty much claimed this for himself.
- A new Sirui EN-2204 - my new travel tripod. One of the legs unscrews for use as a monopod.
- A Gorillapod
peter_n
Veteran
Me too! I want the Report 302 for shooting in cities at night. Wooden tripods are still king when it comes to vibration. 🙂
intheviewfinder
Street
I have a nice carbon fiber tripod though use it rarely.
But when I was much younger I took a week long seminar with a well-know photographer. He used a tripod to correct a bad habit I had developed. My assignment was to use a tripod for the week's various challenges. Needless to say today I'm the slowest street photographer you'll ever meet and after four hours I might have 70 photos on the SD card (some days I come home with 10-15).
But when I was much younger I took a week long seminar with a well-know photographer. He used a tripod to correct a bad habit I had developed. My assignment was to use a tripod for the week's various challenges. Needless to say today I'm the slowest street photographer you'll ever meet and after four hours I might have 70 photos on the SD card (some days I come home with 10-15).
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