bocaburger Posted January 5, 2015 Share #21 Posted January 5, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) On trips where I expect to do a lot of landscape photography I bring a tripod, a 100-series Gitzo CF. Otherwise I bring just the Leica table tripod. Being that I am not blindered by the word "table", I brace it against any solid vertical surface such as lampposts, fenceposts, trees, walls (indoors and out), doors, door-jambs etc. Worst-case scenario I use it as a chest pod, which adds significant stability to handheld shots. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Hi bocaburger, Take a look here Are Tripods Really Necessary?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dickgrafixstop Posted January 5, 2015 Share #22 Posted January 5, 2015 I believe my tripod is permanently attached to my Rolleiflex in the back of the closet and neither have been used for years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted January 5, 2015 Share #23 Posted January 5, 2015 Why not use a camera with IBIS? http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/2328899-post5.html OLYMPUS E-M5, handheld, 1/3s, OOC JPG, shot with Leica WATE 16-18-21/4 M lens. The GetDPI Photography Forums - View Single Post - Yes, I think I would be able to live with this lens OLYMPUS E-M1 + M.40-150mm F2.8 @ f/5.6, ISO=1600, 150 mm, 1/5 s, handheld! Oh BTW, I still use a tripod for 36 MP sensors in cameras without image stabilization. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Taylor Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share #24 Posted January 6, 2015 I believe my tripod is permanently attached to my Rolleiflex in the back of the closet andneither have been used for years. Thanks Dick and as I remember you still have a case of Vintage Antique Westinghouse M2 Flash Bulbs there Hank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo63 Posted January 7, 2015 Share #25 Posted January 7, 2015 they certainly arent needed all the time, but a good tripod is a useful accessory. I have two, a big heavy Slik Pro700DX and a tiny (900g) Sirui T025-X The Sirui is my travel tripod, it gets to chest height on me, but as its a reverse folding travel tripod, the centre column is always extended (which i hate) so i typically use it with the ballhead mounted straight to the spider, which is waist height Its perfectly stable for the M and X100, but i would only put a 1D and 70-200 on it at minimum height and during the daytime (remote camera etc) The Slik is my big heavy "rock" It has, in the past supported lenses up to a 600mm f4 - for a fairly long exposure (4 sec or so) Its a little unsteady with long heavy lenses, and requires excellent technique (no extension on legs, no centre column, mirror lockup, cable release or 2sec self timer) but works well for lenses up to 200mm I do intend to add a big carbon fiber "monster" from RRS to the stable too - similar weight to the slik, but a bit bigger and much more stable It will be overkill for the M, but perfect for using with the bigger heavier lenses i frequently use at work. As for actual uses 1. avoiding camera shake 2. Use long exposure for either lower iso (less noise) or stopped down aperture (more depth of field) or for effect (blurred "milky" water, light trails, star trails etc) 3. Supporting the weight of a heavy camera/lens (not really relevant for most Leica users but for SLR users it is) 4. Keeping identical framing - when shooting cars it is common practice to light individual bits seperately and blend them later in PS I did one of my car recently and wound up using 6 different shots blended together (sky, background, side, front, hood, backlight) the technique works for anything that stays still long enough. Altering exposure and blending them works too (HDR) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted January 9, 2015 Share #26 Posted January 9, 2015 I use four: one for travel, one for indoors only (has an articulating center column), one for extreme conditions, and my regular one for everything else. I like tripods. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted January 9, 2015 Share #27 Posted January 9, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm trying to make more use of my tripod. Laziness has been the decider if I'm honest with myself. I've had my Culmann tripod for over 30 years and it looks brand new. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeinzX Posted January 9, 2015 Share #28 Posted January 9, 2015 For some purposes tripods are necessary - for some they are not. And for some purposes they are a must (e.g.stacking, stitching, some types of panoramas, long time exposure). So it ist never a mistake, to have one - if it is really used and not sleeping at home when it would be needed outside. I have not always one with me, but when I really intend to make pictures and it could be useful and on holidays it is with me. For outside and travelling I use a Gitzo Traveler class 2 - suitable for my Canon 5 D III too and very light and easy to transport. At home I use a Berlebach 17 C together with special equipment for macros - very heavy but excellent and practically no vibrations. Of course for just a M Leica these tripods are not necessary - e.g. a Gitzo Traveler Class 1 will do the trick by far, but for users of different systems and with higher weight and similiar purposes they are a very good choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted January 9, 2015 Share #29 Posted January 9, 2015 When you need one, you need one. When you don't, well you don't. But there are times when one would be useful but you might just get away without one. Whilst I really like being minimalist carrying the bare necessities, there are times when a tripod really is essential and in all I have 3, all Gitzos, ranging from lightweight to a really heavy and bulky one. In the middle sits an aluminium version bought secondhand in 1980, which is still perfectly usable, not too heavy and as it owes me nothing, and is pretty well worthless, it often lives in the boot of the car as a consequence - more or less to hand if I need it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 9, 2015 Share #30 Posted January 9, 2015 Yes, same here. Always have a tripod (along with a pair of wellies) in the boot of the car. