Whats a tripod good for..

heartyfisher

There has been several threads regarding getting tripods of various types.

Thought It would be interesting if we could list out the things we do with our tripod..? what is this bit of gear good for? it can be darn heavy and darn expensive! What does it allows us to do that we would not be able to do otherwise or even more easily.. what special or interesting photographic technique does a tripod allow.. maybe even specialised tripods for special applications .. basically anything tripod like. maybe just lets start with the generic tripod and then see where we go ? :-)

spraynpray

I use mine to get best results for macro work when the subjects are still. That skinny little depth of field can be placed just right. Also sunsets where the shutter speed is around a second long.

Dark sky photography is on the cards this winter too but I have yet to do any.

donaldejose

I mainly use mine for two purposes: 1. To hold the camera for studio set up shots. 2. When I am shooting landscapes and want the most sharpness I can achieve. I am surprised how often VR in the new lenses combined with the ability to use higher ISO and retain IQ in the new bodies can give me a sharp shot when I would have used a tripod in the past. In my opinion tripod use and need is fading.

Ironheart

Anytime the shutter will need to be open for more than 1/30-1/15th of a second without VR. Also for any lens that weighs too much, usually 300mm prime and above for me.

paulr

In simple terms it offers the photographer a better range to use their cameras Shutter./aperture controls to meet the full requirements they are trying to achieve for a specific image. The control of ambient light and DOF are limited by hand held shots, The Tripod is just a tool in the photographers arsenal of equipment. and like everything else sometimes essential, other times just a pain and totally unnecessary. I have several tripods mainly for studio work, but, it's the old story when you have not got it with you , you need it, and when you have it with you, it sits in the bag, similar to usually having the wrong lens on to get the perfect grab shot.

WestEndBoy

Self portraits, low light, anything where super sharp is required, many macros situations, video where steadiness is important, situations where you want to control shutter speed and make it slow, HDR etc......

I think that Donaldejose is correct that tripod use is fading as cameras are getting better for handheld purposes. However, you will never get a sharp shot handholding a camera with a one second shutter speed. I think that there will always be a use for tripods.

ChasCS

Panning in video recording, not essential, but gives a way nicer viewable footage.
Long exposures, anything with our timer use, self posturing,,, Smile

It will hold off a charging grizzly bear, for about three seconds, long enough to pray... No not a J/K. A real thrill up here...
They said "Please, don't feed the hungry bears"... Yes please, and thank you, not if I can help it...

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1114874

Pole vaulting across small streams and shallow tributaries...

Holding the heavy camera , lens, speed light, plus camera bag and full canteen/wine sack hanging from the ingenious central column hook, on my Vanguard tripod. Just for extra balance. And fluid fuel replenishments... :-0

PB_PM

Why a tripod? Stability, and stability alone. No amount of VR can match a good tripod. VR is very helpful, but is not a true replacement.

Photobug

+1 for PB-PM.
Stability is why I use a tripod. For Self portraits of the family (I have been told that I am not in enough of my family pictures by my daughter-in-law, especially the grand kids birthday parties), macro work, both table and floor macro, and fireworks and outside Christmas shots.

Yes, the need has fadded a little with the use of high ISO, but a good tripod is still a necessity.

WestEndBoy

Yes, PB_PM has very succinctly answered the question. The rest of this thread is just examples of which applications require stability.

proudgeek

Astrophotography, HDR, macro, low-light landscapes, and extended use of a very heavy lens. About 20-25% of what I shoot.

Golf007sd

All that needs to be said has been said by those above me. Well done my friends.

paulr

Life saver, After a long shoot in a remote area I was on my way back to the car in the dark. Unfortunately I fell into an unseen bog in the dark and was completely stuck, I used the Tripod as a crutch to get me out of the bog .Without the tripod I would have been completely stuck until civilisation realised I was missing. No damage was done to either my camera gear or tripod, sadly I ruined by clothes which truly impressed my wife.

heartyfisher

What about some more specific techniques that can be used when you have a tripod?

One thing I have used my tripod for is as an extension so that I can get my camera in a position I normally wont be able to take a photo from. I set the camera to a 2 second delay/timer, press the shutter and then hold the tripod by the legs and raise it high above my head to get a high vantage point. I have also held it out over ledges or verandahs to get a view you normally wouldn't see.. (weird but I tend to hold on tighter in those situations ;-) )

Msmoto

@heartyfisher

Yes, like from the roof of a 9-story building, three feet from the edge out in space.

Vipmediastar_JZ

two old sunpak tripod/monopod combo now hold my back drop in place. sometimes I use the tripod to hold the nikon flash flash.

ChasCS

I'm using an old-old Monterey Custom 40"x40" projector screen, for my indoor backdrop and back ground holder...

Those three little metallic legs, have really stood the test of time.

I can drape a coloured cloth, course paper or any fabric of light to medium weight for awesome, blurred or focused back shots.
"TRI" it for yourself...

Tripods are a convenient place to hang speed lights, and have the ability to maneuver and place them, high low or medium height.

heartyfisher

"Monterey Custom 40"x40" projector screen" .. do you have a picture of it? I don't see what you mean..

DenverShooter

I use my tripod for holding up a raft of big glass and keeping my arms from falling off.

Tripod: Gitzo GT5541LS with WH-200 Wimberley Head

Glass: Nikon 400mm F/2.8, Nikon 600mm F/4 and Nikon 800mm F/5.6

Denver Shooter

ChasCS

@heartyfisher,
No, but you can look at its twin here
http://www.etsy.com/listing/42539443/for-the-movie-buff-vintage-movie

Same exact thing, while my screen is black on back, front also white, though mine it is not yellowed from age...

WestEndBoy

What about some more specific techniques that can be used when you have a tripod?

One thing I have used my tripod for is as an extension so that I can get my camera in a position I normally wont be able to take a photo from. I set the camera to a 2 second delay/timer, press the shutter and then hold the tripod by the legs and raise it high above my head to get a high vantage point. I have also held it out over ledges or verandahs to get a view you normally wouldn't see.. (weird but I tend to hold on tighter in those situations ;-) )

I like this one. My neighbor is cute, but the fence is too darn high.

TaoTeJared

A light!
only $13,000.

Photobug

That $13K rig is to big for my back and most important....for my pocketbook. :-j

What a cool ring light!

Parke1953

It's a ring light for the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 APO EX DG. :-c

Photobug

That is very funny. Glad I don't have to pay for the filter that big. :-))

PaRealtor

Great ideas!
Was wondering, besides stability, what do I need with this dare thing? Well, looks like that's enough!
However, I did splurge and get one that converts from a tripod to a monopod!
It's the MeFOTO RoadTrip Convertible Tripod, in Red!!! What can I say, I'm a Girlie, Girl! ;;)
Now, all I need is my D400. 8->