An Introduction to Tripods
Do you have a tripod? Do you use it?
I suspect that many digital photographers could improve the results that they get out of their cameras simply by attaching it to a tripod.
Over the next week or so here at DPS we’ll take a look at the humble tripod and will cover why they’re useful (read on in this post for more on that), how to shop for a tripod, the case for monopods and alternatives when you need a tripod but don’t have one handy. I hope you enjoy this series.
A ‘Rule’ for Hand Held Shooting
I’m not a big fan of rules when it comes to photography (I’m a much more intuitive guy) but sometimes it’s good to have them in the back of your mind as you shoot.
The ‘rule’ for whether it’s ok to hand hold a camera when shooting has to do with two main factors, the shutter speed you’re shooting at and the focal length of the lens you’re using. Here it is:
Choose a shutter speed with a denominator that is larger than the focal length of the lens.
So:
- if you have a lens that is 50mm in length don’t shoot any slower than 1/60th of a second
- if you have a lens with a 100mm focal length shoot at 1/125th of a second or faster
- if you are shooting with a lens of 200mm shoot at 1/250th of a second or faster
Shooting at these speeds means that the effect of camera shake that you have while taking the shot should be minimized in image you end up with.
Keep in mind that this is just a guide - a starting point if you will - to keep in mind as you shoot. It’s a rule that was devised back in the days of film and these days most of us shoot with digital cameras that often have image stabilization which means you can use slower shutter speeds and that (unless you have a DSLR) don’t have focal lengths measured in mm’s which makes using it difficult. So take it with a grain of salt if you like.
A Case for Tripods
Having explained this ‘rule’ to a number of new photographers I’ve been then asked on numerous occasions why anyone would need to use a tripod or monopod if they keep the rule in mind and always shoot at speeds faster than the rule requires.
The answer is that in many cases the rule will effectively eliminate noticeable camera shake - however on closer inspection of the images you end up with, especially when you enlarge your shots, you might still find evidence of camera shake despite a nice fast shutter speed.
While they can be a pain to carry around with you tripods are an essential tool to have if you want to take your photography to the next level. They help eliminate camera shake, enable you to use slower shutters speeds which in turn means you have the ability to choose a wider range of aperture - which opens up all kinds of interesting and creative possibilities.
In fact I’m surprised that more people don’t use them - I’m not sure whether it’s embarrassment (at hauling gear around), laziness (being put off by the thought of having to carry something else) or forgetfulness (leaving it at home) that causes it but many photographers don’t use tripods - to the detriment of many of the images that they take.
Read the rest of this series at:
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September 30th, 2006 at 5:57 am
Big fan. Big,….huge fan of using my tripod. I have some award winning photos that without my tripod, would be just OK pictures. I even have a little table top size tripod I take with me on occassion. But, by the same route, I have other award winners that were taken free hand. So to use or not to use a tripod, I suppose, is an individual choice. But if you haven’t used one, try taking a really nice full moon picture at night without one. Then put the camera on a tripod and take the picture again. You’ll be amazed at the results. Experiment with tripods. You might surprise yourself. I know I did.
September 30th, 2006 at 9:46 am
I stopped bringing my tipod along, not because I’m lazy, rather because I do not stay in one place with my camera. Also, I am always turning the camera onto it’s side while shooting, so it never fails, as soon as the tripod is set, attached, balanced the camera comes right back off and I miss the shoot I was wanting. I will lean on a post, vehicile or building when I need to hold steady. Love the Newsletters! Thanks.
September 30th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
Good topic
While what you say is true, there is a vast improvement in (mostly telephoto) shots with a tripod, they a minute to set up and the spontaneity of people or animal shots is lost.
What do you think of the Image Stabilization built into lenses, and now camera bodies, 3-stop improvement?
September 30th, 2006 at 11:11 pm
I was using one and lugging it around all the time. But unfortunately I lost it by forgetting I donot know where on a trip. Yes I am a proponent of Tripod as I am poor in maths!
October 1st, 2006 at 6:52 am
I always have have both my Tripod plus my monopod in my ute. when i’m going to be using my long lens (100-400 ) then I will take the mono
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:35 am
I don’t always use my tripod as I move too much when taking photo’s. I will use it for portraits sometimes and when I am trying to get a specefic photo in one specefic spot.
