Tripod ??

run4fun

Senior Member
Was wondering what the % was of handheld shots vs. Tripod or Monopod shots? I picked up a monpod and now looking for a decent tripod? Have the D7100 with grip
 

Vincent

Senior Member
Was wondering what the % was of handheld shots vs. Tripod or Monopod shots?

Depends completely on your style IMHO.
If you do street photography with a 35mm up to 70mm, why use a tripod unless it is very dark.

You go to landscape photographers, they might not shoot without tripod. Same for wildlife photographers with a 800mm.

Personally I do 80% handheld, just like the flexibility. 15% Tripod, mainly at night or longer then 300mm. Remains 5% monopod, that is mainly the 70-200mm on longer periods when moving a lot.
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
100% handheld if the shot can be made.

100% monopod if the hand is not steady enough and the shot does not require a tripod.

100% tripod if the hand or monopod will not suffice.

Other than those thoughts, the percentage of shots via either changes with the subject, the approach to the subject and the intended results.
 

john*thomas

Senior Member
I use one when it's low light. That's about the only time. The one I'm using now is a Tamron I bought at a second hand store for 50 cents. It's too heavy if I was wanting one to take back packing or something but to for what I use it for it's great.

(edit) dang, don't even know what I have. LOL It's a Targus TG-P60T. Works great for 50 cents.
 
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rocketman122

Senior Member
with high iso capabilities in cameras, havent used my tripod in a long time. oh yes I did, but to leave the D600 unattended to shoot the ceremony part in a wedding. it got the shot!
do you use a tripod for long exposures, or use it regularly for evything? sold my monopod, have 1 tripod and sold 3 others I had.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I use whatever's necessary. I do a lot of shooting outdoors, and would say that 95% of that is easily handheld. I use a tripod for long exposures, HDR and other things. Indoors, if I'm doing "studio" shots then I'm almost always working with a tripod. I would say that the monopod is the least used and goes with me on nature walks attached to the 150-500mm.
 

Bill16

Senior Member
I like to use a tripod for macro work, selfies, and shots I can take my time with! But with regular shots of local scenery,quick shots, and shots convenience I shoot hand held! :)

I love my tripod, and my hands aren't as steady as some, so that makes some difference in my preferences! Lol :D
 

crycocyon

Senior Member
The only time I use a tripod is with the 300 f2.8 w. 2x converter. Even if I'm using the 300 by itself, I go handheld. The only time I use tripod exclusively is for night shooting of city lights, etc. and I don't have a flash. But with the high ISO performance of modern DSLRs it isn't really necessary unless you do macro work, night work, long lens work.

Funny I thought about how when I was young with my 35mm film equipment, I would ALWAYS bring my tripod with me and it wasn't a small or light tripod either. That's because I always shot Kodachrome 25 or 64 ASA and so for most shots it was very necessary to have that stability as camera shake was a constant issue. The equipment available these days is SO NICE in that regard.
 

john*thomas

Senior Member
Funny I thought about how when I was young with my 35mm film equipment, I would ALWAYS bring my tripod with me and it wasn't a small or light tripod either. That's because I always shot Kodachrome 25 or 64 ASA and so for most shots it was very necessary to have that stability as camera shake was a constant issue. The equipment available these days is SO NICE in that regard.

IMO technology still hasn't caught up to the quality of the old Kodachrome slides.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
Studio shots - 100% tripod

Outdoor - Varies with subject. Probably 50/50. If it's something I can take my time to shoot, I'll use a tripod.

I have an El Cheapo monopod that I bought @ Walmart. I think I've used it a handful of times: once to photograph a waterfall and only because carrying one more piece of gear through that trail probably would've given me a heart attack. The other times were on the sidelines of sporting events.

For me, the optimal shooting condition would be:
  • Tripod
  • Wireless
  • Laptop/tablet
  • Control camera remotely via app
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
Studio shots - 100% tripod

Outdoor - Varies with subject. Probably 50/50. If it's something I can take my time to shoot, I'll use a tripod.

I have an El Cheapo monopod that I bought @ Walmart. I think I've used it a handful of times: once to photograph a waterfall and only because carrying one more piece of gear through that trail probably would've given me a heart attack. The other times were on the sidelines of sporting events.

For me, the optimal shooting condition would be:
  • Tripod
  • Wireless
  • Laptop/tablet
  • Control camera remotely via app


studio shots like still life, or portrait studio, or all? portrait sessions, a tripod is not even a consideration, I need to be nimble and move around and a tripod is way to slow and cumbersome to adjust and move around. no pro fashion photogs dont use tripod. and no need really since sync times are in the 200 to 250 and thats more than enough.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
To each his own, brah.

If I were doing fashion shoots, I probably wouldn't use a tripod much either. Got a link to your work?
 

Deezey

Senior Member
Hmmm....just saw this question. If I am out for landscape it's tripod. Doesn't matter what it is usually either. Long water shots.....tripod. Flowers in the meadow? Tripod. The reason I love the tripod for landscape is I can sit back and really check the angles. Or I can see something like litter, leave the shot how I want, and then clean up the shot pre shot. Also using the tripod slows me down. Gets me thinking more. So for me, when going out for landscape....the tripod is always there. 100%.

But other times....not so much. Only if I need it for a desired effect. Or pano or other skill set where slow and steady wins the race. Casual shooting...I am tripod less. Usually I will try and steady myself on an object if I am out just winging it.

A tripod though is a must in my eyes.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
Still life I would use a tripod, but portraits, no. its too cumbersome and too slow. and you are absolutely right. to each his own. Im not dismissing your way of working. im just giving my own opinion. we are all allowed our point of view.

except the few pics posted here, I keep some anonymity. I dont post where I live I dont post my work. not needed. I have nothing to prove :)

people have seen my work here though.
 

Dave_W

The Dude
I met an old time photographer a few years ago who said "if it's worth photographing then it's worth using a tripod". Granted, things have changed in the world of photography since his time, it's hard to argue his logic.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
 
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