When do use those cumbersome three legged things

sevencrossing

This not about which one you use
just when do you use them
If any one want to talk about one legged things; please feel to start a new thread

sevencrossing

I admit I do use one
1 anything requiring multiple exposures
2 panos
3 long exposures at night
4 when using a 10 stop ND filter
5 working tethered
6 shooting at sunrise or sunset with the 80 -400

but otherwise I hate them, they cramp your style and are IMHO a hinderance to capturing the decisive moment

MikeGunter

Hi all,

Your list is very good, but I use mine every time I have the opportunity.

Not necessarily the answer you or anyone might have asked for, but the answer I'll stick by. Making sharp images starts with stable supports.

Some of us are less 'stable' than others.

My best,

Mike

donaldejose

I am like Mike. I use a tripod whenever I can without too much inconvenience. I even sit in a chair behind a tripod when shooting portraits for a long time (bad back - hurts to bend over a long time). Out in the woods shooting landscapes I will often lean up against a tree or rest my hands on a log or stone. Tripods are our friends, not our enemies. If you can work without one, good for you; but not all people can.

haroldp

All of the above reasons, and for long lenses.

Golf007sd

I have no regrets whenever I need to use my tripod or when I take it with me on a shoot. Moreover, If you have the right one its transportation is not a big deal.

For HDR photography my tripod is an invaluable tool. I challenge any photographer, with the best hand holding technique to try the way I do it.

For big glass, a tripod or monopod is a must; in order to have a long day of joyful shooting.

I must say, for those that have full-size tripods that has the thickness of a my middle finger, then you are better off not having one.

heartyfisher

My main tripod is a small light one attached to my camera all the time. it helps stabilise the shot just by its presence and when I need a bit of extra stability I brace it against my belt. I hardly use it as a standard tripod ..ie. on the ground, but its there if I need to. I use it to get my camera up in the air or out over ledges for interesting views.

NSXTypeR

I don't use it as I don't own one. Easy.

Would it improve my photography? Probably.

I'm just too lazy to carry one, and too poor to buy a good one.

Photobug

Sevencrossing...agree with our list for when I use a tripod.
In addition, I use my tripod when I am shooting creeks and rivers so I can slow down that shutter to get that smooth cotton like water. I use a tripod for taking pictures of fireworks. Also use a tripod to get those early morning and late evening sunrise/sunset pictures. Any long lens work or BIF require a solid tripod - none of that thin leg stuff. No And most important, I use a tripod when shooting 3 and 4 generation pictures. I need to be in those pictures.

My daughter-in-law puts together scrap books and 80% of the photos are mine. Over the years she has noticed that I am not in too many of the pictures so she is grabbing my camera to take pictures so I am in more of them with her children.

Finally, yes I agree with the comments that tripods can slow you down or be inconvenient. You got to balance the pros and cons.

tcole1983

Very few times do I use one.

Long exposures. Portraits that I am in. That about sums it up. Otherwise handheld or on the monopod.

snakebunk

I am just about to buy one and plan to use it as often as I can for long tele shots. Is there ever a reason not to use one if you have the option?

KnockKnock

I think there are arguments to be made for the freedom of not shooting with a tripod. But I'll leave that to KR.

I use it primarily for product shots, for when I have time to manipulate the composition obsessively and for when I want to be in the picture.

spraynpray

+1 @MikeGunter - every time I can. I only don't when I can't.

sevencrossing

I am just about to buy one and plan to use it as often as I can for long tele shots. Is there ever a reason not to use one if you have the option?

It depends on what you are shooting , if it it static no reason not to use one
if it is moving, then you really need a gimbal head

Msmoto

Studio...once a set is completed, camera position is confirmed, put the box on sticks.
Location....same as above if a set is constructed.
Studio live action.....not used
Studio, available light, slow shutter speed...sometimes.
Location... long lens, fixed camera position....used for the purpose of allowing me to relax between events and not set the camera on the ground. Gimbal usually...
Interiors....almost always to allow subtle camera changes as the "proof" is examined.
Macro....varies
Focus stacking....always
Camera testing, i.e., AF Fine Tune...of course

NSXTypeR

I am just about to buy one and plan to use it as often as I can for long tele shots. Is there ever a reason not to use one if you have the option?

