When do you use a tripod?

Paul Goutiere · Nov 18, 2013

Do you use it mainly with:
-large format?
-medium format?
-35mm?
-Never?
-Always?
-Just when the application requires it?

Jeff Kubach · Nov 18, 2013

I always use a tripod. I'm little disabled.

Jeff

bobwysiwyg · Nov 18, 2013

Always with the 4x5 and whenever possible with 35mm and DSLR. Can't beat that extra sharpness regardless of how steady you "think" you can hand-hold.

darkosaric · Nov 18, 2013

Never.

absalom1951 · Nov 18, 2013

Always. Always.

Ian Grant · Nov 18, 2013

When I can with Large Format, that depends on where I'm shooting as in some locations I work in tripods are banned and I shoot LF hand-held. I rarely use a tripod for MF but would if the shutter speed required it.

Many years ago (mid 80's) I decided to shoot LF with a tripod and use 35mm hand-held for flexibility but after finding I just wasn't using the 35mm images I eventually began using a TLR instead. So I work in two different ways, LF always at f22 (even hand-held) and whatever shutter speed is necessary, and with the TLR at 1/125 (or 1/60 on a dull day) and vary the aperture as needed. Those are rules of thumb though and get broken occasionally.

I should add the the handheld LF work is HP5 in excellent lighting conditions around the Aegean where I can often shoot at 1/25 or occasionally 1/250 @ f22.

Ian

Kyle M. · Nov 18, 2013

When do I use a tripod? When I need a shutter speed slower than 1/60, other than that I tend not to use it. I mainly shoot 400 iso in medium format and even on overcast days can normally shoot at f32 with my RB67 or f22 with my 645. If I'm going to be shooting 100 iso film I'll lug around the tripod just in case.

Peltigera · Nov 18, 2013

Frequently. If I am basically going somewhere for a primary reason other than photography I hand-hold, otherwise I am likely to use a tripod. Slows me down which makes everything better.

TareqPhoto · Nov 18, 2013

I always use for slower shutter speed no doubt even if i shoot with lightest gear in the world, and also if i have so heavy gear and i can't carry or handholding it for long even i shoot at higher speed, so mostly with LF or big tank bodies of MF i tend to use tripod.

Also when i use filters because it is annoying to handhold the filters and the cameras at the same time, so i rest my hands for using filters only and to press the shutter.

analoguey · Nov 18, 2013

Use tripod whenever I need longer exposures, but am beginning to come around to the idea of using them most of the time - haven't done that yet, though.

Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk

E. von Hoegh · Nov 18, 2013

Paul Goutiere said:
Do you use it mainly with:
-large format?
-medium format?
-35mm?
-Never?
-Always?
-Just when the application requires it?

Large format? I can use my 4x5 handheld, and my 8x10 could be set on a table or platform, but both are generally pretty useless without a decent tripod.
As for smaller formats, the smaller the piece of film, the more important it is to eliminate camera movement when you want a sharp photo. While I have made very sharp photos with a 35 handheld, I tend to use a tripod whenever that last little bit of sharpness is desireable - I also remove any protective filters then too, and use an efficient lens shade.

J.Marks · Nov 18, 2013

Probably 99% of the time. That's both 35 mm and medium format. If I'm just doing happy snappy with 35 then no. The tripod always guarantees solid support and sharpness.

smithdoor · Nov 18, 2013

I use a tripod on almost ever shoot ever if is faster than 1/30
I never use a tripod for Digital Camera

Dave

pdeeh · Nov 18, 2013

Sharpness isn't one of my necessary desiderata for most of the photographs I take; I also intensely dislike carrying things I don't absolutely have to.

Accordingly, I have avoided using a tripod (or monopod) since I started taking photographs 4 decades ago.

More recently however the kinds of photographs I take, and the sorts of equipment I am using to take them, are leading me to use a tripod more frequently, but I still find it a pain in the arse that I wish I could do without. I use an old Velbon video tripod that I bought 25 years ago to use with a birding 'scope. the struts are broken and it's a bulky ugly heavy lump, but it'll have to do for the time being.

Alan Gales · Nov 18, 2013

I always use a tripod with 4x5 and 8x10. I can shoot 4x5 hand held with my Crown Graphic but I don't. The film costs too much to risk camera shake.

With medium format it's a mix. I mostly shoot people with medium format so it all depends.

I always hand hold my 35mm Stereo Realist and digital camera.

BradleyK · Nov 18, 2013

Always, if I am shooting medium format (most of my work with that format is landscape and architecture). i.e. for slower, more deliberate shooting.
Frequently, if I am shooting 35mm with lenses over 180mm or in low light conditions, where hand-holding is a bit of a dicey proposition.

removed account4 · Nov 18, 2013

it depends the purpose of the photograph
sometimes i use a tripod for all formats from 35mm up to LF
sometimes i hand hold.
sometimes i make portraits with a tripod so i can interact with the subject more
and other times i don't ...

DWThomas · Nov 18, 2013

If I have to pick one, I'll go with "it depends on the application." For what I consider "serious" work (landscapes, the odd macro, etc.), I generally use a tripod, but that work tends to use medium or large format and may involve many seconds long pinhole exposures and the like. For most travel I go lighter and handheld. Occasionally I have used a monopod as a compromise. And if the travel is via my own car, as opposed to by rail in Italy or something, I will likely take more equipment.

I tend to prefer sharp photos, but it's not an obsession.

wy2l · Nov 18, 2013

Only when I want a sharp image.

MattKing · Nov 18, 2013

I like having something to hold the camera for me, while I pay attention to the subject, so I use a tripod whenever I can.

Paul Goutiere · Nov 18, 2013

When I shoot my 35mm stuff I seldom use a tripod. I have used a tripod when I shoot scenics with my M2.

90% of the time when I shoot 2 1/4 stuff.

Neil Souch · Nov 18, 2013

Always - with all formats.

An old photographer once said to me; 'A good tripod is the best lens you are likely to buy.'

Neil.

Jeff Searust · Nov 18, 2013

smithdoor said:
I use a tripod on almost ever shoot ever if is faster than 1/30
I never use a tripod for Digital Camera

Dave

Took a bunch of comments, but this is where I was going to go too.

Any time the shutter is going to be open so long that any movement will cause blurring
Any time you are taking a picture of something that isn't moving (still life)
Any time your camera either does not have a handle or is too big for handheld use (large format)

NedL · Nov 18, 2013

I have one 35mm SLR and one 120 folder loaded with Tri-X and those are for "grab this camera for handheld, I'm going to walk the dog and want to have a camera with me". Tripod for most everything else. Although that's not set in concrete and I decide whether or not to bring the tripod based on what I'm planning to do.

E. von Hoegh · Nov 18, 2013

Neil Souch said:
Always - with all formats.

An old photographer once said to me; 'A good tripod is the best lens you are likely to buy.'

Neil.

One told me, among other things, "Always use a lens shade, always. Use a tripod whenever possible" Amazing what 40 or 50 years of experience will teach you...

When do you use a tripod?

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency