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Post by geoffr on Dec 24, 2022 21:33:03 GMT
Following on from the decent tripod thread a very simple and related question.
Personally, alternatively I have a number of tripods I very rarely use one. I find them inconvenient and, mostly, unnecessary because I want the freedom to move around. I also like to visit places where they are discouraged. The last time I used one was in June at my father-in-law’s 80th.
Do you use one regularly or not and why, if you feel like saying.
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Post by John Farrell on Dec 24, 2022 22:08:17 GMT
The only time I use mine is when setting infinity focus on a camera whose lens I have taken apart.
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Post by peterob on Dec 25, 2022 6:32:42 GMT
Following on from the decent tripod thread a very simple and related question. Personally, alternatively I have a number of tripods I very rarely use one. I find them inconvenient and, mostly, unnecessary because I want the freedom to move around. I also like to visit places where they are discouraged. The last time I used one was in June at my father-in-law’s 80th. Do you use one regularly or not and why, if you feel like saying. Rarely. I don’t use long exposures where it would be needed. I don’t do studio or macro. I don’t as a rule “compose” photographs where it is an advantage to hold the camera still and make small adjustments. I have occasionally done so when using a tilt/shift lens. I sometimes use one with a gimbal head when birding if I’m not walking far. I use a monopod rather more occasionally, again if I am going to be stood holding a telephoto for any length of time. |
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Post by squeamishossifrage on Dec 25, 2022 8:31:54 GMT
I now have just two tripods now - both Manfrotto. My main tripod is the 190 carbon 4-section job. It got moderate use, but once I fitted it with a leveling centre column it got a lot more use. It is now ideal for panoramas and tilt/shift stuff, but gets used for any job that requires consideration/deliberation.
My second tripod is a 7302YB 'compact' tripod, but it hasn't seen much use since I got the 190. However, now I have a secondary means of transport - my motor scooter - I am considering building some kind of clamp system to fix it to the scooter, as with the integral centre column/head is removed, it is the same length as the luggage rack. The 190 is too big, and anyway, that lives in the car. I have already fitted some quick-release clips to hold my secondary walking pole, a Brasher. My main walking pole, a Gitzo Trekpole, is quite possibly the best bit of kit I have ever bought, and it receives constant use.
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Post by steveandthedogs on Dec 25, 2022 9:33:26 GMT
When I'm using the pinholes.
S
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Post by andy on Dec 25, 2022 9:42:12 GMT
Yes, although not as often as I'd like outside as the dogs go eat/destroy/hump stuff if I'm not paying attention to them and it feels like something is missing if I don't take them.
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Post by mick on Dec 25, 2022 10:09:36 GMT
Yes - 90% of the time. I do almost all 'macro' with insects and my hand isn't steady enough to allow the critical focus required. It's quite an art to decide the focus point on an insect so that DoF is used to best advantage.
Positioning the tripod loses me some shots but, to me, it's worth it because my hand held focus hit rate isn't great.
Mick
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Post by zou on Dec 25, 2022 18:38:55 GMT
Always for long exposures and pinhole etc., and sometimes for static shots in poor light. I have a very compact Cullman which is ideal for most of what I do, but at some point I want to add a full height sturdy beast for large format.
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Post by geoffr on Dec 25, 2022 20:11:17 GMT
My biggest tripod is a Benbo, fully extended it stands several metres high, great for shots of the moon but far too large to take very far. Collapsed it is as big as a golf bag, which is how I was told to declare it when flying. I have never taken it more than six miles from home.
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Post by TrishM on Dec 26, 2022 11:27:23 GMT
I have three - two are old and the third is a Manfrotto tripod. I have used them all but nowadays they sit in the cupboard but, one of the old tripods is a smallish fold down type thing so, now I am thinking that perhaps I should start using it.
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Post by nickr on Dec 26, 2022 14:16:39 GMT
I always carry a tabletop tripod in my bag. I generally use one for pro work, except conferences, which is all hand-held.
If I set out to take landscapes, then a tripod goes with me. Aside from that, yes, I'll use a tripod from time to time, but most of the time, I don't need one these days what with image stablisiation.
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Post by geoffr on Dec 26, 2022 20:55:39 GMT
One of the reasons I don't like using a tripod is that, to some extent, it stifles spontaneity. Additionally, when taking photographs of birds at relatively close range the tripod just gets in the way, it would certainly have done so today at Watlington Hill where we had Red Kites directly overhead.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2022 22:17:16 GMT
A have a decent tripod but it is rarely used. I often put it in the boot for holidays and it stays there. I probably should use it for landscape but as I don’t do sunrise or sunset, I don’t. I do not like milky seas so no need for slow speeds. I use it in bird hides if space allows and also when I use a gimbal. If I had more spare time it would probably be used more.
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Post by MJB on Dec 27, 2022 9:37:57 GMT
I've used a tripod twice in 10 years. Both occasions were taking group photos at family gatherings using the timer so I could be in the photos too. Like an idiot I followed the advice of others and bought a good tripod (Slik carbon fibre), because no-one added the caveat "if you need one'.
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Post by mick on Dec 27, 2022 10:24:11 GMT
I've used a tripod twice in 10 years. Both occasions were taking group photos at family gatherings using the timer so I could be in the photos too. Like an idiot I followed the advice of others and bought a good tripod (Slik carbon fibre), because no-one added the caveat "if you need one'. That raised some questions. When do you need one these days? Has 'anti-shake' technology reduced the need?
In my own work, as I said above, I use one 90% of the time. Yes I lose some shots because I can't be as quick and positioning the tripod sometimes scares away my subject. Expanding on the reasons, it's because I can't easily use autofocus because, as I said, one has to focus on (apparently) odd things to make the most of the available DoF. I maybe could do that with autofocus and reframing, but , my unsteady hand, the inevitable wind and so on makes hand holding a nightmare for me. I do know folk who succeed without a tripod, but I'm not one of them.
I also use a tripod for, effectively, still life. I treat a fungus as a still life. Frame, focus and closely examine the viewfinder - there's a bit of intrusive grass! Remove it. Because I'm using a tripod, nothing else changes, so I can confidently make the exposure without rechecking and reframing everything.
Finally I use a tripod for 'remote' work. As you may remember I take mostly dragon and damselflies. There are certain species that return to the same perch time after time to await prey. However, they won't do that if I'm too close. I'll set up the camera, prefocussed, on a tripod, and retire to the full length of my very long electronic cable release. Then I can snap the action as and when. It's a bit hit-and-miss because I can't see through the viewfinder but it's far better than trying to take the same shot at close range.
Mick
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