I am just about to buy one and plan to use it as often as I can for long tele shots. Is there ever a reason not to use one if you have the option?

It depends on what you are shooting , if it it static no reason not to use one
if it is moving, then you really need a gimbal head

I think with macro photography of live bugs (not posed ones) it might be hard to us a full sized tripod. I can see a beanbag helping though for the low shots, but I've never attempted it or owned a bean bag. Maybe a smaller, squatter tripod may help.

Does anyone else use a tripod for bug macros?

PB_PM

I have used a tripod for insect photography, but if the little things are active it's no easy task. Of course the best time to photograph insects is in the morning, when it is cold, so that they are less active. Sharper images are often the result.

I use a tripod often, because it's not that big a deal to carry it around. A good light weight carbon fibre tripod is worth it's weight in gold, more so actually. I use it for just about every type of photography, from wildlife to family portraits. Now I don't use it all the time, such as causal outings, but for most serious work I have it with me.

ThomasHorton

For me, using a tripod (and those one leggy things) is my norm. I take a different attitude: I always use a tripod unless there is a reason not to.

But then my type of photography lends it self nicely to the use of a tripod.

Nikonsince1974

A tripod, or a monopod at least is an absolute must with my 600nn f/4 AIS "Beast". Also use it when I am using my 300mm f/2.8 AIS when doing portraiture work or stuff that requires a shutter speed of 1/200±. Of course anything requires precise registration like HDR, I also use it a lot with Real Estate photography when doing a panorama or night time images

MikeGunter

Hi all,

@NSXTypeR - taking great macro shots is when you'll want to use a tripod; granted, it's not convenient, but then taking great shots sometimes isn't.

In my post I articulated that I use a tripod every time I could. That implies that I can't every time and that I wish I could every time - both true (excepting the motions blur shots).

There are many, too many times that the tripod doesn't work or isn't allowed - a pity.

My best,

Mike

sevencrossing

Thanks Guys lots of great replies

Two distinct camps

1 use a tripod only when you can't hand hold

2 hand hold only when you can't use a tripod

haroldp

When shooting BIF, I will often have a 400/2.8 w tv-20eiii on a tripod (see 3 giro with rrs gimbal head) and an 80-400g on a neck strap for handheld when they get close or fly overhead where even a gimbal cannot reach.

For landscapes I use a tripod whenever it is feasible, since being able to stop down to optimum and use low ISO is a greater difference than between lenses.

It is also essential for registration of HDR s and panos

... H

NSXTypeR

Hi all,

@NSXTypeR - taking great macro shots is when you'll want to use a tripod; granted, it's not convenient, but then taking great shots sometimes isn't.

In my post I articulated that I use a tripod every time I could. That implies that I can't every time and that I wish I could every time - both true (excepting the motions blur shots).

There are many, too many times that the tripod doesn't work or isn't allowed - a pity.

My best,

Mike

Right, I'm not saying that tripods have no place in macro photography, I'm just saying it might limit your movement when you have bugs flying around. It won't be easy but I'm sure your photos would definitely come out better.

For focus stacking it'd be pretty much essential.

I have used a tripod for insect photography, but if the little things are active it's no easy task. Of course the best time to photograph insects is in the morning, when it is cold, so that they are less active. Sharper images are often the result.

I use a tripod often, because it's not that big a deal to carry it around. A good light weight carbon fibre tripod is worth it's weight in gold, more so actually. I use it for just about every type of photography, from wildlife to family portraits. Now I don't use it all the time, such as causal outings, but for most serious work I have it with me.

That's why I appreciate great macro shots, it took a heck of a lot of work to get that photo, especially if you stack it.

spraynpray

This was taken without a tripod. I NEVER do macro without flash so a tripod is not necessary. When the temps are high, these things hardly stop for a moment so no time for a monopod let alone a tripod. It is only 1/4" (6mm) long:

Pistnbroke

Fireworks and moon shots

ThomasHorton

There are many, too many times that the tripod ...isn't allowed - a pity.

My best,

Mike

We could start a whole separate thread on the "war against tripods/monopods".

One of our local aerospace museums which has lously lighting, forbids not only tripods but monopods. Tripods I can understand from a tripping hazard. We have to protect those people walking through a museum with their face in their smart phones. L-)

But no monopods? really? Harrumph.