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Hey big shots

JHefile

Necrophilia Makes Me [H]ard
Joined
Jun 22, 2003
Messages
1,180
Tell me just how impotant it is to have a tripod.
 
Necessary for anything besides full daylight shooting.

And nice any time you want to take a few shots from exactly the same angle.
 
More important than words can ever say. Basically if you are at all serious about photography (with VERY noteable exceptions like impromptu street photography and the like) you need to have at least one tripod available. That doesn't mean that you will use it on every shot or even the majority of shots... but there are simply some pictures that you can't get without a tripod.
 
Well unless you have image stablization, havign one is important, especially when zooming. Or for that fact shooting any macros and, getting much better results. A monopod is also nice for on the fly steadying. I use my monopod like a walking stick with a camera head.
 
The only thing I know I want is something tall because I'm 6'2 and I want a bubble level. Other than that I don't know anything other than I don't want to spend much. Can anyone suggest an online store or brand and model for a tripod?
 
BAH tripods are good for SETUP portrait shooting, and when you have time. They are completely useless in street photography, wildlife photography, and for candid moments.

Tripods also restrict your ability "to get in there" and are cumbersome unless you by a carbon fiber Gitzo at 500US.

I have one just for formal pictures when you are looking for that kind of shot. Other than that I never use one. I just have practiced the proper method of hand holding.

Cheers,
 
i bought one for 18 bucks at walmart. its about 58 inches, has the bubble level, and has a 1 year warranty, so if it breaks, i will get a new one. i mainly just use mine for night photography.

so far have had it for about 3 months and is still good as it was first...so we will see how it holds up.
 
Originally posted by Eigtball
BAH tripods are good for SETUP portrait shooting, and when you have time. They are completely useless in street photography, wildlife photography, and for candid moments.

Tripods also restrict your ability "to get in there" and are cumbersome unless you by a carbon fiber Gitzo at 500US.

I have one just for formal pictures when you are looking for that kind of shot. Other than that I never use one. I just have practiced the proper method of hand holding.

Cheers,

That's a little silly.

Well, no, that's a lot silly.
 
Originally posted by Zed
That's a little silly.

Well, no, that's a lot silly.

Yeah, I am a only a noob at taking pics but I can still see through this bull. SO I agree with you Zed.
 
Originally posted by Eigtball
BAH tripods are good for SETUP portrait shooting, and when you have time. They are completely useless in street photography, wildlife photography, and for candid moments.

Tripods also restrict your ability "to get in there" and are cumbersome unless you by a carbon fiber Gitzo at 500US.

I have one just for formal pictures when you are looking for that kind of shot. Other than that I never use one. I just have practiced the proper method of hand holding.

Cheers,


With today's point and shoots people are getting grerat results shooting aperture priority. Love to see you hand hold anything slower than a 60th of a second consitantly. Yes we all get lucky on the hold but no one even with the "proper method" can drag a shutter at a 1/4 or 1/2 a second.

I do believe a tall person has to be carefull though. We all get a little lazy and would rather stand than kneel when we shoot. I find my best pictures are almost alway up angle not down. So don't worry about getting those knees dirty.

Bric
 
JHefile you never did say what you were mostly shooting. If it is during a day hike then you might really consider a monopod they are the fastest to set and, shoot. Plus they steady the cam alot more. But I have also used a tripod that way by using a rubber band to keep the legs closed. It kind of give you the both of the best worlds. If it is long exposure for night or, low light where the shutter will be very slow, then a tripod. Hope this helps more.
 
I'm a newbie, using a newbie digicam (nikon coolpix 2200), and I want a cheap tripod for night shots and basic stuff like that. Can I get one for 10-20 USD? What are tripod "essentials"? Can my camera even go on a tripod? thanks.
 
I'd be surprised if your Nikon can't... It has a screw mount on the bottom right?

Anyway, I'm a fairly big fan of the Sunpack U9001T. It costs around $27 and is the best deal that I've found in tripods. I did a review of it a while back... it's probably on page two or so of this sub-forum.
 
Originally posted by mdude85
I'm a newbie, using a newbie digicam (nikon coolpix 2200), and I want a cheap tripod for night shots and basic stuff like that. Can I get one for 10-20 USD? What are tripod "essentials"? Can my camera even go on a tripod? thanks.

All cameras have a tripod mount. Even most cheapo $20 webcams.
 
Originally posted by BricRoth
With today's point and shoots people are getting grerat results shooting aperture priority. Love to see you hand hold anything slower than a 60th of a second consitantly. Yes we all get lucky on the hold but no one even with the "proper method" can drag a shutter at a 1/4 or 1/2 a second.

I do believe a tall person has to be carefull though. We all get a little lazy and would rather stand than kneel when we shoot. I find my best pictures are almost alway up angle not down. So don't worry about getting those knees dirty.

Bric

What the heck are you shooting at 1/4 of a second? Really? I can hand hold WELL at 1/45th of a second, and if I give my self a WIDE stance I can get 1/30 which is good enough for me. I get my self a lens that can do 1.8 or 1.4 for low light shots. See you guys are shooting with standard 4 and 5.6 lenses and that is why you are shooting at such low shutter speeds. Sure at NIGHT I might use a tripod, or maybe just brace against a tree and tuck my arms in.

So before you go crying bullshit do some research, and take a better look at a post.

Cheers,
 
Originally posted by Zed
That's a little silly.

Well, no, that's a lot silly.

Actually its not, but thanks for your educated comment. Please refer to my previous post for more information. If you still call bullshit, I will start whipping out the proof, and facts.

Cheers,
 
Well this thread became contentious quickly...

It isn't so much that you need a tripod for all shots or most shots even... but when you need one... you need one and if you are into photography long enough then you probably will run into enough situations where you need one to warrant getting one. (whew... THAT's a convoluted sentence)

Personally I like using them for lots of shots that I don't "need" a tripod for because it lets me freeze my composition. That way I can step back and think about exposure, shifts in the lighting etc. without having to worry about recomposing the image.

Also, I can use a much DOF as I need when I need it without having to worry about what speed I'm shooting at.

Also, it helps to ensures a very consistent series of bracketed images which often helps in post-processing.

Finally, there is just something special about long-exposures. They often effect light in very interesting, pleasing ways. Similarly motion bluring creates a very pleasing effect in many situations. (i.e a waterfall)

Simply stated if you're doing photography without a tripod available then you are limiting yourself. How much of a limit it is depends on what kind of photographer you are, but I think most people will appreciate having one available.
 
Originally posted by blip
...How much of a limit it is depends on what kind of photographer you are, but I think most people will appreciate having one available.

Yes having one avaliable is important. Just don't restrict yourself to one, and try to remember to get in there! Sometimes new photographers "leash" themselves to tripods. Use them when necessary, but don't depend on them.

Cheers,
 
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