Do I really need a tripod?

[KmH]

So, I ask: Do I really need a tripod in order to take decent landscape/cityscape photos when my lenses have IS?

Not if you don't mind when some of your landscape/cityscape photos are less than as sharp as they could have been.

Many don't understand the type of motion(s) IS is designed to correct for, that IS is most effective at slower shutter speeds, and that for shots using 1/500 or so and faster shutter speeds IS should be turned off.

Like most convenience DSLR camera and lens features IS is not a be all to end all and has limitations.

 

[runnah]

I love it when photo folks complain about carrying a tripod around. Try carrying my video tripod around for a day then you'll see what a PITA really is.

I made sure my bag had a built in system for carrying tripod, thus making it much easier to carry one around.

 

[vimwiz]

One i mentioned: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Travel...188&sr=1-2&keywords=light+small+camera+tripod

Cheap, get what you pay for - but very compact and light.

 

[runnah]

This is close to what I have for photo. The head is decent. But it's light and strong.
Manfrotto MK393-HM Photo-Movie Aluminum Tripod QR Kit MK393-HM

Video tripod.
Manfrotto MVH502A Fluid Head and 546B Tripod MVH502A,546BK-1 B&H

 

[table1349]

There are two roads you can go down buying a tripod. If you take the left fork, you buy some cheap tripod that gets you by for a while until you realize that it really doesn't work all that well. You then go out and spend $20 or $30 more thinking you solved all your problems. This road is like the directions on a shampoo bottle: Lather - Rinse - Repeat.

If you choose the right fork, with a little planning forethought and spending a reasonable amount of money with out going crazy you can purchase a setup that will last you a lifetime with just taking care of the thing.

First, you want a tripod that will support at least 2X's the weight of your heaviest gear combination now and what you want to have in the future. A pod and head that would support 3X's the weight would be better. This will give you a solid structure to work from.

Next you want to consider materials. Aluminum is the cheapest, has good stability, is of medium weight and makes a good all around tripod. Composit material, (boron, carbon fiber etc.) is lighter, has very good stability and is excellet for traveling, carrying and is the most expensive.
Finally there is solid hard wood. Solid hardwood is the leader in stability, is in between in costs, but is heavy and not really suited for carrying around a lot. It's one thing if you get there by vehicle another if you carry it on your back.

Buy a tripod that is tall enough for you to use without extending the center column. Extending the center column sacrifices stability.

Buy a tripod with as few leg sections as possible to meet your needs. The more leg sections the less stability. Twist lock or lever lock both hold well, that it just a matter of preference.

Finally, buy a head that supports at least 2X or even better 3X the planned weight of your gear. Don't scrimp here either. A good head will last as long as the tripod iteself. Also consider the Quick release system. I do not like proprietary systems. They tend to be limiting. My choice is Arca-Swiss compatible. Many makers of heads and plates in variouos price ranges.

With a little planning and some research you can end up with a setup that will last a lifetime for around $350.00. Don't forget to check the used market as well.

 

[Walrus]

I think that, given me level of experience, the Manfrotto 293 Tripod with 494RC2 Quick Release MK293A4-A0RC2 B&H will be appropriate. It's regarded as sturdy and well-constructed, made with aluminum alloy. Fully extended, the height is at good level. Lastly, at 4 lbs and 21 inches folded, it's relatively convenient for travel.

I'd love to get your opinions, though.

 

[weepete]

I've used that tripod a couple of times and it's pretty good, lightweight and reasonably stable. Pretty much the only thing I don't like about it is the fiddily quick realease system which makes you want to use two hands to release the mechanisim though if you have deft fingers it can be done with one hand.

I've only used it a couple of times though as my own tripod is a Velbon Sherpa which is heavier and a bit less stable. If I'm on the move I just tend to take my gorrillapod and a roll of insulating tape as you will never cover every situation so you gotta make commpromises sometimes.

Ultimately if I thought that I was going to take some good quality photos at low shutter speeds then I'd suck it up and take the extra weight of my tripod as it more often gives me the option of a better angle and more creative opertunities. If not then I just take the chance with improvisation and/or using a higher ISO than I would like.

 

[Scatterbrained]

I think that, given me level of experience, the Manfrotto 293 Tripod with 494RC2 Quick Release MK293A4-A0RC2 B&H will be appropriate. It's regarded as sturdy and well-constructed, made with aluminum alloy. Fully extended, the height is at good level. Lastly, at 4 lbs and 21 inches folded, it's relatively convenient for travel.

I'd love to get your opinions, though.

That'll get you by, but I wouldn't consider it exceptionally stable. Personally I subscribe to the whole "buy nice once, cry once" theory. I'm also not a big fan of Manfrotto's camera plate system. Remember that you're buying into a system with camera plates. The Manfrotto plate is proprietary, and as such, limiting. The thing to look for is Arca Swiss compatibility. Just about all of the reputable ballhead and accessory manufacturers are making Arca Swiss style clamps and plates. You haven't mentioned what kind of camera and lens you're using, but I can tell you from personal experience that a cheap tripod can be almost as frustrating as no tripod. Personally, if you're not looking to shell out for carbon fiber, I'd be looking at tripods like the Induro AT-214, the Giottos 9284, the Manfrotto 055, or other similar units. Couple that with a simple but reliable ballhead like the Flashpoint F3 and you'll be good to go for a long time.

