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Are Tripods Really Necessary?


Hank Taylor

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You know, now with the capability of shooting digital and at higher ISO I find the need for a tripod not as important. When I was shooting Kodachrome yes. There are times when I need a tripod for close-ups and possible scenic shots but actually even here I can usually make due with the natural surroundings to steady my camera if need be. After looking at Iduna's picture taken in Prague reminded me how stupid it is to load up all that extra gear when on vacation:D

Hank

Edited by Hank Taylor
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It is never a good idea to stupidly load up extra gear that you don't use, but tripods are not just about holding a camera still, they can be part of how a photographer makes an image.

 

For instance if the photographer likes to compose a scene, then stand back and think about refining it, perhaps wait for the light to change, wait for some element to change, then a tripod aids contemplation and also helps avoid the 'flash bang wallop' grab shots and 'been there, seen it, taken the picture' approach to image acquisition. And of course they also help with the obvious techniques of long exposures in dark places, long exposures for artistic effect, or holding a longer lens still on cameras without IBIS or not very good at high ISO.

 

So speak for yourself, I'm taking one of mine with me, and it won't be one of those pointless table top tripods either (you can never find a table when you need one).

 

Steve

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This one reminds me of Günther Osterloh's recipe for inconspicuous travel photography. He used to carry a complicated aluminum tripod that took ages to set up. In a busy place like a market he would build his gear up in a prominent place, causing everybody to watch him. By the time he started taking photographs he was accepted as part of the scenery as the crazy tourist photographer and nobody took any notice any more.

Edited by jaapv
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I can only speak for myself, but a tripod is vital to me. The majority of images I make, both commissioned and personal, are made using a tripod regardless of camera, imaging medium or format and that includes my Leica MP as well as Nikon bodies fitted with vr lenses.

 

It's a way of life, it's how I was taught at college and trained as a photographer many years ago and it's how I prefer to work.

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As ever, it's horses for courses.

 

Digital or not, I couldn't take a decent architectural shot in a church interior without a tripod. Quite apart from the exposure (you know, what used to be a fortnight at f/11 with 100 ISO film) I couldn't get my verticals vertical, horizontals horizontal, the appropriate degree of shift with my 28/2.8 PC, and a small aperture for depth of field, without a tripod. For me, the same applies to any sort of macro work, and telephoto work.

 

Ideally I'd even like to take my Manfrotto 055 and gear head, though on holiday, I have to compromise and take a lighter travel tripod with a ball head.

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Gosh I know I was going to stir up a hornets nest but this is more the I expected! Really having fun on this one. I guss it's because I was trained as a combat photographer in the corps using a 4x5 Speed Graphic and a tripod was not standard issue.

Hank:D

Edited by Hank Taylor
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Gosh I know I was going to stir up a hornets nest but this is more the I expected! Really haveing fun on this one.

Hank:D

 

I don't see any hornet's nest being poked (yet), you asked a question and some have replied. Take any group of photographers, ask the question and some will say why they use a tripod and others will say why they don't.

 

Different strokes.

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I don't see any hornet's nest being poked (yet), you asked a question and some have replied. Take any group of photographers, ask the question and some will say why they use a tripod and others will say why they don't.

 

Different strokes.

 

Yes, and thank you for your opinion which I do agree. That's what makes thes forum so much fun.:)

Hank

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No.

 

I just have one of these in my pocket ...... very rare that you cannot perch it on something .... and I have even wedged it between branches in trees. Works with all but the heaviest and longest of Leica lenses. :)

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No.

 

I just have one of these in my pocket ...... very rare that you cannot perch it on something .... and I have even wedged it between branches in trees. Works with all but the heaviest and longest of Leica lenses. :)

 

Like this, I'll have to get one and maybe I can use it when in church.:rolleyes:

Thanks

Hank

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So speak for yourself, I'm taking one of mine with me, and it won't be one of those pointless table top tripods either (you can never find a table when you need one).