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted January 9, 2015 Share #31 Posted January 9, 2015 My main big one is a Manfotto 055 variant in carbon fibre, with their Junior gear head, and supplementary right-angle bracket. My holiday travel tripod is a rather nice Benro aluminium one with a ball head. (It was excellent value when I bought it, very well made, with Gitzo style twist locks. Their nearest equivalent model is rather more expensive now.) I also have a Gitzo monopod which, to be honest, has been pretty well supplanted by the Benro tripod, and a Manfrotto table top outfit which I sometimes use with compact cameras such as the CM. (Again that's getting quite expensive now, but it was outstanding value when I bought it.) But if I sell the monopod today, then tomorrow I'll find an application for which I really need it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted January 9, 2015 Share #32 Posted January 9, 2015 Yes, same here. Always have a tripod (along with a pair of wellies) in the boot of the car. Ditto ...... Only it's the one in brackets that gets taken out most ..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted January 9, 2015 Share #33 Posted January 9, 2015 In my experience, when they are needed - they are needed. I prefer a tripod to inflated ASA or always wide open lenses - that is my choice of constraint. For travel, I take along a Leitz table tripod and ball head. Small and very versatile. At home, a light old Linhof, often weighted by with a full camera bag hanging from it. Rock solid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted January 9, 2015 Share #34 Posted January 9, 2015 Every time I travel with a tripod I find that it's used - but not very often. This Christmas I took the Leica tabletop and ball head; I used it once for some fireworks. I would have used it in Spar cave on Skye but it was too much of a race against the tide - so the tripod stayed in the bag and I cranked the Monochrom up to ISO 5000 and shot at 1/30s @ f/1.4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berth Posted January 9, 2015 Share #35 Posted January 9, 2015 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. I like that very much, just the ticket for travel photography where space is at a premium yet there is the occasional need for camera support. So I ordered one just like it from B&H yesterday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted January 10, 2015 Share #36 Posted January 10, 2015 I use tripods because I like coffee...... The consumption of the second increases the need for the first. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 11, 2015 Share #37 Posted January 11, 2015 A flimsy tripod is worse than no tripod. A word of caution on traveling with a tripod: In some buildings you are not allowed you to use them. Fair enough, they can get in the way (also a possible security threat these days). Shooting without is definitely faster and less conspicuous but you still need one sometimes. I really don't like to shoot much above ISO800 with the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winedemonium Posted January 11, 2015 Share #38 Posted January 11, 2015 Ming Thein's latest blog posts are on the subject of tripods. He argues it is one area not to skimp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJH Posted January 11, 2015 Share #39 Posted January 11, 2015 Yes but his background is product photography and stuff like macro photography of watches in particular, its almost impossible to do that sort of stuff well without a tripod more a nonsense even. Similarly for the guys with DSLRs and big telephoto lenses, they nearly always use something, often monopods for mobility as one needs something to take the weight. I am not saying they are unnecessary for RF photography but more that if one is used to working with one then your much more likely to be comfortable with the idea of using one with a RF camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 12, 2015 Share #40 Posted January 12, 2015 Which begs the question how does anybody become uncomfortable with using a tripod with a rangefinder camera? To even think that rangefinder cameras and tripods are an unusual mix follows a similar vein of Leica dogma and myth that spoils the camera and its potential. One of the top must be 'HCB only used a 50mm lens', closely followed by 'why wouldn't I use f/1 all the time?', probably next would be 'rangefinder cameras are not mean to be used on tripods', which ironically could be followed by 'I can hand hold at 1/4 second'. The full list is longer. But beginners can read rubbish like that and happily believe it because rather than buying a camera they are more interested in buying into the myths around it. Any lens can be made consistently sharper at any aperture or shutter speed by using a tripod, so for people who buy Leica lenses because one aspect of their value is in sharpness and overall technical performance it seems logical that the tripod bush was designed into the base plate for a good reason. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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