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:56 am
I am for using a tripod, but what is a “good” tripod?
I have a tabletop tripod as well and it does come in handy for the shots where the camera is required to be placed in the corner. I have a S2IS and the LCD screen comes in handy.
October 6th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
I use my tripod whenever I can. My Fuji s5600 only has a 1.8 inch LCD which doesn’t allow the image on screen to show how sharp it really is. If I use the tripod I really get serious about the set up and am pretty sure it’s sharp. How on earth would anyone use a lense longer than 200mm without using a tripod or self timer or bulb. Do yourself a favour..Go buy one.
October 7th, 2006 at 3:03 pm
Tripods seem studioish for me. I’ll tote one when I know I’ll be parked for a while or shooting really low light settings. As an avid hiker I opt for the stabiltiy of the resources around me a threaded treking pole & an object.
December 27th, 2006 at 11:56 am
Canon 400D, Sigma 70-300, 2km distance.
I have a tripod but i put the camer on top of a wooden pole :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zibri/331156608/
May 29th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
It’s possible, too, to get a small tripod for your point-and-shoot digital camera that’s easy to carry around daily. I invested in a 6-inch-tall tripod for my little digi that I can carry with me every day, and it’s proved great for quickly setting up an impromptu shot that still requires a little extra stability. It only weighs a few ounces, and it was only around $8.00.
I haven’t tried it with my DSLR, but I imagine as long as you didn’t have a ridiculously heavy lens, it would work with that too.
September 30th, 2007 at 12:03 am
Night shots without tripods are almost impossible… I love to take long exposure shots at night…
September 30th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
In response to “The Mighty,” http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/an-introduction-to-tripods/#comment-210:
One slightly breezy evening while I was doing some landscape photograhy of the sunset and moon I had my Canon 30D with an attached 400mm Sigma lens mounted on a typical $40 plastic tripod that I got at a department store. Under the circumstances I immediately realized I needed a much sturdier tripod, as I couldn’t get one clean shot with the gusts of wind that kept blowing through. I anticipated the trade-off for a good tripod, besides cost, to be one that is somewhat heavy(ier). I spent time in comparing the Manfrotto Bogen (upwards of $300+) and the Amvona Dynatran (upwards of $200+). My purchase decision was based on my budget and I went with the Dynatran. Believe me, I don’t regret my purchase and have quickly gotten over the fact that it’s heavier than I was typically used to. Now I’m also prepped for portrait photography, sports, and whatever else.
(OK, the other reason I’m really happy about my purchase is because I patiently bid on my AT-828BL tripod with the ATH-918 head on eBay for $44 shipped from Amvona! ;-)
I went to the zoo recently. I didn’t think that I’d need my tripod, and I wasn’t looking forward to luggin’ it around. But here’s another tip: it’s better to have it with you and not need it, than to not have it with you and wish you had brought it along after all.
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:54 am
I’m all for using a tripod. I never do landscape photography without a tripod. I also use it for wildlife and fireworks.
Manfrotto has come up with an extremely easy to use tripod (Neotec 458B) that you can setup in less than 30 secs. It has no levers, no screws or knobs. Just pull and push.
http://services.manfrotto.com/neotec/
I have this tripod and love it even though it is a bit on the heavier side. Combine this with a manfrotto 322RC2 grip head and you are good to go.
January 9th, 2008 at 4:24 am
I really want to buy a Tripod, my dad says he got his for $10.
But I want a good one. And I don’t even know where to start.
I have a Nikon Coolpix P50. It’s little, and not a DLSR or whatever, but I want to learn to shoot with a Tripod.
Any suggestions?
February 24th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Someone asked “what is a ‘good’ tripod?” I have a SLIK that I bought from Amazon for about $100. SLIK calls it their ‘professional grade’.
http://www.amazon.com/Slik-Pro-400DX-Tripod-Legs/dp/B00009R6RB/
Although I’ve seen heavier duty tripods, this one is very very good. It has an excellent head on it and the controls and locks are all very sturdy.
I met a guy in Hollister CA that as a hobby takes pictures of rock climbers at a great distance in Yosemite. When he saw the SLIK that I was using - he told me that he was impresed. He explained that with a remote control and a better tripod - he could drastically improve the quality of his pics because he would not have to touch the camera to get his shots.
Nathan Taylor