 

Steve

 

......mmmmm ..... holidays usually involve the accompaniment of wife, partner or children (or occasionally the lot) .... and I have found that in particular wives and tripods are mutually incompatible ....... by the time I have got the legs extended and apart (the tripod that is ....) she is usually vanishing into the distance ..... :rolleyes:

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Like this, I'll have to get one and maybe I can use it when in church.:rolleyes:

Thanks

Hank

 

Cyprus ...... and you can get some unusual perspectives/viewpoints too..... I often use it on the floor ...

M+Tri-Elmar ... 2 and 3 second exposures

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Edited by thighslapper
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......mmmmm ..... holidays usually involve the accompaniment of wife, partner or children (or occasionally the lot) .... and I have found that in particular wives and tripods are mutually incompatible ....... by the time I have got the legs extended and apart (the tripod that is ....) she is usually vanishing into the distance ..... :rolleyes:

 

Let her vanish if it's a good photo.:)

 

I've long given up on the idea of trying to photograph anything half decent whilst pottering around during the day on a family holiday – it's usually a total waste of time. If there are photographic opportunities to be had on holiday (and I usually make sure that there are at least some) I'll be out by myself before 4.30am in the summer, tripod in hand.

Edited by wattsy
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......mmmmm ..... holidays usually involve the accompaniment of wife, partner or children (or occasionally the lot) .... and I have found that in particular wives and tripods are mutually incompatible ....... by the time I have got the legs extended and apart (the tripod that is ....) she is usually vanishing into the distance ..... :rolleyes:

 

Good show, that's really funny thanks:p

Hank

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I gave up using a tripod in Europe and settled for a monopod, I used it as a walking stick as well as for attaching a camera to the top. I carried a Leica ball head to screw onto the top if necessary.

 

With a little practice, I learned how to use the monopod in churches and museums.

 

Just a thought

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I'm definitely a tripod man, I have a lightweight full height CF that folds up small enough to put in my camera bag but my favourite is a heavy German aluminium job I bought for astronomy. I use a Manfrotto Junior geared head with it. With my M8 I always shoot at ISO 160 but even with my Canon, which will shoot high ISO, I will leave lenses, gear and even my sandwiches and thermos behind so I can carry my ali tripod.

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Are Tripods Really Necessary?
For M cameras, sometimes they are necessary - depending on the subject matter, the lighting circumstances and how much depth of field or shutter speed you want to use. Why? Because the M240 does not have ISO seventy five trillion capability, as do some of the Nikon and Canon DSLRs.

 

I like to keep my ISO low - preferably 800, or 1600 with 2000 at the outside. I could have used a tripod today but did not take it with me. I have a monopod - which there is no excuse for not taking - but being thoughtless, I left it at home, too. I ended up regretting it.

 

If you can't stand the weight & clumsiness of a tripod, a monopod is a big help in low light shooting when you do not want to have to shoot at ISO 3200 and f/1.4 or f/2. A monopod is great to have when you need some slow shutter speed support but cannot use a tripod for whatever reason.

 

Some may not object to the look of images shot at ISO 3200 and f/1.4 - but I don't care much for that look. I'm willing to put up with a little inconvenience in exchange for lower ISO and more depth of field.

 

YMMV.

Edited by Carlos Danger
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I guess I should have asked " are small cameras necessary for those who need tripods"?:D

 

Hank

 

Hank, that's actually an interesting way of putting it. In my case, my M is actually my R digital solution (with R-M adapter and EVF2). It's a good solution for essentially static subjects, which is my main photographic interest, and in this role, it goes hand-in-hand with a tripod. I'm actually in process of swapping my 35/1.4 R for a 35 M lens, which I would envisage using exclusively without a tripod. As I said earlier, horses for courses!

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Hank, that's actually an interesting way of putting it. In my case, my M is actually my R digital solution (with R-M adapter and EVF2). It's a good solution for essentially static subjects, which is my main photographic interest, and in this role, it goes hand-in-hand with a tripod. I'm actually in process of swapping my 35/1.4 R for a 35 M lens, which I would envisage using exclusively without a tripod. As I said earlier, horses for courses!

 

Thank you John , it sounds like a good solution switching over to the M35, and just for the record, I do use a tripod when its that important like using a slow shutter speed and closing down the f stop for more depth of field.:) Hank

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