I can tell you that the longer I shoot, the more I use a tripod. I started out with a cheap Costco $70 tripod and it was horrible. About 5 years ago I ended up getting a Giottos MT9360 and it made a world of difference. I still use that as my travel tripod. I can definitely say that most of my favorite images were done on a tripod. It's at the point now where I just keep one in the car just in case. I have my Sirui R series at home, my Giottos in the car, and my Gorillapod in the messenger bag!:mrgreen:

 

[table1349]

I think that, given me level of experience, the Manfrotto 293 Tripod with 494RC2 Quick Release MK293A4-A0RC2 B&H will be appropriate. It's regarded as sturdy and well-constructed, made with aluminum alloy. Fully extended, the height is at good level. Lastly, at 4 lbs and 21 inches folded, it's relatively convenient for travel.

I'd love to get your opinions, though.

With all respects, it is because of your level of experience that people are making the suggestions they have. Many a photographer has traveled down the same road, gone cheap, found out it was not the way to go and spent more for quality that lasted them. You might be better suited to find a friend with a good quality tripod and try it out before you buy anything.

 

[pete_6109]

Depends, think you are steady enough to hand capture something like this?
http://wallpapersus.com/wp-content/...ature-ocean-peaceful-rocks-sea-sky-stones.jpg

Beautiful image. I really like it a lot. Did you shoot that with large format film or is it digital?

 

[Walrus]

I think that, given me level of experience, the Manfrotto 293 Tripod with 494RC2 Quick Release MK293A4-A0RC2 B&H will be appropriate. It's regarded as sturdy and well-constructed, made with aluminum alloy. Fully extended, the height is at good level. Lastly, at 4 lbs and 21 inches folded, it's relatively convenient for travel.

I'd love to get your opinions, though.

With all respects, it is because of your level of experience that people are making the suggestions they have. Many a photographer has traveled down the same road, gone cheap, found out it was not the way to go and spent more for quality that lasted them. You might be better suited to find a friend with a good quality tripod and try it out before you buy anything.

Of course. I hope I don't sound like I'm disregarding everyone's advice and suggestions. If I'm being honest, I was trying to justify that tripod because it's the most readily available to me for a highly discounted price. I am very much interested in your suggestions, otherwise I wouldn't have asked.

I'm just not sure. I appreciate all of your suggestions, but as of now I'm not even sure if I need a tripod. I just want to be prepared.

 

[Designer]

I'm probably not the only one with three tripods. I have one really cheap small one that actually fits in my camera bag. It just stays in there, and I've used it when traveling on a plane. The other ones are too big to fit in the bag, but if I'm going out with certain photography in mind, then I can grab one of the other more sturdy ones. I don't at this time have a good way to strap the tripod onto my bag, but one for sure is just too heavy to strap onto the bag anyway, so I will have to carry it separately. Perhaps someday I will fashion some kind of backpack to carry more of my gear.

 

[table1349]

Your not the only one with 3 tripods. Actually I have 4, but only three were purchased by me. I have Manfrotto 055 XB Pro for my everyday kick around tripod, An old Manfrotto 3236 that is my studio tripod and a Gitzo Basalt that is my wildlife nature tripod used for my 400 f2.8 and other large glass. I also have a great Hardwood tripod that was given to me by a friend. It was designed to hold surveying equipment and is steady as a rock and rated to 70 lbs load weight.

 

[Steve5D]

Better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it...

 

[glun]

I've arrived at somewhat of a conundrum. I'll be relocating in a few months for which I will be purchasing the Lowepro Photo Hatchback AW to carry my camera gear, water bottle (due to the consistently hot climate), tablet, and odds and ends. The bag is perfect for my current needs, aside from one aspect.

I'd like to take some wildlife pictures (birds, animals at the zoo, etc.), but I'd also like to take some landscape/cityscape photos as well. I'm wondering if, to optimize the latter, I would need to invest in a tripod. If the lens has IS and I can level the camera on my own, do I really need one? Not only can a tripod be an expensive purchase, it is cumbersome and the aforesaid bag simply won't hold it. The bag includes pouches on its sides which could technically hold one, but nothing with which to strap it down.

So, I ask: Do I really need a tripod in order to take decent landscape/cityscape photos when my lenses have IS?

For the long run, I'd say you do need a good tripod. You'll end up spending more down the road if you get cheaper ones and keep changing every year. So back to your question, you can avoid getting tripod for a decent landscape/cityscape photo for short term, but sometimes opportunities just come and you would want a tripod with you that time.

By the way I have a resources page in my blog that could help you. RESOURCES | The Photography Express