To tri or not to tri...

[Peter H]

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I don't know how I can most concisely put the question since I'm not attempting a scientific survey, but I'd love to know how often (proportionately) M users use a tripod.

 

Do you nearly always use one? Or do you almost never use one?

 

Or are we all well balanced individuals who use one when circumstances dictate/allow, otherwise not?

 

I don't wish to start a debate about the pros and cons of their use, which is a well-covered topic, but I am really curious to know how we actually use them.

 

Thanks

 

Peter H

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[UliWer]

Usually almost never - with some exceptions when I try out something, for example how different lenses work. In everyday situations I never have a tripod at hands, when I take pictures.

 

Though I use the camera also with a visoflex - and then always with tripod.

[SJP]

never, or maybe once in the past 2½ years, I think when my brothers were over and we wanted a familly portiait

[250swb]

I use one when I need one, or want to use one. If I'm in 'landscape mode' I sometimes like to set the camera up, have a walk around, wait for the light, think about stuff, so a tripod is great. If its dark a tripod is great. If none of the above I tend not to use one, but I don't set rules about anything like that, there are no bragging rights in being a pedant.

 

Steve

[Jamie Roberts]

Only when I'm testing focus; otherwise, for me, a tripod is the anti-M device I understand why others may use it, but if I'm looking at a tripod, I'm looking at a different camera, usually.

[erl]

For testing focus.

Once recently when I did a self portrait in Antarctica to amuse myself in the cold. It was a small 'pocket' tripod. Always carry, almost never use it. Hmmm.

[Ed_K]

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Usually not on outdoor shooting but will use one when doing tabletops indoor with everything already set up.

[Shade]

I only use a tripod if I want to be in the picture, which is like once in 6 months? Haha..

[spydrxx]

If I'm testing lenses, or doing product shots, definitely will use a tripod. When I'm out doing nature photography I would love to have a weightless heavy duty tripod, but none exists, so it is handheld, occasional monopod, or using a rock, tree or other structure for support where necessary. For most portrait work I do not use one, although again I probably should.

[wilfredo]

I've done plenty of shooting with a tripod and always keep one in my car for those times when I need it and hand held won't do.

[brill64]

yes, lots

[thrice]

Always for any kind of landscape work. Obviously not when shooting people since I can handhold slower than will sufficiently freeze their action.

[mikenic]

Tripod for stitched landscapes, repetitive eBay stuff on light table and also lens/camera checks.

 

Custom built lightweight monopod for failing light and outdoor portrait sessions (from the premise that most unwanted camera movement is vertical).

 

But nothing at all normally, except for home made thumb stabiliser, shutter button and camera case with small grip (Zhou).

 

Small tripod is often used to hold off camera flash with RF TX in hotshoe.

 

Mike

[k-hawinkler]

I do both. Taking pictures with and without a tripod are quite different activities and experiences. For one thing, a tripod lets me use much heavier lenses.

 

With a tripod I seem to focus most often on one particular shot, waiting for the magic morning or evening light, or fairly rapidly changing weather/cloud conditions that sometimes illuminate a particular scene with a burst of light for a few seconds or minutes.

 

This is a quite different activity from using a tripod just to get as sharp as possible a shot and then proceed to the next subject.

 

Not being constrained by a tripod is just wonderful to move about and rapidly respond to any kind of potentially interesting situation in any direction.

 

Why restrict myself artificially when the tools available allow for great variety, supporting the intended purpose?

 

K-H.

[neli]

I use one when I need one, or want to use one. If I'm in 'landscape mode' I sometimes like to set the camera up, have a walk around, wait for the light, think about stuff, so a tripod is great. If its dark a tripod is great. If none of the above I tend not to use one, but I don't set rules about anything like that, there are no bragging rights in being a pedant.

 

Steve

 

ooh, nice, +1

meaning, same for me. "landscape and hdr and ponitification mode"

i use the gitzo 1550T and Slide Fix Top from Arca. Though I've heard good things about the RRS 25. maybe you didn't want to know the which just the why?

[Freedolin]

Not a regular tripod, but I always carry a Leica table tripod (with RRS BH-25 ball head) in the shoulder bag and use it occasionally. Not often, but it's available when required.

 

-- Markus

[Ecar]

Seldom used but often carried - just in case...

[Peter H]

Thanks everyone for replying.

 

It does seem that most of us use a tripod rarely if at all. I always have one in the car but it just doesn't fit my style, or yours apparently, which isn't surprising given the camera you've chosen.

 

The surprising thing is, how all of you get such great hand-held results. Excellent technique as well as equipment, obviously!

 

Peter H

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[urgenta]

I use often a monopod for landscape and architecture. My prefered one is a Monostat RS16K Carbon ART with a little Manfrotto Head 234RC.

 

Urgenta, from Switzerland, like the Monopod :-)

[wparsonsgisnet]

tripod most of the time in the studio.

 

MONOPOD -- always with me. I use it most of the time when shooting dance (and other action). A monopod allows the photog to punch the shutter. This allows this sort of shot

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