Tripod, monopod, handheld?

[jmal]

Hi,

I will be traveling to Portugal in a few weeks and have a question about shooting in available light. I imagine that there will be plenty of narrow streets and alleys that I will want to shoot. I am concerned that the winter light might limit my shutter speeds and, thus, my dof. I will be using a 35mm camera and tri-x at 400. Standard to wide lens, also. Does anyone with experience in these situations think I will be limited shooting handheld? If so, would a monopod be enough or is it best to just go with a tripod? Thanks for any help. I'd hate to get there and not get the shots I want.

Jmal

 

[Ian Grant]

If the lights good then you should be ok hand-held. I use a 5x4 Crown Graphic with 50EI film, and a 6x17 with 200EI film hand-held quite regularly. But I prefer to use a tripod, whenever possible, it's not always permitted. I have light weight tripod I bought here in Turkey which is great for travelling, the build quality isn't fantastic but it was ridiculously cheap, less than $20, you will be very limited in low light situations if you don't have a tripod.

Ian

 

[AgX]

A monopod can be modified in order to yield more stability and that it can be leaned against objects, in a way that you still can use the ballhead, and thus would gain more control and stability than using your camera handheld. A quite heavy combination, but faster and more versatile to use than a tripod.

 

[fschifano]

The winter light here in NY can be pretty weak too, and I can have some trouble with that later in the afternoon using similar equipment to what you're describing, A monopod should suffice, and would be rather more convenient than a tripod. Some models of Bogen monopods have optional tripod feet that can be folded up into the body of the monopod when not needed. These are pretty good, since you can stabilize the whole rig pretty effectively by stepping on one of the feet. See this link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498015-REG/Benro_450_098_MC_98n6_8X_Carbon_Fiber.html

 

[AgX]

I got one of those Manfrotto `tripod´ accessories. Quite heavy, but useful.

I'm working on further modifications.

 

[bdial]

For me, many lot of my marginal-light/available light photo opportunities happen when I don't have a tripod along. My solution then is to brace the camera against a wall or post, on the ground or some other stable horizontal surface. For working from a horizontal surface you can use a wallet or something similar to raise the lens, if needed (likely).
It does limit your choices some for composition, but there are usually ways to accomplish what you need.

Another option might be a Gorillapod SLR http://www.joby.com/products/gorillapod/slr/
I have the P&S/digi version, and it works pretty well, you really can wrap the legs around railings, or whatever and it will support the camera.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Right now here in Italy the days range from full sun to full fog. Often during the same day or even the same hour. Today was mostly gloomy and raining. Yesterday morning was a solid F/11 on the sunny 16 scale.

A camera with a fixed back might lead to having some serious over exposure.

 

[Bill R]

I traveled to Lisbon in February a few years back. 35mm TRI-X for me as well. I didn't have problems shooting handheld. The tripod was more of a nuisance while hiking around town. Happy travels!

 

[jslabovitz]

Try a footpod!

A footpod is basically a looped, adjustable strap, one end connected to the camera, and the other end held under tension by your foot. I found a description online a couple of years ago, and made one with about $10 of parts from the local hardware store. I used:

• nylon strap with connectors (long enough for 2x your height)
• caribiner for connecting strap to hook assembly
• hook with thread for your tripod socket
• locking nylon nut for adjusting tripod screw depth
• metal "fender" (wide) washer
• rubber washer to protect camera body

To use it, I'd just thread the hook into the tripod socket, then put the end of the strap loop under my foot, and pull up on the camera. This creates a tension, and, like a monopod, stabilizes the camera in one dimension.

Let me know if I can describe it more helpfully!

By the way, I went to Portugal a couple of February's ago, and was surprised that it was pretty bright most days. I rarely found that I had too little light; more often the opposite. If you're up in the hill towns, it can get really foggy, which can create some havoc with light meters.

--John

 

[Ralf]

I'm less than a two hour car drive from (southern) Portugal. Here, the light is so strong these weeks, if you are using 400 ASA film and shooting portraits I'd rather suggest an ND filter than a tripod.

Even during cloudy days, the overall light was very intense the last weeks. No way to compare this to my home country Germany or the winter in, say, New York. Temperatures now are well above 60 Fahrenheit (18 Celsius). This might change in a couple of weeks, but I doubt you will have low light problems during the day.

A light monopod wouldn't hurt, though. In case you happen to have really bad weather, or go to the north of Portugal or want to shoot later in the evening.

 

[trip_wt]

Use tripod as a monopod

Something you can do it use a tripod as a monopod! I have a very cheap lightweight tripod and I just extend one leg and then tape then legs together to stop them splaying out. If I have to use it as a tripod I just remove the tape and set it up. I use duct tape which I find resticks quite well so you don't have to keep replacing the tape. (hint: fold over the end of the tape to make an unsticky tab which makes removal much easier)

 

[tom_micklin]

I had the same dilemma a few years ago - traveling to Belgium and Ireland.
I went with a monopod and was very happy I did. It is much easier to deal with than a tripod and I got very good results in lower light.
In fact, I just used it for every shot for the extra stability.
Tom

 

[tim elder]

Unless you're talking about a huge and very heavy tripod, I would bring it along if you can manage it. While you'll probably end up going handheld most of the time, at least you'll have the tripod when you need it, and you won't kick yourself for not bringing it.

Tim

 

[jmal]

Thanks for all the replies. As for the "footpod" solution, I have used a similar rig in the past, but thought a true monopod would eliminate any axial motion. I guess my biggest concern is wanting to have good dof in a narrow passage that would require a fairly wide aperture handheld. I suppose I'll just bring a light tripod. It's a long trip tomiss a shot I really want. I do not currently own a tripod, though. How cheap can I go without it being a complete waste of money? Any recommendatons on brand/model? Thanks

Jmal

 

[MattKing]

Many years ago I traveled with a monopod that had a ball head and three mini-tripod legs stored in the lowest section.

The monopod was short enough to fit comfortably strapped to my shoulder/camera bag, which had room for both my camera equipment and the other stuff that I liked to carry with me when I didn't have my backpack with me.

It was light enough, and convenient enough, and versatile enough to make a real difference - a great compromise.

Matt

 

[eddym]

I never leave home without my monopod. Doesn't take up much space in baggage, has a wrist loop for easy carrying, and is just heavy enough to use as a club in case of mugging!

 

[Larry.Manuel]

Maybe reconsider your film EI.

Over the years, I've let my photography work die out over the winter. It is often dismally grey here; a quasi-maritime climate at the downwind end of Lake Ontario. This winter, I resolved to use faster film and keep at it. Tri-X & HP5+ at EI 800 developed in HC-110 is fine for me, and I have used TMax & Delta 3200 at EI 3200 [wishing for DD-X]. Yes, it's more grainy, but I prefer that to lugging a tripod.

Often, I find the twilight the most interesting. My Rolleicord and M3 both max out at f/3.5, and I succeed hand-holding at 1/8 or 1/10 second. The chromogenic B&W films are amazingly tolerant of varied exposure: Kodak BW400CN and Ilford XP2. Roger Hicks, in The Film Book states: "Change your film, change your life."