After reading a load of photography books by the same author I'm worrying how many of you regularly use a tripod to get your shots. The author seemed to recommend using them all the time.
Definitely use! I underestimated them before buying mine but it really is one of the best things I could've bought - not just for the long exposure shots but for my macro attempts (who knew?!).
Oh most definitely use them~ I'm not a shaky person but for some odd reason every shot I take handheld is blurry...( :( ) ..but then again I use my 70-300mm all the time.. that could explain it! If you want great clear shots tripod all the way!
Which reminds me .. must get a very good tripod.. mine's too cheap and wobbly.
If you take portrait, macro, landscape or use 150 mm + lens a tripod is a must even in good light conditions. If a tripod is to much to cary around a bean bag or a monpod will do
But then again - it is not always pin sharp pictures you are after
your style and preferences shall always come first - remeber rules are made to be broken
We have just gotten one and although it's a pain lugging it around it makes a massive difference esp in low light, shots that I wouldn't have even bothered with I can now have a go. Also have noticed a massive difference in how many shots I have to ditch because of the blur. My husband recently attended a workshop where they recommended tripods for landscapes so you can use the higher F stop/shutter speed and get a better DOF for landscape - hope I got that right - it's all new to me
I use a tripod as much as possible especially for indoor shots- my only problem is remembering to take off the image stabilization while using the tripod and turning it back on for hand held. Tripods have a huge range in price and quality- so think about what types of shots you are most likely to use it for and shop around for the types that suit your needs. Also look into gorilla pods- I haven't tried one myself, but have heard great things about them.
I use a tripod & remote release for pretty much everything these days, it just cuts out any duff shots due to camera shake and leaves you to worry about the other aspects of the shot without being compromised by being hand held.
I use a Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod with the 460MG head, which is a great combination, and a really precise, compact head.
Don't buy the cheapest. In my experience, I'd recommend spending a little more on a tripod. I've found the Manfrotto to be so much better than the standard Jessops one I had before - everything locks precisely in place, where you want it to, and doesn't sag or drift.
I've got two tripods, one given to my that used to be my Step-Grandads and I've taken to using that a fair bit. But if I'm photographing my boys I tend to go handheld, they don't keep still long enough to keep the tripod in one place. lol. I think it all depends on what you are photographing.
I have used a tripod and have gotten some really good shots but 99% of my pictures are hand-held. I think having to depend on a tripod takes away from the spontaneity of the shot. I have a hard time carrying my Nikon Coolpix and can't imagine carrying a tripod with me everywhere everyday.
I didn't bother getting a tripod for ages in my earlier years as a keen photographer but little did I realise just how much I was limiting myself until I went out and bought one.
They are absolutely essential if you're serious about photography. I've just gone and bought another because I'd left my Manfrotto at a friend's house after a Christmas party. When I joined 365project at the beginning of the year, I suddenly realised I was without it. It's a two hour drive to my friend's place and I've literally been pulling my hair out for over a month now because so many of my shots at the moment ideally need a tripod. I finally thought, "What the hell..." and purchased another one.
One word of advice... get a good one! It's false economy to buy cheap. I did with my very first tripod. It was too heavy to carry around but it still broke after about 6 months. Light but strong is the name of the game.
I hardly ever use a tripod. Only times I use one would be if I want to be in a shot and there's no other flat surface handy, or if I need a shutter speed so slow that I can't handhold.
If I didn't have a camera that performed well at a high ISO, it would be a different story. But I usually just boost my ISO so that I can use a faster shutter speed.
I must admit I don't take my tripod out often enough. I tend to do a lot of spur of the moment shots, I was surprised how my photos worked out for me today without it though as I was using my 70-300mm lens a lot today, must have got lucky. I really do need to use it more though
These comments are great. I'm heading toward about 50/50 of handheld to tripod. SOme of my recent photos have been done on a tripod. I'm doing the images for someone who wants them sized at maybe 20 x 30, so even the tiniest shake gets magnified at that size. For me personally, I *think" that I can handhold down to 1/30, and it looks good up to 8x10, but after that it becomes very noticeable (at least to me). I agree @dgc4rter that it becomes a must for macro and telephoto ranges. Summary - depends what you want to do, whether a tripod is *necessary*. And yes to echo others - don't go cheap. Manfrotto are good, and there are others, and you want to spend enough to make sure it lasts. Voice of Experience.
I also have a monopod and find it great, it just gives you that extra support. I have found as the years pass by the camera shake increases and the monopod is great for that. Also I was also told to alway take 3 shots (on continuous) of a photo as it means that at least one shot will be in focus generally.
Manfrotto and Vanguard make some of the best tripods and monopods. For walking around and "action" types of activities/events give the monopod a try. They are less of a hassle and can be setup & used quickly. For the tripod, make sure you get 3 degrees of movement and pan control. Getting a nice tripod to start will help & save you in the long run with not only better photos, but from buying another one down the road when you realize you want more flexibility. Just my two cents.....good luck and happy shooting!
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He just seemed to be obsessed with never going handheld
Which reminds me .. must get a very good tripod.. mine's too cheap and wobbly.
and does anyone have a verdict on a monopod?
But then again - it is not always pin sharp pictures you are after
your style and preferences shall always come first - remeber rules are made to be broken
I use a Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod with the 460MG head, which is a great combination, and a really precise, compact head.
Don't buy the cheapest. In my experience, I'd recommend spending a little more on a tripod. I've found the Manfrotto to be so much better than the standard Jessops one I had before - everything locks precisely in place, where you want it to, and doesn't sag or drift.
They are absolutely essential if you're serious about photography. I've just gone and bought another because I'd left my Manfrotto at a friend's house after a Christmas party. When I joined 365project at the beginning of the year, I suddenly realised I was without it. It's a two hour drive to my friend's place and I've literally been pulling my hair out for over a month now because so many of my shots at the moment ideally need a tripod. I finally thought, "What the hell..." and purchased another one.
One word of advice... get a good one! It's false economy to buy cheap. I did with my very first tripod. It was too heavy to carry around but it still broke after about 6 months. Light but strong is the name of the game.
If I didn't have a camera that performed well at a high ISO, it would be a different story. But I usually just boost my ISO so that I can use a faster shutter speed.