How often do you use your tripod?

[stubbsy]

Another tripod thread

I've had a respite from lens lust, but now have tripod lust. I am thinking of getting a Gitzo 1325 with RRS BH 55 Pro (I know - more money than sense), but this got me to thinking - will I get enough use out of the tripod & head to justify the cost.

So for those of you with tripods out there - how often do you use your tripod?

[kipper]

Stubbsy, I've considered selling my G1325, Markins M-20 and sliding plates to accomodate my lens + body lust

I have found myself shooting handheld 90% of the time.

[rokkstar]

I'd be the same - shoot handheld for about 90% of the time.
But from everything I read, most would argue that a tripod should be used for every shot!!
I just find the thing cumbersome and time consuming and would rather just grab the camera and shoot.
But this makes you take time to compose your shot so they say.

They say a lot don't they! I'd like to meet they one day and see if they conform to their own rules.

[big pix]

More than you think......... you need it for great panos, slow shutter speeds, stops camera shake as you get older, can become a weapon, you will need one if you have had a few reds.............. PS: its only money and a good tripod will last a lifetime, I have an almost 30 year old gitzo and still working very well........

[wendellt]

tripod is essential for night lowlight conditions
80%

problem is as soon as you walk into a public building these days with a tripod security guards say no photos and soosh you away

so i try to shoot handheld even at night.

[birddog114]

 PS: its only money and a good tripod will last a lifetime, I have an almost 30 year old gitzo and still working very well........

That's also my advice, buy one and last.

[Glen]

Stubbsy, great choice, almost identical to the setup I have (1348). It is not so much how often you use it, but how well it works when you do. I have no doubt that I could acheive 85% of that combinations functionality for 50% of the cost but not with the ease of use or surety of result. As Big Pix said, the tripod will oulast many bodies and maybe a few lenses. For certain shots like landscapes, night shots etc it would rate as the best investment you can make. Not a problem for you, but even cheap lenses can look good at f8, but you need steady hands to shoot f8 at night


I don't think you will get as much use initially out of the tripod as say a 70-200VR, but you can amortise it over a longer period. I doubt that the VR will be working well in 30yrs time. That combo is only about a $1 a week over 30 yrs

[birddog114]

tripod is essential for night lowlight conditions
80%

problem is as soon as you walk into a public building these days with a tripod security guards say no photos and soosh you away

so i try to shoot handheld even at night.

A monopod is also essential!

[MCWB]

Definitely less than 10% of the time for me. That having been said, there's times when you must have one, e.g. for long exposures at night... Think about the glass you cold get for the cost of the tripod and head, but you already have a pretty nice complement of glass Peter (except that 12-24 hehe, but I digress j/k), so the tripod might be a good way to go?

[Glen]

Birddy, your Gitzo monopod could double as a telegraph pole and support about as much

[birddog114]

Peter,
It's also depend on, you may not use it in every photo but when you need it at some shooting then it will help you a lot.

[birddog114]

Birddy, your Gitzo monopod could double as a telegraph pole and support about as much

Glen,
It's handling the 500 AF-S as a breeze, I don't think other monopod will cope with the 500-AF-S + D2x and it's light weight.

[kipper]

While I don't use the tripod as much as I should, I feel at some stage of my life I will use it. At the moment, given what I do take, I feel a monopod would be more appropriate.

[wendellt]

yeah i am a big tripod fan because it allows me to take several stationary shots of a scene, I can later re-compose them for conceptual art.

One reason why i don't use tripods as much as i would fancy is the sheer inconvenience of carrying them around everywhere i go, I have a manfrotto bogen it's as odd as a 3rd ear on your knee and is as heavy as my leg.

i want to get a gitzo tripod because they are light
but i am concerned about the size

the one i saw at birdy's looks to big to carry around when travelling, i think it's the standard size whatever model it is
the extra compact version is just too small for a 80-400 vr lens

isn't there anything in between?

will be using the Markins Q-ball MC20(the cheapest one)

[Glen]

Birddog, my Feisol would have crumbled like a paper straw under those two. If I am ever fortunate enough to get those two will make a mental note to allow a little extra for the mono

[birddog114]

isn't there anything in between?

The crutch is on sale at chemist

[fozzie]

Stubbsy,

Mainly use it for my Macro work.

I currently have on back order 'GITZO' G-1588 CF Monopod.

[Mal]

My monopod gets more of a work out than my tripod.

[sirhc55]

I basically only use a tripod for studio work and although I have a monpod I hardly ever use that also.

I have considered getting a ball head for my tirpod but I think I will get the D2X first

[marcotrov]

IMHO I subscribe to John Shaw's maxim, if you really wanted tack sharp images use a tripod. Apart from sharpness compositional technique is well served by the slower pace that the tripod enforces (My mouth is watering just thinking about one of those Birddog Gitzos). Consequently my Manfrotto gets a lot of work so does my Manfrotto Pro monopod.

I suppose not being that good with my handholding ability (Hope my wife would disagree with this - sorry wrong topic!) makes it hard not to use the tripod. All I know is I take either my tripod and/or monopod everywhere I take my camera. In fact I almost feel guilty when I don't use the sucker! Indeed all landscapes I shoot I use a tripod.

I suppose getting the VR80-400 might change my view just a little. oops there i go with the lens lust again, Peter. C'mon Birdy I'm bustin to spend some of 'my hard earned' on a new lens or, heaven forbid, lensES!
marco

[redline]

my monopod is my best friend, and makes a great weapon of choice in a tight situation.

tripod usually get used for studio based work - no money for monolights kits

why are you selling? buyers regret?

[Onyx]

Ever since I sold my trusty Manfrotto 190 to BBJ last year, I can recall 2 occasions in which I needed a tripod. One was the Sydney night shoots back in May (it goes without saying, a tripod is an absolute MUST for night photography!) but I've managed to get by most times with MattK's stabilised holding technique with my monopod. You've got two legs - use them as the two column supports in conjunction with a monopod, and you've got yourself a fairly decent tripod*.

*pending your holding technique.