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Post by maryloveslucy on Feb 15, 2012 21:33:41 GMT
Tripods... do you 'like' using a tripod? Everybody said I had to have one. I received one, a nice one, as a gift. I don't enjoy using it. It's one more thing to have to figure out. It's confining...
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Post by The Wirefox on Feb 15, 2012 22:03:58 GMT
Mary, I wholeheartedly agree. I use a tripod only when absolutely necessary. I find no pleasure in faffing around extending legs, getting things level. I have used my monopod more than my tripods..as for carrying it...well
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Post by jeeperman on Feb 15, 2012 22:14:25 GMT
At times a necessary evil.
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Post by Barry on Feb 15, 2012 22:17:29 GMT
Now I use a tripod as much as possible, as you say it does take time, but I feel this extra time allows you more thinking time about composition of your intended image. Obviously if available light is good and you can get the desired aperture and shutter speed, then I just go hand held.
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Post by nickjohnson on Feb 15, 2012 22:32:42 GMT
Mary I know what you mean, The only reason I have a tripod – and use it – is so that I can take pictures that are not possible hand held. As for like using it – well kinda sorta maybe. A tripod will always slow you down. Sometimes that is what you need in order to see things better. On the other hand, one of the most likely usage situations is sunrise / set. It's tedious and cold waiting for the light to change - then when it does change it all happens so fast you need all the speed you can get. I suppose the most tiresome part of tripod ownership is the endless additional retail opportunities. One needs a tripod head, a quick release plate, a remote release, an angle finder, a set of focus rails, and a bag to put it all in. But it could be worse. I also have – and use – a mono-pod It has many of the “advantages” of a tripod – but has the additional benefit of being unable to stand up on its own....
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Post by cannockwolf on Feb 15, 2012 22:35:22 GMT
I hate tripods, I bought a d700 so I didn't have to rely on them!
I use then for long exposures but try my best to get away without them
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Post by Steaphany on Feb 15, 2012 22:46:20 GMT
I found that not only is a tripod essential, to maximize the stability and, correspondingly, the image clarity, a tripod needs to be able to sufficiently damp out vibrations which is why I'm saving up to get a Berlebach UNI 24 tripodOf all the photographic tripod manufacturers I've looked at, Berlebach is the only one that lists a specification for vibration damping. ( The specification ranges from good and very good to extremely good, arbitary but still better than nothing )
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Post by Stevewebb on Feb 16, 2012 0:39:10 GMT
I tend to just use a tripod for long exposure or close up work. But I agree that when I have used it for landscapes it does force you to slow down and think about the composition more. When I do use a tripod for landscapes, I also bracket every shot as a habit which has saved a few images from disaster (but I never seem to do it when handheld).
I wouldn't want to be without a tripod, but end up not using it that often.
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Post by robnaylor on Feb 16, 2012 8:35:59 GMT
I use a tripod for more than half of my shots, short or long exposure. I find I think more about POV and composition with a tripod as it slows down the whole process of taking a photo. I have fixed an old camera neckstrap to my tripod (one end to the head, and one to the bottom of the middle tube), it makes it very easy to carry around with the camera attached and the legs fully extended.
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rjbell
Member
[Mo0:1]
Posts: 74
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Post by rjbell on Feb 16, 2012 8:43:00 GMT
I use one a lot for landscapes. I'm usually going somewhere specific with a shot in mind so i get there then set up for the shot. If i'm out enjoying a walk or doing some street photography i will leave the tripod at home.
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Post by maryloveslucy on Feb 16, 2012 14:45:24 GMT
Thanks. Lots to think about... I'll keep working with it... I guess.
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Post by chrisc on Feb 16, 2012 14:56:35 GMT
They have their place and need. I generally carry a rather heavy Monfrotto that is a little awkward to use because of the tilt and ontal controls, but it will level to any environment and I've used it in 40 kt winds with no jumping or bumping..
For controlled landscapes, especially when using my GND filters, I almost always use the tripod. For action, rarely.
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Post by katynoelle on Feb 16, 2012 16:25:17 GMT
I've been wondering and meaning to ask this very same question, myself! Thanks, Mary! and, I agree with everyone - even though they've answered differently. As I've been going through my photos from the past year, I'm seeing where and when I was wasting my time without a tripod. It's giving me new energy to problem solve for the situations where my tripod didn't fit or wasn't short enough. For example, in the garden - the breeze is moving things enough without me getting giddy and swaying, too, as I look through the viewfinder. but, then, flowers are short! Shorter than my tripod - so that old broken, lightweight one that folds up wonderfully may not work extended but I'm definitely getting it out for the garden, this year. Food photography, interiors with certain light, still life - the composition is so important and the angles of it all tricky. Everything needs to be placed just so. I want to do more of it; so, I set the tripod up and, like Rob, have time to tweak things and work more carefully and methodically on composition, lighting, etc. as I look through the viewfinder. Flowers and macros, indoors. I've missed so many shots because it was handheld. It gets better - the more you use it - it gets better. Then, eventually, it, actually, becomes a welcome friend. Take breaks when it's driving you nuts, though, so that you can remember that you, actually, like photography! Do you remember seeing that funny photographer's 'growth' chart? Everyone feels like dust when they first start to use it. It was tremendously funny and encouraging to me that I wasn't the only one.
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Post by Barry on Feb 17, 2012 9:42:04 GMT
For example, in the garden - the breeze is moving things enough without me getting giddy and swaying, too, as I look through the viewfinder. but, then, flowers are short! Shorter than my tripod - so that old broken, lightweight one that folds up wonderfully may not work extended but I'm definitely getting it out for the garden, this year. Don't forget a stick and cable tie, this works well to support a flower that is blowing around in the breeze.
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Post by katynoelle on Feb 17, 2012 16:29:57 GMT
For example, in the garden - the breeze is moving things enough without me getting giddy and swaying, too, as I look through the viewfinder. but, then, flowers are short! Shorter than my tripod - so that old broken, lightweight one that folds up wonderfully may not work extended but I'm definitely getting it out for the garden, this year. Don't forget a stick and cable tie, this works well to support a flower that is blowing around in the breeze. Yes! That is handy! Especially because the advice going around to block the breeze with something (camera bag, for example) doesn't work up here on the windy hill! Mostly, there's just nothing like a still day with perfect light and a blue moon.
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