Do you use a tripod?

[Ukwildlifeo]

I recently bought a tripod (in fact serveral Wabbers witnessed the occasion!) after realising I could have used one for some spider macros a few weeks previously. Before then I had dismissed needing one and all the talk of you getting sharper images with one, thinking a monopod was just as good and less clumbersome and if I couldn't get sufficent shutter speed to hand hold it, I would get motion blur anyway.

Well last weekend I was sitting in a hide at Elmley Marshes and a hare appeared but the light was rubbish. I thought I have a crack with the tripod and my k20d with the sigma 150-500mm attached, and low and behold I got sharp images at f8 and 400mm (600mm on the cropped sensor) at around 1/100th of a second!

Needless to say Im glad I bought it now and definately see the point of tripods!

So how about everyone else? Are you convinced they are worth the trouble? Or do you handhold instead?

[slimrbp]

I occasionally use one!

With macro I tend to use one for flowers but for insects I hand hold as I find it easier to stalk them that way.

However I am being converted to their use for telephoto work

[Stinky Bob]

Only in the garden and specific landscape shots that I purposely went to get, otherwise I dont stand still long enough, plus the kit is heavy enough as is.

[Goldfynche]

I always use a tripod, particularly if I know that I may be static for a while. Also, a remote release is advisable, incase you have to conceal yourself, away from the camera.

[foxy mars]

Although, I don't do a lot of photography like I did many years ago. I still think tripods are a boon for pin sharp images or in low light. I would like a nice compact mini tripod for walks or cycling trips.

[Geoff F]

Yes absolutely essential if you want consistently good results.

For occasional light use I take a Velbon Luxi L which folds up to 14 ins and fits inside my backpack. But for serious use I struggle along with my Manfrotto strapped to my back like a Samurai sword!

A cheap tripod will help but a really sturdy build cannot be beaten, inspite of the weight.

Next comes the choice of tripod head. For quick action, I like the Manfrotto ball head with a 'pistol' type of quick release handle. I have reversed mine so I can control the camera position with my left hand while the right is always ready beside the shutter button.

For manual focus, I just position the camera on the subject, release the handle and my left hand is already beside the lens focusing ring.

At one time I always used a cable release but I found it was fiddly and I lost time fumbling for it; even when I taped it to the tripod leg.

Eventually I did some tests and realised that it wasn't necessary if the shutter speed was around 1/200 or higher, which is a good speed to avoid wind rock problems. I do still use it for long exposures though.

Just one other suggestion. Some people don't like tripods because they are difficult to move in dense undergrowth. But there is a bit of a knack to this. I normally keep the legs as short as possible, often not fully opened out sideways, and gain much of the height by raising the centre column.

Landscape photographers will be horrified by this idea but it does make moving around a lot easier. However, your tripod may now be unstable and liable to fall over unless you always have a hand on the assembly.

When walking through undergrowth, always have the legs facing behind you. And you may need to lift the tripod high to clear the undergrowth when jiggling an open tripod for a better position.

Yes, occasionally, a leg does tweak a bramble which moves a twig a few feet away and that twig shakes the bottom of the flower stem which causes that uncommon insect to fly away. But I lose a lot more photos from camera shake without a tripod.

[jerryh]

I agree with Geoff that a tripod is pretty much essential - at least for close-up work, which is what I mostly do these days.
The holy grail of close-up is usually to have the subject all in focus. This requires a large depth of field, which means small aperture and slow shutter speed - hence the need to hold the camera very steady.

I use a cable release.
Also, recently, I've been experimenting with using the 7D's live view. I manual-focus through the viewfinder but, once I'm happy, I switch on the live view to take the shot. This has the advantage that the mirror is locked up, so reducing mirror bounce.

I have tried using the carbon-fibre tripod that I use for my birding 'scope, but I think it's too light. I have recently reverted to my 20-plus-year-old Benbo 1, which is uncomfortably heavy, I admit, but solid as a rock.
I also use a solid Manfrotto ball head and a focussing plate for those really close shots.

This is my current close-up set-up.


Jerry

[glsammy]

I never use a tripod, other than at home. I simply cannot manage the weight of the thing. I use my monopod as a walking stick and even occasionally to support my camera.

[pressld2]

As one who witnessed the famous purchase I'm glad you're finding it useful!

I have to say that I almost certainly wouldn't have used it in the circumstances you describe. I would have used a pod on the hide window frame. I have very sharp images taken at 1/20th of a second at 400mm like this.

I also rarely use a tripod for macro insects and spiders as I find it almost impossible to get it into position in time and without disturbing the subject. Macro flowers and fungi though are another matter and I always use a tripod for these.

I also use one for landscape and night/low light work and I often use mine when walking about. Very often I don't have the camera connected to it though. I usually have the pod connected to the lens tripod mount and just use the tripod as a convenient platform at head height to plonk it on.

Dave P.

[DrNickBurton]

I use one most of the time. The trouble is, the lens I use about 90% of the time these days weighs just under 4kg - so no chance of using it hand-held for anything more than about 10 minutes at a time. That's the only reason though, and I try to shoot hand-held wherever possible, as I much prefer it.

So, for example, I never use one for macro. For macro, I find it's better to be mobile, especially when chasing itinerant insects. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten half of the macro shots I have if I'd had to faff about setting up a tripod. These days you can just up the ISO a bit if you need more depth of field.