Tripod usage

[PhotoXopher]

Let's just say I'm glad I stopped at $250 for my tripod setup since it's most often it's just taking up space in my closet.

Will be using it soon though for some 4t of July firework action.

 

[bhop]

I hardly ever use one. The only time I do is if i'm taking a self portrait, or if i'm shooting one of my models. There are rare times when I might shoot a night shot with it, but generally I just use high speed film and still handhold.

 

[Dagwood56]

Thanks everyone for your replies :thumbup:, I feel so much better now knowing I'm not totally alone with my lack of tripod use.

 

[blondie621]

Carol, I just got back from exchanging my defective lens camera and on the way out of the store I grabbed a tabletop tripod to use outdoors on my patio table. My Sx10 was too heavy for it so I think I am going to get one of those flexible ones on Ebay. As far as a regular tripod, I really do not need one but it is probably good to have one packed away somewhere just in case! Maybe next year!

 

[Phranquey]

I use the actual tripod about 20% of the time, but I also have a monopod and a Kirk window mount that I use a LOT.

 

[Christie Photo]

...takes 98% of the fun out of photography.

I use a tripod for nearly EVERYTHING, save candid wedding photos. I suppose it's just what I got used to in the "film days." We never shot anything other than slides with 35mm and the cameras had to be mounted. I'm not sure how much a Mamiya RB with a finder and hood weighs, but hand-held was pretty much out of the question.

RECENTLY, I've been forcing myself to go hand-held on some of my portraiture when the circumstances permit. I have to agree... I do have a lot more fun.

 

[Dagwood56]

Something that my husband has, but I've never used, is a George Lepp gun stock mount. I have thought about using it, but to be honest I so seldom see them being used by anyone that I'm afraid someone might panic and think I really have a gun! Anyone ever use one of them? Are they more convenient, but as sturdy as a tripod? I know my husband got his and it has spent most of its life in a storage container in the garage because he didn't feel comfortable using it. I noticed a few people have mentioned monopods, but I have yet to understand how they are really all that stable as far as preventing camera movement. Since I have problems walking I had considered a monopod at one point as a means of steadying my camera as well as myself, but I always talk myself out of getting one...I guess again deciding it would be as much of a bother as the tripod...but maybe it wouldn't be....

 

[Torus34]

While I use a tripod when the shot calls for it [the break point for me is the old 'shutter speed = 1/fl or faster' rule], there are times when it's just not possible or not allowed.

Cases in point:

I enjoy cruising. There are loads of interesting interior shots possible, but tripods are often not practical or are actually banned. It's something of a fun thing to solve stability problems in such situations. Most recently, I got decent results in taking a picture of the center shaft of the atrium space on a ship by simply placing the camera flat on the floor, pointed straight up.

I enjoy museums, too. Museums often have glass between the viewer and the objects on display. By pressing the camera lens flat against the glass, shots can be taken without reflection and without motion blur. Focus is manual, of course.

 

[Dagwood56]

While I use a tripod when the shot calls for it [the break point for me is the old 'shutter speed = 1/fl or faster' rule], there are times when it's just not possible or not allowed.

Cases in point:

I enjoy cruising. There are loads of interesting interior shots possible, but tripods are often not practical or are actually banned. It's something of a fun thing to solve stability problems in such situations. Most recently, I got decent results in taking a picture of the center shaft of the atrium space on a ship by simply placing the camera flat on the floor, pointed straight up.

I enjoy museums, too. Museums often have glass between the viewer and the objects on display. By pressing the camera lens flat against the glass, shots can be taken without reflection and without motion blur. Focus is manual, of course.

I've noticed there are a lot of places that ban the use of tripods -especially many botanical gardens, I've heard its a space\safety issue. I arrived at a place a few years ago, when I was still using film, only to find a large sign posted by the admissons desk 'Camera's permitted but no tripods and "NO FLASH".' The tripod issue I understood because of the narrow walkway through the place, but I was very surprised about the flash because it wasn't a museum, it was just a large model train display [in Flemington NJ] and everything was displayed behind a plexiglass wall so I could never understand what damage would have been done to anything by using a flash.... that turned into a wasted day because the film I had was not fast enough to use indoors, handheld without a flash.:er:

I've been finding creative ways around tripod use too - I've had a few ocassions recently where I wanted to use a low shutter speed on flowing water, so I used a railing or rock for camera support. I've done this for some bird shots also -most bird blinds have benches to sit on and a window ledge to rest the camera on; nice bean bag and I'm all set.

 

[Christie Photo]

...everything was displayed behind a plexiglass wall so I could never understand what damage would have been done to anything by using a flash....

Well... IF you have a camera-mounted flash, the Plexi likely would have bounced the light right back into the lens, so it would not have worked out anyway.

But to answer your question, the UV light in strobes will fade pigment in paint and dye. The repeated exposure to strobe lighting, over time, will have an effect. And... it can be a bit annoying to others, diminishing their experience.

-Pete

 

[KmH]

...everything was displayed behind a plexiglass wall so I could never understand what damage would have been done to anything by using a flash....

Well... IF you have a camera-mounted flash, the Plexi likely would have bounced the light right back into the lens, so it would not have worked out anyway.

But to answer your question, the UV light in strobes will fade pigment in paint and dye. The repeated exposure to strobe lighting, over time, will have an effect. And... it can be a bit annoying to others, diminishing their experience.

-Pete

Sorry Pete,
Ain't buying the UV argument. Not when flash duration is measured in 10's of thousandths of a second and there is a plexiglass wall.

The annoying argument works good though.

 

[Dagwood56]

Well... IF you have a camera-mounted flash, the Plexi likely would have bounced the light right back into the lens, so it would not have worked out anyway.

But to answer your question, the UV light in strobes will fade pigment in paint and dye. The repeated exposure to strobe lighting, over time, will have an effect. And... it can be a bit annoying to others, diminishing their experience.

-Pete

Pete --Thanks. In the case of this train place, I can see where annoying would have been a factor since at times plexiglass was on each side of the hallway. I suppose you get enough people with a flash and it would have become a light show....at the time i guess was just too annoyed to see that. Looking back I'm sure the reflecting bit is most likely why it was prohibited there.

 

[manaheim]

I have one and I use it frequently... it just depends on what kinds of shots you do. I do a lot of night photography and interiors, so tripod makes a big difference.

 

[Joves]

I am one of those I use it when I need it. I also use my monopod alot more. I just picked up a used tripod today for basically a steal off of Craigs, it is a Manfrotto 3221 with a 3047 head and, 4 quick connect plates for $135. I priced a used one at KEH that was in poorer condition to this one (it is pristine) and, it was $198. Im a happy camper now. The guy said he had too many of them and, got a carbon Gitzo so he sold this one cheap.

 

[manaheim]

4 quick connect plates is handy. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people get to a site and go "oh CRAP, where is my plate?!??!"