Tripod or not?

[kelleyrie]

my patience is tested when it comes to maneuvering a tripod, lol, therefore I don't use one most of them time. Which means I don't always get the shot I want but I've come to terms with that at the moment

[sk66]

The ONLY time I use a tripod is for extended low light exposures or "studio" (I don't have a "studio"). If I'm using my 50-500mm, then I generally use a monopod. If I'm just "out and about" I usually have my Sigma 18-200 OS (stabilized) lens attached, and maybe my 10-20mm along. For that I just carry the camera/lens.

[deltacsar665]

Originally Posted by MrCastle

I almost never carry a tripod other than for long exposures.
Even then, most of my long exposure were taken by simply setting the camera down on a rock or something.

Then again, I mostly shoot when there's good light to shoot in.

Tripods are so cumbersome...

Yeah,i know what you mean

[smenzel]

I always have a camera with me. I rarely carry around a tripod. But, I do often have some sort of camera stabilizer handy. That is, I find all sorts of things to balance the camera on if I'm taking a longer-then-hand-hold exposure.

I often have my two for $1 super mini tripod that fits in my shirt pocket alongside my pocket camera. A little less often I have my guerrilla pod handy. If I know I'm going to go out "shooting", I'll more than likely bring the real tripod.

[kencaleno]

If you really care about the quality of your images, you will use a tripod. A tripod forces you to slow down and be careful about what you photograph. I don't care if your super-dooper lens has IS or VR gyroscopic balance,if you use a tripod-you will definitely see the difference-Don't take my word for it-try it! You'll be amazed! regards, Ken

[jsklinger@yahoo.com]

Two kinds of shooting demand two different approaches. When I am going out shooting, I ALWAYS take the pod. If it is a more casual event, maybe.

My motto is "It is never bad to have the pod."
Jim

[parageneric]

I always keep at least one if not two tripods in the back of my truck. I have found inth e past if you want to cpature the money shot, the one that will make you some geeters, Use a tripod, it is like having a whole new bag of tricks. Nothing says great like a perfectly exposed low light photo

[elloco]

Not being an IS lens makes taking low-light shots with a 70-210 EF (the old discontinued in '89 version with a slide-barrel zoom) a horrid experience without some kind of support ... so I always pack either a small portable pod like the Konica Mini Tripod or Joby's Gorillapod SLR Zoom ... the Konika will only help if there is a nice steady surface to place it on but the Gorillapod is an unending realm of stabilizing possibility ...

Gorillapod SLR Zoom in action ...




(excuse the poor image quality ... crappy phone cam)

... you can even wrap it around someone's shoulder (or head for that matter ) ...

[Twstedman]

I always have my tripod though I may not use it all the time. I got a case for it with long carry handles so it fits well over my shoulder and stays pretty much out of the way while strolling but its there when I find a shot that needs its use.

[cassandrao]

I do mostly wildlife, so I take my tripod if I'm not traveling too far away from the vehicle. If I know I am going to be walking several miles to take some landscape shots I try not to take it because of logistics and my aching back! I just recently purchased a good ballhead for my monopod and I'm going to be trying to use that more often to see how that does. If I could I'd leave my big tripod home 90% of the time, but I find I end up taking it almost everywhere I go. I have one of those little wrap around tripods and have never used it. How many people have one and does it really hold a decent sized lens?