How often do you use a tripod or monopod?

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Mike410

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Mike
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Hi all,

Just wondering how often do you guys use a tripod or monopod and under which circumstances/conditions?

Thanks,

Mike
 
Mike410 said:
Hi all,

Just wondering how often do you guys use a tripod or monopod and under which circumstances/conditions?

Thanks,

Mike
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Hi Mike, welcome to the forums by the way:thumbs:

Personally i don't use either because i much prefer hand held, and my 55-250 has IS so that kind of acts like a bit of a tripod if i need it.

I think most people use tripods/monopods for portraits and landscapes - as things have to be perfect almost.

Using a tripod/monopod for motorsport ( which is my main focus ) isn't ideal because you do alot of panning and positioning changes all the time - meaning sometimes the tripod is maybe too low/high etc...

Adam

:canon:
 
Hi Mike and welcome.

I use a MP all the time and a TP for special shots, at 68 I find camera shake a real problem without some support.

At just 29 you should have no such problems.

D in W
 
inlineadam said:
Using a tripod/monopod for motorsport ( which is my main focus ) isn't ideal because you do alot of panning and positioning changes all the time - meaning sometimes the tripod is maybe too low/high etc...
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Unless it's at night :)


IMG_2694 by Veewan, on Flickr
 
I tend to be a movile photographer, always moving around my subject to get the shot. The tripod generally only comes out when I want to do a multiple exposure-type shot where I want to overlay several images of an angler fishing into different area. Tripod just helps to keep most things static so it's easier to mash up in PS. Other than that, my tripods all double up as light stands for uneven ground
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I have a tripod which I rarely use, and I just bought a monopod which Im hoping to use a lot more than the tripod. I have noticed my shots arent that sharp, especially if in a low light situation. Hopefully the monopod won't be too much of a problem to carry around with!
 
I, on the other hand, use a tripod EVERY.SINGLE.TIME that I can :) I never shoot handheld if I can help it (outside in full daylight, for example). If using a tripod gives me possibility of lowering the ISO half a step, choosing a slightly higher speed or even letting me choose my aperture instead of forcing me to stick with the largest one I can get away with, then it's worth it for me.

But then again, none of my cameras or lenses have image stabilisation, so maybe if they did I would be able to shoot handheld more often without fear of camera shake...
 
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I use the Tripod for landscape shots or things like cities at night where I need long exposures. It's great for these but for most of the pictures I take I don't use it.
 
I always use a tripod whenever i can. I have a Gorillapod also but mainly use a tripod.

It can be a real pain in the a** to carry about (even when you have a light Carbon Fibre tripod like I do) but, I feel the extra effort is offset by the image quality it gives. In addition, I feel that setting up a tripod helps me consider the shot even more. Lots of people walk around and take loads of shots which is fine. I just like to take less but really think about what i'm taking a shot off and using a tripod helps me do that.
 
Have both... not used neither much.

Tripod is definately better for long exposures.
However, security etc in malls/other areas don't like the space taken up.

In comes the monopod. Doesn't take up space, you can use as a grip to teady yourselve. You can wedge for those creative angles, or steady more in macro. But.... I still don't use it.

Probably have their uses and if you don't have 'em you aren't missing much.... I am using my bag more as a bean bag to wedge the camera on for long exposures. Gets lower too.
 
I currently have 5 tripods and 1 monopod. I use a tripod 90% of the time as most of my stuff is landscapes using filters or long exposures.Like has been mentioned, it slows you down and makes you think about what you are doing more.

Dont use the mono a lot, only sometimes when using long lenses at airshows just to take some of the weight, as my back aint up to much these days.
 
Tripod pretty much every shot for landscape work (the bulk of what I shoot) - especially when I'm shooting with the MF camera and slow (25 iso) film... Monopod - hmm, think i've used it a couple of times in the last 2 years - usually when i've been using a long lens to shoot moving objects. Handheld - pretty much only when using the G11 or other compact cameras, where I can't be arsed to carry a set of sticks with me.
 
Most of the time I don't use a tripod as I'm after action shots or insect macros with a ring flash.

If I'm doing low light, night time or firework shots then a tripod is a must. There's also self portraits when it's essential.
 
I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've used my tripod and I don't even own a monopod. It just doesn't suit the way I like to take photographs.
 
Mono Pod every time I shoot sport.... Tripod every now and then but getting less
 
TriggerHappy said:
I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've used my tripod and I don't even own a monopod....
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I've a giotto's tripod, manfrotto monopod (with feet) a trek-tech t'pod a little hama table top tripod for a flash) - & I can count on one finger how many times I've used the whole lot :lol:
 
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I have been meaning to try it out and have a decent tripod but keep forgetting it. It isn't going to go me any room left in the bedroom.
 
I was bought a monopod, but have never used it, however, I use my tripod for over half my shots, mainly landscapess though.
 
Bought my monopod 2 weeks ago. Used it almost immediately during a 6am mass launch at the bristol balloon fiesta. Came in very helpful.
 
My monopod is always in the boot of the car and used often, as for the Tripod, only used for landscape and occasionally for portraits
 
I use a tripod whenever I need it. Mainly Landscape shots OR long exposure shots maybe when using filters etc.

I manged to get to NYC for a day off the back of working, I took the tripod and it turned out to be extremely useful and allowed me to experiment with alot of ideas. Was fun and not too difficult to manage.

Hope it helps. :thumbs:
 
I quite fancy getting a monopod myself. Might see if i can buy one when i get my camera. I think i would use it more than a tripod.
 
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