How often do you shoot with a tripod?

[Conor D]

I've never used one, it's all just been point and shoot.. Which means that alot of the time I can't get good pictures with real low shutter speeds.

I think I need one..

[...Mole...]

100% of the time for me, but I do landscapes and abandoned buildings and I find them pretty essential for that.

[markmullen]

I keep my tripod in the boot of my car and find it invaluable having it handy and being able to shoot at slow ISOs with nice long shutter speeds. If you get one try and get a remote shutter release of some form to avoid shaking the camera pressing the shutter release.

[RobDickinson]

I use one if I have one with me, which is when shooting out of the car or on shorter walks (i.e. a day).

Otherwise I prop the camera up or brace it etc.

Remote release is good but you can use self timer to acheive something similar if a bit more arkward.

I also use mirror lockup , or did, ned to again more I think stuffed a 15min shot last night.

[minky monkey]

Generally only when the light drops and I want to shoot landscapes or cityscapes.

[Ed_P]

Always use one for this type of "stock" work. Taken at 1/4 second.



I've got a Benbo Trekker which is very useful for outdoor work too.

[S47]

NEVER - Too slow, awkward, and cumbersome IMO
I've shot weddings, wildlife, sports/action and been a Pap,
If I need to support the Cam I use a Monopod - worth it's weight in Gold again IMO
I'm sure plenty of others will dis-agree
hope this helps

[tog]

S47 said:

NEVER - Too slow, awkward, and cumbersome IMO
I've shot weddings, wildlife, sports/action and been a Pap

I'm much the same. Cameras have high ISO speeds for a reason Any general photos / people shots I won't use a tripod. More specialist stuff where you need a specific quality which requires low ISO and small apertures, or obviously anything which need a slow shutter speed for technical or artistic reasons then obviously you'll have to have a tripod. But basically if I don't absolutely have to use one, I won't.

[minky monkey]

It's just another tool in the box for me, if I can get away without it I will.

Unless you've got a gimbal head, moving wildlife can be tricky, I find panning is awkward. But if I need a long exposure shot for say a building at night, it's a definite.

Time and a place. I've got two tripods, 055 manfrotto, a light weight little manfrotto for trecking around town at night - good for a body and a lightweight lens, and a monopod which hardly ever gets used.

[AlexC1981]

I carry one of those little gorillapods around with me when I'm taking holiday snaps. In Rome last week I got some nice photos of the Colosseum illuminated at night and some interior photos of churches etc. that would not have been possible without a little 'pod of some sort. I use the 2-second timer on the camera to avoid shaking the camera when I press the button.

[dave-therave]

I've never used one, but then again I only shoot girls in their pants.

[insert human tripod joke here]

[GetCarter]

I used to use them all the time (I have 4 of them). Essential for landscapes in the past. Then I bought a D3. Hence, I rarely use them these days unless I see a serious case for HDR. That's how little noise the D3 makes. I just up the ISO and suddenly I have f18 at 125th.

Bliss.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 18th August 16:25

[Conor D]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good tripod? Budget of less than £50, I want it to be portable, so I can keep it in the boot of the car, and maybe even in a backpack.

I might go to Argos tomorrow, going to get a remote too..

[GetCarter]

Well you generally get what you pay for with tripods, it's also a lot to do with the weight of your camera... but if you want a tripod that will last you the rest of your life and it needs to be light (comes with a shoulder bag usually), then this is not much over your budget:

http://www.fotosense.co.uk/ben107-benbo-trekker-tr... (check that the price includes the head!)

PS I'd wager that anything you buy from Argos at under £50 will NOT last your whole life!

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 20th August 09:31

[Whitefly Swatter]

[quote=GetCarter]Well you generally get what you pay for with tripods, it's also a lot to do with the weight of your camera... but if you want a tripod that will last you the rest of your life and it needs to be light (comes with a shoulder bag usually), then this is not much over your budget:

http://www.fotosense.co.uk/ben107-benbo-trekker-tr... (check that the price includes the head!)

PS I'd wager that anything you buy from Argos at under £50 will NOT last your whole life!

quote]

totally agree I purchased a Benbo back in the late 80's (showing my age) and its still with me and used whenever the need arises

you certainly gets what you pay for