Tripod or not?

[shamanimager]

Originally Posted by deltacsar665

Hi,
Just wondering how many of you guys bring along a tripod whenever you go out with your cameras.

Let me know,(yeah i have nothing better to do than ask people if they bring ou their tripods)

There is always a tripod and a monopod in the trunk of my car. I use them when appropriate. This can be for macro, low light, long lens, or just a place to park the camera (they get heavy after a long day). I was a boy scout many years ago so I always like to be prepared.

[Mimp]

Originally Posted by WooD

Anytime I can use my tripod I will. Except for surfing shots. I find a mono pod gives me a lot more control as far as following the surfer.

For me its all about getting the best image possible. I can hand hold a 80-200 f/2.8, and a 300 f/4 with a 1.4 TC, and get acceptable images, but when I can use a tool like a tripod why settle for just acceptable.

I have been looking at techpod go. The reason is that it has a magnetic attachment, is a mono pod and a 'semi' tripod thing. It is also a walking staff and i am tall, 6'3".

It's on the higher price in Europe. However as it is almost exactly as I imagined what I wanted, and then found someone produced it…

Yet i am also practical enough to wonder if there are other mono pods people have experience of which are good or not worth touching with another pole from a barge!

And if anyone knows If you can get a Techpod go for less than 120 GB pounds and have it sent to France, be nice to hear from you!

Oh, and I shoot hand mostly yet envisage the advantage of a pole as fast. Can not be doing with all the screwing around!

All the best
Mimp

[ToPpS]

If I'm going out with the aim of taking photos that I'd need a tripod for, then I'll take one with me. My bags heavy enough with out it.

One option is the Joby Gorillapod which may be small enough to fit in peoples bags and be carried around everywhere. Just a thought!

[kansasA]

I think you need a "sometimes" answer I seldom take my large tripod but I always have my small compact one tucked in my purse (I know I should buy a camera bag someday).
I mostly use my small one for camera shake and no flash photos, the large one is used at home for portraits, fireworks, zooming, etc. I'm by no means a pro and feel very uncomfortable packing a large tripod to any type of gathering, although I have done it.
Great question

[k9mom]

I have a lightweight tripod that I strap underneath my camera bag, so it is convenient to take the tripod along. Tho, I mostly only use the tripod for long exposures and some landscapes (and since I rarely do these kind of shots, you could say my use of the tripod is likewise rare). I'm really focusing on pet photography and I find a tripod too, too cumbersome when photographing dogs and cats. I like to get down to the eye-level of the pet which is difficult to do with a standard tripod (unless, of course, the pet happens to be a Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound). Also, dogs and cats rarely stay still long enough for a tripod to be useful. So, to make a long answer even longer, while I might carry my tripod with me 90% of the time, I probably only use it 10% of the time.

[Saralonde]

I went for "Everywhere I go" although that's not always the case. I do go out without it sometimes, especially if I don't plan to do any macro, long exposures or low light shooting. But generally I follow the "I'd rather be safe than sorry" rule.

[dcorrin]

I even carried a tripod last time I went to the zoo. Most of the time I will be bracketing, and will batch process in photomatix. Then probably not use the hdr but have the option, and also have a range of shots to pick from and have to fret less about whether I need to engage in exposure compensation, etc.

My favorite time to shoot is after dark, and you definitely can't do that without a tripod. I just got my phottix cleon wire/wireless remote control set, and can't wait to try it out.

[Still Moments]

If I don't take a tripod with me, I will use my Bushhawk most often. I find it steadier than a monopod. It does not replace a tripod, but it is quicker, easier to carry, and is great "in the field".

[erniehatt]

Though all I read here is quite relevant, I myself, the owner of three different size tripods, almost never use them these days. Being retired and a bit long in the tooth find them a pain in the neck to carry around. I use them at home for close up work, and if I am going to a hide for bird photography, apart from that I find something not mentioned here, to be very handy and versatile. a Beanbag. Cheers Ernie

[PeteLanglois]

I always have my carbon fiber tripod and a monopod where ever I go.

Pete